Issue VI | September 2010

Redefining the National Interest

ForeignPolicyHandbook.com
Mosque on Main Street?
p. 3

Mission
Accomplished? Don’t Nuke Me
p. 14 p. 19

YOUNG AMERICANS for LIBERTY

The Young Americans for Liberty’s
Foreign Policy
Handbook

September 2010
Contents
Editor in Chief
3 Ground Zero Mosque Roy Antoun
By Jihan Huq
Advertising
7 The Retribution Gospel Andrew Rawana
By Gabriel Aquino

10 From a New Yorker

By Fabian Gambino Contributors

11 Petraeus vs. McChrystal

By Ryan Bell Jihan Huq

14 Mission Accomplished? Gabriel Aquino

By Nelson Chase
Fabian Gambino
15 The War is… not over.
Ryan Bell
By Jeremy Davis
Nelson Chase
17 The Fate of Cuba
By Marissa Yturralde-Giannotta Jeremy Davis

19 Don’t Nuke Me Marissa Yturralde-Giannotta

By Brian Beyer
Brian Beyer
21 Foreign Aid Horror Files: USSR
Brendon DeMeo
By Brendon DeMeo
Daniel John
22 Are Perpetual Wars Keeping Us Safe?
By Daniel John

YAL MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) is to train, educate, and mobilize youth activists committed to
"winning on principle." Our goal is to cast the leaders of tomorrow and reclaim the policies, candidates, and direction
of our government.

YAL STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

We are the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). As Americans we recognize the God-given natural rights of life, liberty,
and property set forth by our Founding Fathers. Our country was created to protect the freedoms of the individual
and directed by we the people.

We recognize that freedom deserves responsibility and therefore we hold ourselves to a high moral character and con-
duct. Integrity emphasizes our stance towards action. Principle defines our outlook towards government. Peace and
prosperity drives our ambitions towards our countrymen.

We inherit a corrupt, coercive world that has lost respect for voluntary action. Our government has failed and
dragged our country into moral decay. The political class dominates the agenda with a violent, callous, controlling
grip. And, for this we do not stand.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 1 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
 Letter From the Editor
Dear Reader,
This month, I have a tidbit of satire for you.
Mission Accomplished. The war in Iraq is over. The
troops are coming home. Obama saved the day.
Better yet, Americans are upholding the de-
mocratic values of the Constitution and are under-
standing the legality of building a Mosque two blocks
away from “Ground Zero.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is saving the
world this month by locking the United States into a
$51 million dollar program to give clean cookstoves
to the third world.

Now let’s review what’s actually happening.

President Obama, like President Bush, actually thinks that the war in
Iraq is over. 60,000 armed troops will be stationed in Iraq indefinitely.
New Yorkers and Americans who are not from New York are protest-
ing a Mosque being built two blocks away from “Ground Zero” in their zeal-
ous attempt to be tolerant.
Hillary Clinton actually stamped a $51 million deal to buy clean cook-
stoves for people living in third world countries stating that this will help elimi-
nate “climate change.”

Really?

Roy M. Antoun
New York State Chairman,
Young Americans for Liberty

“Of the Youth, by the Youth, for the Youth” Want to write for the
Foreign Policy Handbook?
The objective of the Foreign Policy Handbook is to rationally discuss the faults in American Contact roy.antoun@yaliberty.org
foreign policy and offer practical, liberty-minded solutions. Over the past century, our elected
http://www.foreignpolicyhandbook.com
leaders have collectively corrupted U.S. foreign relations into a hotbed of backfiring interven-
tionism. It is the job of the youth to mobilize and inform, because it is we who will be paying
Find us on the web:
the price in blood and gold. http://yaliberty.org

While views expressed in the articles do not represent all the members of YAL, they do express Find us on Facebook
the views of the respective authors. Young Americans for Liberty does not support or oppose http://facebook.com/yaliberty
any candidate for office. Follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/yaliberty

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 2 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Ground Zero Mosque

Jihan Huq servative right. Though many from? Who is Imam Rauf? Is he a
9/11 victims families oppose the stealth jihadist? Do these Mus-
The recent controversy revolving project, there are some individu- lims have “the right” to
around the proposed “ground als that are wholeheartedly suspi- build this community center/
zero” Islamic community center cious over all. However, regard- mosque? How did this contro-
and mosque has raised a fire- less of the controversy this is versy originally begin? I will be
storm across the country. The causing, some important ques- discussing both sides of the de-
controversy itself has been fueled tions have yet to be answered, bate: the opposition, the propo-
by many zealots from the neocon- like where is the funding come nents and my personal opinion.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 3 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

They’re ok with the strip clubs and other mosques already there… but this one is just a big no-no.

The Opposition nections to al Qaeda. Their slanderous statements con-

For starters, we can definitely say that the con- tinued from then on, also attempting to destroy the
troversy came into light in December of 2009. Since Imam and his wife's reputation by depicting them as rag
Laura Ingram's interview with Imam Rauf's wife, Daisy headed stealth jihadists with alternative motives. All
Khan, Laura Ingraham clearly seemed very supportive these allegations are absurd and extremely arrogant
and “liked” what Daisy and the individuals behind this since they also challenge the government's domestic
community center and mosque were doing. Since then, abilities to protect itself from terrorists and their allies.
there was merely silence from opposition groups. Also, the term “mega mosque” or “ground zero
So here's the question: Why did it take seven mosque” is extremely misleading. For one, a “mega
months to manufacture the perfect political storm? mosque” [or a mosque in general] cannot have a culi-
Since May of this year, far right and anti Muslim blog- nary school, a movie theater and a restaurant. So why
gers Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer have created this does the anti Muslim blogger Pamela Geller and her
notion of a “mega mosque” being built on ground zero. overzealous supporters still claim it as such? The answer
Geller, Spencer and their minions claimed that Imam is very clear since Geller and even her “partner in crime”
Rauf was initially being insensitive and that it was just a Robert Spencer are known for misinformation [claiming
bad PR move [which were legitimate arguments]. it did- the president is the illegitimate child of Malcom X, call-
n't take too long for these anti mosque bloggers to add ing Obama the Muslim president, calling democarts na-
more fuel to the fire by claiming that this “mosque” has tional socialists, claiming Elena Kagan is a Nazi, etc.].
connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Questions were also raised regarding the funding
went even far as to say that the Imam had indirect con- and where the money is coming from, only to find out

