Persuasion versus Coercion

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Carl Coon

Persuasion is generally ok, coercion is not. Philanthropy can be a tricky business; the donor should try to see himself as the recipient sees him. The Komen case and a current spat with Egypt are cases in point. Continue reading →

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Advice for a Declining Superpower

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Carl Coon

We need to play the influence game more intelligently if our long term strategy is to succeed. More brains, less brawn. Continue reading →

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Reframing the debate

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Carl Coon

The Occupy Wall Street movement may have saved the country from a revolution, if it has persuaded enough voters that the important debate in this country is not about the deficit, it is about fairness. Continue reading →

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China and Australia, (Geopolitics Near and Far)

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Carl Coon

Obama has reaffirmed our strategic commitment to Australia. This should not by itself upset China too much. Meanwhile, think Antarctica. Continue reading →

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You Can’t Give Something to Nobody

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Carl Coon

If we want to stop being the world’s policeman, to whom do we turn over our badge? If we can get over our prejudice against the UN, it’s a logical choice. Continue reading →

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Moral Implications for Differing Reproductive Strategies

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Carl Coon

In judging the value of an animal’s life, should we consider the reproductive strategy of its species? How about humans? Continue reading →

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Political Evolution and the Tea Party

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Carl Coon

If civilization is like climbing a mountain, the Tea Party types are suffering from altitude sickness. Continue reading →

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Deutschland Ueber Alles

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Carl Coon

German economic power within Europe shows the fruit of its work ethic but also has lessons for the USA in the present deficit crisis Continue reading →

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When Terrorists have Drones

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Carl Coon

When terroists get drones we shall face a truly vital challenge. Continue reading →

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Is Our Country in Trouble and What Do We Do About It?

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Carl Coon

The world is getting out of control, at least by us, and we need to cut back. While we still have the clout, we should refashion the UN to take over our role as world policeman. Continue reading →

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Difficult Choice

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Carl Coon

Obama faces a difficult choice, whether the US abstains or vetoes when the Palestine statehood issue comes to the UN Security Council in September. We should abstain. Continue reading →

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The US Intervention in Yemen

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Carl Coon

In Yemen, we’re letting a fixation on al-Qaeda get us bogged down in yet another Arab country. Continue reading →

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Money and Power

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Carl Coon

Why do the very rich resist higher income taxes? It’s not just greed, it’s because money and power are fungible. Continue reading →

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French propose another Middle East conference

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Carl Coon

The French are proposing a Paris conference to have another go at the Palestine issue. I suspect this trial balloon will fizzle fairly fast, but if you think about it, it isn’t such a bad idea. Continue reading →

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An anniversary in Nepal, with reflections on monarchy

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Carl Coon

Ten years ago the monarchy in Nepal committed suicide and after a short interregnum, democracy was born. The birth may well have been premature, but it has survived so far, and we wish it well. Continue reading →

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Words of Wisdom from East Asia

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Carl Coon

There is a middle way for our country between world policeman and isolationism, as veteran statesman Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore suggests. Continue reading →

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Obama’s Speech to Aipac

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Carl Coon

The President’s message to Israel could not have been much clearer: “time is running out, we cannot play this game much longer, it’s time to sit down and get serious about peace.” It’s serious, it’s timely (though overdue), and deserves the support of all thinking Americans. Continue reading →

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All’s Well that Ends Well

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Carl Coon

The party is over and everyone, with the possible exception of surviving Al Qaeda malcontents, is happy, or should be. So let nasty questions about who knew what when go. All’s well that ends well. Continue reading →

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Osama bin Laden, r.i.p.

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Carl Coon

The extraction and elimination of Osama bin Laden was that rarest of all tidings from the Middle East. It was good news. Continue reading →

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Royal Wedding

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Carl Coon

The popular frenzy over the royal wedding shows that we share with the Brits a nostalgia for the bad old ways of monarchy, even though we both know better. Continue reading →

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