Stephen M. Walt's Blog, page 10

Stephen M. Walt: Avoiding a "Mission Accomplished" moment in Libya - Foreign Policy (blog)

[image error] Stephen M. Walt: Avoiding a "Mission Accomplished" moment in Libya
Foreign Policy (blog)
It's been obvious for awhile now that Muammar al-Qaddafi's days as Libya's leader were numbered, and the only question was how many people would be killed before his government finally collapsed. Assuming early reports are right, the good news is that ...

and more »

Stephen M. Walt: Get ready for more stupid Mideast violence - Foreign Policy (blog)

[image error] Stephen M. Walt: Get ready for more stupid Mideast violence
Foreign Policy (blog)
If memory serves, one of the lessons of Roger Fisher's little book International Conflict for Beginners was "settle conflicts early and often." This isn't always possible, of course, but his basic insight was that unresolved conflicts are dangerous ...

The coming erosion of the European Union - Foreign Policy (blog)

[image error]
Foreign Policy (blog)
[image error] The coming erosion of the European Union
Foreign Policy (blog)
I spent a half day earlier this week at a US government agency (it has three initials, and it wasn't the TVA). Some people there had asked me to give a talk about the future of the EU and transatlantic relations more generally, and I was happy to ...

and more »

Lessons of two wars: We will lose in Iraq and Afghanistan - Foreign Policy

[image error]
Foreign Policy
[image error] Lessons of two wars: We will lose in Iraq and Afghanistan
Foreign Policy
One of the things that gets in the way of conducting good national security policy is a reluctance to call things by their right names and state plainly what is really happening. If you keep describing difficult situations in misleading or inaccurate ...

and more »

Stephen M. Walt: Five big uncertainties - Foreign Policy

[image error]
Foreign Policy
[image error] Stephen M. Walt: Five big uncertainties
Foreign Policy
I don't know how this will all play out, but I'm pretty sure that it will have far-reaching effects. By the way, the possibility of a new terrorist attack did not make my list of "Big Uncertainties." Why? Because I just don't think al Qaeda or its ...

The greatest elected body that money can buy - Foreign Policy

[image error]
Foreign Policy
[image error] The greatest elected body that money can buy
Foreign Policy
Just when you think your contempt for Congress could not get any higher, our elected representatives manage to do something to ratchet it up another notch. After congressional shenanigans helped spark a major market sell-off and sparked fears of a ...

and more »

Wanted: A few grown-ups - Foreign Policy

[image error]
Foreign Policy
[image error] Wanted: A few grown-ups
Foreign Policy
But at this point I'm beginning to wonder. Wait there may be volcanoes and hurricanes to come soon too! ;) Stephen, you left out the war on drugs. That's another big toilet on permanent flush. Where are all the unemployed plumbers when you need them! ...

Stephen M. Walt: Explaining my silence - Foreign Policy

[image error] Stephen M. Walt: Explaining my silence
Foreign Policy
My mother passed away unexpectedly last Monday, and I'm out in California for the memorial service. All I will say here is that she was a remarkably generous and loving woman who was devoted to her family and a great source of inspiration and wisdom, ...

When Did The American Empire Start To Decline? - Hamsayeh.Net

[image error]
Hamsayeh.Net
[image error] When Did The American Empire Start To Decline?
Hamsayeh.Net
Today is the 21st anniversary of a key date in world history. On this date in 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, setting in motion a train of events that would have fateful consequences for Saddam himself, but also for the United States. ...

When did the American empire start to decline? - Foreign Policy

[image error]
Foreign Policy
[image error] When did the American empire start to decline?
Foreign Policy
To see Walt still glorying almost a quarter of a century later on the defeat of the Iraqi army in 1989 is also baffling. The US conducted itself in public with no honor, and risked the lives of its military to do so. The Russian negotiator reported his ...

and more »