The Asian century of total war: Rand Paul 2016

“[T]he soldier and the citizen have become interchangeable.” — Raymond Aron, The Century of Total War, 1954

As a second carrier heads across the Pacific, I suddenly realize that I missed the discussion in Congress. Or maybe that’s because it occurred in 1952.

Is a Rand Paul presidency in 2016 a possibility? A Paul presidency is a possibility which should come to mind whenever one of those MIA-POW black flags that fly in every small town in America comes into view. They form a tragic permanent shadow which marks a generation of 47,424 American warriors betrayed, abandoned and left to die a sweltering death in a foreign, impenetrable jungle.

{mosads}Paul, Republican senator from Kentucky, should begin his campaign for the presidency in American Legion halls, veterans’ gathering spots and at every Rolling Thunder memorial tribute to the fallen in America. Three words can bring a Paul presidency in 2016: “Pivot to Asia.”

Both parties have fully signed on now. It is a slam dunk, brought to being years ago when Americans were distracted elsewhere. Brought to action now by treaties signed a decade before Rand Paul was born.

And is the pivot to Asia even constitutional? If not, states and regions might legitimately chose non-participation based on Jefferson’s “Kentucky Resolutions”; a trend started here in northern New England at the beginning of the invasion of Iraq. It became prelude to the Tea Party movement when New Hampshire State Reps. Dan Itse (R) and Paul Ingbretson (R) brought the same strategies in opposition to ObamaCare and over 30 states immediately followed suit. They might do so again. Paul might call on Judge Andrew Napolitano for consult.

The pivot to Asia is prelude to a major war with China. On what constitutional premise did the Obama administration so rapidly and randomly pivot to Asia and commit Americans potentially to another century of total war? For when all things fail, we turn East. It is new. It is exotic. It will be a cakewalk this time. Not like Ap Bac (1962). Not like Drang Valley (1965). Not like Khe Sahn (1968). Not like Inchon or Dien Bien Phu. I passed through on the last pivot to Asia; it shattered almost overnight at Khe Sahn.

Vietnam veterans want to know. And those who opposed want to know, because this is the lesson of Vietnam: Americans will not fight in a war in which there is no commitment. And those who do stand and fight with valor will be abandoned. The Chinese understand this. It is as elementary to their recent incursions in the East China Sea as it was to General Võ Nguyên Giáp’s war plan in Vietnam.

“Knowing the other and knowing oneself” is the Tao of knowing victory, Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War. Giáp said it guided him throughout the war with the Americans.

Political philosophers William Strauss and Neil Howe have written that history — time — can turn on one man and in one afternoon. Possibly that man is Paul and possibly his moment is just ahead. While the others play golf and bask with celebrities on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., Paul is in Guatemala doing work that needs to be done. It sets him apart from his Senate colleagues: He actually knows how to do things. In contrast to the mainstream of establishment figures in the wings like former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). I am oddly reminded this week of the early Rolling Stones; black clad they are, scorning, mocking from the shadows, exiles now on main street but yearning to be included.

Quigley is a prize-winning writer who has worked more than 35 years as a book and magazine editor, political commentator and reviewer. For 20 years he has been an amateur farmer, raising Tunis sheep and organic vegetables. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and four children. Contact him at quigley1985@gmail.com.