The Foreign Policy Report Blog

What We Could Learn for Mr. Republican

2010-04-13T11:05:00.001-07:00

During the Cold War in 1951, Senator Robert Taft of Ohio stated something hauntingly accurate today during the so-called War on Terror:

"Nor do I believe we can justify war by our natural desire to bring freedom to others throughout the world, although it is perfectly proper to encourage and promote freedom. In 1941 President Roosevelt announced that we were going to establish a moral order throughout the world: freedom of speech and expression, 'everywhere in the world;' freedom to worship God 'everywhere in the world'; freedom from want , and freedom from fear ' everywhere in the world.' I pointed out then that the forcing of any special brand of freedom and democracy on a people, whether they want it or not, by brute force of war will be the denial of those very democratic principles which we are striving to advance."

Senator Taft's words ring just as true today and strike at the very heart of the interventionist foreign policy where we are the world's policeman, and social worker. What a tragedy it is that we did not heed these warnings back in the 50s. The image of America as a clandestine defender of freedom and hope, the image present in many people's minds since FDR's "arsenal of democracy", has tragically survived long enough for today's Robert Taft, in Congressman Ron Paul, to still be championing its demise.

2010-03-30T19:19:00.001-07:00

Great Video by the Southern Avenger

2010-02-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

Report Update

2010-02-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Please note that the Week End Report has been updated

Week End Report Update

2010-02-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with visitors how these Week End Updates will work. If you go to the Week End Report Archive link underneath the current update you'll go to a new Wordpress blog that I just created. You can there download reports and see video from previous weeks.

Weekly Report Publication

2010-02-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

The report for the February 7th-13th has been published on the homepage. No video analysis for the week. You can download it now in PDF format.

Report of February 4th 2010

2010-02-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

Warmongering vs. the Sanctity of Life

2010-01-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Warmongering vs. the Sanctity of Life

Dr. Ron Paul's State of the Republic Address

2010-01-22T13:43:00.000-08:00

Part I

Part II

Part III

Past war offers Afghanistan lessons. And it's not Vietnam

2010-01-19T16:14:00.000-08:00

Past war offers Afghanistan lessons. And it's not Vietnam

Scott Brown on Iran

2010-01-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

In reviewing the issues on Massachusetts GOP nominee Scott Brown campaign website, I can't say I agree with the statement on Iran

"I support the bi-partisan Iran sanctions bill and believe that until Ahmadinejad gives up his nuclear ambitions he should be isolated from the rest of the world. With its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iran represents the biggest threat to Israel. Ahmadinejad is a Holocaust denier who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Meeting with him confers legitimacy when the only correct response is to treat him as an outcast. A personal meeting with Ahmadinejad, as suggested by my opponent, would embolden him and be used as a propaganda tool to strengthen his position."

Source

8-Year-Old Terror Suspect?

2010-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

Mr. Nobel Peace Prize Strikes Again

2010-01-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

Mr. Nobel Peace Prize Strikes Again

Ron Paul Again on Larry King Live

2010-01-05T17:23:00.000-08:00

Part 1

Part 2

The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce

2009-12-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by John V. Denson

Sunday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 5 Wounded

2009-12-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

Sunday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 5 Wounded

Dutch Jews testify at Demjanjuk trial

2009-12-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Dutch Jews testify at Demjanjuk trial

'This isn't the Britain we fought for,' say the 'unknown warriors' of WWII

2009-12-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

'This isn't the Britain we fought for,' say the 'unknown warriors' of WWII

Monday: 1 Iraqi Killed

2009-11-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

Monday: 1 Iraqi Killed

Barack Obama issues new Afghanistan military orders

2009-11-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama issues new Afghanistan military orders

Accused Nazi Camp Guard on Trial in Germany

2009-11-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

Accused Nazi Camp Guard on Trial in Germany

Obama Issues Order for More Troops in Afghanistan

2009-11-30T11:05:00.000-08:00

Obama Issues Order for More Troops in Afghanistan

Thursday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 43 Wounded

2009-11-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

Thursday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 43 Wounded

Hillary Clinton to Ron Paul

2009-11-25T14:18:00.000-08:00

If you don't watch all this video just fast-forward to the end. It's worth it!!

