Antiwar.com

Never mind those weapons of mass destruction, said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to the Senate armed services committee: “The coalition did not act in Iraq because we had discovered dramatic new evidence of Iraq’s pursuit of weapons of mass murder. We acted because we saw the evidence in a dramatic new light, through the … Continue reading “‘IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT’”

Only in 2003 could a 5’8" politician named Howard be considered a favorite for a major party’s Presidential nomination. Yet that is exactly what has happened with former Vermont Governor Dean. His supporters point to his strong showing in the recent "MoveOn.Org Presidential Preference Primary" as well as to the surprising strength in his campaign’s … Continue reading “Howard Dean? Antiwar!?”

Driven by the demand for information about the Balkans wars, a veritable mountain of books, pamphlets and papers have been produced over the course of the 1990s, purporting to explain and analyze tragedy of former Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, this quantity did not translate into anything resembling quality. Most of what’s been written about the fighting in … Continue reading “Worthless Words”

The easy answer: George W. Bush. But that’s too easy. It’s highly unlikely the President of the United States got up there and knowingly fibbed about the existence of weapons that would surely not be found. No doubt he fully expected the evidence to turn up, verifying what he and other members of his administration … Continue reading “MOSAIC OF LIES”

In a little-known 1974 document entitled "Rumsfeld’s Rules," the Secretary of Defense offers his philosophy on life and work. But how well does Rumsfeld follow his own rules? Here’s a sampler of quotes from the text, followed by Rumsfeld’s actual performance. 1. "You and the White House staff must be seen to be above suspicion." Rumsfeld … Continue reading “Rumsfeld’s Rules”

In a little-known 1974 document entitled "Rumsfeld’s Rules," the Secretary of Defense offers his philosophy on life and work. But how well does Rumsfeld follow his own rules? Here’s a sampler of quotes from the text, followed by Rumsfeld’s actual performance. 1. "You and the White House staff must be seen to be above suspicion." Rumsfeld … Continue reading “Rumsfeld’s Rules”

There are some in the Beltway who consider that the very fact that the United States has no particular interest in the outcome of the current civil war in Liberia – beyond a vague humanitarian desire for the killing to come to an end – as the best of justifications for sending American troops to … Continue reading “Liberia: What American Interest?”

Of all places for the U.S. to intervene militarily, why oh why does it have to be Liberia? I’ll tell you why: political correctness. Liberia, you see, gives us a chance to “liberate” a country populated by blacks, and, furthermore, one that was supposedly founded by “freed slaves.” So, you see, America is the “mother … Continue reading “TO HECK WITH LIBERIA!”

There’s plenty of irony in being called “unpatriotic” by foreigners who know little of and care nothing for this country’s proud legacy of contempt for empires. But I must put away my bitterness, for now, because this Independence Day is a time for mourning: it is, after all, quite possibly our last 4th of July … Continue reading “MOURNING IN AMERICA”

According to Amazon.com, everything Foster Rhea Dulles wrote is out of print. That said, the writing of Mr. Dulles is worthy of our attention, both because of his family ties and because, as in his America’s Rise to World Power (1955, Harper Collins), Dulles builds a neat, authoritative case, debunking the avoidance of foreign entanglements … Continue reading “Court Historians, Then and Now”