Saturday, December 15, 2007
Huck's article
Polistra's Seventh Law: When the elites say X is unthinkable, it's time to think X.
The commentariat has been focusing today on Huckabee's long article in Foreign Affairs. The brand-R and brand-D teams are both using the article's summary (probably written by an editor) to dismiss Huck as unthinkable.
I took the trouble to read the whole article. Huckabee makes three main points in various ways:
1. We need to understand our enemy coldly and completely. This requires better intelligence and stronger diplomatic connections.
2. Persia is basically a rational country. It won't be our friend, but it will be neutral if we handle it right.
3. Pakistan is basically an irrational country. It is our enemy, and we should handle it as such.
Polistra has been making these points for a long time ... except for the bit about stronger diplomatic connections, but Huck's argument there is persuasive. His main error is to focus too much on the Mohammedan element of the enemy, not enough on the Arab tribal element. ¶ 2:31 PM
Polistra's Seventh Law: When the elites say X is unthinkable, it's time to think X.
The commentariat has been focusing today on Huckabee's long article in Foreign Affairs. The brand-R and brand-D teams are both using the article's summary (probably written by an editor) to dismiss Huck as unthinkable.
I took the trouble to read the whole article. Huckabee makes three main points in various ways:
1. We need to understand our enemy coldly and completely. This requires better intelligence and stronger diplomatic connections.
2. Persia is basically a rational country. It won't be our friend, but it will be neutral if we handle it right.
3. Pakistan is basically an irrational country. It is our enemy, and we should handle it as such.
Polistra has been making these points for a long time ... except for the bit about stronger diplomatic connections, but Huck's argument there is persuasive. His main error is to focus too much on the Mohammedan element of the enemy, not enough on the Arab tribal element. ¶ 2:31 PM
