Patrick J. Buchanan

Last week, it was Venezuela in America’s gun sights. "While a peaceful solution is desirable, military action is possible," thundered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "If that’s what is required, that’s what the United States will do." John Bolton tutored Vladimir Putin on the meaning of the Monroe Doctrine: "This is our hemisphere. It’s not … Continue reading “Is Bolton Steering Trump Into War With Iran?”

"Who would be free themselves must strike the blow… "By their right arms the conquest must be wrought." So wrote Lord Byron of Greece’s war of independence against the Turks, though the famed British poet would ignore his own counsel and die just days after arriving in Greece to join the struggle. Yet Byron’s advice … Continue reading “Let Venezuela Decide Its Own Destiny”

"The president has said that he does not want to see this country involved in endless wars… I agree with that," Bernie Sanders told the Fox News audience at Monday’s town hall meeting in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Then turning and staring straight into the camera, Bernie added: "Mr. President, tonight you have the opportunity to do … Continue reading “Is Bernie Stealing Trump’s ‘No More Wars’ Issue?”

On Monday, President Donald Trump designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, the first time the United States has designated part of another nation’s government as such a threat. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council responded by declaring U.S. Central Command a terrorist group. With 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 2,000 in Syria, … Continue reading “Where Trump’s and Bibi’s Interests Clash”

When Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today, the president should give him a direct message: The roster of NATO membership is closed. For good. The United States will not hand out any more war guarantees to fight Russia to secure borders deep in Eastern Europe, when our own southern border is … Continue reading “Trump Should Close NATO Membership Rolls”

"The Special Counsel’s investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia … to influence the 2016 US presidential campaign." So stated Attorney General William Barr in his Sunday letter to Congress summarizing the principal findings of the Mueller report. On the charge of collusion with … Continue reading “Russiagate – A Bright, Shining Lie”

As President Trump flew home from his Hanoi summit with Kim Jong Un, Mike Pompeo peeled off and flew to Manila. And there the Secretary of State made a startling declaration. Any armed attack by China on a Philippine ship or plane in the South China Sea, he told the Philippine government, will be treated … Continue reading “Mike Pompeo’s War Warning to China”

In the Venezuelan crisis, said President Donald Trump in Florida, "All options are on the table." And if Venezuela’s generals persist in their refusal to break with Nicolas Maduro, they could "lose everything." Another example of Yankee bluster and bluff? Or is Trump prepared to use military force to bring down Maduro and install Juan … Continue reading “On to Caracas and Tehran!”

To manifest his opposition to President Donald Trump’s decision to pull all 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria, and half of the 14,000 in Afghanistan, Gen. James Mattis went public and resigned as secretary of defense. Now Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, in public testimony to Congress, has contradicted Trump about the threats that … Continue reading “Trump vs. the Spy Chiefs: Who’s Right?”

"Pay the soldiers. The rest do not matter." This was the deathbed counsel given to his sons by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in A.D. 211. Nicolas Maduro must today appreciate the emperor’s insight. For the political survival of this former bus driver and union boss hangs now upon whether Venezuela’s armed forces choose to stand … Continue reading “If the Army Stands With Maduro, What Is Plan B?”