Report
31 October 2008
Conventional wisdom views national security and foreign policy issues as conservative turf. But over the past few years, and especially in this presidential election, progressives have become more assertive in outlining their own vision of national security. Today progressives are speaking about national security with greater confidence than at any time in recent memory and have consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of the conservative world view.
Report
31 October 2008
There are few things more unnerving, even on Halloween, than Senator McCain’s positions on foreign policy. The area was supposed to be a major McCain strength, but over the course of this campaign it has become increasingly clear that McCain holds extremely neoconservative positions.
Report
29 October 2008
Today, Governor Palin is giving a speech on energy policy and Iran, but her policy and that of John McCain’s are only likely to increase gas prices and lead to confrontation. President Bush’s reckless rhetoric on Iran has already created a security premium that energy analysts believe accounts for 10-30% of the price of oil. McCain’s policies and willingness to sing about bombing Iran promise more of the same. Moreover, McCain plans to continue Bush’s failed policies of refusing to talk to Iran and exclusively focusing on economic and military pressure.
Report
28 October 2008
The Bush administration had no official comment concerning a clandestine attack by U.S. Special Operations forces into Syria. Senator Obama also refused to comment publicly on such a sensitive military operation. Yet the McCain campaign responded with a press release that argued that this operation would not have happened in an Obama administration and attacked Obama for advocating diplomatic engagement with Syria. McCain’s argument is not just reckless but incoherent.
Report
27 October 2008
Nick Burns, the former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs and highest ranking career diplomat in the Bush administration from 2004-2007, has become the latest foreign policy expert to oppose McCain’s refusal to talk with our enemies. After eight years of reckless foreign policy and ineffective diplomacy, the American public is looking for someone who acts smart instead of just talking tough.
News
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch 24 October 2008
Report
20 October 2008
For the past thirty years, the Republican party’s foreign policy establishment has consisted of an uneasy alliance between Neoconservatives and pragmatists. The Iraq war put the alliance under great strain. The decision of Colin Powell, long a leader in the pragmatic conservative camp, to endorse Barack Obama is the strongest of recent signals that the alliance is broken for good.
Report
17 October 2008
One of the major fault lines in this election has been over the willingness to talk to our adversaries. Sen. Obama has stated he is prepared to diplomatically engage rogue regimes, while Sen. McCain has insisted on setting “pre-conditions” before any talks are able to occur. Peace is made through negotiations.
Report
15 October 2008
A new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) concludes that Pakistan is “on the edge” and that the situation there is “very bleak.” The Pakistan NIE confirms that Al Qaeda has found a safe haven along the border with Afghanistan and says that the Pakistani government is too weak and divided to take effective action. This rebuffs the past approach advocated by President Bush and supported by Senator McCain. Led by Senator Biden, Progressives have put forth a comprehensive plan that seeks to address the terrorist threat, strengthen Pakistani democracy, and promote economic development.
