Curtis Bowman

Andrew J. Bacevich on the New National Security Strategy

Andrew J. Bacevich, in an article for The American Conservative, offers some trenchant criticisms of the Bush administration's latest version of The National Security Strategy.

If you read this blog on a regular basis, then you know that I sometimes wonder about future U.S. foreign policy in light of the country's unfunded entitlement liabilities and the budget deficit. Bacevich expresses some of the same concerns in his article, but he takes up many other issues as well.

Efraim Karsh on Islamic Imperialism

Efraim Karsh recently published Islamic Imperialism: A History. It looks to be a fascinating book. Fortunately, Karsh has condensed some of his work into an article in the April 2006 issue of Commentary. That will get us started.

Update - September 12, 2006: The two Commentary links are no longer active, but you can access Karsh's article through OpinionJournal.

Another Arms Race?

Not quite fours weeks ago I blogged a little bit about an article by Keir A. Lieber and Daryl G. Press that had recently appeared in Foreign Affairs. Their topic is the rise of U.S. nuclear primacy, that is, the end of the era of Mutual Assured Destruction and the beginning of a new era in which the U.S. will be able to launch a first strike without fear of retaliation.

Well, no one can say that Foreign Affairs goes unread, at least not in Moscow. Apparently, the article put a dent in Vladimir Putin's prestige at home. As a result, he has pledged to modernize Russia's nuclear forces.

Esther Pan on the Palestinian Authority

Hamas has proven that it means what it says, what with its recent defence of suicide bombing. As a result, the international community has become that much more unwilling to deal with the Palestinian Authority. Consequently, as Esther Pan of the Council on Foreign Relations reports, the PA is in dire straits.

Kenneth Rogoff on Unbridled Capitalism

Spiegel interviews economist Kenneth Rogoff about the harmful effects of unbridled capitalism.

Once you've read the interview, you might consider reading Peter Berkowitz's review of two new books on the topic of economic growth.

Anatol Lieven Reviews Stephen Kinzer's "Overthrow"

Anatol Lieven reviews Stephen Kinzer's Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change From Hawaii to Iraq.

Michael Kinsley on Meddling Overseas

Michael Kinsley wants to know the next item on our agenda of foreign policy meddling.

Theodore Dalrymple Wants You to Mind Your Manners

You haven't been minding your manners, have you? Shame on you! In order to better yourself, you should read this article that Theodore Dalrymple recently published in The American Conservative.

By the way, if it seems that you've already read this essay a few times, well, that's because Mr. Dalrymple endlessly repeats himself. Therein lies your punishment for not behaving properly.

Matthew Schofield on Western European Malaise

Matthew Schofield of Knight Ridder reports that even the French are wondering whether or not Western Europe is dying.

No Longer the Sick Man of Europe

According to David Crossland, Germany is no longer the sick man of Europe. Apparently, it's now a tossup between Italy and France.