The Digger

" America’s post-Cold War presidents could have taken a road that didn’t end at Donald Trump." Excerpt: "Think back a quarter century, to the beginning of the “unipolar moment.” Having triumphed over the Soviet Union, the United States could have given itself a high-five, taken a victory lap, and adopted a grand strategy better suited to a world without a superpower rival. Rejecting isolationism, Washington could nonetheless have gradually disengaged from those areas that no longer needed significant American protection and reduced its global military footprint, while remaining ready to act in a few key areas should it become absolutely necessary. These moves would have forced our wealthiest allies to take on greater responsibility for local problems while the United States addressed pressing domestic needs. Making the “American dream” more real here at home would also have shown other nations why the values of liberty, democracy, open markets, and the rule of law ...

Excerpt: "Republicans: The President Frames the Debate On the Republican side, Trump has split conservatives into two camps. The status quo camp — perhaps better described as “status quo ante” — remains staunchly committed to the open internationalism and muscular American leadership of the Reagan era. Rooted in a firm belief in American exceptionalism, this approach emphasizes the defense of democracy and spread of American values. [...]  At present, the president and his allies have the momentum in the battle to define conservative foreign policy. He may have failed to transform American foreign policy completely in his first two years in office, but there is no doubt that he has  changed the terms of debate  within conservative circles. Indeed, Trump’s electoral success drew our attention to the fact that  many voters believe  America’s traditional approach to foreign policy has not worked for them. [...] Democrats: In Search of a Strong Opposit...

Link:   USA – The World’s Invasion Nation   — by  Eric Zuesse Excerpt: "On November 29th, Gallup headlined  “Democrats Lead Surge in Belief US Should Be World Leader”  and reported that “Three-fourths (75%) of Americans today think the United States has ‘a special responsibility to be the leading nation in world affairs,’ up from 66% in 2010. The surge is driven by Democrats, whose belief in this idea has increased from 61% eight years ago to 81% now.” This finding comes even after the lie-based and catastrophic US invasions of Iraq in 2003, and of Libya in 2011 (and of so many others, such as Afghanistan, where the US and Sauds  created the Taliban  in 1979). Americans — now even increasingly — want ‘their’ (which is actually  America’s billionaires’)  Government to be virtually the world’s government, policing the world. They want this nation’s Government to be determining what international laws will be enforced around the ...

Link:   War Over Ukraine?  by Sheldon Richman " Today, the United States and Allies conducted an extraordinary flight under the Open Skies Treaty. The timing of this flight is intended to reaffirm U.S. commitment to Ukraine and other partner nations.‎ The United States is resolute in our support for the security of European nations. –Department of Defense  news release , Dec. 6, 2018 Who wants to go to war against Russia in defense of Ukraine over the Kerch Strait, which lies between the Black and Azov seas and between Russia’s Taman Peninsula and Russian-annexed Crimea? A show of hands, please. But careful: don’t misconstrue my question. I’m not asking who wants the “United States” to go to war. I’m asking, rather: who is  personally willing to fight the Russian military over the strait? Or: who is willing to see his or her sons and daughters fight, kill, and die in that cause? Now, again, a show of hands, please. Anyone? No one? I didn’t th...