foreign policy – Page 6

Archena January 6, 2023January 3, 2023Fridayforeign policy, Politics, US

Enlightened Self Interest – It’s About US, Isn’t It?

The US doesn’t get to sit out much. If you ask the Ukrainians defending their homeland the war is most definitely NOT about the United States. They’re absolutely right, except for the part where it kinda is. Not because we’re sending them support – who isn’t? Not because we are providing intelligence – ours is cooler because satellites but intelligence is a big tent. Not because we’re the US of A and rah, rah, rah – even we have some … Continue reading “Enlightened Self Interest – It’s About US, Isn’t It?”

Archena January 4, 2023January 3, 2023Wednesdayforeign policy, Politics, US, World Policeman

It’s About Our Future

America is the most consarned, ornery thickheaded mule of a nation-state ever when it gets that isolationistic bee in its bonnet. Dumbest question I hear conservatives ask is ‘why do WE have to be the world’s policeman’? Simple, it’s us or something MUCH worse. I’d be amazed if we could convince Europe to take the job, let alone pony up for the necessary military costs. However, do we really want the folks that brought us not one but two world … Continue reading “It’s About Our Future”

Archena January 3, 2023January 3, 2023Mondayforeign policy, Politics, Russia, Ukraine

It’s About the Future

Communism and socialism were both born in the latter part of the Nineteenth Century. I’m aware that the concepts of communal ownership and related practices do predate the Industrial Revolution but as political and economic movements, both are born in the later Industrial Revolution. The distinguishing of property into classes which could or could not be privately owned is a modern invention. You get to own your bed but not the land that the house sits on – modernity is … Continue reading “It’s About the Future”

Archena December 28, 2022December 26, 2022Wednesdaybiden, foreign policy, party, Politics, Putin, Russia, Ukraine

It Ain’t About Putin

Before you ask, yes, this has to do with American politics and yes, it’s Wednesday. I’m not suggesting for an instant that Putin didn’t order the invasion – of course he did. Russia would have lost a LOT more generals and not in Ukraine had they invaded so much as a Mickey D’s without Putin’s say-so. What I am going to tell you is that events have gotten well away from Putin’s control. From the point of view of his … Continue reading “It Ain’t About Putin”

Archena December 26, 2022December 26, 2022Current, Mondaybiden, congress, crisis, foreign policy, party, Politics, Russia, Ukraine

It Ain’t About Biden

I know, I know. Monday is foreign relations day. I’m getting there, you’ll see. There are a lot of conservatives that are not happy about the US’ support of Ukraine. This is not because they support Putin or that they wish ill towards the Ukrainian people. In my opinion, it’s largely related to the corruption links between Hunter Biden and Ukraine. Ukraine is not an innocent baby nor is it a little devil. Ukraine has a major problem with corruption, … Continue reading “It Ain’t About Biden”

Archena December 23, 2022December 22, 2022Current, Fridaycorruption, crisis, foreign policy, NATO, party, Politics, Russia, Ukraine

It Ain’t About NATO

I know, normally I talk American politics on Friday. Well, that’s what I’m doing. Hang on, you’ll see – but first I need to kill off the stupid elephant in the room. To the best of my knowledge the ‘NATO expansion problem’ theory originates with Mearsheimer . I’ve heard him give one talk about it. It seemed a well reasoned position and he argued it compellingly. Before the invasion, it made a great deal of sense. It just happens to … Continue reading “It Ain’t About NATO”

Archena December 13, 2022December 13, 2022MondayAmerican Values, Authoritarian, Authoritarianism, foreign policy, Freedom, Freedom of Speech, Ideals, International Affairs, International Aid, International Relations, International Security, International Trade, Politics

Why Foreign Affairs Matter to the US

First, let’s get something straight – the sky ain’t falling. No generation has a crystal ball. They all have to look whatever disaster comes their way square in the eye and decide how to handle it. This current ‘upheaval’ is no different. The one constant in the political world is change – usually messy, quiet change until it becomes a big, nasty problem. My favorite cartoon as a kid was a seriously stupid one season wonder called The Drak Pack. … Continue reading “Why Foreign Affairs Matter to the US”

Archena December 6, 2022December 6, 2022Current, Mondaycrisis, Democrat, foreign policy, party, political theory, Politics, pragmaticism, principle, Realpolitik, Republican, Russia, Ukraine

The Failure of Realpolitik

Political Scientists like to think they are real scientists. Sometimes, they even are. Most times, they are analysts. But since the field has science in the name, they try very, very hard to be a sciency as possible. The results can be fairly comical. Scientist or analyst, they still need frameworks to work from. America has 330 million people and 22,000 plus governments. Making sense of that without some kind of framework is impossible. The world has 195 countries, not … Continue reading “The Failure of Realpolitik”

Archena November 29, 2022November 29, 2022Current, MondayCCP, China, Chinese Communist Party, Chinese Protests, covid, covid C19, crisis, foreign policy, Politics, Protests, Tiananmen Square, Uprising

Protests and Unrest in China

Okay, those of you that think this is a bad sign for the CCP and that China could collapse, you’re not wrong. Those of you who think China probably won’t collapse aren’t wrong either. Nation-states are resilient and this is not China’s first rodeo. But it is their first ride on a bull this big. So, what does it mean? Well, it means the CCP has pulled off something once believed to be nearly impossible – they have found the … Continue reading “Protests and Unrest in China”

Archena November 26, 2022November 26, 2022Current, FridayAuthoritarian, Authoritarianism, capitolism, communism, Democracy, Democrat, democratic republic, foreign policy, Freedom, Liberty, party, political ideology, Politics, Republican, Security, socialism

Government: Parent or Pet?

The Twentieth Century was a contest between competing political ideologies. It is a gross oversimplification to say that it was just between Communism and Capitalism or Authoritarianism and Democracy. Politics exists on a spectrum and no matter how hard we try, there are too many issues to have even two people agree on every single one, let alone whole nation-states of people. But since I’m still not interested in writing a dissertation, we’ll settle for the generalization. The Twentieth Century … Continue reading “Government: Parent or Pet?”

Tag foreign policy

Tag: foreign policy

Enlightened Self Interest – It’s About US, Isn’t It?

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It’s About Our Future

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It’s About the Future

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It Ain’t About Putin

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It Ain’t About Biden

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It Ain’t About NATO

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Why Foreign Affairs Matter to the US

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The Failure of Realpolitik

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Protests and Unrest in China

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Government: Parent or Pet?

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