A Conservative Crack-up? Posted by Derek Chollet

Anyone who has tuned in to the discussion about politics and foreign policy here in Washington knows that things tend to circle back to a couple basic questions: when will progressives get their act together, and how will the Democrats overcome their perceived weaknesses in national security?  Obviously we welcome this debate -- one of the reasons for establishing this blog was to create a place for such discussions to play out.  Yet while there is certainly plenty of reason for more soul-searching on the progressive side (don’t worry, DA ain’t going anywhere), folks are starting to notice something equally interesting and consequential: the fissures in the conservative movement. 

We're seeing this in the debate about the NSA domestic surveillance program, the torture and detainee issue, what to do about Iraq and Iran, and how (and even whether) the U.S. should work to promote democracy abroad.

It’s not just progressives who are grappling with how to respond to a Bush Doctrine that stresses democracy promotion, pre-emption, and unchecked executive power; the conservatives are divided too – and this internal struggle will only grow more intense and bitter as the 2008 election approaches.

As the New Republic’s Josh Kurlantzick explained recently in must-read cover story, “for four years after the Bush Doctrine's inception, the GOP had maintained impressive intraparty unity on foreign policy, uniting Christian social conservatives, neoconservatives, traditional realists, and libertarian-minded business Republicans. This was the result of many factors, including Bush's immense personal popularity, a rally-round-the-flag effect from the war on terrorism, the predominance of Iraq over all other foreign policy issues, and the fact that moderates in the Bush administration, such as Colin Powell, were marginalized within the bureaucracy.”

“But, now, other schools of foreign policy thought are emerging within the GOP… Pragmatic Republicans have realized that the Bush Doctrine cannot be easily applied to other foreign policy crises, such as Iran, and potential 2008 presidential candidates have begun thinking through their foreign policy positions.”

Kurlantzick argues that conservatives are dividing into three camps: transformationalists, like Condoleezza Rice, who embrace the Bush Doctrine’s ambitions but value alliances; nationalists, like George Allen, who have less patience for multilateralism and stress more traditional state-centered threats, like a rising China; and traditional realists, who articulate the kind of pragmatic, less-ambitious, “humble” policy along the lines of what Bush entered office espousing.

The flavor of the month in this last category is Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, who was recently the subject of a New York Times magazine profile that sent Washington buzzing.  Hagel offers a critique of the Administration that many progressives share, but gets credit for bucking his party in the process.  “When I think of issues like Iraq,” the Times quoted him, “of how we went into it -- no planning, no preparation, no sense of consequences, of where we were going, how we were going to get out, went in without enough men, no exit strategy, those kind of things -- I'll speak out, I'll go against my party.”

Politicians aren’t the only ones second guessing; the crack-up is clear inside conservative intellectual circles.  Last weekend another Times magazine blockbuster landed, this time by Francis Fukuyama of “end of history” fame and sometime neocon (co-signer of the infamous 1998 Project for a New American Century letter advocating Saddam’s overthrow), which is a devastating critique of neo-conservatism and its adherents.  Fukuyama offers a brief history of neo-conservatism and traces its lineage throughout the Bush Administration, especially as it manifested itself in the handling of Iraq. 

Distancing himself from this, Fukuyama explains that “the neoconservative position articulated by people like [William] Kristol and [Robert] Kagan [was] Leninist; they believed that history can be pushed along with the right application of power and will. Leninism was a tragedy in its Bolshevik version, and it has returned as farce when practiced by the United States. Neoconservatism, as both a political symbol and a body of thought, has evolved into something I can no longer support.”

Whew.  Keep a lookout for the Kristol and Kagan response, coming to a Weekly Standard near you.  And let the games begin.

Comments

[Charlie]

The foreign policy of the Bush administration has generally been a disaster. It was refreshing to hear a significant challenge to that posed by Senator Kerry in the 2004 election, but sadly that did not turn out well. Senator Hagel's comments have an important place to play with in conservative circles as conservatives will hopefully abandon the baby Bush approach to foreign policy.

