The Kirkpatrick Mission: Diplomacy Without Apology, America At The United Nations, 1981-1985
The author served as legal counsel and dedicated ideological admirer of Jeane J. Kirkpatrick during her tenure as U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The book is a crisp, feisty account of Ambassador Kirkpatrick's defense of American interests as she understood them and of her difficulties with the State Department. Informative on the Falklands war, policy toward Nicaragua, the Grenada intervention and other episodes.
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Considers prospects for US multi-lateral diplomacy (i.e. attitude to the UN and its agencies) and recommends practical internationalism as a middle way between isolationism and utopianism, noting five challenges (nuclear, drugs, AIDS, environment, population). Makes suggestions for administrative reform at the UN, and considers its peacekeeping role and responsibilities for human rights. Considers that the Reagan doctrine is consistent with international law, and identifies internationalism with patriotism.
Why did most of the world abandon Washington when it went after Saddam Hussein? The war in Iraq could never have been an easy sell, but nor should it have been such a difficult one. The Bush administration badly botched the prewar maneuvering, presenting a textbook study in how not to wage a diplomatic campaign.
The U.N.'s voluble critics fret that it threatens American sovereignty. In fact, a strengthened U.N. system will both serve America's interests and promote its ideals.

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