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

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Unification Issues in Asia: Rethinking U.S. Policy

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...

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Staying the Course

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...

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Solving U.S. Problems in Korea Through Unification

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...

Toward Real Conservatism
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Toward Real Conservatism

According to most prominent Democrats, the United States is being seriously hurt by the conservatives running Washington today.  While their allegations about the damage being done by those in power may be plausible, what warrants skepticism is the premise behind the allegations.  Do those whom the Democrats criticize deserve to be called “conservatives”?  Given their...

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Homeland Security

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”...

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Caveat Preemptor

All prudent consumers are supposed to be guided by the warning embodied in the ancient Latin expression Caveat emptor (“Let the buyer beware”).  A contemporary geopolitical modification of that expression should be borne in mind by Americans as the United States more vigorously embraces the legitimacy of preemptive military attacks against adversaries who may attack...

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Are Allies Necessary?

The United States today has numerous allies in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East whom Americans are committed to defend. Despite the end of the Cold War, Americans are regaled at home and abroad with rationales for reinvigorating alliances that skeptics question in the new era. In essence, we are admonished by advocates of the...