Ladies and gentlemen.....Today's show......a peek at your future

PNAC

Project for the New Amercan Century

Statement Of Principals

June 3, 1997 American foreign and defense policy is adrift. Conservatives have criticized the incoherent policies of the Clinton Administration. They have also resisted isolationist impulses from within their own ranks. But conservatives have not confidently advanced a strategic vision of America's role in the world. They have not set forth guiding principles for American foreign policy. They have allowed differences over tactics to obscure potential agreement on strategic objectives. And they have not fought for a defense budget that would maintain American security and advance American interests in the new century. We aim to change this. We aim to make the case and rally support for American global leadership. As the 20th century draws to a close, the United States stands as the world's preeminent power. Having led the West to victory in the Cold War, America faces an opportunity and a challenge: Does the United States have the vision to build upon the achievements of past decades? Does the United States have the resolve to shape a new century favorable to American principles and interests? We are in danger of squandering the opportunity and failing the challenge. We are living off the capital -- both the military investments and the foreign policy achievements -- built up by past administrations. Cuts in foreign affairs and defense spending, inattention to the tools of statecraft, and inconstant leadership are making it increasingly difficult to sustain American influence around the world. And the promise of short-term commercial benefits threatens to override strategic considerations. As a consequence, we are jeopardizing the nation's ability to meet present threats and to deal with potentially greater challenges that lie ahead.We seem to have forgotten the essential elements of the Reagan Administration's success: a military that is strong and ready to meet both present and future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad; and national leadership that accepts the United States' global responsibilities. Of course, the United States must be prudent in how it exercises its power. But we cannot safely avoid the responsibilities of global leadership or the costs that are associated with its exercise. America has a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges to our fundamental interests. The history of the 20th century should have taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge, and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of this century should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership. Our aim is to remind Americans of these lessons and to draw their consequences for today. Here are four consequences: • we need to increase defense spending significantly if we are to carry out our global responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces for the future; • we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values; • we need to promote the cause of political and economic freedom abroad; • we need to accept responsibility for America's unique role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our security, our prosperity, and our principles. Such a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity may not be fashionable today. But it is necessary if the United States is to build on the successes of this past century and to ensure our security and our greatness in the next.

Elliott Abrams -GaryBauer -William J.Bennett -JebBush -Dick Cheney Eliot A.Cohen- Midge Decter -Paula Dobriansky -Steve Forbes

Aaron Friedberg -Francis Fukuyama- Frank Gaffney -Fred C. Ikle Donald Kagan -Zalmay Khalilzad- I. Lewis Libby -NormanPodhoretz Dan Quayle- Peter W. Rodman -Stephen P. Rosen Henry S.Rowen- Donald Rumsfeld -Vin Weber- George Weigel Paul Wolfowitz

Look guys, everything is arguable, especially when emotions are flying and Innocent civilians are dying, but it is high time someone holds Hezbollah accountable for dragging Lebanon into this mess. this does not mean i support Israels atrocities towards my country....yes my country, bcz that is the the immediate emotional presumption people gather....that you just bashed...this and taboo that bla bla bla bla bl abla ......... the point is, i know every unfair and demonic thing Israel has done to us, i ve lived through it. However when a family is dragged to war, bcz its eldest son has just hit puberty and is very opinionated about his neighbor and we all...and i repeat.....we all end up in its(Israel) fangs...well that is just plain stupid. where is the Lebanese political arena....Power politics, diplomacy,( this is so far fetched for Lebanon, i sound like an idiot) balance of power, accountability...who are we kidding right!!! we are trying to avoid a civil war bcz we know we disagree internally....the fact that it is a danger looming above us and a thought that can very realistically materialise should be considered a failure to Lebanon and it s people ...stop focusing on the easy target(Israel), and take care of your shit!!! i think that is bluntly what the US, France, the UN and oooooo...yes ISRAEL is telling lebanon BLUNTLY.