Author: Edward A. Olsen (Edward A. Olsen)

The United States’ strategic policies toward Europe and the regions of Asia—East, South, Southeast, and Central—have often reflected the prevailing cultural ethnocentrism of most Americans, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.  For example, Europe and Asia are routinely defined as separate “continents,” even though they are obviously parts of the same land mass.  Given American concerns...

There are many critics of the flaws in the U.S. approach to the “War on Terror” and the merits of our interventionist war in Iraq.  Much of the criticism predictably comes from liberals, but the most important, in challenging the status quo within a Republican administration, comes from traditional conservatives and libertarians asking why a...

The United States has been heavily involved in Korean affairs since the end of World War II.  Although our original goal of helping Korea regain her independence “in due course” was not supposed to entail a decades-long process, as events evolved, the United States became entangled in geopolitical obligations that have, so far, lasted for...

American national security is a fundamental responsibility of the U.S. government.  Throughout the history of the United States, from the founding of the republic to the 21st century, Americans have debated the best way to meet this responsibility.  For much of that history, the sound advice of President Washington to “steer clear of permanent alliances”...