GINT 740

GINT 740
CONDUCT AND FORMULATION OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

Spring 2004

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED READINGS:

ARTICLES that I have found to be particularly interesting and informative about the policymaking process during the Bush Administration (notice that most are from relatively mainstream sources). They can also be at the following link TO THE POINT.

FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21:

"Bush and God," Newsweek (March 10, 2003), by Howard Fineman. A very provocative and powerful piece about the profound impact on September 11 on Bush, the role of religion, and becoming a type of born again "war president."

"Cheney's Long Path to War," Newsweek (November 17, 2003), by Mark Hosenball, Michael Isikoff and Evan Thomas. Investigative journalism on Cheney's behind the scenes but critical role to war.

"Blind Into Baghdad," The Atlantic Monthly (January-February 2004), by James Fallows. The best single overview of the policymaking process within the government that ultimately led to the postwar reconstruction mess.

"Richard Clark Terrorizes the White House," Salon (March 24, 2004), by Joe Conason. A fascinating and provocative interview with the former terrorism czar.

"The Vanishing Case for War," New York Review of Books (Decem,ber 4, 2003), by Thomas Powers. One of the most prominent and respected experts on intelligence makes it clear that the case for war with Iraq was based on politicized and selective intelligence at the highest levels of government.

"Spies, Lies, and Weapons: What Went Wrong," The Atlantic Monthly (January-February 2004), by Kenneth M. Pollack. An inside account from a former intelligence analyst.

Delusions in Baghdad," New York Review of Books (December 18, 2003), by Mark Danner. On the war, life, and future prospects in Iraq.

"Tikrit Dispatch: Uncivil Military," The New Republic (March 1, 2004), by Joshua Hammer. Shows the tense relations and conflict on the ground in Iraq WITHIN the U.S. government, especially the civilians (through the Coaltion Provisional Authority) and the military.

"The Mess in Afghanistan," New York Review of Books (February 12, 2004), by Ahmed Rashid. The title says it all. It's pretty sad how quickly Afghanistan has been forgotten, or held up as a (false) model of a successful invasion, overthrow, and illustration of nation-building for political purposes, even though the U.S./NATO backed regime barely controls Kabul the capitol.

FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28

About Plan of Attack." Click link for more about the book.

EXCERPTS:
"Bush's Decision on War."
"Rove's Calculations."
"With CIA Push, Movement to War Accelerated."
"Cheney Was Unwavering in Desire to Go to War."
"Blair Steady in Support "
"U.S. Aimed for Hussein as War Began"

"War Stories" Newsweek (February 23, 2004), by Evan Thomas. Solid overview of the impact of background, education, and Vietnam on Bush and Kerry--two graduates from Yale two years apart and both members of "Skull and Bones." Kind of eerie and weird that American's two viable nominees have so much in common given their past, and are also so different.

"Playing Defense: Bush's Disastrous Homeland Security Department," The New Republic (March 15, 2004), by Michael Crowley. A devastating and realistic portrayal of a bureaucratic mess with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. It's easier to change the organizational chart then it is to create a functional and efficient, new and improved bureaucracy.

"Make You Ralph: The Myth of the "Good Nader"," The New Republic (March 8, 2004), by Jonathan Chait. Very interesting analysis of the evolution of Ralph Nader and his view of liberals.

"The Neocons in Power," The New York Review of Books (June 12, 2003), by Elizabeth Drew. Drew provides investigative and inside information on the rise of the neoconservatives to power and within the Bush Administration.

"The Master Operator," Newsweek (March 8, 2004). Chalabi has been the head of the INC (Iraqi National Congress), one of many opposition groups headquartered in London, who has been trying to get the U.S. to help overthrow Hussein and has great connections within the Bush Administration in particular.

"Global Security Firms Fill in as Private Armies: 15,000 agents Patrol Violent Streets of Iraq," San Francisco Chronocle (March 28, 2004), by Robert Collier. Describes the rise of PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS being used in Iraq and throughout the world, an important phenomena in U.S. foreign policy and global politics.

"The Unseen War," The New York Review of Books (May 29, 2003), by Michael Massing. How the American media covers the war and is dominated by the military.

"What You See vs. What They See," Time (February 3, 2003), by James Poniewozik. An interesting article comparing the media views of the war most Arabs get from what Americans get.

"Now They Tell Us," New York Review of Books (February 26, 2004), by Michael Messing. A superb description of how the mainstream media, focusing on The New York Times, missed (or buried) the story about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction BEFORE the attack, and only has begun to get it right recently.
"Iraq: Now They Tell Us: An Exchange" New York Review of Books (April 8, 2004). A spirited response to the article above from a number of journalists, with a response from Massing.

"Protestor=Criminal?," The Progressive (February 2004), by Matthew Rothschild. A powerful description of what is happening with the war at home and American democracy, especially to those who are politically active and speak out.

RECOMMENDED.

"U.S. Had Key Role in Iraq Buildup: Trade in Chemical Arms Allowed Despite Their Use on Iranians, Kurds," Washington Post (December 30, 2002), by Michael Dobbs. A brief history of America's role in supporting Saddam Hussein and Iraq before the first gulf war.

SEE ALSO:

Mainstream Sources.
Alternative Sources.
Recommended Links.
Other Recommended Articles and Cartoons.

SEE ALSO TO THE POINT FOR ADDITIONAL READINGS: