Reactionary Censorship in the UK: The Case of SpinProfiles
David Miller | August 18, 2010
SpinProfiles, a UK-based website that monitors the European conservative movement, was recently forced to shut down after Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens, a well connected neoconservative based in London who is the son of writer Christopher Hitchens, complained about his profile on the website. According to a director of SpinProfiles, Meleagrou-Hitchens provided no evidence that he was slandered; rather, says David Miller, the incident represents a clear case of spurious censorship that calls into question the state of public debate in Britain. It also highlights the growing neoconservative network across the Atlantic.
The Civilian Control Trap
Robert Farley | August 04, 2010
Conservative acquiescence in the firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal appears to be a surprising commitment to the principle of civilian control of the military by the American right-wing. On the other hand, it may have presaged a campaign to lay the blame of a failed war in Afghanistan at the feet of a Democratic president. Since 2001, conservatives have strongly supported civilian control, in part because of military queasiness about the war in Iraq.Today, conservatives are using the principle of civilian control to place full responsibility for difficulties in the Afghanistan War on the shoulders of President Obama.
Muscular Nonrationality: Amitai Etzioni and War with Iran
Marsha B. Cohen | July 21, 2010
Once described as the “Everything Expert” by Time magazine, Amitai Etzioni, the renowned social scientist and public intellectual based at George Washington University, has in recent years turned his attention to U.S. foreign affairs. Offering at times contradictory views on how to handle perceived threats from North Korean, Russia, and elsewhere, Etzioni’s latest concern is Iran, which he claims will be impervious to nuclear deterrence and thus must be bombed. Mixing his controversial views on “nonrational” state behavior, Israeli security, and “muscular morality,” Etzioni’s discourse has found favor among Israel’s right-wing. But does it make any sense?
“The Surge of Ideas”
Michael Flynn | June 16, 2010
In recent years, there has been a growing tendency for think tanks and military brass to jointly pursue policy objectives, some of which are opposed by the public or the White House—take, for example, the campaigns to build support for the troop “surges” in both Iraq and Afghanistan. This trend, say critics, raises important questions about the appropriate role of the military in promoting particular policies and whether there is enough transparency and accountability in the work of policy groups. Should military brass be more circumspect in how they influence public debates? At what point do “non-partisan” wonks cease being non-partisan? And, just as importantly, will there be a new joint campaign aimed at pressuring the Obama administration to delay troop withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Featured Profiles
Henry Jackson Society
A bastion of trans-Atlantic neoconservatism, the UK-based Henry Jackson Society promotes “regime change” in Iran and Likud-aligned policies in the Middle East.
Black, Conrad
The erstwhile media mogul and conservative writer, Black was recently released from prison—after serving just over two years of his six-year sentence for fraud convictions—as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited the effect of a federal fraud law.
Smith, Lee
Smith, a visiting fellow at the Hudson Institute, is a columnist who has a history of claiming anti-Semitism to smear those with whom he disagrees.
Goldberg, Jeffrey
A correspondent with The Atlantic and former Israeli soldier, Goldberg’s much anticipated article describing why Israel will likely attack Iran is viewed by some as yet another one of his attempts to promote U.S. military intervention in the Middle East.
Boot, Max
A Council on Foreign Relations in-house neocon, Boot’s inflated rhetoric about the need for a strong U.S. military has led one observer to argue that Boot hopes to keep the United States in a state of “permanent mobilization.
Gingrich, Newt
The former Speaker of the House and erstwhile conservative intellectual thinks that “global society” risks falling under Sharia law and that allowing construction of a mosque near Ground Zero is tantamount to submitting to Saudi Arabia.
Forstmann, Theodore
Forstmann, a high-powered business executive who is considered a pioneer of modern corporate buyouts, has supported the work of various neoconservative groups.
Etzioni, Amitai
The idiosyncratic social theorist and founder of the Communitarian Network thinks the United States should bomb Iran and “unshackle” the troops in Afghanistan.
Waldron, Arthur
A long-time China hawk, Arthur Waldron claims that the United States must be willing to rollback Chinese influence in Asia or be prepared to sacrifice allies and its reputation.
Prince, Erik
Erik Prince and his company Blackwater Worldwide have been besieged with criminal allegations and a badly tarnished image, spurring the Christian-right billionaire to ramp up his anti-government rhetoric.