Featured Articles — November 27, 2009

November 27, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Will Climate Scandal Be a Tipping Point? By Kimberley Strassel, The Wall Street Journal
So declares Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, taking a few minutes away from a Thanksgiving retreat with his family. “Ninety-five percent of the nails were in the coffin prior to this week. Now they are all in.”

Voter Anger Is Building Over Deficits By Karl Rove, The Wall Street Journal
The generic poll shows a 16-point swing to the GOP over last year.

Obama’s Secret Climate Pact By Richard Wolffe, The Daily Beast
It’s no coincidence that one day after the White House announced new emissions targets, China followed suit with its own target. The Daily Beast’s Richard Wolffe on the behind-the-scenes negotiations during Obama’s Asia trip that could help break the climate stalemate in Copenhagen.

In Afghanistan, real leverage starts with more troops By Frederick W. Kagan and Kimberly Kagan, The Washington Post
The president will soon announce the deployment of additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan, in a speech likely to emphasize the importance of political progress there.

Featured Articles — November 26, 2009

November 26, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

The Secret Details of Obama’s Afghan Plan By Leslie H. Gelb, The Daily Beast
Obama will give the military most of the troops it wanted, add more in a year if needed, push the Afghans to step up—and change the mission against al Qaeda. Leslie H. Gelb has the exclusive details.

Climategate: how they all squirmed By James Delingpole, Daily Telegraph
Among the many great amusements of the Climategate scandal are the myriad imaginative excuses being offered by the implicated scientists and their friends in the MSM as to why this isn’t a significant story. Here are some of the best.

The Right Speech Barack Obama Won’t Give on Afghanistan By Steve Clemons, The Washington Note
A New Way Forward: The President’s Address to the American People on Afghan Strategy.

Lowered Expectations By Daniel Stone, Newsweek
Now that the Copenhagen talks look likely to fail, it is safe for President Obama to go

Featured Articles — November 25, 2009

November 25, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Finding the Right Fix for ‘Too Big to Fail’ By Mortimer Zuckerman, The Wall Street Journal
Despite its fumbles, the Federal Reserve is crucial to a better regulatory regime.

Chavez on the warpath By Luiza Savage, MacLeans
Venezuela seems to be girding for battle with Colombia.

Afghan Strategy Will Contain Messages to Several Audiences By David Sanger, The New York Times
In declaring Tuesday that he would “finish the job” in Afghanistan, President Obama used a phrase clearly meant to imply that even as he deploys an additional 30,000 or so troops, he has finally figured out how to bring the eight-year-long conflict to an end.

The Gathering Geithner Storm By Thomas F. Cooley, Forbes
The Treasury secretary and his friends take a beating

Featured Articles — November 24, 2009

November 24, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

America’s new crisis of confidence By David Rothkopf, Foreign Policy
Hope is the life’s blood of American politics. This is a country built on the premise of boundless promise. The president certainly understood this when he entitled his autobiography The Audacity of Hope and his handlers understood it as they openly sought to emulate Ronald Reagan, the modern American political figure who understood this truth best.

Yes, she can: Palin has a shot at the presidency By Matthew Dowd, The Washington Post
President Sarah Palin. To many pundits and late-night comedians, this sounds like a punch line, and to many die-hard Democrats it sounds like a reason to leave the country.

The Values Question By David Brooks, The New York Times
It’s easy to get lost in the weeds when talking about health care reform. But, like all great public issues, the health care debate is fundamentally a debate about values. It’s a debate about what kind of country we want America to be.

Obama’s Foreign Policy: Shakedown 1979 By Christopher Badeaux, The New Ledger
With President Obama having concluded his trip through one of the fastest-dying regions of the planet, complete with literal prostrations to a symbolic Emperor and metaphorical prostrations to an Emperor in all but name, this is as good a time as any to ask whether his Administration has developed a coherent foreign policy grand strategy yet. The evidence, to date, suggests that Obama foreign policy is like Obama campaign promises: destined to be realized in some shadowy future likely – but not certain – to come, yet already awarded rich accolades merely for promise.

The Carter Ricochet Effect By Bret Stephens, The Wall Street Journal
Jimmy Carter’s presidency offers a lesson in how the purest intentions can lead to the most disastrous results.

Featured Articles — November 23, 2009

November 23, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Major Hasan and Holy War By Ruel Marc Gerecht, The Wall Street Journal
A domestic Islamic threat is real, and the FBI is unprepared to fight it.

