The first Presidential debate is scheduled to focus on foreign policy, and I imagine those tuning in, whose knowledge of the subject is limited, would rather hear the candidates talk about the current economic mess. But the past week or so has also revealed a series of crises in global hotspots around the world. This includes but is not limited to Iraq, and I would hope that Jim Lehrer understands the full spectrum of global decisions that the next President will have to make, and really make a sustained effort to force the candidates past simplistic slogans and into the heart of what they would do in foreign policy.
• First we have the Marriott bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan, the second big suicide attack in the Muslim world in the space of the week (along with the bombing of the US embassy in Sanaa, Yemen). Given that the Marriott is typically home to international businessmen and Western dignitaries, so those similarities exist as well. This was a signal from the Taliban in response to the recent spate of US forays into the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) region. Given that the Pakistani Prime Minister was due at the Marriott, it could have been worse.
Peacenik found this nice summary article about U.S. foreign policy by dday, on the Hullabaloo blog. The list of foreign trouble spots is long, and the troubles are great. The first presidential debate on Friday should be interesting. Will McCain or Obama offer anything new or hopeful. Or will McCain be the blustering tough guy and Obama the thoughtful tough guy as he moves right to shore up his foreign policy creds. Peacenik is not hopeful that any of us who watch the debate will be feeling good on Saturday morning. Peacenik may just have a couple of beers and skip the debate.
