August 18, 2008
Fighting for Freedom in Rural Peru: "ALBA Houses" Threaten Democracy
By James M. Roberts and Edwar Enrique Escalante
(Backgrounder #2173)
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is spreading his toxic "21st Century Bolivarian Socialism" through "ALBA houses" in Peru that are aimed at subverting market-based democracy and ...
August 11, 2008
Congress Should Pass a 2009 Defense Authorization Bill This Year
By Mackenzie Eaglen
(WebMemo #2018)
The legislative calendar is quickly running out on the 110th Congress, and many competing priorities await the U.S. Senate upon return from recess. However, the ...
February 15, 2008
U.S.–Pakistan Relations: Assassination, Instability, and the Future of U.S. Policy
By Lisa Curtis
(Heritage Lecture #1059)
The dramatic events in Pakistan during the last 10 months, including the assassination of two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, cast doubt on the future stability ...
January 11, 2008
The Iran National Intelligence Estimate: A Comprehensive Guide to What Is Wrong with the NIE
By James Phillips
(Backgrounder #2098)
The National Intelligence Estimate’s narrow definition of Iran’s nuclear weapons program is so restrictive that even officials from the normally cautious International Atomic Energy Agency ...
December 12, 2007
Trojan Dragons: China's International Cyber Warriors
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(WebMemo #1735)
China's clandestine intelligence collection is the top intelligence threat to America's science and technology secrets.
December 7, 2007
Don't Be Misled by NIE on Iran's Nuclear Efforts
By James Phillips
(WebMemo #1727)
The Bush Administration should establish a commission to review the judgment that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003.
October 15, 2007
Revitalizing U.S. Efforts in Afghanistan
By Lisa Curtis and James Phillips
(Backgrounder #2076)
Consolidating a stable Afghanistan that is free from Taliban influence and ideology will be expensive and will require a patient, long-term, integrated political, military, and ...
August 28, 2007
The United States Must Demand Accountability from U.N. Peacekeeping Operations
By Steven Groves
(Heritage Lecture #1041)
Although U.N. peacekeeping missions may, in certain limited circumstances, align with the national interests of the United States, it is premature to discuss whether U.S. ...
June 27, 2007
How to Confront Russia's Anti-American Foreign Policy
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #2048)
As Moscow rejects Western norms, sells weapons to America's enemies, and seeks a natural gas monopoly, especially to influence Europe, U.S. policymakers need to remember ...
April 30, 2007
Iran's Hostile Policies in Iraq
By James Phillips
(Backgrounder #2030)
To counter Iran's increasingly aggressive role in Iraq, the United States should disrupt Iran's subversive network and raise the risks of its proxy war in ...
March 8, 2007
The DHS Budget for FY 2008: Time for a Comprehensive Approach to Homeland Security
By Mackenzie M. Eaglen
(Backgrounder #2013)
Congress should follow a set of strategic principles to create a comprehensive approach to homeland security spending instead of funding piecemeal programs. It should also ...
February 26, 2007
Collective Bargaining for Airport Screeners Is Unnecessary and Bad for National Security
By James Sherk
(WebMemo #1372)
Forcing the Transportation Security Agency to collectively bargain with its airport security screeners' union would endanger Americans.
February 6, 2007
The Still Enduring Features of the Debate Over Missile Defense
By Baker Spring
(Backgrounder #2004)
The debate over missile defense has shifted from whether missile defense should be pursued as a matter of principle to whether deploying such a defense ...
January 24, 2007
State of the Union 2007: What the President Should Have Said on Missile Defense
By Peter Brookes and Baker Spring
(WebMemo #1328)
Despite the deployment of launchers in Alaska and California for dealing with the North Korean nuclear and missile threat, more work needs to be done ...
December 6, 2006
NATO in Afghanistan: A Test Case for Future Missions
By Helle C. Dale
(Backgrounder #1985)
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan presents an opportunity to observe the successes and shortcomings of voluntary international military operations. To accomplish its ...
November 13, 2006
Countering Iran's Oil Weapon
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., James Phillips and William L. T. Schirano
(Backgrounder #1982)
To succeed in deterring Iran from developing a nuclear capability, the Bush Administration needs to maximize its leverage in this dispute by maintaining a strong ...
