Owner: American Interests URL:http://americasinterests.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:00:58 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Politically neutral blog intended to disseminate knowledge of, highlight threats to, explore opportunities for and, above all else, serve as a platform of advocacy for the continuance and preservation of global American dominance.
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Apollo program: No better example of American ingenuity 2008-03-11 06:28:00 What other endeavor has meant more to our species, what other adventure can be used as a benchmark by which we can measure the incredible capacity of human kind and American
potential. You will have to excuse me for being a tad late with this one. By my estimations, “In the shadow of the moon” was released in the states around September. It was thrust to my attention once again because of a screening at one of my local cinemas. It is quite a documentary, and tells the story of one of the most defining passages in U.S. history. The Apollo
program may have brought the aspirations of a nation to the moon but also, to a fascinated world. Sadly, many of those that did appreciate the sheer enormity of the achievement have passed on, as for the rest of us, many have come to take it for grant Read more:better
John Howard accepts Irving Kristol award - defends his Conservative Legacy 2008-03-06 04:50:00 I speak to you tonight as an unapologetic and continuing advocate of the broad conservative cause, restlessly conscious, as you are, that the battle of ideas is never completely won and must always command both our attention and our energy.John Howard
has launched a strong defense of his legacy, breaking his silence following last year's election loss. The former prime minister used a speech to the conservative US think tank, the American Enterprise Institute to attack his successor over his new policies including Iraq.To a standing ovation from over 1400 guests that included former United Nations ambassador John Bolton, Vice President Dick Cheney's wife Lynne, and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz, Mr Howard defended his Government’ record and personal convictions:"I speak to Read more:Legacy
America and Globalization: Strategy for a New Century 2008-03-05 21:02:00 Tomorrow’s all-inclusive global strategy must, apart from the aforementioned challenges and promotions of democratic regimes, address the consequences of successful rampant globalization. When I look ahead, attempting to ascertain the likely challenges America
will face in the coming century, I note another, not so apparent test for U.S. hegemony, as we know it, one that may not be as immediately critical as, for example, homeland security, or the war on terror.A world without terrorists and autocrats is desirable however, owing to an impending explosion of economic, population and income growth, global consumption, energy utilization, resource competition, unbound market activity and investment flows, as facilitated by the ‘G’ word, the United States will be compelled to focus on t Read more:Strategy
, Century
, New Century
Iran: The penultimate step is now within sight 2008-03-01 05:40:00 ... "Knowledge, insight and extrapolations of realism have reasoned that the future brings risk; the theocrats aspire to dominance within
the entire Muslim world. The penultimate step is now within sight, an action that will deliver empire underpinned as it will be, by nuclear hardware, a pursuit that remains non-negotiable my friends..." After much deception and accommodationist negotiations that amounted to failed diplomacy, Iran officially went nuclear in 2012. On the 4th day of November 2014, Obama, Clinton or McCain are midway through their second term of presidency, “an Iranian missile is fired from a barge in international waters, and detonates over Kansas at 300 miles altitude. The resulting EMP burns circuits in America's electric and communication networks. Within milliseconds
Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SAS): Strengthening the Alliance 2008-02-26 05:15:00 "When the U.S. decided to take action against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Canberra’s response was to send in the cream of Australia’s military, the SAS. Modeled on the British SAS and feared by potential enemies, little was known of Australia’s Special
Forces, the Australian
Government has been secretive of there operations..." For nearly 100 years, Australia has committed its armed services in every major conflict fought by the United States. Its foreign policy makers and its people have mostly accepted that the U.S. is a force for good; a force that historically we have wanted to be associated with. Beginning in 1908 when Australian Prime Minister Alfred Deakin successfully invited Teddy Roosevelt to send his fleet to visit our shores through to the fighting in WW1. From when John Read more:Service
, Alliance
Dallas Police Department Website Hacked 2008-02-22 17:48:00 "The alliance system lead by America is, for all intensive purposes our international security system, one that nurtures peace and prosperity for all nations, indeed for the whole planet. Which other nation or nation collective can give us this. "The DallasPoliceDepartment
