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Dr. Bordelon's English I On-Campus

Readings Essay #3

Assigned Reading

Rethinking Foreign Policy

Foreign Relations
Short overview of American Foreign Policy from Encyclopedia of American Government

Suggested Readings

***See chapters 16 and 17 in the Perspectives textbook for eight essays and ways of viewing foreign policy as a writing topic.

Older links below -- many will no longer work

The Power and the Glory

"Overview: How the World Views the United States" by Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Does the World Hate the United States?. Andrea C. Nakaya, Ed. At Issue Series. Greenhaven Press, 2005

Democracies of the World, Unite
From The American Interest magazine: Nov. Dec. 2006

Exporting Democracy (CQ Researcher April 1, 2005)
At his second inauguration in January, President Bush vowed “to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation.” Critics from Russian President Vladimir Putin to political scientist Francis Fukuyama said the president was taking on too great a challenge, and that similar efforts in the past have failed. But Bush's backers urged him to stay the course. Successful elections in Iraq and Afghanistan and promising pro-democracy activities in Lebanon, Egypt, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and other nations seemed to prove Bush correct. Still, Bush's campaign to promote global democracy faces challenges, including forming an interim government in violence-torn Iraq. Moreover, skeptics say, establishing a true government of the people requires civil liberties for women as well as men, a free press, an independent judiciary and the other institutions that make up a democracy.
http://80-library2.cqpress.com.libproxy.ocean.edu:2048/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005040100

In praise of the Bush doctrine. (Column) Commentary, Sept 2002 v114 i2 p19(10
Early essay by Norman Podhoretz

Jonathan Alter "An Alternate 9/11 History" Sept. 18, 2006

"The Foreign Policy the US Needs" New York Review of Books Stanley Hoffman

James Fallows: "Declaring Victory"

Understanding Islam
CQResearcher report -- which means it is balanced and thorough.

Bush's Foreign Policy

In praise of the Bush doctrine. (Column) Commentary, Sept 2002 v114 i2 p19(10
Early essay by Norman Podhoretz

A more recent reassertion of the Bush Doctrine "Is the Bush Doctrine Dead?" by the same author

And finally, letters to the editor which counterargue the above essay.

"The Foreign Policy the US Needs" New York Review of Books Stanley Hoffman

An Imperial Presidency; Bush's travel schedule seems to involve as little contact as possible with the country he is in. (US administration's relationships with other countries) Newsweek, Dec 19, 2005 p40

New Defense Priorities CQ Researcher 9/13/02
Abstract
After the Cold War, the Pentagon began downsizing its forces and developing high-tech, mobile weapons designed to deal with “rogue” states like Iraq — less powerful than the Soviet juggernaut but still able to attack the United States and its allies. But the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks forced Pentagon planners back to the drawing board to develop new strategies and weapons. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld wants to further transform the military to enable it to counter emerging threats from unconventional forces like the Al Qaeda Islamic terrorist organization. Meanwhile, President Bush is considering a pre-emptive strike against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, but most U.S. allies oppose unilateral action.

On American Decline

Mapping Decline
Abstract: Traces the history of the rise and decline of the preeminent power of the U.S. and predicts the direction of U.S. power globally. Definitions of world power, great power, superpower and preeminent power; Factors attributed to the decline of the preeminent power of the U.S.; Suggestion on considering the power of example as the most important influence that the U.S. can bring to bear abroad.

World View
Abstract: Comments on major moves in world politics and the economic order in the 21st century. The silent shift in the global balance of power from the U.S. to China and India; Reference to a report by U.S. intelligence analysts, who predict an erosion of power in the U.S.; Possibility that this global shift will bring a reduction in anti-Americanism; Expansion of the world economy; Implications of Chinese power for foreign policy; Issue of human-rights conditions; Possible scenarios; View that today's policies will reverberate for years to come, even as America fails to control consequent events.

Their Highbrow Hatred of Us
James Traub. New York Times Magazine. New York: Oct 30, 2005. p. 15 (2 pages)
The article comments on anti-Americanism. Throughout Europe, the anti-American left is far more intellectually respectable than in the United States. It is impossible to dissuade implacable ideologues, but the U.S. could certainly help its case by boasting about its benevolence less and proving it more. We might, for example, accept the rules and institutions of the Geneva Conventions, the International Criminal Court, the disarmament provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We might cut our farm subsidies to improve terms of trade for impoverished farmers in Africa. We might stand up more staunchly for democratic forces.

