Ivan Eland

The media and the Washington foreign policy elite breathed a sigh of relief when Barack Obama thumped John McCain in the election. Had John McCain won, there was always the chance that the neoconservatives would have beaten out the Republican realists for his foreign policy soul. With a victory by the liberal Obama, however, the … Continue reading “Good Bye Neoconservatives. Hello to Their Liberal Brethren?”

The Russian military was clearly superior to that of a small country in its "near abroad" – Georgia – but is a "resurgent" Russia a threat to the United States? If the United States insists on expanding its informal empire into Russia’s nearby sphere of influence, it has to expect some pushback from a Russia … Continue reading “Is a ‘Resurgent’ Russia a Threat to the United States?”

In the battle for endorsements in the presidential campaign, Barack Obama snared a strong nod from former Secretary of State Colin Powell and John McCain received an equally strong recommendation from al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda? Yes, you heard right, al-Qaeda! This endorsement indicates what has long been known: al-Qaeda is fairly sophisticated politically. And this doesn’t mean … Continue reading “Obama Gets Powell and McCain Gets al-Qaeda”

Both candidates in the US presidential election have bought the questionable argument that the war in Afghanistan needs to be salvaged for the "war on terror" to succeed. On top of that, to accomplish this rescue, they both have called for an Iraq-like surge of US troops into Afghanistan beyond the 8,000 more that President … Continue reading “Will Transplanting the Strategy in Iraq to Afghanistan Save the Day?”

In politics, truth telling can be dangerous. Remember when Jimmy Carter was voted out of office, in part, for telling the American people, in a time of high inflation and unemployment, what they didn’t want to hear – that they were self indulgent and consumed too much? Remember when Larry Lindsey, a top advisor to … Continue reading “In Politics, If You Have to Be Honest, Wait Until the End of Your Term”

In the topsy turvy world of Washington, to combat what is being called the "most momentous financial crisis since the Great Depression," the Republicans have gone socialist and the Democrats are advocating the corporatism of Italian rightist dictator Benito Mussolini. Fairly unique in U.S. history, the Bush administration has nationalized companies – insurance and mortgage … Continue reading “Republicans on the Left and Democrats on the Right”

A recent US raid into Pakistan from Afghanistan using Special Forces on the ground is apparently part of the Bush administration’s new "get tough" policy on the Taliban and al-Qaeda sanctuary in the tribal areas of Pakistan. For many years, Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda leadership have been thought by US intelligence to be … Continue reading “Worry About bin Laden, Not the Taliban”

In the twilight of his eight-year term, George W. Bush is the loneliest guy in town these days. Remember him? With the economy in the tank, the Iraq War dragging on with casualties at 2004 levels (which we were all horrified about back then), Bush’s popularity is in the cellar and holding. Republican presidential candidate … Continue reading “Is George W. Bush the Worst President in US History?”

In her "I’m just a hockey mom" speech at the Republican National Convention, Sarah Palin – who has rapidly rocketed from an unknown, recently-minted governor of Alaska to Republican Vice Presidential candidate – questioned, with a straight face, whether Barack Obama has had enough experience and accomplishments to be president. Republican pundits piled on, saying … Continue reading “Judgment Is More Important Than Experience”

Politicians regularly turn public fear into votes. President Bush proved a master at this in his 2004 reelection success. Most presidents who don’t win the popular vote the first time don’t get a second term, but fear pushed Bush over the top in 2004. In the 2008 election, oil prices are high, and the presidential … Continue reading “Don’t Worry About Dependence on Foreign Oil”