Patrick J. Buchanan

Is the U.S., preoccupied with a pandemic and a depression that medical crisis created, prepared for a collision with China over Beijing’s claims to the rocks, reefs and resources of the South China Sea? For that is what Mike Pompeo appeared to threaten this week. "The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South … Continue reading “Is America Up for a Naval War With China?”

When a Wall Street Journal editorial warned this week against any precipitous U.S. withdrawal that might imperil our gains in Afghanistan, an exasperated President Trump shot back: "Could someone please explain to them that we have been there for 19 years. … and except at the beginning, we never really fought to win." Is that … Continue reading “What Does Winning Mean in a Forever War?”

Is America, in lockdown, with 26 million unemployed and entering a new depression, up for a confrontation and Cold War with China? For that appears to be where the GOP wishes to lead us. According to Politico, a 57-page memo from Mitch McConnell’s senatorial committee instructs GOP candidates to blame the coronavirus pandemic on China, … Continue reading “Up for a New Cold War – With China?”

For declaring in March that the U.S. economy might be reopened by Easter, President Donald Trump was roundly mocked. Yet, it appears his political instincts were correct. He was more in tune with his country than were his critics. By early Easter week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the governors of six states in the New … Continue reading “Will COVID-19 Retire the World’s Policeman?”

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has just given us notice he will be terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement that governs U.S. military personnel in the islands. His notification starts the clock running on a six-month deadline. If no new agreement is negotiated, the VFA is dissolved. What triggered the decision? Duterte was offended that one of … Continue reading “If Duterte Wants Us Out, Let’s Go”

The directed killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s blood-soaked field marshal in the "forever war" of the Middle East, has begun to roil the politics of both the region and the USA. A stunned and shaken Iran retaliated by firing a dozen missiles at two U.S. bases in Iraq. Yet, before launching the attack, Iran … Continue reading “Trump’s In-Kind Contribution to Bernie”

As of Dec. 26, Kim Jong Un’s "Christmas gift" to President Donald Trump had not arrived. Most foreign policy analysts predict it will be a missile test more impressive than any Pyongyang has yet carried off. What is Kim’s game? What does Kim want? He cannot want war with the United States, as this could … Continue reading “Is ‘Little Rocket Man’ Winning?”

At first glance, it would appear that five months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong had produced a stunning triumph. By September, the proposal of city leader Carrie Lam that ignited the protests – to allow criminal suspects to be extradited to China for trial – had been withdrawn. And though the protesters’ demands escalated … Continue reading “In Hong Kong, It’s US vs. China Now”

A week from now, the 29 member states of "the most successful alliance in history" will meet to celebrate its 70th anniversary. Yet all is not well within NATO. Instead of a "summit," the gathering, on the outskirts of London, has been cut to two days. Why the shortened agenda? Among the reasons, apprehension that … Continue reading “Is Macron Right? Is NATO, 70, Brain Dead?”

On hearing the State Department’s George Kent and William Taylor describe President Donald Trump’s withholding of military aid to Ukraine, The New York Times summarized and solemnly endorsed their testimony: "What clearly concerned both witnesses wasn’t simply the abuse of power by the President, but the harm it inflicted on Ukraine, a critical ally, under … Continue reading “When Did Ukraine Become a ‘Critical Ally’?”