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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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 OPINION 
46

This Looks Like a Job for the Neocons

Time for America to start flexing its muscles instead of making deals

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(Newser) – Neoconservatives are making a comeback and it's about time, writes Bret Stephens. They're back "because Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong Il, and Vladimir Putin never went away," Stephens writes in the Wall Street Journal, and because the world wants America to use its strength to stop Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs in light of the failure of President Obama's "shambles" of a foreign policy.

Neocons put their faith in American power instead of in deals with shady regimes like Iran, and they realize that this power is the best way of bringing about disarmament and spreading democracy. "A view of the world that understands that American power still furnishes the margin between freedom and tyranny, and between prosperity and chaos, is starting to look better all the time,' Stephens concludes. "As the pendulum has swung to a US foreign policy based on little more than the personal attractions of the president, it's little wonder that the world is casting about for an alternative."

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a residence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a residence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007.   (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a news conference in New York, Friday Sept. 25, 2009.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a news conference in New York, Friday Sept. 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
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Neocons have no faith in any deals or 'grand bargains' the US might sign with North Korea or Iran over their nuclear programs: Cheating is in the DNA of both regimes, and the record is there to prove it.. - Bret Stephens

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46 comments
VIEWING:
 
Fondue
Sep 29, 09 7:15 AM CDT
Bret certainly is a good liar. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+12
IN RESPONSE:
Citrixguy
Sep 29, 09 7:19 AM CDT
Oh really there fon...and just how is he lying?
Vote up! Vote down!
-11
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 29, 09 7:32 AM CDT
"the world wants America to use its strength to stop Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs" The only one saying this in the world is Bret as he does not mention a single world leader saying this in the full article. No mention of the French newspaper writers name to verify an implied thesis by Bret. The Russian UN ambassador, the US "continues to be a rather difficult negotiating partner" no quote about using might, nor is there mention of any other country's supposed position. Bret assumes the world thinks what he thinks, yet all he has put forth is speculation.
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+13
IN RESPONSE:
Citrixguy
Sep 29, 09 7:43 AM CDT
@ Fon - So, your statement that he is a liar is based on the fact he gave an opinion the you disagree with? Is that SOP of the left now? Opinions are lies?
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-10
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 29, 09 7:57 AM CDT
He lied about what world leaders want the US to do - sheesh man.
Vote up! Vote down!
+6

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