October 26, 2006
Denying Terrorists Safe Haven in Pakistan
By Lisa Curtis
(Backgrounder #1981)
Stability in Afghanistan and South Asia generally is tied to Pakistani action to limit the Taliban’s ability to operate in Pakistan, peace efforts with India, ...
September 6, 2006
Countering Hugo Chávez’s Anti-U.S. Arms Alliance
By Stephen Johnson, Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., and William L. T. Schirano
(Executive Memorandum #1010)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s military buildup and aggressive policies could endanger U.S. allies in Latin America and a major source of U.S. oil imports. U.S. ...
August 22, 2006
Katrina One Year After: Congress's Unfinished Agenda
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1199)
Congress should focus on initiatives that will help establish a true national response system for disasters like Katrina.
August 11, 2006
London Terror Plot Foiled: Lessons for Congress
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1193)
Lessons for Congress from the thwarted London terror plot.
August 10, 2006
The U.K. in Sierra Leone: A Post-Conflict Operation Success?
By Major General Jonathon P. Riley
(Heritage Lecture #958)
Post-conflict reconstruction depends on three elements: security, good governance, and essential services such as basic health and sanitation. If these three things are put in ...
August 8, 2006
Rethinking VISA Policy for the 21st Century
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1191)
A discussion of U.S. visa policy.
July 19, 2006
The Detention and Trial of Unlawful Combatants
By James J. Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
My view of what the Congress should do is tempered by a 25-year military career as a soldier and strategist. In deciding how to move ...
July 12, 2006
A Hollow Force: The Heritage Foundation's Research
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #1153)
A hollow force lacks the resources to provide trained and ready forces, to support ongoing operations, and to modernize. Today's military is not hollow, but ...
July 5, 2006
The Supreme Court Guantánamo Ruling:
How the Administration Should Respond
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and Todd Gaziano
(WebMemo #1143)
Last week, the Supreme Court issued a split decision declaring unlawful the military commissions the United States planned to use at Guantánamo Bay. Regardless of ...
June 30, 2006
Congress Must Not Shortchange the Military at a Time of War
By Baker Spring and Brian M. Riedl
(WebMemo #1141)
On June 20th, the House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2007 Defense Appropriations bill. Given that the nation is at war and is conducting ...
June 7, 2006
State Department Ponders Expediency over Effectiveness on Exchanges
By Stephen Johnson and James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1115)
After the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and its own inspector general faulted the U.S. Department of State for failing to oversee summer work and ...
May 12, 2006
Avoiding the Hollow Force: Modernizing for the Future
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1075)
Mandatory spending growth could negatively impact the military.
May 12, 2006
S.O.S—Save Our Ships: Coast Guard Modernization Must Be Congressional Priority
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1073)
Modernizing the Coast Guard is vital for homeland security.
May 4, 2006
Shaping the 21st Century Role of the National Guard and Reserves
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
The reports of both houses of Congress and the Homeland Security Council argue that coordination between the Departments of Defense and Homeland security are inadequate. ...
April 27, 2006
The Senate's Katrina Report Draft: Hits and Misses
By James Jay Carafano
(WebMemo #1051)
A Senate report on Hurricane Katrina response proposes a number of substantial and promising reforms, but some of its recommendations miss the mark.
April 18, 2006
More Signs of a Future Hollow Force? The Air Force Cuts a Corner
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1039)
The budget decisions derived from the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) suggest more and more that the military's long-term preparedness is in doubt.
April 18, 2006
Avoiding the Hollow Force: Maintaining a Trained and Ready Military
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Alane Kochems, and David Gentilli
(WebMemo #1043)
Three military experts discuss the current and future issue facing the U.S. armed forces.
April 4, 2006
Immigration Enforcement and Workplace Verification: Sensible Proposals for Congress
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Executive Memorandum #999)
Despite 5 years of peace and prosperity, growing numbers of Peruvians seem anxious to return to the bad old days of populist spendthrift governments, an ...
March 9, 2006
Port Security and Foreign-Owned Maritime Infrastructure
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
Maritime trade is vital to the U.S. economy. Almost one-third of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) is derived from trade. As you know, 95 ...