Website was shut down Monday after it was hacked resulting in political rhetoric in the form of an anti-American rant nature, being posted on the site. Also posted were doctored images displaying U.S. troops looking over four people lined up against a wall.I have stumbled upon some sites claiming that Russians were responsible, to date however, I am unable to find any credible news sites to confirm this.Sott.net has a reprint (with corrections to spelling and grammar) of the screenshot that reads:'You, Americans, are r Read more:Hacked
Satellite hit but was the toxic fuel tank? 2008-02-21 05:56:00 When you have hundreds of ballistic missiles at your deposal as Putin and Hu have, it does not take Einstein to figure out that a missile defense system is easily surmounted in a real conflict. The Pentagon tells us that it has destroyed its malfunctioning spy satellite with an interceptor missile; an SM-3 missile fired from the USS Lake Erie in the Pacific.Said the statement, "A network of land, air, sea and space-based sensors confirms that the U.S. military intercepted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the earth's atmosphere," adding, "Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours,".This raises a question of vast military consequence; here we have the Pentagon stating that i Read more:Satellite
, toxic
Presidential Candidates and Castro’s resignation 2008-02-20 04:11:00 "It's very clear that there's a transition underway from Fidel Castro
to some other form of government. Unfortunately, at the moment, that form of government is not an elected democracy..."Both McCain and Obama urged the release of political prisoners, Clinton called for democratic reform in Cuba, which Huckabee says, will not be possible until Castro is dead.Presented are the Candidate reactions:Barack Obama…“Today should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba’s history. Fidel Castro’s stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba.“Cuba’s future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime. The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic fr Read more:Presidential
, Candidates
Moderate Muslims, Wherefore Art Thou? 2008-02-18 06:10:00 "What percentage of a culture’s population can hold views that are completely at odds with the culture’s foundational reference points before said culture is irretrievably lost? 15%? 21%? 32%?" ... "Before it’s too late, Western nations should be asking themselves: with moderates like these, who needs extremists?" When observing the cultural existential struggle of the age, it’s hard not to be reminded of the story of the emperor who had no clothes: the citizens were all afraid to be the first to speak up and say something wasn’t right, so they all agreed that the emperor’s clothes were the finest they’d ever seen when he was, in fact, quite obviously, naked. It’s clear our society is in a bit of trouble, but people can’t even talk about it without the same sort of fear f Read more:Moderate
, Muslims
Self-Destruction of America - a scenario 2008-02-14 03:59:00 “In 2058, after nearly half century of demographic shifts in its population and burdened by the steady exiting of most manufacturing and technical industries to easterly neighbor states, Canada and Asia, the state of California -after a decade of political and Supreme Court decisions supporting it-, seceded from the Union and declared itself the Republica de California … Signifying a never-before seen socio-religious movement, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio had grown to be 26% Muslim with torrents of illegal Arab immigrant coming through the Canadian border by the tens of thousands each month. Within 6 years from California's secession, Sharia law was declared ...”Truth Pain paints an ingenious but not, that implausible scenario
of an America
that, within a near future, literally self-d Read more:Destruction
Order of the Garter 2008-02-10 00:32:00 The Most Noble Order
of the Garter is an order of chivalry, or knighthood, originating in medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients in any of the Commonwealth realms; it is the pinnacle of the honours system in the United Kingdom. Membership in the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than twenty-four members, or Companions; the order also comprises Supernumerary knights and ladies, (e.g. members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs). Source: Wiki The Melbourne Age reports that "Former Prime Minister John Howard could be in line to join one of Britain's most prestigious orders. Speculation is mounting that Mr Howard has been personally selected by Queen Elizabeth to receive the Order of the Garter, the most senior and oldest British
U.S. advisors training Pakistani Special Forces 2008-02-07 13:08:00 "The assistance should be seen as an important step to counteract the rise of fanatics who have driven some of the more moderate tribal leaders out of the region. Without U.S. assistance, these radicals may be too powerful for Pakistan alone to subdue." In a move that authenticates the argument that the U.S. is more than just concerned about Al Qaeda operations within Pakistan. The Associated Press has just reported a U.S. military role inside Pakistani
