SUCK ON THIS Revisited - Or Why Journalists Make Lousy Foreign Policy Analysts Posted by Michael Cohen

Matt Yglesias posted this absolutely disgusting clip of Tom Friedman declaring his rationale for the Iraq War as a message to the Arab World of SUCK ON THIS. It's appalling and worth watching in its entirety just to get the full effect of Friedman's horrifying sanctimony and utter seriousness. That this is considered serious foreign policy analysis is the clearest indication imaginable that much of what masquerades for foreign policy analysis in this country is anything but serious.

But I link to this because it is a further reminder of one of my greatest, yet somewhat incoherent, pet peeves - the notion that journalists make for insightful foreign policy analysts. Friedman has consistently shown himself to be less than stellar in this regard - especially in his advocacy for the Iraq war - and in this particularly appalling op-ed about escalation in Afghanistan. His shortcoming, as is the case with so many journalists, is the inclination to overdramatize the importance of anecdotal experiences; like placing great importance on a) a conversation he had with a cab driver or b) conversation had with foreign CEO or c) meeting two little girls in Afghanistan. 

I would just ascribe these faults to Friedman, but I feel like it's endemic in the profession - a propensity to make grand simplistic pronouncements based on anecdotal experiences rather than rigorous analysis. Granted this is a problem in not just foreign policy, but it seems particularly bad in this field. Maybe its because foreign correspondents are seen to have some sort of unique insight; when in fact the opposite is quite likely true because they are basing their analysis on immediate experience rather than actual historical or cultural study. Or maybe it's the difficulty that journalists face in getting to the heart of a story - a point bravely raised here by Jerome Starkey in regard to Western coverage of NATO's efforts in Afghanistan.

Or maybe its because journalists are somehow taught to think and write in black and white terms and don't necessarily address the nuances that are endemic in foreign policy analysis. (The Friedman clip above is perhaps the quintessential example; I mean seriously is there anything more simplistic or stupid than believing if the US military comes into Baghdad with a "big stick" it will "teach" Muslims to stop engaging in terrorism).

Or maybe its because DC journalists tend to get sucked into the overwhelming aura of groupthink that dominates that town - and parrot conventional wisdom as if they've wandered into some great and insightful analysis.

Or maybe its because news programs prefer journalists to academics . .  .which makes the growing inclination of academics to blog one of the better recent developments in foreign policy analysis.

I really don't have a good answer to this issue, but I don't think I'm crazy in thinking this a maddening feature of foreign policy coverage today. It can't just be that Thomas Friedman says really crazy and simplistic things on TV about the Iraq War and yet is still seen as one of the country's top foreign policy analysts. Surely there is something else going on here . . .

Comments

[Don Bacon]

Right, Michael, I'll take a commentator over a journalist every time -- but if you're so great why can't you do anything about "truck belt tensioner?" Or do commentators make lousy editors?

[Roque Nuevo]

I fail to see what's so "appalling" about Friedman's thoughts. The clip shows Friedman giving his rationale for the war in the context of answering the question, "Was the invasion of Iraq worth it?" I don't see any use of so-called anecdotal evidence in the clip. I do see that Friedman's use of his "bubble" metaphor is annoying. He calls the growth of Islamic fanaticism a "bubble" that grew in the '90s based on two elements: the ideology of radical Islam itself and growing acceptance of the ideology by the clerical class and by ordinary Muslims; the strategy of so-called asymmetric warfare whereby the poor and weak level the balance of power against the rich and strong. Based on these two elements, he says, ordinary Muslims and clerical authorities were able to say, "It's OK" to deliberately murder civilians, even women and children, in pursuit of domination.

I challenge you to refute any or all of the following: At about 1:31 he says,

"What we learned on 9/11 in a "gut" way was that that bubble was a fundamental threat to our open society. There is no INS agent smart enough, no wall high enough, no metal detector efficient enough, to protect an open society from people motivated by that bubble. What we needed to do was to go over to that part of the world, I'm afraid, and burst that bubble. We needed to go over there and take out a very big stick, right in the heart of that world, and burst that bubble. And there's only one way to do it, because part of that bubble said, 'We've got you. This bubble is actually going to level the balance of power between us and you because we don't care about life. We're ready to sacrifice. All you care about are your stock options and your economies.'"

Then comes the appalling part:

"What they needed to see was American boys and girls going house to house […] saying […] 'You don't think we care about our open society? You think this bubble fantasy, we're just going to let it grow? Well… Suck. On. This. […] We hit Iraq because we could."