Monday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 12 Wounded

2009-11-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

Monday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 12 Wounded

The U.S. Invasion of the Vatican

2009-11-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Invasion of the Vatican

Friday: 1 US Sailor, 1 Iraqi Killed; 11 Iraqis Wounded

2009-11-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

Friday: 1 US Sailor, 1 Iraqi Killed; 11 Iraqis Wounded

Afghanistan Is an Unjust, Unwinnable War

2009-11-19T15:13:00.000-08:00

Afghanistan Is an Unjust, Unwinnable War

Wednesday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 4 Wounded

2009-11-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

Wednesday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 4 Wounded

Iraqi Christians Seek Return, Sense Extinction

2009-11-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

Iraqi Christians Seek Return, Sense Extinction

Saturday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 7 Wounded

2009-11-14T20:31:00.000-08:00

Saturday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 7 Wounded

Troop Morale Continues to Drop in Afghanistan

2009-11-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Troop Morale Continues to Drop in Afghanistan

A Gun-Free Zone at Ft. Hood

2009-11-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

A Gun-Free Zone at Ft. Hood

No Sunset for Sweeping PATRIOT Act Powers?

2009-11-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

No Sunset for Sweeping PATRIOT Act Powers?

Get Out of Afghanistan

2009-11-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Get Out of Afghanistan

Nazi Olympics Still Sparks Controversy

2009-11-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Nazi Olympics exhibit opens in Vancouver

Editor's Note:

This is yet another example of the hysteria the name Nazi seems to provoke today.

The Mother of All Wars

2009-10-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

The Mother of All Wars by Bojidar Marinov

AFGHANISTAN: A WAR OF LIES

2009-10-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

AFGHANISTAN: A WAR OF LIES

Striking Iran

2009-10-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Striking Iran

Ron Paul on the Daily Show

2009-10-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Ron Paul

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Ron Paul Interview

AFGHANISTAN'S WOUNDED

2009-10-13T14:29:00.001-07:00

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - OCTOBER 13: Seven-year-old Attiullah, who was wounded after a bullet entered his back coming out through his chest, sits on his bed at Mirwais hospital October 13, 2009 Kandahar, Afghanistan. According to his grandfather, Attiullah was shot by U.S forces as he was walking in the field near his home in the village of Sangissar, Panjway district watching the family's flock of sheep. The soldiers apparently shot at a vehicle that was supposedly Taliban and the boy got hit accidently. Mirwais hospital in Kandahar city is the largest regional hospital in the area, supported by the ICRC and the Afghan government it caters to most of the war wounded in the most hostile part of the country. A recent U.N. report has described 2009 as the deadliest year in terms of civilian casualties in Afghanistan ever since the start of the U.S.-led war against Taliban in the country. In his latest report presented to the Pentagon, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. top commander emphasized the need for winning the hearts and minds of the Afghans. The Taliban are now staging suicide attacks and IED blasts in densely populated areas to create a bigger impact as more of Afghan's war wounded hit the headlines. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Epitaph on Empire

2009-10-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

I couldn't put it any better then Philip Giraldi in his editorial for Antiwar.com. This article is a must read.
Epitaph on Empire

UN should deal with attempts to rewrite WWII results - Medvedev

2009-09-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Friday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 26 Wounded, 11 Kidnapped

2009-09-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Friday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 26 Wounded, 11 Kidnapped

Tuesday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 13 Wounded

2009-09-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 13 Wounded

Men With Guns, in Kabul and Washington

2009-09-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Men With Guns, in Kabul and Washington

Jefferson on Tyranny

2009-08-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

AFGHANISTAN ELECTIONS 2009

2009-08-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

AFGHANISTAN ELECTIONS 2009

Harry Patch, last veteran of World War I trenches, dies at 111

2009-07-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Harry Patch, last veteran of World War I trenches, dies at 111

The genocide Britain hushed up

2009-07-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

The genocide Britain hushed up: A new film tells the terrible story of Stalin's own Final Solution - and Churchill's shameful complicity

The Last Holocaust Trial - Germany

2009-07-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

The Last Holocaust Trial - Germany

Friday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 5 Wounded

2009-07-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

Friday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 5 Wounded

Robert McNamara, Architect of Vietnam War, Dies at 93

2009-07-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Robert McNamara, Architect of Vietnam War, Dies at 93
Note:
I have just got this story so that's the reason it's a few days old now.

Monday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 13 Wounded

2009-07-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

Monday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 13 Wounded

Mr. Obama, Tear Down This Empire

2009-06-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

Mr. Obama, Tear Down This Empire

Wednesday: 62 Iraqis Killed, 157 Wounded

2009-06-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wednesday: 62 Iraqis Killed, 157 Wounded

Longer wars leave millions in limbo

2009-06-20T16:34:00.000-07:00

Longer Wars Leave Millions in Limbo

Getting to the Truth About World War II

2009-06-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Getting to the Truth About World War II

Buchanan’s Necessary Book

2009-06-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Buchanan’s Necessary Book

Revisionists Challenge D-Day Story

2009-06-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Revisionists Challenge D-Day Story

A revisionist theme seems to have settled on this year's 65th anniversary commemoration of the Normandy landings.