Iran’s Green Movement Reaches Out to U.S. By Robin Wright, Time
After more than five months of going it alone, Iran’s opposition Green Movement is reaching out to the United States for help. Via public and private channels, the Obama Administration has received several appeals in recent weeks to take a stronger stand against human-rights abuses in Iran, avoid military action and impose more aggressive and rapid-fire sanctions against the Revolutionary Guards and its vast business interests.

The End of Bolivian Democracy By Mary Anastasia O’Grady, The Wall Street Journal
Elections scheduled for December 6 will mark the official end of the Bolivian democracy.

Thanks for Paying Attention Big Journalism By Andrew Breitbart, Big Government
In response to the Columbia Journalism Review’s accusing me of “blackmailing” the Attorney General of the United States, I must take notice that the mainstream media as a journalistic establishment IS paying attention to the ongoing ACORN scandal. Good. I thought so.

Featured Articles — November 22, 2009

November 22, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Sweeteners for the South By Dana Milbank, The Washington Post
Staffers on Capitol Hill were calling it the Louisiana Purchase.

The Adventures of Low Impact Man By Matt Labash, The Weekly Standard
One week that will turn you from a conspicuously consumptive carbon monster into a person fully able to lecture the less virtuous about how they’re destroying the planet.

Leveraging the Obama Brand By Matt Bai, New York Times Magazine
The president may not have coattails. But when it comes to persuading Congress, he has something more important.

Understanding China By Martin Jacques, The Daily Beast
The West has gotten it wrong on China for decades — even as it embraces a market economy, it has shunned Western-style freedoms. And its power is only growing.

Partisan divide widens as Obama considers Afghanistan policy By Dan Balz, The Washington Post
As President Obama nears a decision on Afghanistan, he faces a partisan divide in public opinion that is pulling him in opposite directions. His recent statements about the decision suggest that he is trying to accommodate the views with a war strategy that can be successful and contained.

The Prize is India By Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek
A relationship Obama should nurture.

Featured Articles — November 21, 2009

November 21, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Obama, the Un-decider By Lee Siegel, The New Republic
The president’s approach to the Khalid Sheikh Mohammed New York trial offers something for everyone—and decisions on nothing. Obama may be the anti-Bush, Lee Siegel argues—but he’s failing to govern.

Malign Neglect By Stephen F. Hayes, The Weekly Standard
Political correctness and institutional stupidity in the case of Nidal Malik Hasan.

Preparation Will Avoid ‘94 Repeat By Chris Van Hollen, National Journal
DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen has made preparations to avoid a repeat of the GOP sweep of ‘94, arguing that political observers who say Dems are in for big losses are premature.

Eric Holder’s Baffling KSM Decision By David Beamer, The Wall Street Journal
The attorney general’s Senate testimony this week did nothing to reassure the families of 9/11’s victims.

Featured Articles — November 20, 2009

November 20, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | 1 Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Travesty in New York By Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post
For late-19th-century anarchists, terrorism was the “propaganda of the deed.” And the most successful propaganda-by-deed in history was 9/11 — not just the most destructive, but the most spectacular and telegenic.

A Tilt Away From Social Issues By Adam Nagourney, The New York Times
Republican governors gathered to assess their political future and saw their road back to power and unity through pocketbook issues.

Cancer Screenings – Rational Advice or Rationed Care? By Sarah Palin, Facebook
It was a breath of fresh air to finally hear the Democrats admit to their health care bill as “a lot of show and tell and razzmatazz,” (see Democrat talking points, in reference to my book). At least now we’re all on the same page when discussing the problems with their monstrous government health care “reform” plan.

The Big Squander By Paul Krugman, The New York Times
By not extracting concessions from bankers during the rescue of A.I.G., policy makers undermined their own credibility — and put the broader economy at risk.

Positive Petraeus lessons By Mary Claire Kendall, The Washington Times
Build confidence among the population

The China President Obama Didn’t See By Leslie Hook, The Wall Street Journal
Dissident intellectuals have been attracted to Christianity.

Featured Articles — November 19, 2009

November 19, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

The Permanent Campaign Continues By Karl Rove, The Wall Street Journal
The KSM trial announcement was too important for a Friday news dump.