So taken in context, Friedman's vulgarity is quite right. He's trying to imitate the speech of the troops. He is open to criticism for the ineptness of his imitation, but there's nothing "appalling" about the thought at all.

I assume he supports the invasion but one could equally assume that he's only offering an analysis that he may or may not agree with personally. It is, in fact, an analysis.

Your post, on the other hand, is a much better example of "horrifying sanctimony and utter seriousness" than anything Friedman says here. You assume that all high-minded, serious people will nod their heads along with you as you make "make grand simplistic pronouncements" such as, "I mean seriously is there anything more simplistic or stupid than believing if the US military comes into Baghdad with a "big stick" it will "teach" Muslims to stop engaging in terrorism?" Friedman never said that the invasion would "teach" Muslims that terrorism was bad. He said it was the only way to protect our open society. Or is that too nuanced a thought for such as serious national security strategist like you?

[Oakley]

Oakley Sunglasses are in season of right using items in summer,like Oakley Flak Jacket, you would like to try a piece of Ray Ban Sunglasses,and i think you will also get good experience.

[jordan shoes]

The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can‘t have them.

[ray ban 2010 sunglasses]

Yellow lens of Ray ban wayfarer can 100% filter UV, allowing infrared and 83% visible light through the lens.

Its greatest feature is that you can filter the sun's most dazzling blue.

Sunlight through the atmosphere, the most performance is the blue light, which is why you see the sky is blue. Yellow lens filters blue light, the natural scenery can be seen more clearly. So driving with a yellow lens Ray ban 2010 sunglasses, you can more clearly see from the vehicle.

Ray ban sunglasses sale

ray ban 2010 sunglasses sale

ray ban sunglasses sale

ray ban wayfarer message from http://www.eyewear-rayban.com

[stianless steel rings]

We don't take the luxury route, just playing crazy exaggeration and assertive personality. In addition we break the traditional and innovative stainless steel bracelet, stainless steel rings and so on. Our stainless steel jewelry has great stage effects. The color, texture and design are very fashion. The breakthrough in molding achieves the strong sense of art stainless steel jewelry. It experiences a foreign land and customs, tracking the trend of the international fashion accessories. Our company welcomes the large stainless steel jewelry wholesalers to e-mail consultation.
E-mail: sus360@hotmail.com
website: http://www.sus360.com

[Coach handbags]

Great blog article about this topic, I have been lately in your blog once or twice now. I just wanted to say hi and show my thanks for the information provided.

[huo638671]

In a woman’s dress, the jewelry is unique; there is only one role— let a woman be more elegant, attractive and beautiful. But, one thing I can make a sure: An elegant woman, even if links of londonshe loved jewelry, but also must not be too obsessed with this, so that confused his whole body from top links of london sale to bottom are hanging ornaments, like a Christmas tree.

[birkenstock]

Birkenstock was Made in Germany since 1774 . Check out our Birkenstock sandals and Birkenstock shoes including the Birkenstock gizeh,at the lowest regular outlet prices, free shipping and when you put on Birkenstocks. you will feel very comfortable.

[sesli sohbet]

Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading

[Louis Vuitton handbags]

Both sides of the symmetrical lines, wantonly flaunt a perfect Louis Vuitton handbagsline, in the right case, the border, from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock position to develop a unique design to show the whole concept of asymmetry, resulting in visual surprise, crown, located in the the right to beautiful, 4 o'clock position of the bright red jujube board. Black dial with white silkLouis Vuitton handbags screen printing, second hand with red paint, resulting in the formation of brand image is more out of color.

[Bulk sms software]

Excellent write-up on providing value to readers before asking for anything. I am quite interested in this topic & i hope you will elaborate more on it in future posts.

[güzel sözler]

Simdi şarkı sözleri sitesinde ozgun icerigimizle tek geceriz. ek olarak menüde şebnem ferah şarkı sözleri - emre aydın şarkı sözleri - hande yener şarkı sözleri ceza şarkı sözleri - konserler - sagopa kajmer şarkı sözleri gibi cesitlerde bulabilirsiniz

[SesLi-SoHbET]

The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can‘t have them.

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

seslisohbet siteleri arasında ekol bir adres sestonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin sestonum 'tıklayınız..! seslisohbet ve seslichat adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak seslisohbet yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

sestonum
seslichat
seslisohbet

[QodesQoM]

Türkiyenin ilk Hiphop Sitesi için tıkla -> Hiphop <-
Gekko G Fan Sitesi için tıkla -> Gekko G <-
Mask Animasyon sitesi için tıkla -> Mask animasyon <-

[Air Jordan 11]

Nice article.Always nice to read some tips concerning the appearance of our blogs.

