Only steady, consistent engagement can overcome doubts about U.S. staying power. After some early stumbles, Obama has set a good precedent by committing the U.S. to several regional meetings, which should forge stronger bonds well into the future.
“VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussion and opinion on these policies.” — VOA Charter
Vietnam Dangles at the Tip of the Chinese Spear
Vietnam knows a rapidly militarizing China wants its natural resources, and is responding to this undisguised aggression with its own significant military buildup to protect itself. There are also cautious overtures being made to the United States by Vietnam, perhaps hoping to tuck itself beneath the security umbrella enjoyed by other U.S. allies in Asia…
The History and Meaning of Veterans Day
Our veterans are stationed around the globe, providing disaster relief, defending democratic institutions, fighting ISIS and enhancing security in Afghanistan. On this day, and every day, let us be thankful for their service and pray for their safety and eventual return home.
America’s “After-wars”
Veterans Day is a somber moment for Americans to pause and honor the men and women who have served the United States in war. But what of the other battles that erupt when American veterans return from active duty to resume their lives? The so-called “walking wounded” are everywhere: the amputee with a prosthetic limb, the U.S. official who must decide whether to send men and women into combat (Who can forget former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visibly tearing up when asked about American troops fighting in Iraq?) and those who appear to be okay, but really aren’t. There are countless men and women suffering with brain injuries or PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder – or both. And there are the parents, spouses, partners and children of the dead whose lives are forever changed. There is widespread acknowledgement that many of our vets have been under-treated, if treated at all. That war drags on, slowly and painfully, for its victims.
A Visitor from Vietnam Offers Obama Another Chance to Learn About The War He Missed
“Obama is the first president to come of age in the post-Vietnam era,” David Axelrod, the president’s longtime political adviser, told National Journal. “His political consciousness was not shaped by that war. He is not consumed by the arguments that swirled around it.”
Why Has America Stopped Winning Wars?
American culture is a victory culture. Coded into the American DNA are the fear of failure and the celebration of winning.
How to Oppose China’s Bid for Maritime Dominance
In this deteriorating situation…a more consistent, robust set of American responses is essential….Deploy American Coast Guard cutters to the western Pacific…Expand cooperation with regional states…Impose explicit costs on Chinese aggressive behavior