In Obama’s long-awaited “hello I must be going” speech on Afghanistan, delivered at West Point, there were no real surprises. We knew he would take the opportunity to bash the previous administration, ignore the influence of the surge on Iraq, … Continue reading →
It’s enough to make you weep. During Obama’s announcement that soon he’ll be making an announcement about the number of troops in Afghanistan, he said: After eight years ”” some of those years in which we did not have, I … Continue reading →
I’m reading the fascinating book They thought they were free: the Germans 1933-1945 by Milton Mayer (it’s also one of my book recommendations on the right sidebar). The author was an American journalist and educator who lived for a time … Continue reading →
Now comes the news that President Obama has rejected all “of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team.” Instead, he wants to clarify the exit strategy first, and turn over responsibility to an Afghan government that he … Continue reading →
Who are “they?” The Left. What war? Vietnam. What battle? The one that determines who gets to write history. It’s said that history is written by the winners, and that’s true. But Vietnam just may have been the first war … Continue reading →
There’s been a lot of buzz around the blogosphere about Dick Cheney’s speech on Obama’s “dithering” approach to Afghanistan. Much of it centers on Cheney’s criticism of Obama’s Afghan policy (or lack thereof) itself. I’m interested in that. But I’m … Continue reading →
I’ve written before about Obama’s Hamlet-like indecision on Afghanistan. Some call his approach thoughtful deliberation, and perhaps it is (although I don’t happen to think so). But how long should pondering go on before it becomes procrastination? And never think … Continue reading →
This Tom Friedman column surprised me, but it was a pleasant surprise. Several bloggers have highlighted it, and I want to do so too, because it says some things that really need to be said—not that Obama will say them. … Continue reading →
Well, at least
Continue reading →My first reaction was to check my calendar when I heard the news that President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize. But since it stubbornly remained October 9 rather than April 1, and the TV I turned on insisted … Continue reading →
Presidents are civilians, but they are also Commanders-in-Chief. Generals advise them in times of war, but there is an inherent conflict present in the relationship. The buck stops on the president’s desk. But especially when he has no military experience … Continue reading →
Obama has an interesting take on the idea of victory. Watch (and by the way, kudos to the journalist asking the question): To hear this question and then go immediately to a sports metaphor is surpassingly strange, and deeply revealing … Continue reading →