The importance of being good neighbours
Abstract: This article examines how America's relations with Canada and Mexico may be diminishing. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, the United States moved quickly to sign "smart border" agreements with both Canada and Mexico, to try to ensure that the demands of security did not interrupt trade. By the standards of much of the 20th century, political ties between the United States and Mexico are warm. Yet go to either border and you wouldn't know this. Fed up with the flow of illegal migrants from the south, the governors of Arizona and New Mexico this month declared a state of emergency. Violence between drug gangs recently led the United States temporarily to close its consulate in Nuevo Laredo, the busiest border-crossing point. The American ambassador bluntly criticises Mexico for its failure to prevent drug-related violence along the border. That has prompted retaliatory verbal blasts from Mexican officials. Canada's mood is not much more cordial. Since September 11th, Canadians and Americans alike have become less keen on popping over what they liked to call "the world's longest undefended border" for shopping or recreation. Canadians increasingly disagree with Americans over matters as varied as the Iraq war and gay marriage. They are disillusioned with NAFTA, claiming it has failed to prevent the United States from unlawfully punishing their exports of, for example, lumber. So what? Friction is in the nature of international relations, and the problems on the northern border are different from those in the south. Yet there is a common denominator. Americans tend to see security, migration, drugs, even trade, as domestic political issues. But so they are for Canada and Mexico too. Like it or not, Americans rely on their neighbours for prosperity, energy and help with security. It behoves all three countries to show some sympathetic understanding.
Full Text Word Count: 808

Personal Responses to Foreign Policy

THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ; A Journey That Ended in Anguish; Col. Ted Westhusing, a military ethicist who volunteered to go to Iraq, was upset by what he saw. His apparent suicide raises questions.,  Los Angeles Times, November 27, 2005 Sunday,  Home Edition, MAIN NEWS; Foreign Desk; Part A; Pg. 1, 2491 words, T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer,  WASHINGTON

Sixty years ago on Sunday, the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial got under way to bring leading Nazis to justice. Whitney Harris was one of the principle figures for the prosecution. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke with him about Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, the emotional scars left behind by the trial, and the United States of today.

Foreign Policy Problems Facing America

Lawrence Wright "The Master Plan" The New Yorker 9/11/2006
On the dangers of Jihadism

"The United States Should Launch an Attack on Islam" by Richard Grenier. Islam. Jennifer A. Hurley, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2001

"The United States Should Not Launch an Attack on Islam" by Arthur Hoppe. Islam. Jennifer A. Hurley, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2001

War as Foreign Policy

"Preemptive War Against Rogue Nations Is Necessary for National Security" by Joshua Muravchik. U.S. Policy Toward Rogue Nations. James D. Torr, Ed. At Issue Series. Greenhaven Press, 2004

"The U.S. Doctrine of Preemptive War Is Misguided" by Charles W. Kegley Jr. and Gregory A. Raymond. U.S. Policy Toward Rogue Nations . James D. Torr, Ed. At Issue Series. Greenhaven Press, 200

What $1.2 Trillion Can Buy
David Leonhardt. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Jan 17, 2007. p. C.1

It Has Unraveled So Quickly
Sabrina Tavernise. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Jan 28, 2007. p. 4.1

Torture

Human Rights Watch on Torture in Iraq
Report by a non-governmental agency (NGO) on, as the link suggests, torture in Iraq.

'We Do Not Torture' and Other Funny Stories; [Op-Ed]
Frank Rich. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Nov 13, 2005. p. 4.12

Secrets and Shame; [Op-Ed]
Bob Herbert. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Nov 3, 2005. p. A.27
On Torture

WHAT WE'VE LOST
Abstract: Criticizes the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush for its policy on Iraq and the use of torture. Reason of other countries for condemning U.S. policy on Iraq; Role of the Bush administration in establishing the use of torture in American military and clandestine operations; Symbolism, sadism and nihilism in torture.
IF LINK DOES NOT WORKTo access article, 1) go to Library Links; 2) click Ebschost databases from list; 3) click "All EBSCO databases; 4) Academic Search Premier; and finally 5) type AN 18666715 into the search line

On Iraq and Foreign Policy

James Fallows: "Declaring Victory"

Dishonest, Reprehensible, Corrupt; [Op-Ed]
Frank Rich. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Nov 27, 2005. p. 4.11
On the

One War Lost, Another to Go; [Op-Ed]
Frank Rich. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Nov 20, 2005.

search in EBSCHost with the following: DE "UNITED States -- Foreign relations -- 2001-"

Critic's Notebook:  All the President's Books (Minding History's Whys and Wherefores)
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI
A recent floodlet of books illuminates the Bush administration's penchant for circumventing traditional processes of policy development.

Privacy/Patriot Act

Software Being Developed To Monitor Opinions of U.S.
Eric Lipton. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Oct 4, 2006. p. A.28

F.B.I. Watched Activist Groups, New Files Show
Eric Lichtblau. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Dec 20, 2005. p. A.1

Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers Without Courts
JAMES RISEN and ERIC LICHTBLAU, Barclay Walsh contributed research for this article.. New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Dec 16, 2005. p. A.1

A Loss of Privacy Benefits Society" by Amitai Etzioni. Civil Liberties. Tamara L. Roleff, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 1999.

Granting Intelligence Agencies Increased Powers to Fight Terrorism Threatens Civil Liberties" by Philip B. Heymann. Espionage and Intelligence Gathering. Louise I. Gerdes, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 200

The Patriot Act Should Be Terminated" by John W. Whitehead. The Patriot Act. Louise I. Gerdes, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2005

The Patriot Act Should Not Be Expanded" by Anita Ramasastry. The Patriot Act. Louise I. Gerdes, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2005.

The Threat to Privacy Is Exaggerated" by Michael Lind. Civil Liberties James D. Torr, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2003

A Loss of Privacy Harms Society" by Joseph S. Fulda. Civil Liberties. Tamara L. Roleff, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 1999