Reply #61: good commentary here from Arizona Republic [View All]

In his inaugural address, President Bush provided the most aggressive
formulation to date of the Bush doctrine: That the security of the
United States depends on the spread of liberty and democracy throughout the world. The starkness of his formulation highlighted the flaws in the doctrine and its imprudence as a guide to U.S. conduct in the world.

snip

But it is simply untrue that the lack of freedom, per se, is a security threat against which the United States must mobilize.

According to Freedom House, three-fifths of the world's people who live without liberty are in China. Yet there is not a comprehensive terrorist threat emanating from China.

snip

The United States needs a wide range of ad hoc alliances to protect us
against terrorist attack. Those with democracies would be more reliable. But securing the country shouldn't depend on remaking the world.



Reach Robb at robert.robb@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8472. His
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