Tag: foreign policy

How Think Tanks Think

When liberal Americans find themselves at a loss as to why Democrats appear to walk, talk and gurgle like Republicans on national security issues — especially during election season — they honestly need to look no further than the powerful think tank apparatus in Washington for the culprit. First of all, it is important to … Continue reading “How Think Tanks Think”

Gay Rights and American Foreign Policy

The announcement that the US government will henceforth push the achievement of “gay rights” internationally, as a key element of its foreign policy, gives new meaning to the phrase “blowback” – and cut out the snickering! Because the self-righteousness and narcissism of American policymakers, in this instance, will have very real consequences for gay people … Continue reading “Gay Rights and American Foreign Policy”

Mutually Assured Destruction vs Mutually Assured Respect

The Soviet Union detonated its first nuclear bomb on August 29, 1949, leading to the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction, shared by both the USA and the Soviets.  The unwritten agreement by the two superpowers deterred nuclear war with an implied threat to blow up the world, if need be, to defend each of their … Continue reading “Mutually Assured Destruction vs Mutually Assured Respect”

Do the Republicans Ever Learn?

In August 2008, as the world’s leaders gathered in Beijing for the Olympic games, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, hot-headed and erratic, made his gamble for greatness. It began with a stunning artillery barrage on Tskhinvali, capital of tiny South Ossetia, a province that had broken free of Tbilisi when Tbilisi broke free of Russia. As … Continue reading “Do the Republicans Ever Learn?”

He was 22… She was 12…

He was 22, a corporal in the Marines from Preston, Iowa, a "city" incorporated in 1890 with a present population of 949.  He died in a hospital in Germany of "wounds received from an explosive device while on patrol in Helmand province [Afghanistan]."  Of him, his high school principal said, "He was a good kid." He is … Continue reading “He was 22… She was 12…”

Ask the Candidates Real Questions – Like These

During recent presidential debates, moderators have asked mostly predictable questions and – except for some notable gaffes – have elicited mostly talking-point answers. But ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern says it’s time for citizens to put politicians on the spot with some more pointed questions. Pity the pundits. It must be hard to pretend to be … Continue reading “Ask the Candidates Real Questions – Like These”

Triumphalism Hides Many Important Foreign-Policy Failures

Nationalism in many countries prompts their governments to trumpet foreign-policy successes while sweeping disappointments under the rug. The inclination toward such biases may only be human nature, but democracies should also take the difficult step of heeding and analyzing the failures—that is, if they want to embrace truth and avoid the path to authoritarianism. Because … Continue reading “Triumphalism Hides Many Important Foreign-Policy Failures”