How Iran’s Revolution Was Hijacked By Mark Bowden, The Wall Street Journal
When the Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile, his first government was a secular one.

Circling Sharks Smell American Blood By Victor Davis Hanson, RealClearPolitics
On his recent trip to Asia, President Obama found China, Japan and South Korea – like many nations these days – in no mood to hear more American lectures.

What the generals won’t tell the prez By Ralph Peters, The New York Post
As our powerless secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, dutifully covers her head to attend the inauguration of an Afghan president so unpopular his ceremony has to be held behind closed doors, our AfPak (Afghanistan/Pakistan) policy isn’t merely adrift. It’s sinking.

How to Build a Palestinian State By David Ignatius, The Washington Post
Looking at this city, you can imagine what a Palestinian state could someday be like if folks got serious: The streets are clean, there’s construction in every direction and Palestinian soldiers line the roads. A visitor sees new apartment buildings, banks, brokerage firms, luxury car dealerships and even health clubs.

Harry Reid’s plan ups pressure on moderates By Carrie Budoff Brown, Politico
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled his $848 billion health reform bill Wednesday to broad support from fellow Democrats — and the move quickly turned up the pressure on the last few wavering moderates to support the plan, which includes a sizable chunk of deficit cutting.

Obama’s Beijing balancing act points to the new challenge for the west By Timothy Garton Ash, The Guardian UK
There needs to be a real conversation about competing values. But the firewalls mean it cannot properly begin.

Future Perfect By Geneive Abdo, Newsweek
The clerical establishment has become so sick of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that they will not replace him when he dies.

Featured Articles — August 18, 2009

November 18, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

How Copenhagen died during Barack Obama’s Asia trip By Steve Clemons, Politico
He did it! During his trip to China, President Barack Obama mentioned human rights and the importance of free thinking, and China didn’t dump its massive pile of U.S. dollars. America must still have some sway left in the world.

Obama’s Bad Trip By Richard Wolffe, The Daily Beast
He bowed to Japan. He treaded lightly with China. And then Israel thumbed its nose at Obama’s calls to freeze settlements. Richard Wolffe on why the president can’t wait to come home.

Tough job for prosecutors to get death penalty for evil 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed By James Gordon Meek, New York Daily News
Prosecutors who will try the 9/11 plotters in New York face a “Mission Impossible” task of winning death sentences for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his henchmen.

A tale of two American economies By Nouriel Roubini, The Globe and Mail
The smaller one is slowly recovering, but the larger one is still in a deep downturn.

Vision for victory In Afghanistan — Part I, Michael O’Hanlon, The Washington Times
What we have working in our favor right now

Featured Articles — November 17, 2009

November 17, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

The Assassination of Greg Craig By Steve Clemons, The Daily Beast
The White House counsel was done in by a scurrilous leaks campaign. So much for the Obama team’s pledge to be transparent, forthright and accountable for their action.

Responding to Fort Hood By Robert D. Kaplan, The Atlantic
We need more Muslims in the ranks of the U.S. military—not fewer.

The Nation of Futurity By David Brooks, The New York Times
It would be nice if Americans regained their faith in the future. China seems to possess the optimism that once defined the U.S.

China’s on-off American romance By Simon Schama, Financial Times
Finding something American to sell to the Chinese, whether democracy or widgets, has always been a problem. The first merchant vessel to sail from New York to Canton in 1784 was on a tea-buying voyage, but the cargo it had to exchange was ginseng. American ginseng was consumed by the Chinese for its yin: the female properties of cool, while the native product was thought more yang-heavy. A population explosion may have made it difficult for domestic production to keep up with demand, hence the opening for American ginseng merchants who made a nifty profit.

‘A’ for Rhetoric, ‘D’ for Action By Nikolai Petrov, Moscow Times
Even before President Dmitry Medvedev published his “Go, Russia!” article, observers speculated that he would discuss three major themes in his state-of-the-nation address: Moscow’s relations with the regions, reforming the political system and modernizing the economy. As it turned out, his speech dealt with all three. But one thing was missing that would have been nice to see: a bridge between his wonderful strategic plans and his concrete proposals.

Featured Articles — November 16, 2009

November 16, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Is America Losing Its Mojo? By Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek
Innovation is as American as baseball and apple pie. But some traditions can’t be trademarked.

Off the Chart By Ross Douthat, The New York Times
Ten months ago, at the beginning of the great stimulus debate, President-elect Barack Obama’s economic advisers produced an unfortunate chart.

