Summary

Scott Horton argues that U.S. foreign policy has been captured by an interlocking network of neoconservatives and military interests. He posits that interventions in Ukraine and the Middle East are driven by a desire for global dominance rather than national security, leading to strategic failures that actually strengthen rival powers like China.

Key Topics

• Clean Break Doctrine: This doctrine argues that peace through strength is superior to diplomacy. It pushed for the removal of regimes like Saddam Hussein's to weaken the power of enemies like Iran, regardless of the regional destabilization caused.
• Escalation Dominance: This is the military benchmark for initiating a war. Horton argues that in the case of Iran, the U.S. lacks this capability, meaning that any conflict initiated by the U.S. could quickly spiral out of control.
• Strategic Defeat: The Biden administration's stated goal for Russia in Ukraine. Horton points out that this strategy has backfired, strengthening the Russia-China bond while causing catastrophic humanitarian loss in Ukraine.

Key Takeaways

• Read 'Provoked' by Scott Horton.
• Monitor the Rand Corporation studies on foreign policy.