On most issues, it is difficult to go beyond sound bites and vague phrases in the context of a modern presidential campaign. However, on at least one issue -- national security -- John Edwards has set himself apart from his two main rivals, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Perhaps Edwards' most important contribution to the discussion has been his thorough critique of the whole notion of a "Global War on Terrorism (GWOT)."
Happy Petraeus Day! On the theory that plenty of my colleagues in the print media and blogosphere will be writing about Iraq today, I will address another Mideast security conundrum: the role of the United States as the region's top arms supplier.
In late July the Bush administration proposed a ten-year, $63 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel (see my recent piece in The Nation). Billed as part of a new "Gulf Security Dialogue," it provided yet another example of team Bush deciding to let the guns do the talking.
Thankfully, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has raised the profile of the deal by recruiting 114 of his House colleagues to oppose it. This won't be enough to stop it, but at least it will generate some serious debate.