The KSM Trial Will Be an Intelligence Bonanza for al Qaeda By John Yoo, The Wall Street Journal
The government will have to choose between vigorous prosecution and revealing classified sources and methods.

Obama’s Malpractice By Robert Samuelson, The Washington Post
There is an air of absurdity to what is mistakenly called “health care reform.” Everyone knows that the United States faces massive governmental budget deficits as far as calculators can project, driven heavily by an aging population and uncontrolled health costs.

The Great Wallop By Niall Ferguson and Moritz Schularick, The New York Times
A FEW years ago we came up with the term “Chimerica” to describe the combination of the Chinese and American economies, which together had become the key driver of the global economy. With a combined 13 percent of the world’s land surface and around a quarter of its population, Chimerica nevertheless accounted for a third of global economic output and two-fifths of worldwide growth from 1998 to 2007.

The Cardinal and the Constitution By Mary Anastasia O’Grady, The Wall Street Journal
Cardinal Rodriguez says Manuel Zelaya was removed from power constitutionally.

Featured Articles — November 15, 2009

November 15, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

The Fed in the Crosshairs By David Ignatius, The Washington Post
Among the cherished prerogatives of members of Congress is the right to second-guess. That ritual is now playing itself out with a vengeance as the solons of Capitol Hill attack the Federal Reserve for its role in last year’s financial crisis.

Sarah Palin, the GOP’s blessing and curse By Max Blumenthal, The Los Angeles Times
The self-described ‘rogue’ is anathema to the party establishment but manna from heaven to the grass roots.

An insider’s view of Christie’s N.J. victory By Russ Schriefer, The Philadelphia Inquirer
During “that roller-coaster ride,” the campaign focused on independent voters, and the issues.

Five Things the U.S. Can Learn from China By Bill Powell, Time
On the evening of Nov. 15, President Barack Obama, the youthful leader of one of the world’s youngest countries, begins his first visit to China, among the world’s most ancient societies.

Featured Articles — November 14, 2009

November 14, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

A jihadist hiding in plain sight By Mark Steyn, OC Register
Shortly after 9/11, there was a lot of talk about how no one would ever hijack an American airliner ever again – not because of new security arrangements but because an alert citizenry was on the case: We were hip to their jive. The point appeared to be proved three months later on a U.S.-bound Air France flight. The “Shoebomber” attempted to light his footwear, and the flight attendants and passengers pounced. As the more boorish commentators could not resist pointing out, even the French guys walloped him.

‘Going Rogue’ is Sarah Palin’s shot at redemption and revenge, The Los Angeles Times
She aims to reclaim the narrative of her political career.

A Risky Proposition for Democrats By William Kristol, The Weekly Standard
This AP story explains how a federal civilian trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his four associates poses legal and political risks for Barack Obama.

Holder’s Hidden Agenda By Andy C. McCarthy, National Review
This summer, I theorized that Attorney General Eric Holder — and his boss — had a hidden agenda in ordering a re-investigation of the CIA for six-year-old alleged interrogation excesses that had already been scrutinized by non-partisan DOJ prosecutors who had found no basis for prosecution.

America is on trial as much as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed By Alan Dershowitz, Globe and Mail
Can the self-confessed mastermind of 9/11 expect justice in the emotional shadow of the World Trade Center?

Featured Articles — November 13, 2009

November 13, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Obama’s Real Afghanistan Decision By Fred Kaplan, Slate
It’s not how many troops to send; it’s what those troops will do.

Explaining Away Mass Murder By Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post
What a surprise — that someone who shouts “Allahu Akbar” (the “God is great” jihadist battle cry) as he is shooting up a room of American soldiers might have Islamist motives. It certainly was a surprise to the mainstream media, which spent the weekend after the Fort Hood massacre downplaying Nidal Hasan’s religious beliefs.

Just the Facts, Mr. President By Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal
Approach Afghanistan with sheer, blunt logic and a clear plan.

Free to Lose By Paul Krugman, The New York Times
With long-term unemployment at its highest levels since the 1930s and on the rise, the U.S. should consider policies that address job growth directly.

Beyond Berlin: Europe’s new chapter starts now By Timothy Garton Ash, Globe and Mail
Once more unto the breach – different times, different walls.

