The E.U. Constitution has taken a severe beating at the Dutch polls. This follows the defeat of a similar referendum in the French polls. This probably means the end of Franco-German plans to gain control over a united Europe’s foreign and defense policies for the foreseeable future. Given France’s diplomatic and military support for China of late, this is probably good news for the people of North Korea and China. It may also spell an end to a suspicious EU...

What the Arab Street Really Thinks. The answers surprised me. There may still be hope.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations: They’re starting to fire people over OFF. It seems strange, to say the least, that Kofi Annan is firing other people. Also, I invite your commendation for refraining from cheap references to guillotines and well-oiled machines.

In one of its many ill-considered decisions of the last decade, the United Nations responded to the attempted extermination of Bosnia’s Muslims by imposing an arms embargo on all parties to the conflict. It was a classic of moral, economic, and military equivalence leading to horrific results. On side was a large, mechanized army that controlled a massive industry for manufacturing and exporting arms, and which it was using in an unequal battle to slaughter hundreds of thousands of innocents....

A Last Memorial Day Thought: It will always be a day of gratitude for me, too. Before I left Korea in 2002, I had asked for an assignment in Germany, and was initially told that I would be sent there. Like most things the Army promises you, the assignment fell through (after my wife and I had spent two months studying German). Many people in my branch who were assigned to Germany were later sent to Iraq. As the spirits...

Then again, the Administration’s “other options” might be more along these lines. Thanks to Art Rush for forwarding the link.

In one of its many ill-considered decisions of the last decade, the United Nations responded to the attempted extermination of Bosnia’s Muslims by imposing an arms embargo on all parties to the conflict. It was a classic of moral, economic, and military equivalence leading to horrific results. On side was a large, mechanized army that controlled a massive industry for manufacturing and exporting arms, and which it was using in an unequal battle to slaughter hundreds of thousands of innocents....

During our own Civil War, General Winfield Scott and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the Rumsfeld of his time devised an economic blockade that may have been more decisive to the Confederacy’s defeat than Gettysburg. They called it the Anaconda Plan for its stated goal of constricting the South until it could no longer breathe. The L.A. Times (free subscription required), via Barbara Demick, now reports that the Bush Administration is laying the groundwork for “other options” if the talks...

A Last Memorial Day Thought: It will always be a day of gratitude for me, too. Before I left Korea in 2002, I had asked for an assignment in Germany, and was initially told that I would be sent there. Like most things the Army promises you, the assignment fell through (after my wife and I had spent two months studying German). Many people in my branch who were assigned to Germany were later sent to Iraq. As the spirits...

Then again, the Administration’s “other options” might be more along these lines. Thanks to Art Rush for forwarding the link.

Then again, the Administration’s “other options” might be more along these lines. Thanks to Art Rush for forwarding the link.

During our own Civil War, General Winfield Scott and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the Rumsfeld of his time devised an economic blockade that may have been more decisive to the Confederacy’s defeat than Gettysburg. They called it the Anaconda Plan for its stated goal of constricting the South until it could no longer breathe. The L.A. Times (free subscription required), via Barbara Demick, now reports that the Bush Administration is laying the groundwork for “other options” if the talks...

During our own Civil War, General Winfield Scott and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the Rumsfeld of his time devised an economic blockade that may have been more decisive to the Confederacy’s defeat than Gettysburg. They called it the Anaconda Plan for its stated goal of constricting the South until it could no longer breathe. The L.A. Times (free subscription required), via Barbara Demick, now reports that the Bush Administration is laying the groundwork for “other options” if the talks...

This Memorial Day, I’m remembering two irreplaceable people we lost in Iraq, and the reasons for their sacrifice. May events there continue to validate their sacrifice; may we never come to believe that war is easy; may we never take our free and prosperous lives for granted.

This Memorial Day, I’m remembering two irreplaceable people we lost in Iraq, and the reasons for their sacrifice. May events there continue to validate their sacrifice; may we never come to believe that war is easy; may we never take our free and prosperous lives for granted.

The BBC reports that North Korea is again in danger of mass starvation: The World Food Programme (WFP) has repeated its warning of a food crisis in North Korea and says the situation is getting worse by the day. The WFP regional director, Anthony Banbury, said contributions from overseas had all but dried up. He said the organisation was having to cut handouts to some of those most in need. North Korea has depended on food aid from overseas for...