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The disaster of Iraq was predictable. Many both inside and outside the administration warned of the consequences of war. They were brushed aside with false claims, comforting promises and utopian visions of a new American Empire. One year ago, this author published his views. The op-ed is reprinted here for your consideration.
The current arguments for and against nuclear weapons revolve around the question of utility: those supporting new weapons, for example, argue that the very utility of such weapons would enhance their effectiveness as a deterrent.
On May 12, the United States, North Korea and the other members of the 6-Party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program will hold a first round of working level talks. Don’t expect any progress, however, either at these talks or anytime until after the November U.S. election. Both sides are playing the waiting game and hoping the circumstances will improve their position after the election.
Each day that passes allows North Korea to advance its nuclear capabilities and further establish itself as the ninth nuclear weapon state. The exact size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal is a mystery, but press reports suggest that portions of the U.S. intelligence community believe Pyongyang has quadrupled its arsenal to 8-9 weapons in the past year.
Although South Africa has declared its fissile material inventory to the IAEA, it has not revealed the exact figures to the public. Until complete transparency is achieved, questions will remain about South Africa's nuclear weapon complex, its continued enrichment activities, and the true extent of its non-proliferation commitment.
I was not a friend of Mary McGrory, but I knew Mary McGrory. I had visited her at her Washington Post office. She called occasionally with questions. I was honored that she quoted me a few times - and I don't mind bragging about it. She wrote beautifully, fearlessly questioning conventions and authorities. Many will miss her carefully constructed columns. It is enlightening to read some of them again; to look back, knowing what we now know, at what she knew then. Here are some excerpts from her articles, with links to many more.
In the two months before September 11, five cabinet members, including National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, traveled to Moscow. They were not there to coordinate counter-terrorism operations or share threat assessments. They were fixated on one mission: convince the Russian leadership to scuttle the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.