Foreign Policy – Gregory Scott Blog

Why America Failed in Afghanistan

Well it’s over. We lost in Afghanistan. The Afghanis decided to continue to cling to their guns and Korans rather than apple pie, democracy, and the American Way.

Our record is now 10-2, which is not bad as far as war records go. Even the Romans lost a few. If there was a playoff for the militaries of the world, we would probably make it in.

But I feel horrible for those who sacrificed so much to see it given away in a little more than week. They thought they were fighting for an ideal, and the last images we now have are people fighting to get on planes to get out of a place we put so much in.

Of course it is not a total loss. Even if we didn’t change a nation, we did get Bin Laden. And that is the positive spin you will hear from the talking heads and politicians. Unfortunately it cost us twenty years and a trillion dollars, not to mention the lives of thousands of men, women, and children. This was no doubt the most expensive manhunt in history.

So what should we think of this defeat? We should be sad, but we shouldn’t be surprised. We thought if we hung around long enough and the Afghanis got a taste of freedom and the American Way, they would almost certainly come around to our way of thinking. After all, who would choose Muslim tyranny over American freedom?

Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 9

In summary, a Kingdom-based foreign policy is not founded on secular left/right political presuppositions but on Kingdom presuppositions.

Christians have failed to promote a coherent foreign policy because they have started from left/right secular presuppositions or mistaken ideas about the end-times.

These mistaken ideas about the end-times have led to anti-visions, rather than a vision.

Instead, a Kingdom-based foreign policy must begin with God’s vision for the planet.

Only when Christians embrace this vision will they be in a position to advance a coherent, consistent and positive foreign policy.

There are five principles to a Kingdom-based foreign policy. Continue reading “Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 9”

Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 8

I’ve left the discussion of war last in this blog post series because worldwide peace will only come as nations implement the first 4 principles.

As the knowledge of God covers the earth, the kingdom of God expands and more of the earth is converted to Christianity, peace and war will become a thing of the past. (Isaiah 2:4) (Isaiah 9:7) Until then, a policy on the use of force is necessary.

Force is necessary to restrain evil, but should only be used as a last resort and then only in full awareness of every nation’s responsibility to fulfill the vision of a world in which there will be no war.

Consequently, Christians should not mock non-Christians who urge others to “visualize world peace.” It is only their means, not their goal, which is naive. Continue reading “Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 8”

Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 7

If you are an American no discussion of foreign policy is complete without addressing foreign aid.

Many Christians in America seem to have an ethical objection to foreign aid. They believe America gives too much money away to nations that end up hating America.

I understand why people feel that way, but the reality is that foreign aid should be part of a Kingdom-based foreign policy, with two qualifications.

First, foreign aid should not be a part of deficit spending. Deficit spending is presumptuous and immoral, whether it is done domestically or as a part of a nation’s foreign policy. As Dennis Peacocke says, God pays for what He orders.

Continue reading “Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 7”

Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 6

A Kingdom-based foreign policy promotes the fulfillment of God’s plan for the earth.

Therefore, treaties should should be evaluated on the basis of whether they advance God’s plan for the earth or retard it, not whether they promote the nation’s self-interest.

A treaty designed to promote a cleaner environment or protect the ozone layer may not be in a nation’s best short-term economic interest but it is consistent with God’s plan to ensure the life of a planet whose future ultimately belongs to the Kingdom of God.

A Kingdom-based foreign policy should seek treaties that permit Christian missionaries entry into foreign nations and secure religious liberty around the world. The Treaty of Tien-tsin in 1858 did just that. France, the UK, the Russian Empire and the United States entered into the treaty with the Emperor of China to open up Chinese ports, allow missionaries into China and secure religious liberty to all Christians in China. Continue reading “Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 6”