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 4 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010
that neither Rauf or anyone involved with this mosque/ The Proponents
community center has started raising any money. Many Proponents of the mosque/community center
opponents of the mosque/community center alleged also lack understanding. Many claim that if this project
that Rauf was getting funding from the Saudi and Ira- does continue, it will bring peace and harmony in the
nian governments (an allegation not only erroneous but city. However, during the recent strain of events is con-
absurd). To claim that the money would be coming trary to this claim.
from Saudi Arabia is misleading and hypocritical (since Not only is this mosque/community center di-
Fox News has received donations from Bin Talal be- viding Americans, it is also potentially harming Mus-
fore) Also, to claim that the money is coming from Iran lims and can lead a path of a violation of Constitutional
(majority Shi'ite) is much more ridiculous, since the rights for American Muslims. Ever since this contro-
community center is behind a Sunni based organiza- versy came into light, there has been a string of anti-
tion. mosque activity/protests around the country, including
The manifestation of the “Other” in American culture has been a detri- in places like California, Florida, Tennessee, etc. Re-
ment to tolerance and republicanism.
cently, there also was an attack on a taxi driver in NY
The Imam also being depicted as a stealth ji- who happened to be Muslim. Before the attacker took
hadist is a clear example of the level of nastiness this action, he asked the driver if he was Muslim or not. All
issue has become. However, he does deserve a large this is mostly happening because of the proposed Is-
portion of the blame for remaining silent until just re- lamic community center and mosque near ground zero.
cently. Now many of the opponents are more paranoid If Imam Rauf would take more heed than he
and believe some of the more bizarre allegations and already is now, he could at least try to
rumors out there. Imam Rauf and the community cen- give some thought about
ter itself has received tremendous support from Rabbis, changing the loca-
Pastors and other religious figures, so to still hold on to tion.
the misleading argument that he has ties to terrorist or
is a secret jihadist is simply a lie.

Also, if one expects to be apart of the community,

sometimes one must take heed of their neighbors.
Many people (including most 9/11 victims family mem-

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 5 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

There’s this thing called the “Bill of Rights” that everyone constantly forgets.

bers) dislike the idea of this project; Imam Rauf also since many of the victims’ families feel insulted. Ameri-
needs to take more heed for these individuals as well. can Muslims must understand that if they want to as-
similate and not alienate themselves, sometimes com-
As far as rights go, the Muslims behind this pro- promises should be made. It is also about being a con-
ject do have the right to build it. However, the bigger siderate neighbor and showing the sometimes irra-
question is, it it the right (and the safe) thing to do? tional opposition that Muslims do care and do want to
Proponents tend to get emotional just as the opposition be apart of the society and will do whatever it can to
do (including irrational at times). However, proponents improve relations with the rest of the country and
must see the more important things and how it is seen maybe even around the globe.
through the victims families shoes; being sensitive is
also what should be considered as well. The Muslim As for the opposition, originally it was taken
supporters should also speak up and combat a lot of the part by many of the victims families. However, once
slanderous statements coming from the other side. Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer and their minions of
Stop Islamization of American got their hands on the
issue, it became uglier and obviously extremely mis-
My Opinion lead. This mosque debacle teaches us that politics and
From my personal point of view, I honestly religion mixing together can often be ugly. It also
could care less if this community center/mosque is teaches us that people like Ms. Geller and Mr. Spencer
built or not. For me this is not the biggest issue. There are merely political opportunists that take advantage of
are many places where a community center/mosque issues like these and politicize the important and unfor-
can be built without insensitivity. It is not the best idea, gettable events of September 11, 2001.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 6 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Opinion | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

A
The assumption that, as an American, as a con-
servative, or as a patriot, that I must unquestioningly
s a human, am I to deny the life of another? support an imperialist foreign policy is an absurdity born
out of selective historical education and inconsiderate
As a libertarian, where is it suggested that I may inhibit tradition. All in all, the advocates of book-burning and
the freedoms of someone else?
those who have found themselves “offended” by the
As a Christian, am I told to compensate for the actions of building of nothing more than a community center, are
others with retribution that I see fit? simply victims of history. As of late, this issue has raced
Plain and simple? Never, nowhere, and REALLY? to the forefront of American politics. Since I have not

The Retribution Gospel

Gabriel Aquino

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 7 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Opinion | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010
been pressed into a corner regarding GONNA BUILD A TERRORIST sinners, entitled to throw stones at
a single issue in the umbrella of top- CHURCH ON TOP OF 9/11!”, they anyone? Not only that; this is oc-
ics, I’ll take the opportunity to cover overlooked a terrible amount of curring because the proverbial
the topic as far as I see that the scope holes. The building that is proposed stone throwers are correlating two
runs. Follow my spiel of reasoning to be built is a no different than a different groups of people via a
(I’ll have you know, Glen Beck stole YMCA or a JCC. The right-wing in- world religion that is practiced by
this from me), as I tie it back Ameri- sists that the mosque not be built two over a billion human beings.
can Foreign Policy. blocks away from Ground Zero. So why again, do we find
Why all of a sudden, eh? This Where’s the sense in this? our mass media purporting that
micro-issue was thrown into the po- As a Constitutional American, this is some kind of epic show-
litical fray, raised emotions, I respect one’s rights to religion, as down between two blocs of Ameri-
and immediately became, more or well as property rights. As a Chris- cans, the right and left wing (no
less, a legitimate debate. Even in the tian, I will not persecute Muslims, surprise, there)? Not to mention
first days of media attention, both the who wish to worship God, by tying that the media’s portrayal of this
left and the right immediately were them to the marginal statistic of Is- rhetorical Ragnarok consists of
able to utilize their put-together talk- lamic Fundamentalists. Even if I did angry conservatives and retribu-
ing points. For days, the rhetorical feel emotionally disheartened by the tive Christians in one corner,
stalemate dominated television me- whole issue, or if the Muslim Ameri- against an American Intifada,
dia. Most Americans did not even cans were directly tied the Democratic Party, and (as
take a second to think about the tim- to extremists, isn’t it my commission always, my favorite) the
ing of this issue, its implementation, to forgive and show love, so that they loony libertarian fringe.
and its overall effect in the political may also know God’s love? What part Really…we’re letting this
atmosphere. The construction of a of the Bible is this nativist horde, of happen? Never in my gen-
eration have I witnessed
Cordoba House in New York immedi- neoconservative, CHRISTIAN Re-
such a blender full of po-
ately garnered plenty of nativist, anti- publicans, reading? Where are we, as litical vomit and rhetorical
Islamic rhetoric. As the diarrhea, but I guess we all
Beck-Palin herd spewed have to visit the circus at
talking points, such as least once.
Of course, “the
“THE MOOSLIMS ARE

