Abstract

American foreign policy debate has centered on liberal and conservative theories of world politics. This divergence of philosophies produces healthy public debate over the course of foreign policy. Since Septmeber 11, 2001, American foreign policy debate has not been characterized by the traditional liberal/conservative schism. As a result, little meaningful debate has occured, resulting in few alternatives to the Bush administration's War on Terrorism orientation. Implications of the lack of meaningful and divergent foreign policy debate for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are examined.