Is Israel losing bipartisan support?

As Israel ponders a new isolation in its neighborhood (one where it was never really accepted even at the best of times), I find myself wondering if there isn’t another long term trend that will threaten it even more profoundly. Its just a slight trend that I am noticing, but one that if played out, [...]

Enhanced US presence in Asia – Cold War thinking or pragmatic way to keep the peace?

Anyone who knows me, or follows me on Twitter, knows that I am somewhat of a hawk when it comes to China. I acknowledge its rise – its rightful rise – and understand that the world order will change as a result of it. However, I also understand that other powers in Asia and the [...]

Top 3 Countries by Economic Dominance – 1870 to 2030 (Proj)

For what its worth, here is something I found in the Economist. I am not saying I agree with the 2030 projections, as history has a funny way of not working in straight lines. China should not take its continued high rate of economic growth for granted. By the same token, we should not take [...]

19th Century British Politicians address America’s foreign policy dilemma today

I came across an article in The National Interest that caught my eye. The article is called “Once upon a time in Westphalia” and discusses how two British MPs, Richard Cobden and John Bright, made a convincing case for England not to interfere in the affairs of other nations. It highlights England’ undue concern about [...]

To keep NATO relevant, make it less ambitious

NATO has been the most successful military alliance in human history. It served as the bulwark, not just for the Western World against the USSR, but for freedom against totalitarianism globally. That it won without ever having fought an actual war is a real testament to its strategy and its commitment. However, its very success [...]

Hard Headed Liberal Foreign Policy

I am not in the habit of calling myself a liberal. I prefer to describe myself a defense hawk. But i am impassioned in the defense of the idea that Democrats can be tough on national security and foreign policy. I wrote a few days back about President Obama’s tough “leading from behind”. His approach [...]

Unlike Libya, regime change in Syria would have security implications for the U.S

This week’s regime change in Libya is a welcome development. The Libyan people can look forward to a much brighter future, even if the short or medium term may be messy, or even mildly Islamist. Lets not forget that the former dictator was an out and out terrorist who made Libya a pariah nation. Gadhafi [...]

Sometimes leading from behind is the right thing to do

A number of U.S. politicians and defense specialists, John McCain included, have criticized the President for not taking an active public role in leading NATO action in Libya – for leading from behind. Such criticism, however, is based on cynical domestic politics, and not on well thought through international policies. . The United States is [...]

What the Pentagon China report says, and what Daily Exception suspects it does not

First of all, let me admit that I have not read all 84 pages of the Pentagon’s annual report on China’s military in any detail. But judging by the summary and from press reports, none of its main conclusions surprise me. I suspect, however, it may miss a bigger perspective that also needs to be [...]

Time to buy guns and gold?

In general, I hate to be alarmist. But recent events tell me that we are reaching a psychological turning point in the world. Weak economic data out of the U.S., combined with continuing worries in the Eurozone continue to spook the markets. More than just the numbers, the inability of the political establishment (in either [...]