Archive for March, 2006

The “Bush Doctrine” in Foreign Policy (March 27, 2006)

Posted in Bush, Foreign Policy on March 27, 2006 by e-commentary.org

Bush’s recent “National Security Report” discusses the “pre-emptive war strategy” which allows him to engage in wars of “self-offense.”  Parsed out, there are two precepts to the “Bush Doctrine” in foreign policy:

1)      I will invade a country based on my whims, demons, anxieties, and insecurities if someone looks at me wrong whether military action promotes the security and well-being of America or not.  I will invade based on lies and distortions that I will repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat.  I will spill any blood and spend any bullion in the name of my invasion without regard to the consequences.

2)      I will not invade a country that possesses nuclear weapons.

The Bush doctrine is counter-productive and ultimately suicidal.  His avowed war aims compel other countries to commit all of their resources to the development of nuclear weapons.  North Korea is not a target because it has some nascent and is developing more nuclear weapons.  Iran is a target because it does not yet have nuclear weapons.  (Iran is not helping its case with the aggressive rhetoric.)  Bush’s repudiation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty removes some legal limits on nuclear proliferation.  The Bush Doctrine is a Nuclear Proliferation Act. 

Reagan understood the insanity of a nuclear war.  Bush is committed to starting one. 

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The (Unreal) March Madness (March 20, 2006)

Posted in Iraq, Military on March 20, 2006 by e-commentary.org

On March 19, 2003, Bush unilaterally declared World War III.  Three years have passed, almost 2300 U.S. troops are dead, and nearly $300,000,000,000.00 ($300 Billion) is being looted from unborn Americans to fund the daily costs.  The long-term economic costs (more grenades; long-term health care) of Operation Iraqi Liberation may reach 3 Trillion, not counting the psychological toll on all Americans.  Bush’s recent “National Security Report” declares “America is at war.”  A war Bush triggered. 

After September 11, 2001, the American people wanted revenge.  Bush gladly obliged.  The country deserved focused leadership to confront unknown, dangerous and organized threats.  The response should have been carefully considered and comprehensive diplomatic and military efforts.  Bush nurtured some ill-defined animosity toward Iraq and launched the Crusades for no good reason and many bad ones.  By April 1, 2003, Bush should have realized that the U.S. military defeat of the Iraqi Cub Scouts did not prove a point or advance an interest.  We were fooled again.  By then, the military was mired down and served only to provide a common enemy to unite the three warring factions (Kurds, Sunnis, Shiites) in a campaign to repel the American invaders.  The three factions now seem capable of conducting a civil war while driving out the invaders.  Bush’s Crusades have drawn attention and resources away from the real threats and undermined America’s military options in other countries and regions.  The exeunt from Iraq may require intervention by others, perhaps by an emboldened international coalition challenging the rogue American nation.  In the next phase of WW III, the theater may move to Iran.  March Madness continues.

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Dubai Ports World: The Ship Storm (March 13, 2006)

Posted in Economics, Foreign Policy, Market Solutions on March 13, 2006 by e-commentary.org

America and its allies must encourage other countries, particularly Arab countries, to embrace capitalism and participate in the world economy.  The most competitive economic player, Dubai Ports World, was set to take over terminal operations at some of America’s busiest ports.  Bush could have done a more nuanced job anticipating the reaction and introducing the development to the American people.  The reaction of many Americans to the sale was unfortunate but not surprising.  Leaders, however, should lead, not pander.  The one time in recent memory when the Democrats and Republicans in Congress stood up to Bush was the one time when they should have stood tall with him.  Two of the 9/11 terrorists appear to have had connections to Dubai.  There is less chance of an attack on an American port by someone from Dubai if someone from Dubai is assisting in operating it.  Free trade and economic interdependence promote peace.  America made an egregious mistake and forfeited a promising opportunity to build an economic link to the Arab world.  America committed a self-inflicted terrorist act by burning a bridge it should have built.

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Support Our Troops . . . Return (March 6, 2006)

Posted in Iraq, Military on March 6, 2006 by e-commentary.org

[A Zogby poll last week found that even the troops support our troops return.]

“At least in Vietnam, Bush had an exit strategy.”  In Iraq, Bush never even had a viable entrance strategy.  In Vietnam, two countries divided by colonists sought to unite into one people, despite Johnson’s and Nixon’s wishes.  In Iraq, three people inhabiting one nation concocted by colonists seek to divide into three countries, despite Bush’s wishes.  America should refrain from imposing its ill-fated whims upon the world when neither the security nor well-being of the United States or its allies is at stake.  Self-determination is a Wilsonian principle.  Let the Iraqis decide.  Support our troops . . . return.  The emerging fear this week is that the troops will be deployed to Iran rather than repatriated to America.

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