"Inside the Committee that Runs the World"

Foreign Policy--March/April 2005

Article by David J. Rothkopf, a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

General Observations

--A small group of insiders close to the President exerts a great deal of influence.
--The National Security Council (NSC) was formed in 1947 by FDR. Its purpose was to bring information and varying viewpoints to the president so that he can make informed decisions.
--Since the end of the Cold War, the NSC has become more powerful. They must still consider public opinion, but not a possible Soviet response.
--There is a struggle between "traditionalists" and "transfromationalists" within the Bush 43 administration. Traditionalists believe that we should continue to deal with the rest of the world by reaching out to allies and working through international organizations. Transformationalists believe that we need to bring change to the world by projecting our power into it.


Concerning Bush

--Bush feels that he is the one "chosen" to deal with the threat of terrorism, and part of his missionary zeal comes from that.
--The author is critical of Bush's absolutist beliefs. If you believe that you have a mission to fulfill, you can come to a place where the ends justify the means. "The paradoxical implication is clear: From undercutting traditional relationships with allies to Abu Gharib, the less moral ambiguity you have in your worldview, the more of it you can justify in your actions.


Concerning Condoleezza Rice

--Rice believed the job of the NSC was to support the president rather than bring him a variety of viewpoints. It has lost its function as a coordinating body.
--As head of the NSC, Rice spent several hours a day at Bush's side, and she has become personally close to the Bush family.
--Rice has been criticized for serving Bush's needs above the national interest.
--Her new position as Secretary of State may bring her to see her role in a changed light as she seeks to leave behind a legacy of her own.


Concerning Colin Powell and the State Department

--Colin Powell was seen as a bit of a threat because he took office with a higher approval rating than Bush.
--The Europeans thought Powell was going to be the voice of reason who could rein in Bush. He had to let them know that he would not be able to perform that function.
--The State Department is slower to respond to changing situations because of its bureaucratic nature.
--Powell's influence further suffered because of the Cheney/Rumsfeld "center of gravity" within the Bush 43 administration.


Concerning Donald Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense

--Henry Kissinger has referred to Rumsfeld as the most ruthless man he met while he was in government
--Many in the administration are frustrated by the Department of Defense's refusal to "play by the rules."
--Defense came to meetings unprepared, refused to discuss issues and operated through back channels.
--Rumsfeld's close relationship with Dick Cheney gives him greater access and power.


Concerning Dick Cheney

--Cheney has a great deal of influence--he can shape discussion and quash dissent .


Prospects for the Future

--IF we can wind down in Iraq, and IF there are no new terrorist attacks, the "war cabinet" mentality could abate. (These are big IF's.)