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 8 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Opinion | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

right” scores in the political facade, with the mosque many Monarcho-Republicans. The new blood? A few
issue, so how does the left-wing media retort? Likening substantial Republican candidates voted in by Sarah
someone to a dystopian villain usually does the trick. Palin idolaters.
Zoom in on Pastor Terry Jones, of Gainesville, This issue may strike a chord with many and
Florida. The audacity behind book-burning is some- pine for national attention. Fight the urge to NOT use
thing that we should all be glad to say that we are all, common sense. Does this have anything to do with
at least, 100 IQ points above. You will never know deep politics on a national scale? No. Seeking retribution,
-seeded hatred like that in the Deep South. The other “fairness”, or “compassion” via government interven-
day, I heard someone use “carpetbagger” in conversa- tion as a solution at a time like this reveals how decep-
tion. tive the media can be. Manufactured consent? No,
So… Left-Wing America: 1; Right-Wing America: 1 thanks.
Who throws the next punch, you might ask? It Long story short, nothing changes. Why? Be-
will be the state. as always. Same old story, divide and cause, once again, we didn’t pay attention to history.
conquer. This issue will get Americans out to the vot- We wanted an answer, but we turned on the T.V. The
ing booths in November. But who will win? A few Media strikes back. The Empire remains.
“progressive” incumbents will remain, and as will

America: Land of the Free, Home of the Christian Right only?

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 9 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Opinion | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

From a New Yorker...

Fabian Gambino private property as, however, that support of the subjugation of the
they are being insensitive, looking Palestinian people by Israel. I think
Lately there has been much for trouble, and disrespecting the it’s time to stop pretending that U.S.
controversy over a proposed Islamic 9/11 victims. Once again, this argu- actions around the world don’t have
Community Center planned for ment is actually easily taken apart as consequences, something our cur-
lower Manhattan. The proposed well. Insensitivity never trumps rent foreign policy seems to see as
project is to be located two blocks rights. Here’s a short example. If irrelevant. All of the recent Islamo-
away from where the World Trade someone is standing on a box phobia is targeted at drumming up
Center complex once stood. Many screaming homophobic things, and support for a continually failing for-
right and left wingers are up in arms it hurts your feelings, you’re not eign policy of intervention to sup-
against the project, while a minority supposed to go grab an officer of the port the Post 9/11 Interminable
of less than 35% support the rights state to drag him down and violate Global War on Suspected Interna-
of the individuals who wish to con- his rights, rather, you should stand tional Terrorists while ignoring the
struct the Islamic Community Cen- on a box right next to him screaming consequences of our policies. Others
ter. What are numbers anyway in about how ridiculous and stupid claim we already forgot 9/11. I con-
our “Republic”? This isn’t a democ- that person is. Of course using gov- test they forgot Auschwitz. When are
racy where mob rule decides what ernment force to achieve your goals they going to be forced to wear Cres-
happens and what doesn’t happen. is easier, but that doesn’t make it cent Moons as identification?
If 99% of the public was opposed to right. Period. Back to the critics of the
the construction of a Mosque on pri- And who is to claim Muslims Community Center, others like Newt
vate property, that still wouldn’t are being insensitive? There has Gingrich say that we shouldn’t allow
make it right. been a mosque built near the World Muslims to build mosques in Amer-
Let’s begin with property Trade Center since before the towers ica until other Middle Eastern Na-
rights, something people on the were even built. The insensitivity tions such as Saudi Arabia allow the
right who call themselves conserva- seems to be coming from Republi- construction of churches. Newt al-
tives profess to support. Property cans who claim that having an Is- ways has something stupid to say.
rights are the foundation of capital- lamic Community Center in lower This is America and we have a Con-
ism, individualism, and liberty. Manhattan is an atrocity, as if some- stitution. We have higher standards
Some Republicans are calling for the how, Islam is responsible for 9/11. of religious liberty here than in other
use of government force, probably At least this issue brings to note a parts of the world. Not to mention
by the use of eminent domain, to potential discussion as to the rea- that we support oppressive regimes
halt the construction process. The sons behind the 9/11 attacks besides such as those in Saudi Arabia. If the
hypocrisy here is so clear that it the common nonsense that contin- rest of the world is upside down, we
doesn’t need to be explained. You ues from 9/11 until this day that they don’t have to be upside down too.
can’t be for private property rights hate us for our freedom. If we were Some Republicans suggested the
yet at the same time call for govern- at war with Islam, America would building of this Community Center
ment interference against property know it. There are billions of Mus- was sort of like building Japanese
rights. But then again many modern lims in the world. You wouldn’t be restaurants next to the U.S.S. Ari-
day Republicans pay lip service to able to go to work if we were at war zona by Pearl Harbor. That’s proba-
things that they never believed in with Islam. This issue however bly one of the most comical weak
anyway. All you have to do is look at seems to entertain such an idea. arguments I’ve heard in relation to
their records. This being easily dis- Again, the motives of the attack on the Mosque. In no way are Japanese
mantled, other opponents, of par- 9/11 were foreign troops in their restaurants disrespectful. I actually
tially higher intelligence, declare holy land, U.S. intervention and like sushi. And the service is great.
that the Muslims have every right to support for their dictators, and U.S.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 10 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Patraeus vs. McChrystal

McChrystal had been running 7-8 miles Afghanistan, was the right man for his
Ryan Bell a day, eating one meal a day, and sleep- previous job as head of U.S. Special
ing 4 hours a night, devoting the rest of Forces operations, but was not diplo-
I do not think we can properly his time to the American military effort. matic enough for the Afghanistan com-
critique the man in question without Petraeus, if you remember correctly, mand role.
doing the same for the man replacing fainted a while back while being ques- He is bright, but he too much
him. We know who is going to replace tioned by the Senate Armed Services likes kicking butt and proving he is top
General McChrystal, it is David Pet- Committee. dog to manage the necessary coopera-
raeus, commander of CENTCOM, who I do not mean to disrespect tion of actors in Afghanistan, NATO, the
has a sordid enough history particularly General Petraeus with this mention, as Pentagon, the State Dept., the White
during the Bush Administration, that he his fainting was due to dehydration, but House, the House of Representatives,
requires no further introduction. While this further underscores that one of and the Senate.
Petraeus has served honorably he is a these men is a hardened soldier, while The number of interests he had
very different soldier than Stanley the other earned his prestige and posi- to address was something like the num-
McChrystal. McChrystal served on the tion from behind a desk. This does not ber that Eisenhower had to address as
ground in special ops during Operation necessarily say anything of their exper- Supreme Commander in Europe, except
Desert Storm. He went on many night tise in commanding military forces, but that Eisenhower had Gen. George Mar-
missions with his own men. it certainly means they will have differ- shall to provide the interface with the
On the other hand Petraeus saw ent approaches to accomplishing the Pentagon, the State Dept., the White
combat for the first time when he com- same objective. House, the House of Representatives,
manded the 101st Airborne division dur- So you can see the man Obama and the Senate. Sure, Eisenhower did
ing the invasion of Baghdad in 2003. fired and the man Obama hired are two have more troops to manage, but a top
We do not know if he actually took part very different soldiers. general should be good at that. The po-
in this battle himself. McChrystal suc- litical management of the war in Af-
cessfully tracked down and killed Al- ghanistan is a very confused and ill-
Zarqawi, one of the main leaders of the The Policy Decisions in Afghani- managed mess.
terrorist base of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. While stan: Rational or Worthy of Repri-
mand? Gen. McChrystal is more an
Petraeus successfully received a Phd. In analog to Gen. George Patton than to
My sense is that Gen. McChrys-
International Relations from the Wood- Gen. Eisenhower. Gen. Patton was a
tal, who not long ago was the com-
row Wilson school of Public and Inter- great general and played a critical role
mander of NATO's International Secu-
national Affairs at Princeton University in Europe in WWII, but he would have
rity Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 11 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Under Obama, the

