W disgraces Truman's legacy
Last night I heard a wonderful talk by David Rothkopf, author of the book on the National Security Council: Running the World. While it is becoming obvious that George W. Bush's military, foreign, and trade policies are weakening the country, Rothkopf offered a construct as to why this is happening.
As Harry Truman took office in April 1945, America was on the cusp of winning World War II and becoming an overwhelming military and economic power. But Truman did not seek an empire, he took the enlightened road. He set up a system of laws and organizations among countries to mediate disputes and promote trade. To name a few: the UN, NATO, IMF, World Bank, Bretton Woods agreement, Marchall plan etc.
Also, within the Executive Branch, Truman reorganized the National Security establishment so that the system would be stronger than any person, as we are all fallible. Truman knew the importance of this since FDR had not informed him of very many important war details before he died.
The bottom line is: this Bush Administration went around these systems to further their own ideological goals. Our bonds with the rest of the world are weakening. Also within our government, the State and Defense Deparments had the institutional knowledge to properly handle Iraq's reconstruction. But this administration had its own ideas, and they were wrong. They went around the system and they are liable for weakening America's security and strength around the world.
Thus: the worst foreign policy making in...er...ever now that I think about it.
As Harry Truman took office in April 1945, America was on the cusp of winning World War II and becoming an overwhelming military and economic power. But Truman did not seek an empire, he took the enlightened road. He set up a system of laws and organizations among countries to mediate disputes and promote trade. To name a few: the UN, NATO, IMF, World Bank, Bretton Woods agreement, Marchall plan etc.
Also, within the Executive Branch, Truman reorganized the National Security establishment so that the system would be stronger than any person, as we are all fallible. Truman knew the importance of this since FDR had not informed him of very many important war details before he died.
The bottom line is: this Bush Administration went around these systems to further their own ideological goals. Our bonds with the rest of the world are weakening. Also within our government, the State and Defense Deparments had the institutional knowledge to properly handle Iraq's reconstruction. But this administration had its own ideas, and they were wrong. They went around the system and they are liable for weakening America's security and strength around the world.
Thus: the worst foreign policy making in...er...ever now that I think about it.
posted by Teka Thomas at 9:46 AM
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