The tone was set in Antony's Beevor's new book, D-Day, which tries to debunk certain received ideas about the Allied campaign.

Far from being an unmitigated success, Mr Beevor found, the landings came very close to going horribly wrong.

And far from being universally welcomed as liberators, many troops had a distinctly surly reception from the people of Normandy.

The reason for this was simple. Many Normandy towns and villages had been literally obliterated by Allied bombing.

The bombardment of Caen, Mr Beevor said, could almost be considered a war-crime (though he later retracted the comment).

Many historians will retort that there is nothing new in Mr Beevor's account.

My Thoughts on Lincoln

2009-05-31T13:14:00.000-07:00

In picking the president who set the most dangerous precedent for future generations I would pick Abraham Lincoln for the precedent he set in using the arm of the state to silence critics. War time or peace, we should maintain freedom of speech and of the press. Government policies should always be open to free and open criticism. What Lincoln did, yes even in time of great crisis like the War of Northern Aggression, set a very dangerous example that all presidents since have looked back to. Even some foreign dictators have looked back to Lincoln as an example of how to deal with war and civil unrest.

Corpses Litter Street in Swat Valley's Largest City

2009-05-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

Corpses Litter Street in Swat Valley's Largest City
The people of Pakistan continue to suffer the brute force of war as the battle between the Pakistani Army and Taliban forces.

Myths About Britain’s ‘Finest Hour’

2009-05-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Myths About Britain's Finest Hour

The ‘Warsaw Ghetto Boy’

2009-05-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

The ‘Warsaw Ghetto Boy’

About Those Drones

2009-05-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

About Those Drones

Iraq by Poll Numbers

2009-05-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

The April 6th issue of The American Conservative paints a stark picture of the road ahead in Iraq after six years of the occupation. A survey cited by TAC. estimated that 62 percent of Sunni Iraqis said that Americans had done a “very bad job” in Iraq. This percentage is 9 percent up from last year. The magazine further notes that 46 percent of Iraqis wish for US. would leave before the scheduled withdraw of US. forces in 2011, compared with 35 percent believed the timeline to be right. The article goes on to state that the journalist who hurled his shoe at President Bush was hailed as a hero by 62 percent of respondents. This is not to say however, that Iraqis are enthused by Bush’s progressive successor. The article notes that a majority said President Obama would “not make much of a difference,” and 20 percent even reckoned the new commander in chief would make their lives worse. One should of course take poll numbers for what they are. It should of course be noted that in a country so plagued with domestic violence and faction it may be obvious that those polled gave the answer they felt the safest giving. That being said, the American Conservative piece was a good illustration of the feeling many have towards the occupying United States.

'Obama Isn't Off to a Good Start' on Human Rights

2009-05-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

'Obama Isn't Off to a Good Start' on Human Rights

Is There Any Official In Iraq Who Isn't Corrupt?

2009-05-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

Is There Any Official In Iraq Who Isn't Corrupt?

Iran frees U.S.-born journalist accused of spying

2009-05-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Iran frees U.S.-born journalist accused of spying

The State of the Iraqi Hospital System

2009-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

This video report by journalist Dahr Jamail for Democracy Now illustrates the situation the Iraqi hospitals are in right now. It is unthinkable that a country which needs professional doctors the most at this time has such an ill-equipped hospital system. This is one of the many good reports that Jamail has done on Iraq. I would recommend also Jamail's book Beyond the Green Zone in which Jamail writes extensively about his experiences in Iraq.

Angry Farmers Sabotage Chinese Oil Equipment in Southern Iraq

2009-05-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Angry Farmers Sabotage Chinese Oil Equipment in Southern Iraq

Why Iraq Is Not Over

2009-05-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

The Gamble by Thomas E. Ricks is one of the more current books written on the War on Terror. The book definitely gives the impression that the worst is yet to come in Iraq. Even since this book has been published our new president has outlined his own Iraq strategy, a strategy which Ricks has remained skeptical of during his book tour. Ricks has remained cautious when talking about Obama's new Iraq strategy, not wanting to judge before the plan has time to be tested but at the same time pointing out that there have been numerous plans for withdraw from Iraq which have ended in failure. He points out that Iraq was not even planned as a long term war but a quick police action. It was never the idea of the Bush White House to stay in Iraq for years. However; their plans for withdraw never formulated. Ricks's augment is that despite the atmosphere of change, there's no guarantee that Obama's strategy won't go the way of Bush's. Thomas Ricks's book is a must read for concerned about where our country has gone in the War on Terror.

With All the Economic Woes: Iraq's Still An Issue

2009-04-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

With the US. economy still reeling the latest bailout, I think it's impotent to note one vital issue still facing our nation. This report from Antiwar.com shows the extent Iraqis still live through the nightmare of war. Too me there has been all too much focus on the economy and too little focus in recent months on Iraq.