mickey mouse regulations and
requirements that keep people
who want to do their jobs well
from doing so has skyrock-
eted. The choices for manage-
ment positions are particularly
poor. The computer systems
and the incredible cost of the
contracts paid for the outside
management of these inade-
quate and inefficient systems
that government employees
must use boggle the mind.
Such an otherworldly
mentality as that of the D.C.
leftists is not well-understood
by most military men. They
must have some contact with
reality and have a real ability
to manage men and warfare,
or the results are soon appar-
ent in American deaths and a
bogged down war. Many of
America's military men come
from the same stock of Ameri-
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and General David Patraeus at a Congressional Hearing
cans that Tea Party Americans
Photo courtesy of WashingtonPost.com
come from. They commonly
been the wrong man for Eisenhower's job. Eisenhower had to do believe that the U.S. is exceptional and they believe that
find ways to get the most he could from Patton and from they are fighting to preserve our freedoms and our Constitu-
many another prickly general, many of whom were British or tion.
French. The Rolling Stone article suggests that McChrystal Military officers may in many cases not have very so-
simply could not get the most out of the many actors in Af- phisticated viewpoints on American history and of political
ghanistan, such as the U.S. Ambassador Carl Eikenberry, the theory, but their knowledge of both is usually greater than
Special Representative to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, that of most Americans. At least they have studied something
National Security Advisor Gen. Jim Jones, and VP Joe Bi- about America's wars in many cases. They are usually indi-
den. Apparently, he did enjoy the support of Sec. of State viduals who have lived in several different states and have
Hilary Clinton. Now, I have no doubt that he was bombarded often been abroad and learned that most of the world suffers
with many a mickey mouse request, which must have been without the kinds of freedom we have in America. As men-
irksome for a fighting general. tioned above, they are forced more than politicians and bu-
The Obama administration is particularly ill- reaucrats generally are to deal honestly and rationally with
managed. Pie-in-the-sky socialists (Note: when I use the term reality.
socialists I mean those who prefer socialization of A theater commander for a major war effort is a man
the national community and advocate for egalitarian-based who must have very special insight and wisdom, as well as
programs over free market individualism based systems) sim- intelligence. Apparently, Gen. McChrystal has the intelli-
ply wish things to be as they want them. They wish that eve- gence, but he was lacking in wisdom at the level required for
ryone had health insurance, so it must be made to be so, the job he had.
somehow, they do not care how or know how. They wish the Afghanistan is a country primitive beyond the com-
poor had more money and better homes, so it must be made prehension of most Americans. The social organization of
so, somehow, they do not know how or care how. Socialism is Afghanistan is essentially pre-Medieval. It is of the Dark
divorced from reality. Ages. It is a land of clans, tribes, and warlords. It is saddled
with a primitive religion and particularly primitive versions of

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 12 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

that primitive religion. It would take decades to trans- more than to go in

form the country to anything resembling a modern coun- locally and disrupt The War Continues
try, and that supposes that the people there were inter- any Al-Qaeda or other terrorist bases of operation. The
ested in such a transformation to begin with. They gen- McChrystal - Obama policy is not in our national interest
erally are not. and it will not work, so a change of commanders may fa-
They are simply suspicious of anyone who is not cilitate a change of policy. The question of whether Pet-
of their own clan, and often even those within their own raeus was the right kind of change has yet to be seen, and
tribe. Then each tribe is very suspicious of every other only time will tell.
tribe. Force and treachery has always ruled their lives. While I have read and thought about war and its
They have no concept of free market cooperation. They history since I became fascinated with history in the
have no concept of the rights of the individual, or even fourth grade, I have not carefully studied the Afghan war
that of slightly modern concepts in property rights. as much as I would like. My father was originally a mili-
Families know their territory down to feet and often have tary man and I enjoyed many discussions with him when
bloody clashes with others over those exact same growing up. I know of many people that were drafted
feet. These are Enlightenment ideas which it took into the earlier wars, and many that have fought in the
Europe at least 800 years to develop from the time when current ones.
Europe was something like Afghanistan. Of course, with I have read about the wars of the Greeks, the Per-
more readily available technology, communications, and sians, the Hittites, the Egyptians, the Romans, the
travel, Afghans could make that transformation much Franks and Visigoths, the Scythians, the Israelis, the Car-
more quickly, but it still would take a couple of genera- thaginians, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Bohemi-
tions or more. This again, assumes that they are inter- ans, the Dutch wars, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Mon-
ested in doing so to begin with. gols, the Vikings, the Celts, the Angles and the Jutes, the
It is not in America's interest for us to maintain a Swedes, the Russ and the Russians, the wars of inde-
counterinsurgency or any other operation in Afghanistan pendence from Spain in Latin America, the Hundred
for two or more generations. Our purpose in going there Year's War, the Thirty Year's War, the Burgundian wars,
was to oust Al-Qaeda and their hosts, the Taliban. A the Polish wars, the Cossacks, the Napoleonic wars, the
plausible response to that need may well have been the Prussian wars, Native American wars, World War 1 & 2,
lower level effort in Afghanistan of the Bush administra- and all of the American wars. I have plenty of context to
tion. Though I suspect that effort had too much nation- understand war, but still I have not the detailed knowl-
building in it, curtailing its overall effectiveness. edge of present-day Afghanistan to be formulating the
Strangely, the Obama administration has adopted best strategy for the U.S. to follow there.
the policy advocated by Gen. McChrystal for an even However, I am quite sure the McChrystal -
greater effort in nation-building. Afghanistan is so much Obama strategy is not in America's best interest and that
more primitive than Iraq that I do not believe this effort we should be formulating a strategy with a much more
is in our national interest and I do not believe there will modest goal. You don't need to know much to realize
be any chance of getting out of it in reasonable time with that.
positive results. Most likely our policy should be little