Meet John Thune By David Brooks, The New York Times
The junior senator from South Dakota has conservative roots but is pragmatic at the surface, and may be a strong Republican candidate in 2012.

Can Sarah Palin Make a Comeback? By Matthew Continetti, The Wall Street Journal
Her poll numbers among independents are strong enough to give her a chance.

Featured Articles — November 12, 2009

November 12, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

‘A Referendum on This White House’ By Karl Rove, The Wall Street Journal
Obama’s plan to nationalize the midterm elections may backfire.

Same Old, Same Old at Fort Hood By Victor Davis Hanson, RealClearPolitics
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is accused of murdering last week 13 people (12 of whom were soldiers) and wounding another 30 at Fort Hood, Texas. It was not the first, nor will it be the last, domestic terrorist incident since Sept. 11, 2001.

Atención Deficit By Mac Margolis, Newsweek
Hugo Chávez looks like he’s preparing for war with Colombia. Don’t be fooled: he’s just wagging the dog.

Vietnam, Afghanistan and learning from history By Gordon Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
What can Obama learn from the Vietnam War, and how can he apply it to the war in Afghanistan?

Featured Articles — November 11, 2009

November 11, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

A Salute to Our Military By David Ignatius, The Washington Post
In the aftermath of the Fort Hood shootings, some commentaries have examined the damage to the U.S. Army from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A few have spoken about the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, as an extreme version of what can happen with an overstressed force.

The coffins will keep coming until we conquer our amnesia on Afghanistan By Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian
Barack Obama is about to make his most crucial military decision. He should remember what took us to war in the first place.

The Economic Uses of Al Gore By Holman Jenkins, The Wall Street Journal
Sincerity is no substitute for disinterestedness.

Trucks, Trains and Trees By Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times
No matter how many times you hear them, there are some statistics that just bowl you over.

Featured Articles — November 10, 2009

November 10, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

The Man Who Made Pelosi Cry ‘Uncle’ By William McGurn, The Wall Street Journal
Bart Stupak wins a ban on federal funds for abortion.

The Shrink and the Terrorist By Debra Saunders, San Francisco Chronicle
There have been two views on what happened last week when Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on unarmed military colleagues at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 12 soldiers and one civilian.

‘Strategic reassurance’ that isn’t By Robert Kagan and Dan Blumenthal, The Washington Post
The Obama administration’s worldview is still emerging, but its policies toward Russia and China are already revealing. Its Russia policy consists of trying to accommodate Moscow’s sense of global entitlement.

To abandon Afghanistan now would be a betrayal of the fallen By Boris Johnson, The Daily Telegraph
The campaign to defeat the Taliban must endure, says Boris Johnson – whatever it takes.

Featured Articles — November 9, 2009

November 9, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

After the wall fell By Anne Applebaum, The Washington Post
Central Europe’s success deserves more attention.

The Future Is Bright By Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard
A three-part plan for taking advantage of the Obama-Pelosi agenda.

Paranoia Strikes Deep By Paul Krugman, The New York Times
Last Thursday there was a rally outside the U.S. Capitol to protest pending health care legislation, featuring the kinds of things we’ve grown accustomed to, including large signs showing piles of bodies at Dachau with the caption “National Socialist Healthcare.” It was grotesque — and it was also ominous. For what we may be seeing is America starting to be Californiafied.

Ronald Reagan’s unyielding style won the Cold War By Rudy Giuliani, NY Daily News
In the 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union is viewed by some commentators as the result of systemic weakness.

Featured Articles — November 8, 2009

November 8, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles | Leave a Comment 

Interesting takes from home and abroad:

Health Bill Faces Senate Heat By Janet Adamy and Naftali Bendavid, The Wall Street Journal
Challenges on Abortion and Funding Loom After Overhaul Plan Squeaks Through House.

Get Serious, Sarah By Salena Zito, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Much will be said in the coming weeks about Sarah Palin and the Republican Party– especially after the Democratic “upset” in the Congressional race in New York’s 23rd District and the “over-the-top” Republican gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey.

Call White House, Ask for Barack By Thomas Friedman, The New York Times
The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has become a bad play. It is obvious that all the parties are just acting out the same old scenes, with the same old tired clichés — and that no one believes any of it anymore.

The Year the World Really Changed By Niall Ferguson, Newsweek
Forget the fall of the iron curtain: the events of ‘79 matter more.

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