borders.Only yesterday, Vickers said, “U.S. military has not yet begun training Pakistani forces to fight Islamist militants but is already seeking a larger assistance role, including possible joint operations.”However today the tune is different, “U.S. military advisers are helping the Pakistanis double the size of their elite comman Read more:Special
, Forces
Nuclear Iran: Reality Check (ii) 2008-02-06 23:57:00 "2008 may yet provide Iran with an opportunity to relentless pursue its enrichment program while the world focuses on the U.S. Presidential race. As important as the next U.S. President may be, we cannot afford to allow the race to dim our view ... obscure our judgment. "Before we consider the opinions of the many who have drawn the same conclusion, know this first:Iran has no need for nuclear energy because of its immense oil and natural gas reserves which are equivalent to 9.3 percent of the world's reserves. In fact, Iran has 73,000,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas, an amount second only to the natural gas reserves of Russia.Iran remains the world's leading sponsor of international terrorism and is on the Department of State's list of countries that provide support for acts of interna Read more:Nuclear
, Check
, Reality Check
123 Meme c/o Subadei 2008-02-05 21:36:00 Blogfriend Subadei has tagged me with his 123 Meme ...The rules are simple. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages), open the book to page 123, find the fifth sentence, post the next three sentences and tag five (5) people.The Partnership: The inside story of the U.S.-Australian Alliance under Bush and Howard, by Greg Sheridan, pp. 123"An endless series of Indonesian military visitors was invited to Australia and they were always showed the best we had to offer, never told about our logistics problems or our recruitment and retention difficulties. The subliminal message was simple - don't tangle with these folks because they have a lot of firepower and they are very good soldiers. In his very person and bearing, Molan was part of this messsage." Tagging Heidianne at Big Girl Pants
Australia's John Howard Receives 2008 Irving Kristol Award 2008-02-04 14:55:00 The former Australia
n Prime Minister was profoundly affected by being in the U.S. on 9/11; he felt first-hand both the sense of shock and the helplessness, which Americans felt on that fateful day. For Howard
, 9/11 changed the strategic environment of the relationship between the U.S. and Australia... John Howard , the long-serving former Prime Minister of Australia, will deliver the Irving Kristol Lecture at AEI's Annual Dinner on March 5, 2008. One of the world's most successful democratic politicians, Howard has raised Australia's standing in the world, achieved prosperity in his country, and staunchly defended liberty overseas.As reported on the AEI's site for Public Policy Research:"American Enterprise Institute president Christopher DeMuth announced in January that the former Austra Read more:Award
A World without US - The Trailer 2008-02-01 04:47:00 Totally left and disturbing! This is the sort of Politician that must never be allowed to gain traction ... Has anyone seen this film? "The world is not a naturally peaceful organized place, it has to be made peaceful ... my great fear is that of the U.S. opt out" ...A different trailer of the same film can be seen here...Comments welcome...
Read more:World
, Trailer
Think Tanks and U.S. Foreign Policy 2008-01-30 01:41:00 Fortunately, right-wing tanks have been more successful at shifting the political landscape than those in the center or left, in part, because they are far better at attracting funds but more importantly, because American Interests are best served by them. U.S. ForeignPolicy
is influenced and shaped by a complex array of informal networks and Think Tanks
that extend American Power and interests through the design and augmentation of a consensus consistent with, America’s worldview. Collectively they form a foremost source of ideas that are often weighted in the Washington policy making apparatus. In some ways, we may refer to them as both official and unofficial lobby groups and/or professional pressure groups that exert intellectual force on elected officialdom on a variety on issues. Read more:Foreign Policy
Summer Vacation 2008 2008-01-11 07:05:00 It is mid summer in Australia, I will be vacationing on the coast for three entire weeks and blogging will resume thereafter. As noted in the image, my pen is down, yes, I do intermittently scribe some first post drafts in ink before that is, editing on the keyboard. I want to thank all my readers and commenter’s for making American Interests.blog a meaningful venture.I leave you with my latest post; five days ago, the U.S. Navy came impetuously close to armed conflict in the Straits of Hormuz, the subject of my latest post, “The way to war”.Once again thank you, and God bless.