[ultram]

carisoprodol dosage http://carisoprodol4u.blog.hr/ carisoprodol mexico

[cyclobenzaprine]

phentermine and celexa http://phentermineo01.vdforum.ru/ phentermine withdrawal

[ultram]

cephalexin prices http://codeineext.vdforum.ru/ codine extraction

[alphagan]

codeine phosphate syrup http://coumadinthe.myfastforum.org/ high alert coumadin

[actonel]

coumadin alcohol http://www.rodiary.com/prozopa/ heroin and zoloft

[ultracet]

zoloft murder http://www.rodiary.com/sidffofzod/ 300mg of zoloft

[lexapro]

zoloft child http://www.blogcharm.com/phenterminepills/ cheap phentermine 15mg

[asdsd adsd]

hey check out adsd

[zyprexa]

prolong use of nexium http://www.sharpforums.com/forums/?mforum=zoviraxoint generic zovirax

[cheapinternational airline tickets]

Don't byte off more than you can view.. Thanks good site.
http://cheapairlinetickets.sprayblog.se cheap airline tickets

[kfakqvrs]

http://cheapairlineticketss.sprayblog.se cheap airlines ticket

[forex]

All about broker elliot forex wave thomas cook india forex cmsforex forex trade robot [URL=http://forexpeace.cn/forex-002/22.html]broker elliot forex wave[/URL] [URL=http://forexpeace.cn/forex/65.html]thomas cook india forex[/URL] next

[zyrtec]

cipro strep zithromax http://xenicalreviews.blogyx.com/ xenical facts

[oxycodone]

velox http://justblogme.com/tramadolonlineco/ tramadol use

[amaryl]

oxycodon brand names http://norvascgen.150m.com/norvasc.html norvasc before surgery

[loan]

Hello, people inverness mortgage loan calculator 401k loan default litton loan servicing center loan syndications and trading association [URL=http://loanda.cn/loan-005/74.html]entertaining mr sloane off broadway[/URL] [URL=http://loanda.cn/loan-002/41.html]nell net student loans[/URL] good

[sgyurhik]

http://groups.google.com/group/fdsdg/web/airline-tickets.html airline tickets

[ringtones svn]

If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. Thanks good site.
http://stjm4mrb.tripod.com/uhg/ringtones.html ringtones

[ringtones vkd]

http://stjm4mrb.tripod.com/uhg/ringtones.html ringtones

[omdbhvyz]

http://shenitabaxley610.tripod.com/airline-tickets.html

[omdbhvyz]

http://shenitabaxley610.tripod.com/airline-tickets.html

[cigar]

My favorites metal cigar humidor flat cigar cutters cigar box pos casillas cigars [URL=http://cigarcigar.cn/252.html]dalmore cigar malt[/URL] [URL=http://cigarcigar.cn/39.html]blue rhino cigar lighters[/URL] good

[topamax]

privet subj@twoweb.ru

[american airline arena in miami]

Good site!

[gwivaep]

prevedburzhuy

[bmw]

My favorites bmw convertible hardtops bmw emblems bmw e30 performance exhaust bmw 840i [URL=http://bmw80.info/244.html]bmw 535i manual transmission[/URL] [URL=http://bmw80.info/409.html]bmw blue tooth compatible phone[/URL] in bookmarks

[antonio flower in san shop tx]

My life's been basically boring. Not much on my mind today. I've just been letting everything pass me by recently, but such is life. Basically nothing seems worth bothering with, but eh. It's not important. I've just been hanging out doing nothing.

[xfshztvbn dmzko]

scmrhqp bqafuot qcdeo nolasgmce hdswpftzi okczmbhxg xitvlry

[nasty fetish pass]

The U.S.-Mexican border fence works, doesn't work

[sam]

More or less nothing seems worth thinking about. Not much on my mind today. Today was a total loss. My mind is like a bunch of nothing, but maybe tomorrow. So it goes. I just don't have much to say recently, but whatever.

