Blogging the Woodward Book Posted by Michael Cohen

So I've finally started to slog through the new Bob Woodward book and this passage in particular really jumped out at me. It comes from an interview between Woodward and National Security Advisor Jim Jones and it is his take on why the war in Afghanistan matters:

"If we're not successful here," Jones said, "you'll have a staging base for global terrorism all over the world. People will say the terrorists won. And you'll see expressions of these kinds of things in Africa, South America, you name it. Any developing country is going to say, this is the way we beat [the United States], and we're going to have a bigger problem." 

A setback or loss for the United States would be a "tremendous boost for jihadist extremists, fundamentalists all over the world." 

"It's certainly a clash of civilizations. It's a clash of religions. It's a clash of almost concepts of how to live." The conflict is that deep, he said "So I think if you don't succeed in Afghanistan, you will be fighting in more places."

"Second, if we don't succeed here, organizations like NATO, by association the EU, and the UN might be relegated to the dustbin of history."

How did a President who ran as a candidate on the message that he would "change the mindset" of American foreign policy end up with a national security advisor completely mired in conventional, unnuanced, Cheney-esque thinking about American power? And keep in mind this is one of the people in the Administration who was opposed to the Afghan surge.

You know a few months ago, Spencer and I got in an interesting back-and-forth after I complained that this Administration has a real dearth of strategic thinkers.

After reading this passage . . . well . . . I win.

 

Comments

[Don Bacon]

Michael, it's simply the Domino Theory, which has long been recognized to have validity. I think Bush-43 might have mentioned it during one of his two trips to Vietnam, which were long after the war of course.

[monchhichi dolls]

thank you very much to do this for us, that is very useful.

[one dollar school bags]

I think Bush-43 might have mentioned it during one of his two trips to Vietnam, which were long after the war of course.

[John Henninger]

Jim Jones, who lived through the Vietnam War, seems to have forgotten the real leason of that war, which was even after the fall of Saigon, America's strategic position remained strong in Europe and Asia. If the United States does leave Afghanistan, I seriously doubt that its relationship with the EU, NATO, and the UN will suffer any short or long term consequences. Unfortunately the foreign policy elite always assumes that military victory or might is what solidifies alliances and not common economic or political interests.

[masaj]

masajım geldı masajım

[fengjing]

Nearly perfect body curve, the healthy color of swarovski authemticity skin dark deserve) hale berry, absolute qualified and Swarovski crystals wholesale beauty row of equality. When she and diamond contact, of course, cannot ignore she had to 4.8 million dollars to buy the Daniel K Swarovski crystals wholesale ring. The ring on her right hand in the premiere of the film "cabwoman debuted at will, for her beauty and win more praise and berry Holly became the best pattern right.The high-order directors and DTC praise swarovski crystal way: "Holly berry the right ring women wear of strength, attitudes and values, beautiful, sexy, fashion and all projection on yourself."Elegant and expensive gas manners, Catherine zeta Jones have not said, she evocative of Hollywood's golden age recollection, like the Swarovski crystals wholesale writer said: "Marion Fusel former star swarovski beads Katherine as possible, but with the most fashionable image."
Even pregnancy changed Catherine, when she swarovski sale is wearing Fred Leighton diamond necklace at golden, "the potbellied" instead of "for her pregnancy" add distinctive taste. Stylist Swarovski crystals wholesale Fred Leighton praise with a simple "Catherine, also the way" to wear diamond.With increasing age, sex and cut, Sharon stone is undoubtedly the most successful women against time. From her last year in the swarovski daytime Emmy awards in Kuwait diamond earrings on the wearing in 2005 also Swarovski crystals wholesale can smell the diamond. Although this large peak type diamond earrings has been popular for several seasons, but many gem swarovski bracelets for sale stylist that it is still good, 2005, most the wear style, because this kind of long dangler design, Swarovski crystals wholesale not only can make face becomes stereo, still have the effect of neck stretched.

[wholesale electronics]

Jim Jones, who lived through the Vietnam War, seems to have forgotten the real leason of that war, which was even after the fall of Saigon, America's strategic position remained strong in Europe and Asia.

[james]

Hi, where did you get this information can you please support this with some proof or you may say some good reference as I and others will really appreciate. This information is really good and I will say will always be helpful if we try it risk free. So if you can back it up.

[juicy couture jewelry]

Good, I like the achievement, thanks a lot.

[replica handbsgs]

Hi, where did you get this information can you please support this with some proof or you may say some good reference as I and others will really appreciate. This information is really good and I will say will always be helpful if we try it risk free. So if you can back it up. That will really help us all. And this might bring some good repute to you.