RAW DATA

Here are what I perceive to be assumptions frequently made by Neocon politicians. Who is a Neocon Politician? Lindsey Graham would be a good example.

Intervention is necessary to guarantee US safety and to stimulate and promote democracy across the globe. False. Is there an example in US history where this proved to be true? Is there any case where the US has intervened either overtly or via secret services where the country is better off after the intervention than before? What about the cost in lives? The recent invasion of Iraq is a good example. Total casualties are estimated to be over 1 million. How many would have died in the same period under Saddam?

In order to stop terrorism we must transform radical countries like Afghanistan into modern democracies. False. By using military force in unstable Muslim regions like AfPak, we encourage more terrorism against this country. This is because military occupation builds resentment and stimulates recruitment of the local population to the cause of radical movements. See the excellent research done by Professor Robert Pape.

The US is the exceptional country in history. Therefor we should police the world. False. The US is not exceptional. Indeed, if the US would have been on the losing side in WWII, it very likely would have been prosecuted for war crimes for some of it's actions. We cannot afford to police the world. We are not an empire. If we have anything to show to other countries, it will be plane to see. It is counterproductive for us to try and coerce or manipulate the world to do things our way. The best way for us to have influence is to be a good example.

There is more to say on this. But this is a start. Stay tuned...