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 13 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Mission Accomplished?
brings up that there is much confu-
Nelson Chase sion over terms like “combat” and
“combat units.” But all units are
I am a veteran of Operation combat units. All units train to
Iraqi Freedom. I flew into to Kuwait go to war. So really labeling this
International Airport the day the group “combat” and the other
U.S. Invasion of Iraq began. I re- “non-combat” is a fallacy. So are
member wearing chemical suits for combat units in Iraq really
what seemed like an eternity waiting gone? Is the war finally
for supposed chemical attacks from over?
Saddam’s weapons of mass destruc-
tion. I can remember May 1, 2003 The War in
watching then President Bush an- Iraq is far from over.
nouncing to the world that our mis- Congressman
sion was accomplished. (I was in our Ron Paul
recreation tent watching it on either states that the
Fox or CNN). I can remember the “withdrawal”
scuttlebutt being that we reservist of combat
would all be home within three troops:
months. Well I didn’t go home in “…was merely
three months; I wouldn’t leave for another one of
another ten. And here we are, seven the administra-
years later and we are still in Iraq! tion’s operations
Yet, I thought our mission was ac- in political maneuvering and seman- to the traditional American foreign
complished? tics in order to convince an increas- policy of active private engagement
ingly war-weary public that the Iraq and non-interventionism.”
So you can image my skepti- War is at last ending. However, mili-
cism when President Obama an- tary officials confirm that we are In closing I want to challenge
nounced that our combat operations committed to intervention in that the anti-war left. Where are you? I
had come to an end. The last of country for years to come, and our remember under President Bush a
50,000 “combat” soldiers had finally operations have in fact, changed large anti-war movement from the
left Iraq. Yet, there are still 50,000 minimally, if really at all.” left. Is it because now a liberal
U.S. Soldiers in Iraq. I thought we president is in power that you are
had left? Oh but they are not So forgive me (and Dr. Paul) not out protesting the war? And to
“combat” troops so we who oppose if I don’t believe President Obama. the Tea Party, when will you throw
the war should be happy that finally As long as we support an ever in- away the neo-conservative perpetual
President Obama has ended George creasingly unpopular government in war foreign policy? Isn’t 4,000 plus
Bush’s mistake. There is only one Iraq and continue to meddle in an American causalities enough? Or
problem. All soldiers regardless of increasing violent sectarian civil war will it take another Vietnam to wake
what job they do or where they serve that we helped create the war will the right up to the insanity of the
are combat soldiers. How can you continue to go on and on, with no war in Iraq. Sadly, I think we are
separate combat for being a soldier? end in sight. already in another Vietnam when it
Sure infantry soldiers are more spe- comes to Iraq and Afghanistan. I
cialized in the art of combat but all We need to leave Iraq and we am a veteran of Iraq, I am against
soldiers are trained for combat. need to leave it now. That means all this war. I still hear echoing in my
They all carry weapons, they all are soldiers, contractors, and let the ear, “Mission Accomplished.” It’s
qualified with the M-16, and they people of Iraq decide their own des- been seven years now, how long is
are still in Iraq. The Cato institute tiny. We need to embrace “a return two long?

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 14 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

The War is.……… not over.

ever present war is expressly misleading.
Jeremy Davis As Congressman Ron Paul pointed out in a recent
article, “Their mission will be anything but desk duty.
Despite heralding a simple change in semantics Among other things they will accompany the Iraqi mili-
as the beginning to the end of the war in Iraq, a full-scale tary on dangerous patrols, continue to be involved in the
American withdrawal from that nation may never truly hunt for terrorists, and provide air support for the Iraqi
come. military. They should be receiving combat pay, because
The Obama Administrations’ championing of the they will be serving a combat role!”
removal of the so-called last combat brigade from Iraq What we are given is nothing more than tradi-
has been touted as a kind of unsaid “mission accom- tional government doublespeak meant to please war
plished” moment for Obama. But even this misleading weary Americans while maintaining a prolonged military
maneuver of claiming that U.S. combat operations in prescience abroad at the same time. This whole charade
Iraq have ended gives little reassurance that all U.S. of simultaneously withdrawing some troops while keep-
forces will ultimately leave Iraq by the end of 2011 as ing thousands of others in the line of fire is a feeble at-
claimed by the administration. tempt at trying to have it both ways. Conjunctly it is also
The fact still stands that at least 50,000 American a sad means to salvage or garner any means of public
troops will remain within Iraqi borders, operating under support and boost public opinion of Mr. Obama and the
varying capacities. In a speech he delivered last month, Democrats before a November midterm election.
President Obama explained that “going forward, a transi- Of course politicians are simply playing a danger-
tional force of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq with a dif- ous game of bait and switch. Even if large scale numbers
ferent mission: advising and assisting Iraq’s security of American forces actually do withdrawal from Iraq,
forces; supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counterterror- they will simply be replaced by private contractors, less
ism missions; and protecting our civilians.” accountable than actual military servicemen. In fact, the
Regardless of all the half-truths and sugar coating State Department is expected to more than double the
about an end to combat operations, the war for those number of private security contractors, or mercenaries in
Americans still in harms will be just as real as it was be- Iraq amidst all the chants of a U.S. drawdown and a
fore the recent withdrawal. Convincing the public into seemingly imminent end to combat operations.
believing that since combat troops have been removed However, as Congressman Paul also notes on the
from Iraq, this somehow means that the remaining misleading exchange of U.S. troops for private mercenar-
“transitional force” isn’t participating in an active and ies: “of course the number of private contractors -- who

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 15 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

perform many of the same roles as troops, but for a lot thousand U.S. troops stationed in South Korea since the
more money -- is expected to double. So this is a funny end of the Korean War.
way of ending combat operations in Iraq. We are still
meddling in their affairs and we are still putting our men Long after any “combat operations” ended in either of
and women in danger, and we are still spending money those wars, the United States has never made a total
we don’t have. This looks more like an escalation than a withdrawal. Realizing this, it’s not too difficult to be
draw-down to me!” skeptical about the supposed withdrawal deadline from
Iraq by the end of 2011. Of course whether or not the
Although, if that is simply not enough to doubt the real- United States actually leaves Iraq behind once that mark
ity of a true U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, then just look at arrives depends on whether certain vague conditions
the government’s dismal record in making its military have been met. And it’s those intentionally vague terms
exit after previous conflicts. Any astute observer on the and conditions that will keep the hopes of a total Ameri-
history of American foreign policy can see that there are can withdrawal from Iraq from finally coming.
severe reasons in doubting claims that we are leaving the
Iraq behind anytime soon. Nearly sixty-five years after America’s involvement in Iraq, whether it is strictly in a
the conclusion of World War II, America still finds itself military capacity, increased security assistance, or
with over 50,000 troops stationed in Germany and about through massive nation building efforts; a “withdrawal”
35,000 in Japan; not to mention the mere thirty- from Iraq is not in Uncle Sam’s vocabulary.