[power balance]

some tips concerning the appearance of our blogs

[moncler]

Moncler Gamme Bleu series seems to be bound up with bike culture.Moncler This not only shows in its design but also the pattern printed in the clothes. In this series, designer put in leggings to match some clothes. moncler women's This point arouses great controversy in public. It is common that ladies wear leggings to match their long shirts or short dresses.Moncler Jackets If a man put on a legging, he looks a little feminization.moncler kids Somebody do not agree with this. They thought men also should be fashionable. Wearing leggings is not the right of ladies, but also the fashion of men`s.moncler coats In recent years, many clothes have been more neutralize. Men are paying more and more attention to their dressing.Moncler Clothing Creations in men`s dressing are more and more diversified. Fashion is such kind of thing that at first it will arouse controversy and with acceptance from more and more people it will be popular.moncler mens Maybe one day there will be more neutralized clothes that men and women can try together.moncler sale

[mustafa ceceli dinle]

Merhaba arkadaşlar mustafa ceceli dinle blogumuzu yükseltmek ve ismail yk şarkıları blogumuzunda artık en azından ikinci sayfaya yükselmesini sağlamak ve bunların akabinde küçük sırlar son bölüm izle blogununda kendisini toparlaması için bu yazıyı gönderiyoruz.

[mustafa ceceli dinle]

evet arkadaşlar yeni bir siteyle daha karşınızdayız bu seferki sitemiz onur air bilet fiyatları bu siteyi yapmak için çok uğraştım ve sonunda onur air bilet fiyatları sitemize kavuştuk bence sizlerde çok uzatmadan hemen onur air bilet fiyatları sitemizi ziyaret edin.

[FFXIV GIL]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[Microsoft Office 2010]

tks for your post,i will bookmark it,it's so great!i will share my feelings with you,tks

[Replica Rolex Watch]

Very good blog, I got a lot of things! If you need to watch, please click on my name, visit our website, where you need to be able to find watch and look forward to your visit! Thank you!

[nike air max]

Chanel handbag before, you know what we are talking about.? If you are one of the unlucky people who haven’t

[explosion proof light]

Iwiss Electric mainly manufacturer explosion-proof fixed professional light, such as flood light, spotlight, dome lamp, ceiling lamp, full plastic fluorescence light, anti-dazzle light, and low carbon light suppliers.

[Best Natural Breast Enhancement Products]

American foreign policy is why the rest of the world hates us.

[Liushuanglin198606]

ugg boots clearance On my Egypt Air flight yesterday to Cairo, I witnessed one of the more intriguing in-flight exchanges that I can remember. A bearded, well-dressed man sitting a few seats behind me began shouting at the flight attendant.ugg boots clearance He was complaining that the in-flight movie was inappropriate. What are these “offensive images?” he asked. These included a 15-minute stretch of the movie where at least one woman at any given time was wearing a bikini. In a couple of scenes at a club, members of opposite sexes were dancing in close proximity while, it appeared, consuming alcoholic beverages. “Are we really all Westernized now?” the man behind me asked,ugg boots clearance as if posing a question to those of us in the back of the plane.

The man’s arguments were rather interesting. He pointed out that if you took a poll of the passengers,ugg boots outlet most would agree the film was morally offensive. He asked the attendant, “if we ask the passengers what they think and they agree with me, then what will you do?” The attendant responded, “we don’t take public opinion (ra’i al ‘am) on the airplane.” The man was right: most passengers, and most Egyptians – the vast majority of whom don’t drink, go to clubs, or wear bikinis – would object to the film’s content. But at what point do they have the right to restrict minority expressions of unfaithfulness?ugg boots clearance

It was an odd, amusing exchange that justified the otherwise unpleasant experience of flying on EgyptAir.ugg boots clearance But it was a reminder of the fundamental lack of consensus in the Arab world over the boundaries and limits of the state. There are two groups – Islamists and secular elites – with worldviews which couldn’t be more different. They live parallel lives in parallel worlds, with parallel institutions. They rarely intersect.ugg boots clearance One group believes it has both history and the Egyptian people on its side. The other side, considerably smaller in number, likely has neither. It does, however, have the power.

