2010

Military Budgets and Defense Spending

commentary
Budget Cuts Are Cracking the West's Defenses
Washington would be wise to work closely with Britain and France to ensure that their budget cuts do not threaten how the allies will, together, address common threats and security challenges, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Peter A. Wilson.
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Aug 17, 2010
Christian Science Monitor
F. Stephen Larrabee, Peter A. Wilson
Nuclear Weapons and Warfare

commentary
This May Be a Key Year, but Alas Not a Decisive One
As observers laud the new START treaty for bringing back a framework that will make substantial U.S. and Russian nuclear reductions possible, they must recognise that lowering numbers is not the same as stripping nuclear weapons of their values, writes Olga Oliker.
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Aug 1, 2010
Europe's World
Olga Oliker
Information Operations

commentary
Psychological Operations by Another Name Are Sweeter
The Department of Defense has decided to change the name of military psychological operations (PSYOP) and this is a good thing, writes Christopher Paul.
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Jul 29, 2010
Small Wars Journal
Christopher Paul
commentary
Medical Leadership in an Increasingly Complex World
It is time for physicians to think beyond making their institution, practice, or professional society better. The population needs, and deserves, such leadership, writes Robert H. Brook.
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Jul 28, 2010
The Journal of the American Medical Association
Robert H. Brook
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

commentary
A Bottom-Up Peace in Afghanistan
The Afghan government has embarked on a high-stakes gamble: Try to negotiate with the leaders of the various insurgent networks to end the nine-year-old Afghan war, write Wali Shaaker and John Parachini.
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Jul 15, 2010
Providence Journal
Wali Ahmad Shaaker, John V. Parachini @JohnParachini
commentary
Are Public-Service Subsidies Good for the Public?
In the federal legislation signed this spring to reform student lending, one feature has been largely overlooked by the press: The new law increases the incentive for college graduates to choose public-service careers, such as teaching, write Jennifer L. Steele, Richard J. Murnane, and John B. Willett.
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Jul 14, 2010
Education Week
Jennifer L. Steele, Richard J. Murnane, et al.
Global Climate Change

commentary
Redesigning the International Approach to Climate Change
Limiting climate change requires a revolution in the way the global economy generates and consumes energy. It is becoming increasingly clear that the current diplomatic approach should be redesigned to meet this immense political, technical, and social challenge, writes Robert J. Lempert.
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Jul 1, 2010
The Huffington Post
Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert
New Orleans

commentary
Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
In his inaugural address, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu clearly accepted his dual challenge: rebuild a city that welcomes its still-displaced residents, and make long-needed changes to attract newcomers as well, writes Melissa Flournoy.
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Jun 30, 2010
RAND.org
Melissa Flournoy
Afghanistan

commentary
Why U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan Are So Frustrated
President Obama's declaration last week that a change in personnel will not mean a change in policy suggests that the administration took only some of the lessons contained in Michael Hastings' Rolling Stone article, writes Celeste Ward Gventer.
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Jun 30, 2010
Christian Science Monitor
Celeste Gventer
commentary
The Sinking of the Cheonan: Engage or Retaliate?
North Korea's apparent sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan marks a new low in the North's provocative behavior. While some would prefer to respond with carrots rather than sticks, it is time to take action that imposes political costs on Kim Jong-il, writes Bruce Bennett.
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Jun 30, 2010
Global Asia, A Journal of the East Asia Foundation
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
commentary
Don't Lose Ukraine
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Ukraine on July 4-5 provides an important opportunity to reassure Ukrainians that the U.S. remains committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and democratic evolution, write Taras Kuzio and F. Stephen Larrabee.
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Jun 25, 2010
Project Syndicate
Taras Kuzio, F. Stephen Larrabee
Afghanistan

commentary
The Afghanistan Clock
By replacing Gen. Stanley McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. President Barack Obama has treated the most recent symptom of his Afghan malaise—an insubordinate, or at least indiscreet, general. He has not, however, addressed the underlying malady, writes James Dobbins.
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Jun 25, 2010
ForeignPolicy.com
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
commentary
Denying Homegrown Terrorists the Glory
How should the United States counter homegrown jihadist terrorism? With al Qaeda and its jihadist allies extolling recent terrorist exploits in the United States, we must anticipate further attacks by terrorists who have been recruited and radicalized here in this country, writes Brian Jenkins.
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Jun 24, 2010
RAND.org and GlobalSecurity.org
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
commentary
Rights and Responsibilities in Health Care: Striking a Balance
If patients do not take prescribed medications, are not appropriately vaccinated, or do not obtain preventive screening tests, they may incur costs that others will need to subsidize, writes Robert Brook.
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Jun 9, 2010
The Journal of the American Medical Association
Robert H. Brook
Afghanistan

commentary
A Three-Pronged Approach to Confront Afghanistan's Corruption
President Karzai's Washington visit last month was basically a "be-nice-to-Karzai summit." After a period of harsh and direct U.S. criticism this past fall, the air is cleared, but issues remain—corruption in particular, write Cheryl Benard and Elvira Loredo.
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Jun 4, 2010
Christian Science Monitor
Cheryl Benard, Elvira N. Loredo