Publications

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Browsing Publications by Author "Eland, Ivan"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Americans Are Finally Waking Up to the Failure of U.S. Policy in Iraq
    (Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), 2005-06-22) Eland, Ivan
    Ivan Eland discusses the growing discontent among Americans regarding U.S. policy in Iraq, highlighting a significant decline in public support for the war. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans disapprove of the Bush administration's handling of the situation and believe the U.S. should not have invaded Iraq. This shift in public opinion has emboldened Congress to propose measures for withdrawing U.S. forces. Eland argues that historical precedents, such as the Vietnam War, show the importance of congressional oversight in ending unnecessary military engagements. He criticizes the administration's reliance on Sunni political participation and the establishment of Iraqi security forces, suggesting these efforts are unlikely to succeed before public patience runs out. Eland concludes that the administration should acknowledge the war's failure, set a withdrawal schedule, and negotiate a comprehensive peace settlement.
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    Critics on Iraq Policy Come Out of the Woodwork Too Late
    (Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), 2005-10-25) Eland, Ivan
    The ongoing crisis in Iraq and potential indictments of senior Bush administration officials highlight the failure of U.S. policy, according to Eland. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, has criticized the "Cheney-Rumsfeld cabal" for controlling U.S. foreign policy, yet his and Powell’s delayed dissent raises questions about their accountability. This critique, similar to others by ex-officials like Richard Clarke, has drawn public attention to the administration's missteps. However, critics like George Packer argue that even a more competent administration might not have succeeded in restructuring Iraq, as such nation-building efforts are inherently flawed. The article underscores that U.S. public support wanes when wars of choice result in prolonged conflict and casualties, suggesting that American leaders should reconsider their interventionist policies.
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    Free Commerce vs. National Security: Is There Really a Contradiction?
    (Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), 2005-03-21) Eland, Ivan
    The article "Free Commerce vs. National Security: Is There Really a Contradiction?" by Ivan Eland examines the conflict between free trade and national security using the Bush administration's opposition to a proposed natural gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan to India as a case study. The administration opposed the pipeline to isolate Iran, despite the pipeline's potential to foster economic development and peace in South Asia. Eland argues that free commerce can reduce conflict and promote Western values over time, while sanctions and military actions are often counterproductive. He calls for a more thoughtful approach to national security that embraces free trade as a means to enhance global stability.
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    Reforming the Homeland Security Department is Unlikely
    (Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), 2005-04-18) Eland, Ivan
    Ivan Eland argues that reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is unlikely due to poor incentive structures and political pressures. Despite Secretary Michael Chertoff's admission of intelligence failures and his pledge to prioritize risk-based funding, DHS continues to focus more on responding to attacks rather than preventing them. This is largely due to powerful local lobbies and Congressional representatives pushing for funds to improve local services under the guise of homeland security. Furthermore, the massive size and complexity of DHS, formed from 22 federal agencies, hinder effective intelligence sharing. Eland suggests that without genuine incentives for change, the imbalance and inefficiencies within DHS are likely to persist, potentially leading to another major security failure.