Read the Story Here

Front Line's Children of the Taliban

2009-04-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

I am often interested in the productions of PBS's Front Line. Front Line did an interesting documentary the other night titled Children of the Taliban. Reporter Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy did this interesting report form Pakistan and offers fascinating insight into Pakistan's situation. This report is highly worth watching.
Watch Online Here

Suspected US missiles kill 3 and would 5 in Pakistan

2009-04-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

Pakistan: Suspected US missiles kill 3, wound 5

Lebanon Blast Kills PLO Leader

2009-03-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Lebanon blast 'kills PLO leader'

Radhika Sainath writing from Los Angeles, US

2009-03-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

The crimes we witnessed in Gaza

Ivan Eland

2009-03-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

Warning from Bosnia for Iraq

Aftermath (5)

2009-03-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

Coming home

Antiwar.com Commentary

2009-03-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Bedouin Baby's Power Struggle With Israel

Human Rights

2009-03-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Gazans struggle for clean drinking water

Eman Mohammed writing from the occupied Gaza Strip

2009-03-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Palestinian mother's solidarity with 40 adopted prisoners

French in Afghanistan

2009-03-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

French face tough Afghan reality

The Face of War

2009-03-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

In the March 9th issue of The American Conservative it noted that one of six Iraqi women aged 15-49 are widowed. According to the American Conservative the number of widowed women amounts to 740,000 in a society increasingly hostile to single women as radical factions begin to take hold. Given the ongoing violence and massive displacement, Iraqi officials admit the 740,000 number may be higher. The desperate few who do manage to navigate the bureaucratic thicket, often trading sex for aid, receive approximately $50 per month in aid, plus $12 each per child. The meager amount doesn't go far. The article quotes a New York Times report: "They wait in line outside mosques for free blankets, or sift through mounds of garbage piled along the street. Some live with their children in public parks or inside gas station restrooms." The government, shamed by the visibility of the problem, has begun to arrest them. Some of these women turn toward prostitution while others turn to the hopeless security of the insurgency. Baghdad resident Shatha Ahmed told Inter Press Service: "The Iraq-Iran war took our fathers, and now the Bush war is taking our husbands and sons." Her husband, a doctor, was killed last September. She is struggling to support both her children and his parents.
The American Conservative piece reveals how very real the Iraqi occupation is to those having to just get by in a country torn by war. It may be old news here at home with the failing economy taking center stage, but the daily lives of Iraqis remind them of Mr. Bush's war to liberate their country.

Aftermath (4)

2009-03-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

Hammad’s death barely made the news

Anaheed Al-Hardan writing from Syria,

2009-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Iraq's Palestinian refugees back at square one

Truth Commission Debate

2009-03-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

Lawmakers Debate Establishing “Truth Commission” on Bush Admin Torture, Rendition and Domestic Spying

From Tom Rick's Blog

2009-03-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are staying in Iraq, and fooling some of the people

Photostory, The Electronic Intifada

2009-03-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

Month in pictures: February 2009

Rami Almeghari writing from the occupied Gaza Strip

2009-03-02T19:41:00.000-08:00

Young Gaza couple begin married life in a tent

Ron Paul at CPAC I

2009-02-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul at CPAC II

2009-02-28T20:23:00.001-08:00

Ron Paul at CPAC III

2009-02-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

History of Jaffa

2009-02-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

Jaffa: from eminence to ethnic cleansing

My plug for Electronic Intifada

2009-02-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

If you are a regular to The Cumberland Journal.com you'd know that I have devoted a lot of coverage to the aftermath of Gaza bombing. The civilians of Gaza are still suffering the tragic effects of Israel's bombing of Gaza.
One of the best websites which I have found is Electronic Intifada. This website offers good sources on the Gaza crisis.

Erin Cunningham, The Electronic Intifada

2009-02-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Under the bombing, a girl named Hope

War Crimes Fact-finding Commission

2009-02-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Why a war crimes fact-finding commission could uniquely enable prosecutions

Democracy Now

2009-02-25T11:54:00.000-08:00

Fmr. Irish President Mary Robinson Heads Panel Faulting “War on Terror” for Eroding Human Rights

Gaza's Schools Still Lack Essentials

2009-02-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

Gaza children "afraid to return to school"

Eva Bartlett writing from the occupied Gaza Strip

2009-02-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

Amer al-Helo's story is one of the many tragic accounts coming out of Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. Within the 21 days since the bombing stoped, Israel has had a major election. Regardless of the change of command in Israel, there is not much hope that it will result in any change for the better in Gaza. Gaza's civilian population will continue to bear the brunt of Israel's force regardless of who's in command.
Read Amer al Helo's Story