Doug Bandow

Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is author of several books, including Foreign Follies: America’s New Global Empire.

Saturday

Doug Bandow

The Alaska summit went much as expected

The summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ended predictably, without a ceasefire deal or, it seems, assent on much else. Trump said “Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left,” but failed to offer any details. Even if true, the leftovers are critical, and the gulf between the two governments on the war remains huge. Critically, Putin cares more about security than image or economics, and understandably believes that he would lose leverage by agreeing to halt military operations before winning the concessions he demands from Ukraine. Nevertheless, the summit improved, however slightly, the prospects for negotiating an end to the war.

Trump Putin

Monday

Doug Bandow

Europe learns the facts of MAGA life

Panic, even hysteria, has swept Europe. Its leaders realize that in their case Trump should be taken literally as well as seriously, and he seems prepared to trade the transatlantic alliance for détente with Russia. Eight decades of good times for the continent might be coming to a dramatic end. Trump demonstrated contempt for Europe during his first term; however, his top aides moderated his antagonism, carrying on policy as normal. While out of office he evidently decided never again. Today he is firmly driving American foreign policy. As ever, Trump’s tactics are often dubious, even counterproductive. However, only shock treatment is likely to cause Europe to take its own defense seriously.

europe

Monday

Doug Bandow

Is the US a threat to Christians in the Middle East?

Religious persecution is a global constant, and no one is exempt. The most conspicuous threats to religious liberty arise in authoritarian and Muslim-majority states; however, Middle Eastern Christians point to an even greater threat: the United States. At an international conference a couple weeks ago, a beleaguered Christian activist admitted to me what he was reluctant to state publicly: the US poses the most serious danger to his community. American political and military intervention fueled the destructive persecution that was driving Christianity from its geographic birthplace. In its May 2001 report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) cited no Middle Eastern nations, only the peripheral states of Sudan and Pakistan.

Wednesday

Doug Bandow

Don’t go to war with Russia over Ukraine

With shocking speed, talk in Washington has shifted from disunity among the Democrats and Joe Biden’s unhappy first year to possible war in Europe. The Putin government is reinforcing units poised to invade Ukraine. Washington is sending weapons to Kyiv. The United States and United Kingdom have begun to evacuate embassy personnel. President Biden is considering sending additional troops to garrison NATO member states. But for what? Why is the United States so thoroughly entangled in a conflict not its own? Not for reasons of history Throughout most of America’s relatively short existence, Ukraine was part of either the Russian Empire or Soviet Union.

ukraine