Foreign Affairs: Would Senator McCain be even worse than President Bush?
Posted 11 weeks 2 days ago byWe know where Sen. McCain stand on the war in Iraq; He is claiming that " the surge is working " and doesn't want any time frame for the US pull out until the " enemy is defeated ", and Iraq can function as a " stable democracy ". He wants to stay until the " job is done " ( whatever that means?) and he mentioned, in a speech, a few month ago that the " US could be in Iraq for another 100 years ".
As far as Iran, Syria and Pakistan he could possibly apply an even less conciliatory policy than the Bush Administration.
In the context of dealing with Russia, it is even worse. He wants Russia booted out of the G8.
Even President Bush understand that such a move, would be unwise and counterproductive. Is Russia a democracy? No, but at least under Vladimir Puttin iron fist rule, it is stable and doesn't present anylonger the chaotic risks of the 1990's Russia under the rule of Boris Yeltsin. Let's face it, Puttin will remain ( even as Prime minister) the strong man of Russia for another 4 years.
This is part of a piece written by Senator McCain in the November/ December 2007's issue of Foreign Affairs Magazine:
" A decade and half ago, the Russian people threw off the tyranny of communism and seemed determined to build a democracy and a free market and to join the West. Today, we see in Russia diminishing political freedoms, a leadership dominated by a clique of former intelligence officers, efforts to bully democratic neighbors, such as Georgia, and attempts to manipulate Europe's dependence on Russian oil and gas. We need a new Western approach to this revanchist Russia. We should start by ensuring that the G 8, the group of eight highly industrialized states, becomes again a club of leading market democracies: It should include Brazil & India but exclude Russia. Rather than tolerate Russia's nuclear blackmail or cyberattacks. Western nations should make clear that the solidarity of NATO, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, is indivisible and that the organization's doors remains open to all democracies committed to the defense of freedom. We must also increase our programs supporting freedom and the rule of law in Russia. "
Instead of worrying about gas prices at the pump, Americans should reflect on some hard questions before they cast their ballots in November: Do they want a Commander in Chief that will apply a " my way or the highway " brand of diplomacy, and would even be more hawkish than President Bush? Apparently, even the Cold War is not over for Senator McCain.
To read Senator McCain complete piece " An enduring peace built on freedom " published in Foreign Affairs of Nov. & Dec. 2007 go to: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20071101faessay86602/john-mccain/an-enduring-peace-built-on-freedom.html
Note: I am a French filmmaker/photojournalist based in the US since 1983. To view my main photo/editorial web site go to: http://www.digitalrailroad.net/Mercier
Thoughts
The surge is working....
Submitted on May 8th, 2008 by Anonymousif you live on planet Mars or get your news from Fox.
McCain would be a disaster, not only for Americans but for the World.
Vladimir Puttin's Russia.
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by MercyphotographyJim,
First of all, I am very glad you are off your Rev. Wright topic...it is getting tired and old.
As far as Iraq, we had a few conversations before, Iraq is fragmenting by the minute and will become at best a loose federation or, more likely, follow the pattern of former Yugoslavia and be split in 3 states. I concede, the 100 years statement was slightly out of context....but you have to admit, it is a catchy phrase.
When you said Europe, I supposed you were thinking of Germany. My view on this is that Europe(think NATO) or Japan doesn't need any US troops for protection and even more, like you said, as a " source of stability ? ". South Korea needs US forces until the North Korea situation is under control.
However, the idea of kicking out Russia from the G-8 is idiotic. Russia is becoming an international player again for two reasons: oil & gas ( and a lot of it). They also have the largest nukes arsenal beside the US.What people might not understand is the real popularity of Puttin in Russia. Of course he is still the same KGB guy and has full support from ex-communists and former politburo thugs, but he also has the support of Russians nationalist.
Puttin made Russians proud to be Russian again. Vladimir Puttin has being cracking down on Islamic fundamentalists for years and helping with the war on terror. Bottom line, Russia under Puttin is stable and should not be excluded from conversation or the international scene.
We are in full agreement that " An enduring peace built on freedom " is a great goal. One problem here,Jim, how can it be achieved by excuding a major player ( Russia ) from the table?
Best.
Re: McCain and foreign affairs
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by Jim LakelySheesh, Gilbert. I hardly know where to start with this.
1. The surge is working.
2. Isn't defeating the enemy the purpose of military engagement? And we're doing that in Iraq (see point #1)
3. Do you not want Iraq to be a stable democracy? It's slowly on its way, which will help define when the "job is done."
4. And you should know full well that the Democrats are willfully distorting McCain's "100 years" statement, removing his statement -- in the same breath -- that that's "fine with him" as long as U.S. troops aren't getting shot at, like in Europe, Japan and Korea. In all three places, among many, U.S. troops are a force of stability in regions key to America's security and propsperity (not to mention that of the host countries).
5. Why should the United States, or the league of free and democratic nations, just shrug their shoulders at Russia's destablizing and undemocratic presence on the world stage? And wouldn't kicking them out of the G8 be just the kind of diplomatic move that you Democrats are always longing for? Or is it only good diplomacy when we prostrate ourselves before tyrants?
6. And, to me, "an enduring peace built on freedom" seems like a good idea, and in keeping with America's ideals and history.
John McCain and Foreign Affairs
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by Barrie ChurchAnother great link, Mercy Man! Thank you.
Indeed, Senator McCain would mean further disaster for the country in the area of foreign affairs. Altho it seems, right now, that our reputation could not get much worse, upon reading the thoughts of the Senator from Arizona, it looks as though he would make us an even bigger pariah on the world stage.