markentiefe

You should read it, but there's a "but." In this otherwise very sensible and superbly written call for restoring America's moral authority in the world, the only annoying flaw is Suskind's boy-crush/blindspot for Blackwater and other "can-do" mercenary groups. Yes, government's ability to conduct covert, in-country operations and other such activities has largely been lost to the private sector over the last thirty-five years. However, this unfortunate state of affairs has not been brought about by simple negligence--certain people in government long ago realized: (1) corporations can more easily conduct operations outside the law; and (2) the profits to well-placed friends are enormous, practically limitless. So let's not pretend Blackwater and Company will serve as allies in a campaign to rebuild America's reputation and moral standing. They've got shareholders to keep happy and Congresspeople to grease. STILL, read it for the insight on Bhutto's last days and the Affair de Habbush (which should be included in a federal indictment that will never happen).

2022-09-09 02:22