Posted on 11/26/2007 6:11:06 PM PST by AmericanInTokyo
BY CLIFFORD MAY
As America's ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton was the White House's most effective defender. Now, as an ex-diplomat, he has become among the administration's toughest critics. But he critiques from the right, not the left, which probably explains why the elite media are not eager to focus on what he has to say.
The son of a Baltimore firefighter who attended Yale Law School on scholarship, Bolton combines a combative nature with a keen intellect. He is a conservative without the prefix - neither neo-con (he's skeptical about nation-building and democracy promotion) nor paleo-con (he's no isolationist). He is most zealous about protecting America's sovereignty and national interests. All of this comes through clearly in his new book, "Surrender Is Not an Option." His perspectives were persuasively articulated, too, at a recent discussion hosted by American Spectator magazine.
The administration, he believes, is failing to achieve its most important goals. For example, President Bush pledged that the world's most dangerous weapons would not be allowed to fall into the hands of the world's worst dictators and terrorists. But for almost five years the United States has let the Europeans take the lead in a diplomatic dance to convince Iran to stop its nuclear-weapons development. That effort has been so heavy on incentives and so light on threats that Bolton calls it "speaking softly and carrying a big carrot."
"Engaging in diplomacy is not cost-free," Bolton notes. The drawn-out talks have given Tehran time to master the intricacies of nuclear technology. Now, he believes, the only options left to prevent America-hating mullahs from acquiring nukes are encouraging a revolution - "it is a fragile regime" - or "targeted military force, a last resort."
Bolton also doubts that genuine progress is being made in negotiations with North Korea. He sees "remarkable similarities" between where the Bush administration is heading and the "agreed framework" President Bill Clinton negotiated with Pyongyang in 1994. That deal trusted but did not verify that North Korea, in return for generous rewards, would end its nuclear-weapons programs. North Korea is now promising to disable - but not dismantle - nuclear reactors. Bolton says that's "like taking the keys out of your car and putting them on the night stand."
Meanwhile, Pakistan, already a nuclear power, could come under worse management in the months ahead. Among other things, proliferation in an age of global terrorism leads to this nightmare scenario: The "no-name" nuke that destroys an American, European or Middle Eastern city - with no way to know for certain who is responsible. (I can recall just after 9/11 being asked by an indignant BBC interviewer to substantiate my charge that al-Qaida was behind the atrocity. And we've never established who was responsible for the anthrax attacks that took place not long after.)
Bolton worries, too, about the Israeli-Palestinian talks to be convened by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Annapolis, Md. Israel's current government "can't do much. It's weak. It doesn't have much public support." As for the Palestinian side, Bolton asks: "What Palestinian side? The Palestinian Authority is broken." Hamas, a terrorist organization backed by Iran, rules Gaza and appears to be contemplating civil war in the West Bank, which is only loosely controlled by Fatah, a "former terrorist organization."
"The secretary has only 24 hours in her day," Bolton observes. A better use of her time would be to "support democracy in Lebanon which is under direct threat" from Hezbollah, a terrorist group and proxy of Syria and Iran.
The United Nations will be helpful in regard to none of these situations. On the contrary, even though Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is an improvement over Kofi Annan - who called himself a "secular pope" - the organization is now structurally hostile to the United States and bent on becoming a world government with the power to impose laws and taxes on Americans. In response, Bolton says, we should stop letting the United Nations "assess" us for contributions and fund only those projects we regard as useful. He supports also the suggestion of former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar to transform NATO into a "league of democratic nations" and a competitor to the United Nations. He is disappointed that Bush has done no more to advance such ideas than did Clinton. One reason may be opposition from the State Department, which, Bolton laments, has become a "self-perpetuating bureaucracy" that undercuts the president it is meant to serve, and shortchanges America's interests to curry favor with the so-called international community.
Clifford D. May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, writes for Scripps Howard News Service.
OH WOW I wish he still UN ambasseror he putting no punches
NOW we know why the Dems were so dedicated to keeping this guy under wraps. He speaketh in a manner which resonates with the truth. Someone this articulate and perceptive is a threat to the Globalist powers that be, Dem and Rino.
That's why they hired him.
They would fire him nowadays, I am absolutely, 100% convinced.
He would be a nuisance, and impediment to "legacy".
Bolton would make a great VP for Fred Thompson.
PS, Michael Ladeen had this review of Bolton's book, online, just now:
"Muffled as we are so often by the filters of political correctness, it comes as a welcome liberation to read the clear words of John Bolton. "Surrender Is Not an Option" (Threshold Editions, 488 pages, $27) is not a short book, but there aren't many wasted words, and you won't be in any doubt about Mr. Bolton's thoughts and convictions, both of which are clear and honorable. Take North Korea, for example, a subject that has afflicted him for many years: "Just as the Italians once dealt with Mussolini, and the Romanians with Ceausescu, one day the North Korean people may have the chance to deal with Kim Jong-il. His death will be dirty and contemptible, like his life and his regime, and it will be exactly what he deserves." Or take Iran, now dominating the front pages, as it dominated much of Mr. Bolton's time at both the United Nations and the Department of State: "The fact is that Iran will never voluntarily give up its nuclear program, and a policy based on the contrary assumption is not just delusional but dangerous. This is the road to the Nuclear Holocaust." "
What makes Bolton great is not only his views but speaking directly.
Glad you were able to catch Bolton last night on Batchelor.
"...Meanwhile, John Bolton, a former US ambassador known for his extreme neocon views, launched a vitriolic attack on the archbishop and all critics of the US-led war on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. He called (liberal Anglican leader) Dr Williams' comments "incoherent", said that there "was a good reason that the Anglican church does not declare its leaders infallible" and invited the archbishop to "concentrate on his day job". Mr Bolton had been given the opportunity to plug his new book on Iraq and related issues. Unchallenged by any opposing viewpoint, he called for the selective bombing of Iran over the nuclear installations row."
LOL!
John Bolton for Secretary of State! VP! President!!! Love him. He speaks straight-across and on-target. No “create your own reality/visualize world peace/can’t we just all get along” vibes from Bolton; so refreshing. Although I’m favoring Hunter, whoever Bolton endorses will get my attention, as well.
That should make it interesting.
Visual Whirled Peas (as they say) ;-)
Yup, that is the BBC, extreme NC, vitriolic attack.
Fair and Balanced, not
Only Bolton has the Chutzpah to put the Arch Bish. of C in his place.
bttt
It's like being under the Sorting Hat -
Not Giuliani. Not Giuliani.
Not Giuliani, eh? Well, if you're sure, better be...
THOMPSON!
I tend to think Duncan Hunter seems to have the viewpoint closest to Bolton, from what I can see.
Duncan Hunter is a pretty clear cut, straight shooting kind of guy who leaves nothing to the imagination in terms of his policy positions.
Intelligent. Yet abject fools.
Quitting was the BEST career decision I EVER MADE...!
Good riddance..! That was CLOSE!
Oh, what I would give if John Bolton would run for President.
Oh, what I would give if John Bolton would run for President.
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