https://amgreatness.com/2017/03/25/whats-in-a-doctrine/
Can it be this simple? A strategic policy of self interest first, middle and last?
But that does not require elaborate explanations of why doing the stupid is necessary in tomes of polysyllables.
It does not require a massive number of mouth flappers who explain why we need to ‘understand’ other cultures.
It just requires a handful of tough guys and gals and an ass kicking military with economic power.
Seems too simple, but then again, never confuse simple with easy. Often the complex is the lazy man’s game.




Angelo Codevilla has been knocking himself out making JUST THIS POINT. America has not had its vital interests at heart for a long time. Instead we have gone off for this or that reason, mostly Leftist “feel good” concepts. If there was a reason to invade Iraq, we should have done that, then handed the country back to them to do with as they wished. We are long overdue settling scores with Iran.
OTOH, there are no good reasons we should have soldiers in harms way anywhere in the Mideast or Afghanistan. Whether of not it was something to do way back when, there is no real American interest there now. Leave them alone. Let them do whatever they want
We have good reason to engage with Russia. We have good reason to engage with China. We have good reason to get rid of the crazy fat boy – not because South Korea is our ally (they are beginning to act a lot un-ally like suddenly) but because he is threatening us. That IS our national interest.
I agree with this completely, but for some reason, I approved of the missile attack upon Syria.
@drlorentz: I love it when somebody says “The short answer is yes” in response to “Can it be this simple?”
Simplicity is the key to many good things; even the clothing we wear. I’m feeling frisky in my new ‘little black dress’ after returning from a dinner party with dreadfully overdressed women. :)
Can it be this simple? The short answer is “yes.” The author makes a good case why that is so. America First is neither isolationism nor interventionism. It is a rational view of self-interest.
For many Americans, the idea of America First is anathema because it is associated with patriotism and a sense of national identity. These are dirty words for those who have been schooled by the cultural marxist views that are being promulgated by the educational system from K to graduate school. This is the reason that immigration enforcement and reform has been hard to sell. Since politics is downstream from culture, the culture has to get fixed first.
Sadly you are right DrL. Our current culture is a mess, and with no relation to our founding principles.