Read more:Summer
, Vacation
The way to war 2008-01-10 21:00:00 ..."the world came very close to war on Sunday"... "From the 18th century to the present day, threats to American ships and maritime commerce have been the way most U.S. wars start"...Newly released footage of the 6 January Persian Gulf incident, wherby Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboats raced toward US naval vessels shows that the Iranians got very close. The four-minute video condenses what US officials have described as a 20-minute stand-off. U.S. Naval Commanders showed great restraint and ought be commended, indeed the thoughtless Iranians are fortunate that things did not get out of hand for they were messing with fire. Said Walter Mead of the provocation:"It was a dangerous gesture," said President George W. Bush about Sunday's incident that involved five vessels, apparent
Pakistan's deepening security crises 2008-01-10 15:10:00 ..."Shortly before she was assassinated, Benazir Bhutto warned that, left unchecked, Taliban forces would be marching on the Pakistan
capital, Islamabad, within two to four years."While recent and present headlines about the U.S. are focused on the White House Race, Bush's visit to the Middle East and that gutless attempt to stir the U.S. Navy by Iranian speedboats, opinion columnists are increasingly pointing out how imminently dangerous Pakistan is becoming. In an short op-ed piece, this mornings Australian reminds us that Taliban elements are on the rise and pose a very real threat to security
interests."As US President George W. Bush makes a nine-day visit to the Middle East in an attempt to reactivate the stalled Annapolis Israeli-Arab peace talks and bolster the alliance of moderate
Political Philosophy made simple... 2008-01-09 04:43:00 "Political Philosophy
made simple?", now there's an oxymoron...Seriously though, which candidate best represents your political philosophy?Visit Electoral Compass USA to accurately discover your position on the political landscape. Thirty six questions covering issues such as gun control, environment, income, Iraq, economy, health care, national security, family, immigration, law and order, education and terrorism.Current U.S. Presidential hopefuls are represented graphically with the horizontal axis stretching from economic left to economic right and the vertical axis from Social Liberalism to Social Conservatism.Click here to take the test.Which candidate best represents my views? Well, according to the compass it was Mitt Romney. Was the survey accurate for me? Not quite but it came ve
UN‘s incessant appetite for cash 2008-01-07 03:58:00 "Government spending will not be curbed by wishful thinking." President Ronald ReaganThe UN General Assembly has recently approved a two-year UN budget of 4.17 billion U.S. dollars in the face of resistance from the United States. The budget, proposed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, was approved by a vote of 142 to one.Heritage Foundation senior fellow and former deputy assistant secretary of defense, Peter Brookes tells us that, over the last five years, the UN's budget has grown an average 17 percent a year while the US (wartime) budget has grown just 7 percent. Over the last decade, the UN's purse has ballooned more than 190 percent!"Even more frustrating, about 75 percent of the base 4.2 billion budget is for staff costs. That is, the bulk goes to pumping up the size of the UN Sec Read more:appetite
Glorious Guardians of Freedom 2008-01-05 17:32:00 "Granted, this site will eventually vanish, being ephemeral in a very real sense of the word, but at least for a time it can serve as a tiny record of my contributions to the world." Occasionally one comes across those kinds of posts that leave one in awe at the bravery, dedication and out-and-out allegiance of those willing to sacrifice all to defend our freedoms, our way of life. Truly amazing young men and woman serving America’s, and indeed the world’s interests in far away terrains.One such post about a certain Maj. Andrew J. Olmsted, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colo. who sadly along with Cpt. Thomas J. Casey, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M. “died Jan. 3 in, As Sadiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms fire during combat operations. Both Soldie Read more:Freedom
Voting for Euro Missile defense systems 2008-01-03 16:11:00 "Perhaps the reason for the renewed impetus has political considerations in mind; establishing permanent, lasting defense links before November would make it difficult for the next U.S. administration to annul..." Contrary to the popular view that little gets done in Washington during the “silly season”, particularly pertaining to matters national security, U.S. and Czech negotiators are stepping up plans to complete plans for the establishment of the Administration's "third site" for its missile defense system in Europe. European press reports that the Czech Government will attempt to finalize its negotiations with Washington sooner rather than later:“The Czech prime minister Mrek Topolanek has said he plans to tie up negotiations on a planned US defence shield before the end of Pr Read more:Voting
, Missile
Happy New Year! 2007-12-31 06:10:00 Wishing all my readers and commenter’s a safe, industrious and, as a fellow blogger foreshadowed, “polemically” stimulating 2008...
