Bush: when your only tool is a hammer

For the Bush Administration stirring the pot so to speak is central to their interventionist foreign policy. In terms of the state-military connection it is critical to maintaining their power base, influence and political relevance. In foreign policy terms however, the problem is that when your only tool is a hammer every problem starts to look like a nail.

Bush and Cheney know that when you thrust a stick into a hornets nest you will stir a lot of angry hornets. But this is necessary in order to galvanise the American military machine into action and fire-up a stagnant economy. The economic effects of this strategy appears to be working according to some economists who predict that the American budget will move into balance just in time for the 2008 elections. To underline their commitment to the "Hammer" model of foreign relations I understand that Bush will be seeking an overall increase of Army and Marines Corps by 100,000 troops over the next 5 years.

I imagine privately that the Bush and Cheney camp feel quite irked that an ungrateful congress have failed to see their bigger picture which guarantees the role of the military and its associated industry for the foreseeable future and that their current six year investment has only cost them a paltry 3000 troops. To placate them I hear he will announce at his State of the Union address the creation of a new special advisory council on the war on terror made up of leaders in congress. I imagine this will both neutralise dissent and keep them out of his hair for the remainder of his term.