It’s notoriously difficult to defeat realists in a debate about disarmament. But two Stimson Center researchers finally provide disarmament advocates with some powerful tools.
G20’s Central Role? As a Lightning Rod
Endorsement of minimal financial regulation and an informal agreement to disagree over the stimulus question are likely to be the vapid results of this latest summit of the world’s so-called powerhouse economies. But the structural fissures of global capital have become too great to be papered over by the G20 in Toronto.
U.S. Men’s World Cup Team Rides a Wave of Jingoism
The U.S. Men’s World Cup victories are not symbols of a melting-pot nation which has somehow, magically erased its history of slavery, genocide, and imperial expansion. It’s 23 men and their coaches who have done rather well in just the first round.
Pavlovian Congress Jumps to Israel’s ‘Self-‘ Defense
Learning what actually transpired in the Gaza Flotilla attack was apparently of little interest to the 87 senators who signed the letter defending the attack. Despite the apparent whitewash forthcoming in the internal Israeli investigation, the senate letter supported Israel’s alleged intention to carry out “a thorough investigation of the incident.”
U.S.-India Nuke Transactions Go From Bad to Worse
U.S.-India nuclear transactions are part of a broader set of agreements between the two countries that U.S.-based multinationals are hoping to use as a wedge to further open India to investment and sales.
Right-wing Loonies Support Okinawa Base Relocation
A Japanese cult leader took out a Washington Post ad in which false claims were made about leftists seeking to expel the U.S. military from Japan. In truth, protesters are focused on halting the building of a new U.S. base in Okinawa.
Getting Beyond the Usual Suspects on Foreign Policy
With few exceptions, white pundits, politicians, military brass, think tankers, and academics have long dominated foreign-policy debates. We need to expand the diversity of those deemed foreign-policy experts beyond the usual suspects.
Is Success in Afghanistan Really a Question of Command?
Surely, generals play an important role in winning and losing wars. But it is misleading to imagine that they determine the outcome of a conflict whose causes stem from the underlying political and social system.
Petraeus Harbinger of Peace, Not Another Surge?
Obama has stated that, despite firing Gen. McChrystal, our Afghanistan strategy will remain the same. The appointment of Gen. Petraeus to succeed him suggest otherwise — for better or worse.
A REALLY BIG Black Swan
Watch out for those “black swans” — like the one paddling up the bayou at this very moment — carefully dodging the oil slicks. We’re so busy looking at old threats and repeating our old prejudices at ever higher volume that we can’t hear the splash of those big, webbed feet.