War and Its Discontents

Of late, sundry elevated Neo-Conservatives have been facing up to the implications of their demands on History’s Muse. In passing, I note that for a movement said, "not to exist," they have been all over the place with their latest cogitations. Have their recent cogitations led them to draw back from their program of world … Continue reading “War and Its Discontents”

Liberman’s Supreme Soviet

I have received a lot of curses in my lifetime, and here and there some compliments, too. But I have never received a compliment like this one: an important party, represented in the Knesset, has mentioned my name in its official election platform. Under the heading "Legislation and strict supervision of organizations and activists of … Continue reading “Liberman’s Supreme Soviet”

Can Exile Solve the Saddam Problem?

We’ve been getting all these trial balloons, so maybe there’s a serious effort underway. (Or maybe not.) A December 29 Associated Press story that ran in numerous newspapers and Web sites around the world, says that Arab leaders "are considering the possibility of pressing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to step down and go into exile. … Continue reading “Can Exile Solve the Saddam Problem?”

Do Neocons Exist?

Max Boot starts out his essay on "What the Heck is a ‘Neocon?’" – which should have been titled "Who, Me?" – by claiming to find the label affixed to his political persona "mystifying." Yet he winds up writing a mini-manifesto of the Neocon Creed: "It is not really domestic policy that defines neoconservatism. This … Continue reading “Do Neocons Exist?”

The View From Over Here: Killing the Chicken to Frighten the Monkey

Being an American living in China means never lacking for small talk. During times of peace, conversation tends to be genial. "If I visit Hollywood, where should I stand to see the most movie stars?" is a common query. "Can I really buy a gun at any supermarket in your country?" is another. Recently though, … Continue reading “The View From Over Here: Killing the Chicken to Frighten the Monkey”

Musharraf’s Speech Raises the Nuclear Danger

If Pakistan’s president, General Pervez Musharraf, wanted to send a shiver down the spine of the international community, and remind it that South Asia still remains the world’s most dangerous place, he could not have done so more effectively than he did last Monday while addressing Air Force veterans in Karachi. Gen Musharraf said he … Continue reading “Musharraf’s Speech Raises the Nuclear Danger”