This stalemate has paralyzed the Arab world for decades now.ugg boots outlet

Sunday’s elections will be just another version of this.ugg boots clearance The main players are the Muslim Brotherhood – populist, religious, and righteous – and the regime coalition which, with its president soon to pass, finds itself in an uncertain place. Both sides are strong in different ways – and weak in others. Neither seems to have anything resembling a coherent strategy for dealing with the impending transition that is soon to come.

ugg boots clearance

[white iphone 4]

Great recap, I can’t even believe you were able to write that.I got so much anxiety just watching that and I thought I was the only one who had unnatural rage/hate for Kelly, glad I’m not the only one, as I was getting concerned. These women show that you can age without maturing.

[Doll Penny]

Since the offical Apple iphone 4 available, we can see people with white iphone 4 in their hands all around. Okay, i have to admire, i'm a little jealous.

[Penis Enlargement]

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information

[Digital Converter Box]

Just happened upon your article and will certainly review additional ones. Seems like real great stuff.

[formula 21]

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about information and orjin kremlove learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information

[moliva]

Great blog article about this topic, I have been lately in your blog once or twice now. I just wanted Hcg Damla to say hi and show my thanks for the information provided.

[Venapro hemorrhoid treatment]

Thanks on your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will often come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great writing, have a nice day! If you have time, please give me a few seconds by visiting my website at where to buy venapro. The average sailor spends anywhere from a few weeks to several months on the Reagan without setting foot on land. This one country, overwhelmed with unsolved domestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused, somehow believes that it and it alone knows what is best for every human being on the planet.

[Dog bark collar]

Thanks for the article. This keeps me informed about the topic. Learn more about citronella bark collar citronella anti bark collar premier citronella anti bark collar. It means investing your time and money in something that might not give you immediate return, but which could give you tremendous value later. It also means preparing for the uncertainties of the future. This one country, overwhelmed with unsolved domestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused, somehow believes that it and it alone knows what is best for every human being on the planet.

[Rosetta stone]

Based on the brain of scientific research in making full use of, the United States Rosetta required language technology company in 1993, we successfully developed the general learning software such as division (other translation: [url=http://www.e-rosettastoner.com]Rosetta stone[/url] ). The software after 14 years of growth, proved to be the fastest way to learn a foreign language! The world more than 150 countries and regions, millions of people in more than 10,000 foreign universities which students of all ages, a U.S. state department, the world 500 strong senior executives, U.S. defense and NASA (NASA) are using!

http://www.e-rosettastoner.com

[tütüne son]

Nice article.Always nice to read some tips concerning the appearance of our blogs.

[BVB Fan]

Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading BVB Fan

[bitkisel]

These kind of post are always bitki inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point herebitkisel ürünler in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post bitkisel haber

[冷夜]

mestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused, somehow believes that it and it alone knows what is best for every human being on the planet.

[knockoff handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion...

[altın çilek]

Lezzetli ve egzotik bir meyve olan altın çilek sağlık açısından ve tıbbi açıdan çok fazla faydaya sahiptir.
Son dönemin en ilgi çeken besinlerinden birisi olan altın çilek kilo vermek isteyenlerin gözdesi olmuştur.altın çilek form seti
Yüksek lifli özelliğiyle olan meyvesir.altın çilek faydaları

Altın Çilek Dünyanın en zengin lif oranına sahip olan meyvesi olduğunu bilinmektedir.altın çilek
Altın Çilek denilince birden fazla yararları olan bir meyve oldugu bilinmektedir.

[Karolynvig985]

What's scary is that she could have ended up as president. If McCain had won the '08 election and died in office, this "experienced diplomat" would be running the executive branch. Not to forget that she would also be commander in chief of the military.

[iPod Accessories]

Happy to see your blog as it is just what I’ve looking for and excited to read all the posts. this topic is very good,I am agree with this view.

[Kylegsu551]

Over 600 obot's! Swarming all over the center of terrorism. Let us pray the AbuooSyEFF paddles over and takes them on a side trip = These are 10th graders telling the country WHAT THE HECK OBAMA$ UP TO NOW? ...he is fleeing the carnage of his constituancy. And no thanks on "asia being the center of the universe". We are already China's bee-hotches because of the mcmess odumbo has put us into. Please SHUT UP it makes me throw up in mouth thinking how much money this is going to cost. WE NEED JOBS

[Visvim]

You are able to turn this following into an immense targeted traffic flow for the internet site by receiving your advertisements on

[five finger shoes]

give you tremendous value later. It also means preparing for the uncertainties of the future. This one country, overwhelmed with unsolved domestic problems and corruption, oblivious to all of the death, destruction, and suffering it has caused,

[Thomas sabo]

Too much reading.Saved Url and should read it a spare time.Thank u.

