Goodness knows libertarians have had countless differences with Sen. John McCain, on domestic and foreign policy. We could have no disagreement, however, with his condemnation of the CIA’s use of torture for interrogation of America’s enemies. Our politics – including the acknowledgment of our own ethical failures -should be of the highest standards. To use…
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Poll
Friday Poll: Vladimir Putin – Benign Statesman or Scheming Autocrat?
by JOHN ADAMS • • 5 Comments
Ukraine is in turmoil, and nearby, Vladimir Putin watches. For today, a simple question (about Putin and Ukraine, or Putin generally): benign statesman or scheming autocrat? In my own view, I’ll say it’s scheming autocrat, all the way down. What do you think? Vladimir Putin: Benign Statesman or Scheming Autocrat?
Economy, Foreign Affairs, Free Markets
Expanding Trade with Canada and Mexico
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Foreign Affairs
Overestimating China’s influence: ‘Five myths about China’s power’
by JOHN ADAMS • • Comments
Writing at the Washington Post, Minxin Pei of Claremont McKenna College lists exaggerations and distortions about China. As with now-discarded theories from the ’80s about Japan’s supposed economic indomitability, there’s been much foolishness about China’s actual prospects. See, Five myths about China’s power – The Washington Post. See, also, an online chat on the same topic.…
Foreign Affairs, Freedom of Speech, Laws/Regulations, Liberty
China’s President Pushes Back Against Western Culture
by JOHN ADAMS •
BEIJING — President of Hu Jintao of China has said that China must strengthen its cultural production to defend against the West’s assault on the country’s culture and ideology, according to an essay in a Communist Party policy magazine published this week. The publication of Mr. Hu’s words signaled that a new major policy initiative…
Foreign Affairs, Religion
The Continuing Global Growth of Christianity
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a distinction between separation of church & state and secularization, although the distinction isn’t always grasped. America and France both have a separation of church from state, but France is the more secular society. Religion is more visible in American civil society, compared with France (if anything, that’s a considerable understatement). There’s much worry…
Foreign Affairs
Walter Russell Mead on ‘The Most Important Story of the Day’
by JOHN ADAMS •
That important story is the topic of Mead’s post on a Conference Board report about China’s slowing growth rate: ….China’s growth is likely to slow to 8.7 percent next year, 6.6 percent in each of the four years after that, and then average 3.5 percent per year between 2017 and 2025. It has long been…
Economy, Foreign Affairs
An American Phoenix
by JOHN ADAMS •
We’ve played the phoenix before, and no matter how difficult conditions are today, I’ve no doubt that we will yet again. We’re successful and resilient because we’re free: Americans are versatile and creative, and bounce back well. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard writes about how America’s world position is likely to be stronger than some fret. Part of…
Foreign Affairs
More on Plans for U.S. Troops to Leave Iraq
by JOHN ADAMS •
From Chris Preble, some remarks about an American troop departure from Iraq, with sentiments that seem sound to me: ….if the Obama administration carries through on its promise to remove U.S. troops by the end of the year, the president and his national security team will have heeded the wishes of the American people, not…
Foreign Affairs
Pres. Obama: Troops in Iraq Will Be Home for the Holidays
by JOHN ADAMS •
After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over.” America has done considerably more than her necessary part in Iraq, at great cost, yet with extraordinary skill. No other people could have done half so well. I would contend that we have been abroad in Iraq far too long. In any event, our…
Foreign Affairs
About those two U.S.-born terrorists killed in an American drone strike
by JOHN ADAMS •
For those Al Qaeda members killed, I’ve not the slightest sympathy. One would prefer fewer entanglements abroad, but that preference doesn’t alter the clear right of Americans to defend themselves, and exact retributive justice against those who have committed themselves to war with this republic. The president was right to order the dispatch of Bin…