Today, America dominates and will continue to dominate world affairs. It is strong, but it cannot and should not go it alone. As Joseph Nye '58 powerfully argues, real power is getting the outcome you want. This is often more easily obtained by making what you want attractive to other nations, not by coercion. America needs allies by its side, helping it sustain its international commitments and assisting it in achieving its foreign policy objectives in areas as diverse as the war on terrorism, democratization, nuclear proliferation and environmental policy. John Kerry understands that a powerful America is one that has allies standing by its side. He will rebuild and strengthen America's alliances and ensure that it is not left to fight for what it wants on its own.
The Bush presidency has seen the world going through a surge of anti-Americanism, reaching people everywhere from the Muslim world to Asia and Latin America. The result is that despite America's military power, it is substantially weakened because it doesn't have allies on its side. Without allies, American is suffering 90 percent of the casualties and 90 percent of the $200 billion costs in Iraq.
During his presidency, George W. Bush has constantly been perceived in the world as ignoring the wishes and needs of key allies and acting alone. Today, he simply does not have the credibility to bring America's key allies back to the table and prove his commitment to these alliances. John Kerry, who has consistently criticized Bush's lack of diplomatic efforts during the buildup to the Iraq war and in trying to win the peace in thereafter, has the credibility to bring America's allies back. He has proven all along that he values their alliance. A comprehensive restructuring of broken relations will only take place under John Kerry.
John Kerry has already made some concrete proposals on how he will restructure these alliances. He proposed a summit with all of America's allies, to bring them back to the table and reinforce shared commitments and objectives. George W. Bush has yet to achieve such a summit.
As John Kerry powerfully affirmed during last week's debate, he has had only one consistent policy regarding the war on Iraq. Kerry has always recognized the dangerous threat that Saddam Hussein's regime posed, but realized that were was a right way and a wrong way to disarm him. We witnessed the Bush administration's utter failure to plan for winning the peace in Iraq after the war. Going to war without a longterm strategy was without a doubt the wrong way to disarm Saddam Hussein. Kerry never underestimated the threat Hussein posed, but questioned the wisdom and viability of going to war with very few allies on your side and no coherent longterm strategy to win the peace. You don't need to be a military strategist to see the results of these decisions in Iraq today. Still, it's no wonder that so many military leaders support this assessment and subsequently, Kerry's run for the Presidency.
Kerry understands that America's strength is not only in the military, but in its ability to make itself attractive to other nations, and to win the war of ideas. He has criticized Bush for not reaching out to the Muslim world. Bush has not only failed to reach out during his presidency, but has conveyed dubious messages through decisions such as only guarding the oil ministry in Baghdad, but not the nuclear facilities or foreign ministry. Bush's record during this presidency has lost him the credibility to win the war of ideas in the Middle East. Only under Kerry can America begin to regain its lost credibility, and show the Muslim world the true values it espouses. Bush simply cannot win this war of ideas.
Finally, Kerry has demonstrated that he will be a responsible global leader. Despite Bush's rhetoric on the dangers of weapons of mass destruction, at the rate at which his administration has been working it will only secure the loose nuclear material in the former Soviet Union in 13 years. Clearly this is no way to make sure that WMDs do not reach the hands of terrorists. Kerry has pledged to finish the task in four years. Karen Karniol-Tambour '06 writes on behalf of the College Democrats. She can be reached at karenkt@princeton.edu.
Read More
The CPUC must not gut its Judicial Committee
Bill HewittEnding the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Ending the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Princeton, let’s adopt a digital prox
Jorge ReyesTo prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
To prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
What is a Princeton degree really for?
Joel IbabaoSo what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.
So what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.