[HDMI Wholesale]

Great blog article about this topic, I have been lately in your blog once or twice now. I just wanted to say hi and show my thanks for the information provided

[www.oynaoyunu.com]

Brilliant blog. I found your post very interesting, I think is a brilliant writer. oyunlar I added your blog to my favorites and oyunwill return in the future.

parabenoyunlarıs por mais esse post

[Pembe Maske]

Brilliant blog. I found your post very interesting, I think is a brilliant writer. Revivaly Pembe Maske I added your blog to my favorites and maskewill return in the future.

parabenPembe Maske kullanımıs por mais esse Revivaly Pembe Maske Set post

[Hotels In Rimini]

Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.

[Cologne Hotels]

I greatly appreciate every one of the informative read here. I most certainly will spread the phrase about your site with people. Cheers.

[pembe maske]

This is one of the good articles you can find in the net
explaining everything in detail regarding the topic.revivaly pembe maske I thank
you for taking your time sharing your thoughts and ideas to a
lot of readers out there.

[Designer footwear]

Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog...

[tablette]

From the tons of comments in your articles, I guess i am not the only real only one possessing all the enjoyment here! Thank you!

[buy to let remortgage]

sbobet | แทงบอล | แทงบอล | แทงบอล | poker | แทงบอล

[r4 ds]

Thanks for your post, I like this post very much, thank you. more and more please. I am do the r4 products, please contact with us if you are interesting.

[sbo]

newbie just saying hello! New
sbobet sbo sbobet หนังใหม่ dvd ซีรีย์เกาหลี

[produto erotico]

Thanks for your post, I like this post very much, thank you. more and more please. I am do the r4 products, please contact with us if you are interesting.

[sexshop online]

you for taking your time sharing your thoughts and ideas to a
lot of readers out there.

[sexshop]

you for taking your time sharing your thoughts and ideas to a
lot

[sexyshop]

lot of readers out there.

[party favor]

I like your sharing its very interesting and i like to read these all things too much.

[toyota çıkma parça]

toyota automotive parts doruhan bounce, bounce-to-date news, this site tracks the latest developments in

[onsalethenorthface]

The model are working to make the product look good
Learn north face sale to face rejection. I hate this part. I really would rather not even try. But, I failed, I would start to before.The model are working to make the product look good
Learn north face sale to face rejection. I hate this part. I really would rather not even try. But, I failed, I would start to before.The model are working to make the product look good
Learn north face sale to face rejection. I hate this part. I really would rather not even try. But, I failed, I would start to before.The model are working to make the product look good
Learn north face sale to face rejection. I hate this part. I really would rather not even try. But, I failed, I would start to before.

[Traver Perezs]

Nicely presented information in this concern, I grade to hit this kindhearted of whatsis. The grade of knowledge is acceptable and the occurrence is suited. Poker News

[Traver Perezs]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You have a wonderful blog! Keep it up! 3d poker table

[mermer]

Many people who are successful in these new paradigms that can be adapted to find the fastest, or the new ones come to realize that.

[buy medicine]

Very interesting thanks. I believe there's even more that could be on there! keep it up

[best online pharmacy]

Amazing!I also wish him good luck to defend his gold medal. I like to share it with all my friends and hope they will also encourage him.

[composite decking]

I enjoyed your article here mate.Infact I'm a fan of the site in general to be very honest. It's the fourth ocasion I've been back here but I kept forgeting to save the site in my saved website list so I have to keep going through the search engines to find it.SAVED this time haha.Best of luck.

[composite decking]

I enjoyed your article here mate.Infact I'm a fan of the site in general to be very honest. It's the fourth ocasion I've been back here but I kept forgeting to save the site in my saved website list so I have to keep going through the search engines to find it.SAVED this time haha.Best of luck.

[Afrika Mangosu]

Wow, Great post,Nice work, I would like tütüne son to read your blog every day As long Balderesi as our government yemek tarifi do the best, manzaralar I think we must appreciate them. nanomatik Its not easy to rule a country. moliva You don’t know bout that coz you orjin krem too busy to say some critics. formula 21 You should want and klavis panax see what happen. Zayıflama Thanks

[drug forum]

The positive comments and do well wishes are very motivational and greatly appreciated.

[drug forum]

The best site online pharmacy which gives us good information about the medicines.. and its cheap too..