I have just returned from a trip to Moscow, for speaking engagements and meetings with officials, academic and think tank experts, and energy executives about the intersection of Russian energy strategy and Russian foreign policy.
The other day, Jeremy Kahn commented on the release of historic CIA documents that reveal the extent to which the CIA cooperated with former Nazis in the postwar era. The CIA even knew where the ultimate war criminal, Adolf Eichmann, was hiding, but didn’t tip off the Israelis.
The enthusiasm of the U.S. government for pushing democratic reforms in the Middle East must be one of the shortest policy conversions on record.
When I was a young pup working for Senator Birch Bayh, who like Lloyd Bentsen was the kind of giant in rare supply in Washington today, on a few occasions, my bosses would take me to the old Mayflower Hotel where Kenny O’Donnell would hold court.
Many Democrats seem to think the best policy on Iraq for the November elections is to say as little as possible. They worry that Republicans will brand them “unpatriotic” if they are too critical of Bush’s policies in Iraq — if they dare, that is, to use Iraq to “nationalize” the election.
Reading the transcript of former House Majority leader Tom DeLay‘s bitter, partisan (and in these ways, quite fitting) resignation speech from Thursday, I was struck by these remarks: We honor men with Monuments not because of their greatness, or even simply because of their service, but because of their refusal – even in the face…
At a meeting of Middle Eastern, European, Asian, and American strategic analysts in Dubai last week, it quickly became clear that the common American view of the situation in the Persian Gulf region is only about 180 degrees away from that of the rest of the world.
My friend and colleague Charlie Kupchan and I agree on much: Europe faces policy challenges, the EU’s constitution and concern with internal democracy don’t help, and a united Europe is performing well on Iran, Turkey and other issues.
Will the real president please stand up? There in our midst was the real president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, who charmed Washington Thursday as she made the rounds in this village.
OK, I can’t resist. Associated Press is reporting that Iraq’s prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has ordered a daytime driving ban in Baghdad and Baquoba provice (where Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed) to prevent car bomb attacks. The driving ban will be from 11am to 3pm.
