As it became clear that Iraq didn’t harbor any WMD and stable democracy was elusive, neoconservatives and supporters of the Bush Doctrine seemed to sink into the shadows and disappear. Now that our troops are leaving Iraq to its elected government and the Middle East and North Africa have erupted with democratic movements, the tides Read More…
Category: defense
Intervention in Libya
In my last article I spoke of the importance of statecraft and smart power. The situation in Libya is a perfect example of the importance of these concepts. The simple fact is this situation isn’t simple. On one hand, it seems clear that we should do all we can to support an uprising against an Read More…
Implementing Smart Power
At the suggestion of a friend, I recently started reading Mitt Romney’s book No Apology. I was excited to read the book because I thought I’d disagree with it before I even began. (I’ve said before that I think everyone should spend a lot more time listening to or reading those they disagree with.) The Read More…
Lessons Learned
I recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan and am often asked “how is it going over there,” or, “what was it like.” To answer those questions in true military fashion, it seems appropriate to record my “Lessons Learned,” as any good officer would. My first observation is that I didn’t observe much, and am Read More…
Ties Don’t Make People Rich & Islam Doesn’t Make People Terrorists
I hate to sound like a broken record or beat a dead horse, but once in a while it becomes apparent the horse isn’t dead. So I’ll start by quoting myself – as though I’m important enough to quote – and then look at some recent news to highlight the continuing problem. In my Read More…
Terrorism
The use of the word “terrorism” has become very liberal in our day, a phenomenon I believe to be extremely dangerous. The problem with the word is that it immediately makes anyone labeled with it beyond negotiation – an enemy that can never be anything but an enemy. It creates a battle that can Read More…
Foreign Policy & Defense
Ever since the end of the Cold War, the United States has struggled to find its identity in the international world. I’m not convinced we’ve found a coherent national strategy when it comes to foreign policy and defense. The Republicans’ foreign policy is undecided between the libertarians who want to cut off all interaction Read More…