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12 street roots Aug. 19, 2011 USA: United Saviors for All, whether they want it or not BY THOMAS VINCENT initiatives that “require the United States to maintain a global military presence, to fter reading a few chapters of configure its forces for global power “Washington Rules,” it might seem projection, and to counter existing or X JLmystifying why itoauthor is not more anticipated threats by relying on a policy of of a rising star in Washington politics. Andrew global interventionism.” In other words, not Bacevich is so knowledgeable about his topic only do those in power feel it is America’s job — history and political science — so to be the world’s police force, it is our analytically solid in his reasoning and so manifest destiny to have the world’s biggest articulate, it seems a wonder that he has not S.W.A.T. team. been tapped by some administration or other Bacevich supports his thesis with copious to serve as a foreign policy advisor or even an examples from recent history. From covert assistant cabinet official. After finishing the C.I A . operations such as the 1953 coup book, however, the mystery resolves itself. d’état that removed Iran’s Prime Minister The reason Bacevich remains a lowly college Mohammad Mosaddegh, to the Cold War, the professor is because he persists in exposing Vietnam War, three wars in the Middle East troublesome, inconvenient facts that few in and now to today’s saber rattling over Washington even want to acknowledge, much attacking Iran. The author makes a strong less discuss seriously. case that, even under supposedly moderate ( For example, in commenting on President presidents such as Jimmy Carter and Bill Barack Obama’s choice of advisors, the Clinton, U. S. foreign policy has been an author writes: “By retaining Robert Gates as uninterrupted one — one of less butter and defense secretary and by appointing retired more guns — lots more guns. four-star officers ash is national security As the author points out, even today this adviser and intelligence director, Obama had credo is ever-present in American politics. “It already offered Washington assurances that permeates speeches, state papers, and official he was not contemplating a radical departure cerem onies.... Mainstream Republicans and from the existing pattern of national security mainstream Democrats are equally devoted to policy.” Furthermore, “Obama wanted it this catechism of American statecraft” known that by sending tens of thousands of Bacevichfollows this observation with a additional troops to fight in Afghanistan his typically acerbic aside: “Little empirical own-administration was carrying on the work evidence exists to demonstrate (the creed’s) his predecessors had begun. Their policies validity, but no matter: When it comes to were his policies.” matters of faith, proof is unnecessary.” The crux of the book is the author’s cogent As an historian, the author isn’t interested observation that since the end of World War in pointing fingers and assigning blame, II, United States foreign policy has adhered to however. The book devotes few pages to a rigid and orthodox set of principles - what expounding on whether this president he calls the “Washington Rules.” When it blundered or that one succeeded. Instead, comes to international politics, Bacevich “Rules” seeks to illustrate the surprising asserts, the American government has largely degree to which power elites in Washington . held firm* to a credo that “summons the have given unquestioning support for a 1 ilit? 'United TTffltfSrisUcTTnTerverrEiorusTTorS^rrpoR^y- " — to, lead, save, liberate, and ultimately despite Jthe almost complete lack of evidence transform the world.” Most importantly, that the policy even comes close to its stated adherence to this credo has remained objective: namely, to keep the United States inviolate regardless of which party has been and the world safé. in power. If the book has one flaw, it is th a t after According to Bacevich, this belief has spending 250 pages raising questions as to resulted in a “sacred trinity” of strategy the efficacy and validity of the “Washington CONTRIBUTING WRITER A ZA Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War By Andrew Bacevich Rules,” here’s the most forceful call to arms Bacevich can muster: “If change is going to come, it must come from the people. Yet unless Americans finally awaken to the fact that they’ve been had, Washington will continue to have its way.” Compare that to Thomas Paine’s: “These are the times that try men’s souls,” and it is clear that Bacevich, While a well-spoken historian, is no great orator. That minor criticism aside, “Rules” is a fascinating book and definitely a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in foreign policy, "Rules" seeks to illustrate history, warfare, economics or any the surprising degree to other area related to which power elites in government It is Washington have given easy to read, well researched and unquestioning support for a raises tons of m ilitaristic, interventionist awkward questions foreign policy despite the about the direction almost complete lack of this country is headed. It begs evidence that the policy even answers from those comes close to its stated in the halls of power. objective: namely, to keep Last year, President Barrack the United States and the Obama invited nine world safe. prominent historians to dinner at the White House. It was billed as an opportunity for them to tell him how they thought he was doing and what he might do differently. After reading Bacevich’s book, I think it a crime the Boston University professor was not one of those invited. Not that he was exactly waiting by the phone for the president to call. As the author notes somewhat philosophically, “Although nonconform ists always exist. th e v rare ly ........ matter — a dictum that applies to American statecraft no less than to theology or any Other pursuit that rests on faith rather than empirical evidence.” Originally published by Real Change News, Seattle, Wash. Celebrating 20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FREE Barbecue and Resource Fair www.RevCom.info SOUTH PARK BLOCK m the Portland State University cam Resource Fair: 11:00 - 4:00 Meal Served: 2:00 - 4:00 Free Haircuts ♦ Free Bike Repair PLEASE PICK UP A FREE MEAL Health Services ♦ and much more TICKET WHEN YOU ARRIVE. 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