President Obama thinks he’s General Patton. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 16 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

The Fate of Cuba United States, however, should not use its hegemonic
Marissa Yturralde-Giannotta military might to achieve this goal.
In 2009, the Obama Administration teased the
For 52 years, the once “Pearl of the Caribbean,”
American public on its serious indications of lifting the
Cuba, has been in jail in both political and economic
Cuban Embargo. This, unfortunately, was not the case.
terms. When Fidel Castro, a then- young revolutionary,
However, the Obama Administration did take crucial
captured the country’s adoration he proclaimed he was
steps in lowering some of the restrictions it has on the
not a Marxist. However, it became very clear to the Cu-
island. The Black Congressional Caucus visited the coun-
ban people and the United States that Castro was more
try and concluded that the embargo should be lifted. Mr.
leftist than what he was declaring.
Obama responded to this by lowering travel restrictions
After Castro passed the Agrarian Land Reforms
(for Cuban-Americans) placed by the Bush Administra-
(nationalization of estates including American property)
tion as well as some trade restrictions (you can now send
and the Urban Reform Laws (outraged American utility
up to 40lbs instead of 4lbs!). Despite what seems as
companies in Cuba protested the 50% cut for all Cuban
small steps, the Obama Administration has continued to
utility bills), the United States turned its cheek on its for-
engage in its Cuban Relations as compared to other prior
mer banana republic. In 1962 the final straw was drawn
administrations. The United States should continue to
once Castro nationalized the Esso/Texaco Oil Company.
engage in our relations to Cuba into a more open policy
The United States placed a complete embargo on the is-
for the obvious benefits it can have to the Cuban people
land that has lasted up to this day. But, with the election
and its potential changing government.
of Barack Obama the charismatic leader of “change.” the
The trade possibilities the Unites Stated can give
current status of US-Cuba relations might just do that-
to the island can dramatically change the way in how Cu-
change (only if Obama really wants it). With an open
bans live both politically and socially. As Albert Hirsch-
trade policy towards the island, only our true objectives
man famously tries to prove in his book “Exit, Voice, and
of liberating the island of Communism can manifest. The

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 17 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Loyalty,” authoritarian governments such as Cuba

cannot retain its legitimacy within its citizenry be-
cause its only choice is “voice” which pushes how a
government responds to its population. This can be
seen in Cuba today. The younger generations are voic-
ing their opinion with their frustrations of the Cuban
government in their economic and social lives.
To combat this public sentiment, the Cuban
government under Raul Castro has now passed two
important pieces of legislation last week that opens up
the Cuban economy. Raul Castro has now made it le-
gal to own small agricultural businesses (although
they pay heavy taxes to the state, it’s a huge step),
combating the food crisis in the country. The second
is an even more important step towards liberating the
economy. The country now allows foreign inventors a
99-year lease to come on the island. This means more
golf clubs, more resorts, and more of everything can
now be allowed in Cuba. There is no doubt that
American investors will not give up on this opportu-
nity if the embargo should be lifted. With foreign in-
vestors coming into the country, the government has
now taken a step backwards in their communist
agenda. Foreign investors, such as the United States
and other marginally pro-capitalist countries can im-
pact the way Cubans see their government as well as
how the government can be influenced by outside
forces in using trade, a non coercive tool. As we all
know, money talks.
So what should the United States do? The em-
bargo must be lifted as soon as possible. Each year
legislation never reaches the floor for serious consid-
eration because the Cuban government never gave
Congress and the American public a reason to do so.
But now as Castro is taking steps to liberalize Cuba’s
economy due to a growing demand from its citizens,
the United States should seriously consider doing so
to continue Cuba’s path to democratization. There is
no other force but open trade that can do this. War
and coercion have not worked in Cuba’s case (can
anyone say Bay of Pigs?) in pushing for democracy.
However, it is now possible to actually conceptualize a
free Cuba in a way that leads to peace and prosperity
for both countries.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 18 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Don’t Nuke Me
the claims. Despite no evidence that with Iran on other terms. Ehud Ba-
Brian Beyer Iran is actually developing a nuclear rak, the defense minister of Israel,
weapon, the American and Israeli said, “The real threat to Zionism is
What do Syria and Iraq have media are making their best effort to the dilution of quality… Our young
in common? The answer is a lot. convince people otherwise. Prime people can consciously decide to go
Both are heavily Muslim, in the Mid- Minister of Israel, Benjamin other places if they dislike living un-
dle East, and have had a war filled Netanyahu, made this hyperbolic der the threat of nuclear attack.” The
recent past. Another linking charac- statement about Iran and the pros- Israeli view of Iran as an existential
teristic is that their nuclear ambi- pects of a nuclear Iran: “You don’t threat is two pronged: 1.) if Iran de-
tions were cut short by an Israeli want a messianic apocalyptic cult velops a nuclear weapon, it can de-
bombing. In June of 1981, Israel controlling atomic bombs. When the stroy much of Israel; and 2.) the
bombed Iraq’s French-built nuclear wide-eyed believer gets hold of the mere existence of a nuclear Iran will
reactor until it was unusable. Israel reins of power and the weapons of completely undermine the state of
struck again in September of 2007 mass death, then the world should Israel and the Zionist Project. With
when it destroyed a Syrian nuclear start worrying, and that’s what is its existence “on the line,” Israel has
reactor. Surprisingly, neither coun- happening in Iran.” Netanyahu con- all but decided that the threat of a
try responded with force. Iran may veniently ignored history. Iran has nuclear Iran must be eliminated.
soon be the third member of the not waged an aggressive war in But will Israel attack Iran on
“Group-That-Got-Cut-Short.” As the modern history whereas Israel has its own? The answer is probably not.
Islamic Republic continues to enrich launched plenty. In addition, if Iran While Israel has a military capability
uranium, albeit peacefully, Israel is would ever attack Israel, the Persian that is surely to be feared, it would
becoming extremely worried. But nation would be bombed to oblivion be much easier if the United States
Israel’s fears are completely un- by Israeli and American forces. took charge. Prime Minister
founded. Since most Israelis, both Thus, Iran has absolutely no interest Netanyahu, or Bibi, quipped in 2001
civilian and governmental officials, in attacking Israel unless its wish is that, “America is a thing you can
cannot even stomach the prospect of utter ruin. move very easily…” Sadly, he is
a nuclear Iran, an attack by Israel on Jeffrey Goldberg, in an influ- right, especially when dealing with
Iran is becoming more likely by the ential piece called “The Point of No Israel. What is more is that this time
day. However, Israel may ask the Return” in the Atlantic, chronicled around, America’s responsiveness to
United States to help lead the strike that Israelis view a nuclear-armed Israel’s desires could spell disaster.
because of America’s overwhelming Iran as an “existential threat.” Such American military leaders, such as
military capabilities. views, however, are not limited to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Rhetoric about the nuclear the far-right Likud party. Even the Admiral Mike Mullen, have ex-
program of Iran has largely paral- left-wing Meretz Party feels the pressed serious reservations about
leled that of Saddam’s “Weapons of same way. Some Israeli policymak- attacking Iran. However, in the
Mass Destruction” in frequency, bel- ers have begun to rationalize a war same breath, Mullen admitted that
licosity, and the baseless nature of

