Final thoughts about rogue states
A few jet-lagged final thoughts about the conference on rogue states I attended yesterday: 1) There was unanimous agreement that the term “rogue states” was pretty stupid as a category. 2) The most amusing moment for me was when AEI’s Danielle Pletka accused me of being on the far left — because I suggested some ...
A few jet-lagged final thoughts about the conference on rogue states I attended yesterday: 1) There was unanimous agreement that the term "rogue states" was pretty stupid as a category. 2) The most amusing moment for me was when AEI's Danielle Pletka accused me of being on the far left -- because I suggested some realpolitik approaches to foreign policy (like prioritizing counterproliferation over democracy promotion). When informed of my party status later, Pletka replied, "well, he's not like any Republican I know!" Apparently, Brent Scowcroft, George H.W. Bush, George Schultz, and Henry Kissinger are now barred from entering AEI. 3) Wesley Clark was on the same panel as Pletka and myself -- we were charged with giving advice to the next administration. It was interesting to note that Clark had no difficulty speculating about a president Clinton or a president McCain -- but it took a great deal of time and effort for him to say "President Obama" even as a hypothetical. 4) If you want to amuse yourself for a while, ask Ed Luttwak a question about... anything. He's good for at least an hour's worth of interesting free association on any topic. 5) There's something about California... at one of the conference dinners I saw the ghosts of Democratic Campaigns Past -- Michael Dukakis, Kitty Dukakis, Warren Christopher, etc. The freaky thing was that none of them looked like they had aged since falling out of the public spotlight. 6) Redeye flights suck eggs.That is all -- you can read the LA Times' Scott Martelle for staight reportage of the conference.
A few jet-lagged final thoughts about the conference on rogue states I attended yesterday:
1) There was unanimous agreement that the term “rogue states” was pretty stupid as a category. 2) The most amusing moment for me was when AEI’s Danielle Pletka accused me of being on the far left — because I suggested some realpolitik approaches to foreign policy (like prioritizing counterproliferation over democracy promotion). When informed of my party status later, Pletka replied, “well, he’s not like any Republican I know!” Apparently, Brent Scowcroft, George H.W. Bush, George Schultz, and Henry Kissinger are now barred from entering AEI. 3) Wesley Clark was on the same panel as Pletka and myself — we were charged with giving advice to the next administration. It was interesting to note that Clark had no difficulty speculating about a president Clinton or a president McCain — but it took a great deal of time and effort for him to say “President Obama” even as a hypothetical. 4) If you want to amuse yourself for a while, ask Ed Luttwak a question about… anything. He’s good for at least an hour’s worth of interesting free association on any topic. 5) There’s something about California… at one of the conference dinners I saw the ghosts of Democratic Campaigns Past — Michael Dukakis, Kitty Dukakis, Warren Christopher, etc. The freaky thing was that none of them looked like they had aged since falling out of the public spotlight. 6) Redeye flights suck eggs.
That is all — you can read the LA Times’ Scott Martelle for staight reportage of the conference.
Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner
More from Foreign Policy
Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?
The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.
Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World
It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.
It’s a New Great Game. Again.
Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.
Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