Read more:Happy
, Happy New Year
America and Globalization: Strategy for a New Century - Part 2 2008-03-15 19:48:00 ".... Here’s a question; is it realistic to believe that consensus between nations can maintain order through a system in which states voluntarily abide by rules? History alone would dictate a negative response. States cooperate because there is an in-balance of power between them not the reverse...."It was not the intention to post a follow up piece to the initial, March 5 article; however, reader consensus, as noted in comments received, compelled me otherwise. But before we continue allow me to make a point, the article did not seek to advocate the merits or otherwise of Globalization, more exactly, it highlighted what I see as a growing need for America
to gain control of its growth for the very reasons highlighted in your comments. The original piece can be read here.Some of the co Read more:Strategy
, Century
, New Century
Why we like Blogs 2008-03-19 06:00:00 In Andrew Bolt's words..."Steve Boriss of The Future of News hails the rise of blogging over traditional journalism:Blogging allows rumors to be followed by updates, journalism doesn’t. Bloggers are independent of oversight by editors who slow down publication while removing the style, opinion, rumors, risk, and edge. Journalists aren’t. Oh, and there’s one more difference. Blogging is growing because news consumers prefer all of the above. Journalism isn’t."It would appear that Bloggers and the media’s uneasy co-existence continues. Not meaning to sound exceedingly defensive of the latter, fact is, we bloggers do rely on big media for information, for mine the fun part involves the intermittent non-acceptance and dissection facet of what some have called, citizen journalism.Andr Read more:Blogs
Russia according to Vladimir Putin 2008-03-22 04:44:00 "Russia
demands more respect from and equality with Washington and a free hand in world politics. In key respects, Moscow’s new foreign policy grows out of the logic of its ever more autocratic and neo-imperial political structure.” Two Thousand and Seven was the year that the Russians once again growled for attention. Like a bear returning from a long sleep after nearly two long decades, it first attracted this author’s attention in June with Putin
using some stiff language while addressing Bush over the U.S. missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. Not long after, the Russians engaged in some in some good old-fashioned saber rattling by resuming the Soviet-era practice of sending strategic bombers on long-range flights well beyond its borders. By October, Putin was cozying up wit Read more:Vladimir
, Vladimir Putin
Do you like American Interests.blogspot? 2008-03-31 06:34:00 Do you read/like this blog and accept as true its central premise that America remains the ultimate guarantor of the way of life that most of us in the West enjoy? That America remains an overwhelming force for good in the world.If so, can I be bold and ask that you add this site to your Technorati favorites and subscribe to the feed. The links are provided in the right hand pane. Spread the word, tell your friends, workmates and associates about it. It's these little things that help this blog to grow and expand the reader base. For those that have already done so, thanks!Finally, please permit me to express my sincere gratitude to a sponsor, the VA Mortgage Center and acknowledge the fine work they do in addressing the specific mortgage lending needs of veterans and active military memb Read more:American
, Interests
, blogspot
China’s 2008 Defense Budget 2008-03-27 16:07:00 When I look at the bigger picture, taking into account China
’s increasing ASAT capabilities, these developments pose a threat of an altered nature… How long before China’s might develops into an effective bargaining chip in negotiations with the West…In what reflects the countries rapid economic growth, China recently announced plans to increase defense spending by just short of 18% to 417.77 billion yuan (58.8 billion). According to spokes person, Jiang Enzhu, the additional money will be used to buy hi-tech armaments” as it continues transforming its 2.3 million man forces into a more sophisticated and modern fighting machine. In comparative terms, for the U.S. to increase its defense expenditure by an equivalent proportion it would be akin to a rise of between $90 and $100bil Read more:Defense
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