Kill the Chicken to Scare the Monkey â€" Rhetoric of a Preemptive Strike.

Rhetorical analysis of past statements from officials in the Bush administration, both in the U.S. and in Iraq, emphasize the challenges that the new administration will have to face in reformulating a foreign policy to make the U. S. more secure. That new administration may need to transform an assertive unilateral foreign policy to one that uses the power of language without alienating our allies in the international community. Language will be key in maximizing our national security without appearing to neglect the national security of other nations. Pickering, Crocker and Yost point out that our margin for error has narrowed, so our ability to communicate a policy more effectively and more credibly is critical. Kegley and Raymond speak of America’s deep footprint and primacy which will require that we repair relations with traditional allies and chart a path for restoring America’ reputation and leadership globally. Brzezinski reminds us how different the world is now compared to only a decade ago. Studying the rhetoric of the past six years can help us avoid similar self-defeating strategies in the future. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]