Discussion of America’s national security interests and well as rights and responsibility in the world community
19) Ill Winds – Larry Diamond
The author is a recognized scholar on what makes democracies thrive as well as what makes them die. The central theme of this book is that democracy is under threat around the world and that the defense and advancement of democratic governance worldwide relies heavily on global leadership by the United States.
We desperately need a moderate and rational leader to win the Presidency in 2020. The destruction, both economic and diplomatic, already done to America’s international leadership by President Trump will take a generation to repair. We have equally pressing problems to solve here at home while the president stokes racist, white supremacist, and anti-immigrant hate to keep us divided.
18) The Shadow War – Jim Schiotto
The author makes the case with factual information and interviews with military and intelligence leaders that the US is currently in a real war with Russia and China, and at this point in time they are winning. He says this undeclared asymmetric war is the greatest danger to our national security that we face.
Over the Memorial Day weekend I spent a lot of time contemplating the history and future of our country. Reflecting on the current reality left me feeling very uneasy. The world order seems to be breaking down. Radical populists are gaining strength on both extremes but especially on the right side of the political spectrum. And just when American leadership is needed most, the US is withdrawing from the stabilizing role it has played since World War II.
I was distressed to hear Senator Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader in the Senate, encourage President Trump to continue his trade war with China. I had thought Schumer was smart and sincere. It makes me wonder if the Democrats are any more fit to govern than the Republicans. I share his and Trump’s desire to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices. But in his heart-of-hearts Schumer must know that Trump’s is an insane strategy for achieving that objective.
Sadly, it seems the US is preparing for yet another war, this time with Iran. The Trump Administration has turned up the rhetoric in the past couple of weeks about a developing military threat from Iran, has ordered State Department people out of Iraq, and dispatched a carrier group and air wing to the Middle-East.
A rogue nation launches a program to build nuclear weapons. A Democratic US President with the participation of allies and the blessing of the United Nations enters negotiations to end that program.
Trump and Netanyahu celebrated the United States moving its embassy from Tele Aviv to Jerusalem with Israeli solders killing Palestinians protesting the loss of their future capital city. That made for great optics!!
One of my readers has challenged me to comment on the upcoming meeting between Trump and the North Korean dictator, Kim. So here goes:
During most of my life I have been proud that the United State is the strongest, most democratic, and politically stable nation on earth. That strength spanned the entire spectrum of civilized achievement from economics, technology, and innovation to human rights, social justice, and the rule of law.