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 19 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Will a nuclear Iran cause the Israeli state to knee jerk? Israel has previously there is a military plan to attack Iran should things
attacked, via surgical strikes, neighboring rogue states that possessed nu-
clear capabilities. Iran may be next on their list. become “unacceptable” to President Obama. Amer-
ica is undoubtedly preparing for a conflict with Iran.
The U.S. has shipped bunker-busting munitions to
Diego Garcia, a military base in the Indian Ocean,
which was used to launch attacks on Iraq during the
First Gulf War and America’s most recent and ongo-
ing war with Iraq. These would be perfect for de-
stroying any underground Iranian nuclear facilities.
In addition, the U.S. has increased troop presence on
the Iran-Azerbaijan border and has stationed 12 war-
ships, along with Israel, around the Persian Gulf. Is-
rael has also taken its own measures such as using a
Saudi airbase in the town of Tabuk, near Jordan, to
prepare for engagement with Iran. Such prepara-
tions are not just casual military movements. They
are precise, strategic, and indicative of a future at-
tack.
Binzion Netanyahu, father of Benjamin and
revisionist historian, accurately said that no two de-
mocracies have ever gone to war with each other.
However, bombing Iran would most likely stall any
of the recent progress of their democratic Green
Movement. The progress would be stunted because if
Iran were bombed by Israel or the US, the Iranian
people would unite against a foreign threat rather
than over dissatisfaction with their domestic political
climate. The elder Netanyahu, his son, and Israeli
policymakers cannot have it both ways. Would they
rather wait for a proper democracy in Iran to emerge
while living with the possibility of a nuclear Iran? Or
would they rather squash all attempts at democratic
reform via an attack on Iran, and fuel even more ha-
tred towards the Jewish state? The choice is theirs,
but the consequences will be global.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 20 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Foreign Aid Horror Files Brendon DeMeo

This is the first entry in what I would like to call the “foreign aid horror files.” Each issue I will pick two or three
countries which receive aid from the U.S. government, aka: the American taxpayer, and detail some of the fiascos
involved. We will hear grim tales of theft, extortion, shocking immorality, murder, corruption, greed and much
more, all fueled by the hard-earned cash of the American worker.

Subject: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) circa tined to run out of time, cash, and young men. Sec-
World War Two ondly, we could have spent $11 billion arming other al-
Style of Government: Stalinist Communism
lies who were not so evil, such as our friends in the Phil-
President: Joseph Stalin
ippines, or the many resistance armies in Western
Joseph Stalin, who mercilessly slaughtered more Europe who did not receive anywhere near as much. Or
of his own countrymen than Adolph Hitler did, was a maybe we could have just spent another $11 billion on
member of the Allied Forces during World War Two, as our own military, or even Great Britain’s.
we all know. Well, it turns out that communism, Stalin’s Perhaps the main reason it was truly a blunder is
favored style of dictatorial government, does not make because the U.S. government greatly aided a nation that
for a good economy. After nearly running out of war would go back to being hostile towards us as soon as the
materials and causing millions of Russians to starve to war was over. Basically, the U.S. trusted Stalin way too
death due to failed central planning, Stalin turned to his much. Stalin did not go along with the rest of the Allied
good buddy American President Franklin Delano Roo- nations and he kept all the land he conquered, putting
sevelt, in order to obtain supplies to continue fighting East Germany-westward under the dreaded Iron Cur-
the Nazi’s on WWII’s bloodiest front. tain that was not pulled back until two decades ago. Not
The United States spent about $50 billion on the long after WWII, the Cold War started, which means we
entire program, $11 billion of which went to the USSR, basically outfitted our own enemy, which might have
according to the uboat.net website. Unfortunately, there been destroyed along with the Nazi’s if we were more
was no lending or leasing involved, it was just giving. patient and less generous to paranoid killers with tons
Stalin really appreciated the aid, saying "Lend-Lease is of power. Without Lend-Lease, there probably would
one of Franklin Roosevelt's most remarkable and vital have been no Cold War. Sadly, the weapons we gave to
achievements in the formation of the anti-Hitler alli- the Soviet’s may have been the tools of many an Ameri-
ance” during the Yalta Conference, also according to can soldier’s death, as the Soviet’s formulated their own
uboat.net. He probably would have approved of much of “lend-lease plans” with some of America’s enemies dur-
what Roosevelt did domestically as well – Social Secu- ing the 20th century, such as the Vietcong.
rity, seizing the gold of American citizens, etcetera. The U.S. did not learn its lesson from the Lend
You can look up the exact statistics online, but Lease Act. It is common knowledge that much the
basically it gave the Soviets thousands upon thousands weapons we gave to Islamic militants to aid them in
of tanks, aircraft, guns, jeeps, and more, not to mention their struggles against invading Soviet armies during
hoards of raw materials, and even trains. Now you may the 1980’s wound up being turned against us after 9-11,
be wondering what is wrong with that, given the fact and that is only one example of the U.S. once again sup-
that Stalin was our ally and he was fighting Hitler, our plying future enemies with weapons. Lend-Lease was
enemy. First of all, many people believe we should not not the first American effort to supply an ally during a
have aided Russia at all. Its government surpassed the war. According to an article on the NPR website entitled
Nazi government in terms of innocent civilian body “New Clues in Lusitania’s Sinking,” by Anne Goodwin
count and it was also one of the most insidious, tyranni- Sides, the U.S. tried to smuggle ammunitions into Great
cal regimes the world has even known. Even the USSR Britain aboard a civilian vessel, the Lusitania. After the
denounced Stalin not too long after WWII. Sure, the German navy sunk the ship, we were dragged into
USSR was the enemy of our enemy, but why not let the World War One, being outraged that Germany would
Russians and the Germans pound each other merci- attack our own unwitting human shields, I mean, inno-
lessly while watching from afar? Assuming the Germans cent American civilians. The human cost of feeding war
did take Russia, and they did take a lot of it anyway, supplies to foreign powers has truly been high through-
their destruction was still inevitable, as they were des- out American history. Perhaps it is time we did away
with such deadly foreign aid.

