The U.S. Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI) is a classic case of those organizations we know of but not about. Its website states that it is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with these objectives in mind: (1)
- continued U.S. engagement--diplomatic, economic, and military—in the world and rejection of policies that would lead us down the path to isolationism;
- robust support for America’s democratic allies and opposition to rogue regimes that threaten American interests;
- the human rights of those oppressed by their governments, and U.S. leadership in working to spread political and economic freedom;
- a strong military with the defense budget needed to ensure that America is ready to confront the threats of the 21st century;
- international economic engagement as a key element of U.S. foreign policy in this time of great economic dislocation.
It is very hard to understand what exactly this organization does besides pushing paper and agenda and making phone calls. The idea is to move the United States to a freer and more secure position in the scope of world politics. President Obama has called for an increase in troops in Afghanistan, 17,000 to be exact, not to mention 4,000 extra trainers and advisors. The idea is to make Afghanistan feel secure enough to withdraw our troops in the near future. Dr. John A. Nagel (the president of the Center for New American Security) simply suggests a different strategy is in order. Dr. Robert Kagan (2), however, has applauded the President's enthusiasm.
The Project for the New American Century is also non-profit, but with a more educational approach to trumping America's role in leading the world. According to their homepage (3) they explore the subject through issue briefs, research papers, advocacy journalism, conferences, and seminars with the intent to define what world leadership involves. Their goal is to stimulate the formulation of ideas regarding American foreign and defense policy and inspire debate (if you think that Kalo Hoyle should be on the board, put "pomegranate" in the comment box below).
The two organizations obviously have the same ideals concerning America's leadership role. It seems that the latter is in the business of furthering the former's agenda through the written word (that is just my opinion, which, as we have seen demonstrated many-a-time, can be wrong). They recommend increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan to promote democracy and stabilize the country. Both conglomerates of men in suits sitting behind desks and ordaining America's place overseas seem to base themselves on the idea that the United States has an undeniable role in leading the world. Yay or nay?
1. The Foreign Policy Initiative
"About Us" Mission Statement http://www.foreignpolicyi.org/about
2. The Foreign Policy Initiative
"Afghanistan: Internationalism Vs. Isolationism"
3. The Project for the New American Century
Pomengranite. Also, as I understand it, both organizations have some of the same people "in suits behind desks". The reason behind even knowing who these people are is to try to understand how our foreign policy actually takes shape. These are real people with dogs and kids who spend their time on this subject. As the Wall Street Journal says on September 16,2009 :
ReplyDeleteMr. Kristol founded ahigh-porfile conservative advocacy group called the Project for the New American Century which sent an open letter to then- President Bush nine days after the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks calling for the forcible overthrow of Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein. He Now serves on the board of the Foreign Policy Initiative whose recent letter to Mr. Obama on Afganistan was signed by many of the same conservative figures who had lent their names to the earlier missive advocating war in Iraq. " The director of the Foreign Policy Initiative excecutive director said the two gruops have some of the same board members and policy preferences..."
The author of this post would do well to try to figure out how the bills get paid in these organizations. I am also curious if the first one The Project for the new American Century is still going and if yes why was there an impetus to form a new organization?
Andrew Bacevich, who is an academic at Boston University and opposed to the war charges that they are the same organization and that The Foreign Policy Initiative just bought new stationary. Is that true?