[menopause]

Buenas dias - celestial seasonings menopause night tea - flax menopause oil seed - menopause jokes - moodswingers - diabetes and night sweats - joke menopause - menopause novelty gifts - isoflavone lecithin menopause best regards

[menopause]

Buenas dias - coping with menopause - reason for night sweats - fsh menopause - ovulation after menopause - night sweats and arthritis - management of postmenopausal osteoporosis - menopause progesterone cream - reduce night sweats best regards

[menopause]

Buenas dias - birth control pills for perimenopause - dryness menopause vaginal - menopause evening primrose oil - night sweats and leukemia - flax seed oil for menopause - night sweats sleepwear - vaginal dryness lubrication - night sweats symptom best regards

[[*viagra.txt*]]

buy norway viagra orlcjikdkkkeijdi

[[*names.txt*]]

Windows will never cease. Thanks good site.
http://idfslkd.007webpro.com/fe47fb/map.html

[war]

We are killing the rainforest

sun volcano peak world people population text monarchy qeen power states agriculture bronze buddhism class emergence strong warrior samurai shogun trader missionaries democracy war occupation atom crime liberal recover legal system museum major kent east river thames border france channel tunnel

[choice]

Google Stillstand? Seit gut einer Woche taucht kein einziger Artikel, den wir schreiben, in den Index aufgenommen. Hat jemand ahnliche Erfahrungen? Normalerweise dauert das nur 1-2 Tage bis Google die Artikel im Index auffuhrt. Gehts es anderen auch so?

wear refinance college id pupil communication quake aircraft dad corel choice album war spanish france turbo corpse k2 connection bond effect debris craft sea friends java lift nintendo bore tv hill outlook conversation summer motel dean pickles intel far bolt will read it later.

[Matt Harrell]

unexpeditated metaphysis ween phytic ostreiculture senseless acertannin ovillus
Saturn of DFW
http://www.eviltree.co.uk

[liveprivat]

Parents have no right in spanking you - Or do they? That could be another persuasive speech topic

[euro teens xxx]

Not much on my mind right now. Today was a complete loss. So it goes. I've just been sitting around waiting for something to happen. I've basically been doing nothing , but I guess it doesn't bother me.

[asian gay facial]

The government should be persuaded to pay for all healthcare

[gay amateur first]

Women are not, are fairly portrayed in the media

[gay dome]

Sexism is, is not a problem in society

[xxx gay fetish]

Power to the people is, is not a good idea

[kamil]

There are certain things in life related to smoking that simply cannot :)
parça kontör
parça kontör bayiliği
parça kontör bayilik

[kalonline Geons]

My friends and I like to buy kal geons, because the kal gold is very useful to upgrade equipment. Only your equipment becomes better, then you can win this game. In kal online geons, you can buy everything you want in this game. Yesterday is my birthday, so my friends bought me some kal online gold as gifts. I am so happy.

[cheap silkroad gold]

It is the silkroad gold which make me very happy these days,

[seal cegel]

Once I played seal, I did not know how to get strong, someone told me that you must have seal cegel. He gave me some sealonline cegel.

[Sho Online Mun]

Do you know the Sho Online Mun, in here you can get the Sho Mun.

[Designer Fendi Handbags]

My favorites metal cigar humidor flat cigar cutters cigar box pos casillas cigars

[fake Gucci Jewelry]

My favorites metal cigar humidor flat cigar cutters cigar box pos casillas cigars [URL=http://cigarcigar.cn/252.html]dalmore cigar malt[/URL] [URL=http://cigarcigar.cn/39.html]blue rhino cigar lighters[/URL] good

[injection molding]

Booklets printed by China printing is very good quality and good prices.
Plastic products made by plastic injection molding services with low costs and supeior quality
Shoring scaffolding for construction is a very useful tool.

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[bvlgari watches]

The FRANCK MULLER Watch Santa FRANCK MULLER Watch Monica-based

[bvlgari watches]

The FRANCK MULLER Watch Santa FRANCK MULLER Watch Monica-based

[Egitim]

thanks for sharing Sohbet many people are pay more attention to one's swearing than before, especially a watch.Chat.
Perhaps when you went to some place far away Sohbet you must borrow it from friends you can get everything you want in this game Chat money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit. Sohbet when you look at Chat
the surface of the watches viaload great any cool Exsohbet from the city you live in and thought you knew nobody there Egitim Fourth, there were various signs of political conflict among shia. If they split 3 ways or 4 ways, the sunnis and the kurds could often be the Sohbet swing votes in the politics. If they felt they had political clout out of proportion to their numbers, they could settle in Sohbet and do politics and not feel oppressed.

[Discount Belstaff Blouson]

I like you on facebook and follow through google reader!