analysis article

In what looks like it will be a continuing attempt to more widely dissiminate articles which contain analysis not often seen in mainstream US media, here is an article in the London Review of Books by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. They are political science professors of international relations in the "realist" tradition, which interprets the actions of nations through the lens of self-interest, discounting moral or cooperative influences. Readers here may recall that Mearsheimer's book The Tragedy of Great Power Politics has had a great influence on me.

The Israel Lobby by John Mearscheimer and Stephen Walt in the London Review of Books.

This is based on a longer report, links to which are at the bottom of what is already a rather lengthy article. A summary of the summary can be found here.

recently seen quotes

"Power is the capacity not to have to learn." -Karl Deutsch

"Desires achieved increase thirst like salt water." -bumper sticker

Movies

L and I have been going on what, for us, is quite the movie marathon. It started with Hero, which I thought would be just escapist fun for me. But L, who has generally put the kibosh on Asian martial arts movies, actually loved it, too. Then, last weekend: we rented My Neighbor Totoro and Tampopo, the latter a movie we both fondly remembered but hadn't seen in a long time. In addition, we actually went to two movies in theaters. We finally saw Syriana and, again to my surprise, L liked it a lot. (I want to see it again on video.) Then, at a friend's invitation, we went to see Street Fight at the Roxie. Again L liked it. And we got to go to the Mission, an area we make it out to all too infrequently considering how much we like it and how accessible it is.

Iraq as VietNam

Okay, so this is lazy blogging. I'm simply linking to an article by Lt. Gen. William E. Odom titled Iraq Through the Prism of VietNam, with no extra commentary from me. I'm doing this just because I think it's the kind of analysis and perspective which should be read more widely. However, I can't think of anyone in particular to whom I could usefully forward the link: anyone who'd care would probably already believe stuff like this and anyone who wouldn't care, well, probably still wouldn't. Posting it just allows me to vent a little bit of the frustration I felt pre-April, 2003, when I was reading pieces making similar points and was unable to change anyone's mind. Thanks. (Link to this article via Josh Marshall's blog, although unfortunately I have to count Josh as one of those who didn't see such things at the time.)

(untitled)

Two Friends

A certain person came to the Friend's door
and knocked.

"Who's there?"

"It's me."

The Friend answered, "Go away. There's no place
for raw meat at this table."

The individual went wandering for a year.
Nothing but the fire of separation
can change hypocrisy and ego. The person returned
completely cooked,
walked up and down in front of the Friend's house,
gently knocked.

"Who is it?"

"You."

"Please come in, my self,
there's no place in this house for two."

-Rumi, Barks trans. (excerpt)