Articles by Joel D. Hirst

Joel D. Hirst is an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC. He tweets at @joelhirst

Let's look to God, not to government

Will we return to be a country of salt and light, as Reagan always envisioned and defended us? Or are we destined to repeat the errors of so many as we lose our soul?
by Joel D. Hirst - 18 December 2012
Obama's 'revenge' is the antithesis of American ideals

Sacrifice, character, patriotism, family and the faith of successive generations built America. Obama represents few of those things
by Joel D. Hirst - 8 November 2012
Venezuela’s Elections

Venezuelans will go to the polls for the 12th time in as many years. Who will come out on top?
by Joel D. Hirst - 7 October 2012
Why I wrote “The Lieutenant of San Porfirio”

Author of "The Lieutenant of San Porfirio", and Contributing Editor to The Commentator, Joel D. Hirst explains why he wrote the book
by Joel D. Hirst - 7 September 2012
Chavez must stop helping Assad

As the violence against the Syrian people reaches such a crescendo, Hugo Chavez stands firm as one of Bashar al Assad’s most important allies
by Joel D. Hirst - 19 July 2012
This is not Jefferson's Republic

Today, we who stand for liberty are Jefferson’s latest protégé’s and the new army of Democratic Republicans. And our fight is no different than that of the great man whose vision we honor
by Joel D. Hirst - 2 July 2012
My Name is Julia

Julia's happiness owes much to the greatest President that ever lived. Here is her story
by Joel D. Hirst - 22 May 2012
After Chavez: Venezuela should dismantle its military

After decades of waste, misery, and violence Venezuela is ready for bold leadership. Could this involve following in Costa Rica's footsteps and disbanding its armed forces?
by Joel D. Hirst - 1 May 2012
Obama’s Flexibility Doctrine

Defining Obama's unifying doctrine has, to date, been a difficult task. As he approaches a likely second term, the picture is becoming more clear - Obama is pursuing a 'Flexibility Doctrine'
by Joel D. Hirst - 2 April 2012
Northern Uganda is at peace – despite what Invisible Children says

If this much attention focused on Kony were instead put on the terrible situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Invisible Children would truly be doing the world a great service
by Joel D. Hirst - 10 March 2012
Examining government health care

The Hippocratic Oath states, "I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know." When a government bureaucrat is inserted into this dynamic, the very nature of care is altered
by Joel D. Hirst - 13 February 2012
Child soldiers in Venezuela

As in other areas, Venezuela’s revolution has brought the Government of Venezuela into violation of International treaties and customary international law, this time with shocking images of child soldiers
by Joel D. Hirst - 6 February 2012
Compassion as a public good

To preserve the system, and indeed, to grow it, leadership must cease in their attempts at top down “social justice”, redistributive economics and the use of class warfare to enact their political agendas
by Joel D. Hirst - 30 January 2012
Venezuela’s Democratic opposition salutes the past and the future

The Venezuelan people are desperately searching for someone who can offer them peace and security, while not threatening the perceived benefits they have from Chavez’s socialist-style populism
by Joel D. Hirst - 26 January 2012
The Falklands: Latin America’s newest club picks an old fight

Bombastic resolutions and histrionic communications aside, the Falklands will always remain British territory; divisive attempts at unity by figures such as Hugo Chavez will make sure there is never even a threat
by Joel D. Hirst - 16 December 2011