The president is being asked by the Pentagon to provide U.S. ground troops to fight ISIS in Syria. If the president is wise, he will run as fast as he can the other way. There are four potential traps here: The cost in American lives; The … [Read more...] about US Ground Troops for Syria: A Really Bad Idea
U.S.
Is War Imminent?
Americans will be surprised, once again, when a global war starts. Surprises are not new to Americans: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the German takeover of small countries starting WWII, the Korean War, and even WWI. The warning signs of the … [Read more...] about Is War Imminent?
The Turks are Back*
Almost a century after the Turks evacuated the Arab Middle East at the end of World War I, they are back. Not just with bombing or artillery fire, but a full-scale, old-fashioned invasion of Syria. This, just after dismissing or jailing a very large … [Read more...] about The Turks are Back*
The Finns Choose*
Left: Finland shares a 1,340km (833-mile) border with Russia and has universal male conscription for all men above 18. Do the Finns know something we don’t? Reporting out of Helsinki – as deficient as ever with the mainstream media – says the Finns … [Read more...] about The Finns Choose*
Facing Facts* (On Islamic Terrorism)
There is a consensus that Islamic terrorism is now the greatest threat to America’s peace and stability. [Some few would demur; that it takes a close second place to current economic stagnation.] Within that consensus, there are two distinct … [Read more...] about Facing Facts* (On Islamic Terrorism)
US Powerless as “Europe” Collapses*
The British vote in midweek looks more and more like endorsing withdrawal from the European Union. But the process looks increasingly messy. The U.S., whose sponsorship of a united Europe has played a huge role in the past six decades, now appears … [Read more...] about US Powerless as “Europe” Collapses*
The American Exception*
“American exceptionalism” is a term being bandied about a good deal these days by politicians and The Talking Heads. The Founding Fathers, of course, believed quite rightly that they had created a new and unique form of government even though they … [Read more...] about The American Exception*
Europe: A Grave Security Risk*
Left: The power plant in Doel, Belgium. There is no reason to any longer trust Europe. Europe is a collection of incompetent and dangerous nation-states with reduced sovereignty that are incapable of defending their borders and inept at ferreting … [Read more...] about Europe: A Grave Security Risk*
Washington’s China Problem*
The U.S.’ confrontation with an increasingly powerful and incipiently aggressive China is getting much more complicated. There is no question of its high priority among the U.S.’ foreign policy issues. But with a lame duck Obama Administration which … [Read more...] about Washington’s China Problem*
Syria Ceasefire Will Not Defeat ISIS
The United States and Russia brokered ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and few of the fighting groups is scheduled for February 27, 2016, 00:00 local time. While Washington described the agreement as yet another major diplomatic … [Read more...] about Syria Ceasefire Will Not Defeat ISIS