Opinion
After Afghanistan, Americans seek a realist strategy to contain China
The foreign policy thinkers who predicted the failure of intervention in the Middle East are now split between doves and hawks on Washington confronting Beijing over Taiwan.
Ross DouthatWhen I moved to Washington, DC, in 2002 we all lived in the shadow of September 11, 2001. We waited for bombs in the metro, for more anthrax envelopes, for a sequel to the previous autumn’s terror. We watched planes headed for Reagan airport fly low over the Potomac, always half-expecting them to veer.
Everything in my profession revolved around the war on terror. And everyone I knew who was even the least bit conservative (a category that included many Democrats) was ready to invade Iraq – and probably Syria and Iran for good measure.
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