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 21 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Opinion | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Are Perpetual
Wars Keeping
US Safe?
Daniel John
It is quite evident just by lis-
tening to the language of so-called
“conservative” pundits on a certain
cable news network that claims to be
“fair and balanced”, that the neo-
conservative establishment in the
Republican Party seems to be aim-
ing to do one thing and one thing
only, and that is start more wars
while continuing the perpetual occu- eration that are suffered by the civil Our “enemies” in neo-
pation of both Iraq and Afghanistan population of the aggressor govern- conservative language are vaguely
long-term. ment”. defined and vaguely named. Accord-
The argument that neo- Fifteen of the nineteen hi- ing to the mission statement on the
conservatives and other pro-war ad- jackers behind the September 11th popular neo-conservative website,
vocates make, is that perpetual war attacks were from Saudi Arabia, our KeepAmericaSafe.com, “the world is
in Iraq and Afghanistan is somehow supposed “ally” in the international a safer place when America is
“keeping America safe” from terror- war on terrorism. Not one of those trusted by our allies and feared and
ists, despite all the potential threats terrorist was from Iraq, Iran, or respected by our enemies”. With this
and probable blowback that could even Afghanistan. By using the word being written, one must ask the ob-
arise as a direct result of these wars. “they” when describing the sect of vious question, who exactly are “our
Simply put, initiating more wars in radical Islam that attacked us on enemies” and what must be done for
the middle-east to overthrow dicta- 9/11, the neo-cons can portray any them to “fear and respect” us? Our
tors will only provoke more terror- country in the middle-east as being enemies are usually defined by neo-
ism. The CIA defines this as blow- in the same group, or inside circle as conservatives as something along
back which is “the violent, unin- “they” , “the terrorists” or “radical the lines of “radical Islamic extrem-
tended consequences of a covert op- Islam”. ists” or just simply “terrorists”. In

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 22 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

even worse scenarios, our enemies Iran and tell Iran what to do. The vent Iran from getting a nuclear
get referred to as “they”, as in “they” neo-cons claim to have intelligence weapon”.
attacked us on 9/11. reports to back up their story that This is a primary example of
The neo-conservative rheto- Iran has a nuclear program. Is this how hawkish pundits like Mr.
ric is also purposely aimed at ma- the same bad intelligence that O’Reilly have been using the distinct
nipulating our service men and claimed that there were “weapons of possibility of Iran acquiring a nu-
women into thinking that fighting mass destruction” in Iraq? The very clear weapon as a pathetic excuse to
and winning perpetual wars same intelligence that neo-con pun- start another war. The threat of Iran
(although winning is vaguely de- dits everywhere were forced to ad- having one nuclear weapon has been
fined) is the right thing to do in or- mit was “false” after questions were extremely exaggerated by neo-con
der to keep our country safe. Do you asked about “weapons of mass de- pundits in order to justify yet an-
really think that Dick Cheney or Karl struction” following the invasion of other war with Iran. The same exact
Rove really care if our soldiers are Iraq. If so, then this intelligence and way the Bush administration,
safe, or even care about our soldiers these alleged reports should be seri- (which was basically overrun by neo
period? They purposely blur the dis- ously questioned at the very least. -cons) justified military action
tinction between “supporting the against Iraq because Saddam Hus-
troops” and supporting the war in sein apparently had “weapons of
order to gain sympathy (and votes) mass destruction”. If the Bush ad-
from flag-waving Americans eve- ministration was any vaguer about
rywhere who have the upmost their reasons to go to war, they
respect for our soldiers. The would have said that Saddam
neo-conservative movement Hussein had “weapons”.
claims to “support the The biggest fear for
troops”, but with the emo- peace any loving American to
tional and psychological have about a republican con-
drain that tours of duty trolled house, senate, and
tend to put on soldiers, even another republican in
along with thousands of the white house, is the obvious
American casualties dying probability of a war with Iran.
and getting injured in these Especially with the strong lin-
wars, which obviously weakens ge r in g p r es e n c e o f n e o -
the U.S military, then it is quite conservative influence over the
obvious that supporting perpetual GOP, it is quite apparent that when
wars is in direct opposition to the political cycle shifts to republi-
“supporting our troops”. can control, that there will be a war
For the past four or five Dr. Rand Paul appeared on a with Iran. The pundits have been
years hawkish pundits have strongly May 19th episode of The O’Reilly preparing their pro-war rhetoric for
been emphasizing the importance of Factor, where Bill O’Reilly himself years now, but this time instead of
“not letting Iran get a nuclear refers to Iran as a “major threat to “weapons of mass destruction” and
weapon” because Iran is (and appar- the United States”. Rand Paul re- Iraq, it is “A nuclear weapon” with
ently has been for at least 5 years) sponded by claiming that he did Iran. Just because Iran has enriched
“making enriched uranium”. For think Iran having a nuclear weapon uranium doesn’t mean it is going to
those of you who don’t speak neo- is “a threat to stability in the middle- make a nuclear weapon, and just
con, that is code for the apparent east”. O’Reilly of course quickly because Iran even has a nuke, does-
need to bomb Iran. They are basi- brought up the option of military n’t mean that Iran is dumb enough
cally advocating that the United intervention by asking him if he to use it.
States needs to point its nukes at “would go the military route to pre-

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 23 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
Commentary | Young Americans for Liberty | The Foreign Policy Handbook | Issue VI | September 2010

Young Americans for Liberty | http://www.yaliberty.org | Sept 2010 24 roy.antoun@yaliberty.org | P.O. Box 2751 Arlington, VA 22202
 Foreign
Policy Handbook
“Anyone who has ever looked into
the glazed eyes of a soldier dying
on the battlefield will think hard
before starting a war.”

- Otto von Bismarck