The United States is in pretty good shape as a nation state, but its overseas empire is clearly on the wane - not just in the Middle East but also in Central America and East Asia. Note that this empire is informal rather than formal in character. It’s a loose edifice, made up of military bases, multinational offices, cultural franchises and missionaries.On the rise - or rather the rebound - are Russia and Iran, the energy empires. And rising even faster, of course, is China, the export empire. Note that all three have long imperial histories. I don't count the European Union as an empire; it’s just a loose confederacy-cum-customs union.
The war was supposed to be against the perpetrators of 9/11 and their associates. But after Afghanistan, that was rather lost from view. Otherwise, much more pressure would have been directed against the Al Qaeda network's main bases: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Western Europe (especially Germany). Extending the war to Iraq confused the issue, since Saddam's links to Al Qaeda were close to non-existent.
The most effective way of winning this war is not with soldiers in Humvees, much less air strikes. It's all about human intelligence - infiltrating and disrupting the network to prevent further 9/11s.
... very interesting interview from FrontPageMag; worth a read!
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The most effective way of winning this war is not with soldiers in Humvees, much less air strikes. It's all about human intelligence - infiltrating and disrupting the network to prevent further 9/11s.
Human intel: I've been wondering what our capabilities are in that area. From what I've gathered, those skills have gotten quite rusty in the last 15 to 20 years. That worries me.
Yeah, I've always wanted a two-prong approach.
Massive never-yielding violent destruction against radical Islam in the field against Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan plus a world-wide Intel and PR campaign against Radical Islam and countries that support it (Saudi Arabia).
Thanks to PC-loving/oil loving G.W. we got neither. He (and Congress)really do not want to fight the W.O.T.
I read Trish's links on the CIA. What an utter disappointment they've been.
Looks like more and more folks are finally seeing Bush with open eyes. Why does it take so long!?!
Yes, Lady.
Maybe that should be "most of the people, all of the time".
I don't know if that speaks to their "loyal goodness" or their "don't give a damn" evil. If I'm a pessimist it's because I think it speaks to the latter.
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