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Obama's new world disorder

March 6, 2014  •  The Washington Times

Count me among those — a dwindling minority, I'm afraid — who think that politics should end at the water's edge. No one, Republican or Democrat, ought to take pleasure at the spectacle of America's foreign policies failing and the perception of America as a hobbled giant.

That is, self-evidently, what we're seeing: Russian boots are on the ground in Ukraine. North Korea is firing missiles. Iran's negotiators are playing high-stakes poker, while the U.S.-led side doesn't seem to know a flush from a straight.

In Syria, Iran's proxies confront al Qaeda forces (forces the administration two years ago congratulated itself for having defeated) while the much-ballyhooed agreement to remove chemical weapons has stalled.

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Why Putin's gaze is fixed on Ukraine

February 26, 2014  •  The Washington Times

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not happy. The government he backed in Ukraine has collapsed. The Ukrainian leader he favored, Viktor Yanukovych is on the run, accused of the "mass murder" of protesters.

I am not so bold as to predict what Mr. Putin will do next. That he will take action — perhaps very bold action — should be the working assumption of American policy planners.

On one level, Mr. Putin is a simple man: He likes to hunt, fish and ride horses bareback. Those who cross him end up in cages in Siberia — or worse. Employing Machiavellian principles, he has become, over the past 15 years, a neo-czar.

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Sons of Iran's Islamic Revolution, 35 years later

February 18, 2014  •  The Washington Times

In Tehran last week, the 35th anniversary of Iran's revolution was celebrated with chants of "Death to America" and the burning of American flags. Also on display were posters showing Iranian boots stomping on President Obama's face.

Separate from the festivities, Iranian military commanders have been testing a "new long-range ballistic missile that can carry multiple warheads," and threatening to send warships steaming toward America's coastal waters. State television has aired simulated footage of Iran's military attacking an American aircraft carrier and bombing Israeli cities.

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Iran and Diplomacy vs. Engagement

January 30, 2014  •  National Review Online

"Iran's rulers are not open to engagement no matter what mix of carrots and sticks are offered." Peter Beinart, a contributing editor of The Atlantic, attributed that remark to me on a radio show on NPR last week. I e-mailed to ask him when I had said it. He quickly responded, sending me a link to a piece I wrote for National Review Online in 2011, just after it was revealed that agents of the Islamic Republic had planned to blow up a ritzy Washington, D.C., restaurant while the Saudi ambassador and other diners were enjoying their risotto Armani and penne integrali Valentino. "Wow!" I thought. "What a memory Peter has!"

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'World Powers Surrender to Iran'

January 23, 2014  •  National Review Online

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani last week tweeted a declaration of diplomatic victory: "In #Geneva agreement world powers surrendered to Iran's national will." In response, White House press secretary Jay Carney said not to worry: "It doesn't matter what they say. It matters what they do."

Okay, so what are they doing? Abbas Araghchi, Iran's chief negotiator, has provided the answer. "No facility will be closed; enrichment will continue, and qualitative nuclear research will be expanded," he said. "All research into a new generation of centrifuges will continue." Iran also is sending warships into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in history — a not-so-subtle message, perhaps?

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