March 3, 2006
Port Security and Foreign Investment
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
The importance of the maritime domain cannot be overestimated. Almost one-third of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) is derived from trade.
September 15, 2005
Improving the National Response to Catastrophic Disaster
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Testimony )
President Bush was absolutely correct when he labeled the national response "inadequate."
August 11, 2005
The Future of the Coast Guard: A View From the Top
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #818)
How should the Coast Guard transform to meet the missions of a post-9/11 environment? At a recent Heritage Foundation lecture, Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant ...
July 29, 2005
India and a Two-Track Policy to Combat Nuclear Proliferation: Guidelines for Congress To Balance Regional Security with Nonproliferation
By Baker Spring
(WebMemo #810)
The Bush Administration charts a difficult--but probably realistic--course.
July 21, 2005
The London Bombings: How the U.S. and the U.K. Should Respond
By Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., and James Phillips
(Backgrounder #1871)
Although the July 7 London bombings were carried out by homegrown terrorists, the bombers were clearly part of a larger international network. The fact that ...
July 18, 2005
BRAC Wars, Episode Three
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #798)
BRAC, the National Guard, and the states.
July 7, 2005
The 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review: The Reserve Component
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #785)
The Reserves, transformation, and the QDR.
June 14, 2005
The Future of the Air Force: A View from the Top
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #760)
The Air Force, transformation, and the QDR.
June 14, 2005
The 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review: The Military Industrial Base
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #761)
What is the role of the military industrial base in Quadrennial Defense Review planning?
May 23, 2005
Base Realignment and Closure: National Guard and Regional Implications
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #748)
How BRAC affects the National Guard.
April 26, 2005
The Future of the Navy: A View from the Top
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #731)
The Navy, transformation, and the QDR.
April 20, 2005
The 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review: Strategy and Threats
By Jack Spencer and Kathy Gudgel
(WebMemo #728)
All about the threat matrix.
March 16, 2005
The Lifting of the EU Arms Embargo on China
By Peter T.R. Brookes
(Testimony )
Later this year, the European Union (EU) will consider lifting the Tiananmen Square arms embargo against the People's Republic of China (PRC).
December 10, 2004
The War on Terrorism and Beyond: Principles and Issues for the Quadrennial Defense Review
By Jack Spencer
(WebMemo #619)
A successful QDR will focus on transformation and other issues
August 11, 2004
Sufficiency of Time, Attention, and Legal Authority
By Edwin Meese III
(Testimony )
As requested by the Committee, I will present my views on the 9/11 Commission Findings concerning "Sufficiency of Time, Attention, and Legal Authority."
July 13, 2004
Post-Conflict Operations from Europe to Iraq
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Heritage Lecture #844)
The U.S. military and its allies were poorly prepared to undertake post-conflict operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the U.S. and its allies wish to ...
June 15, 2004
Before the Committee on Armed Services
By Peter T.R. Brookes
(Testimony )
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, it is an honor and privilege to appear before you today to discuss the decision of the United States ...
June 7, 2004
Blair Could Make a Strategic Error on China
By John J. Tkacik, Jr., and Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
(Backgrounder #1768)
The Bush Administration should urge the British government to reconsider its support for French-driven plans to lift the EU arms embargo on China. It should ...
June 7, 2004
The Role of the Department of Homeland Security Overseas
By The Honorable Cresencio Arcos
(Heritage Lecture #840)
The U.S. has to take actions far away from its shores and borders in order to ensure that the systems that connect it with the ...
May 13, 2004
An Agenda for Responsible Intelligence Reform
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Executive Memorandum #931)
In the wake of the September 11 tragedies, Heritage Foundation scholars have made a number of recommendations that could serve as the basis for responsible ...
May 12, 2004
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
By Baker Spring
(Testimony )
In March 23rd testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, International Environment, and Scientific Affairs John F. ...
May 10, 2004
Abu Ghraib: Shameful Action Calls for Strong Response
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #501)
The guilty should be exposed and punished. The Administration and the Congress must also root out the leadership and systemic failures that allowed this horror ...
May 10, 2004
Terrorist Intelligence Centers Need Reform Now
By James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
(Executive Memorandum #930)
As the Bush Administration implements its post-9/11 efforts, it should organize them for success, avoiding the structural and operational missteps that have marred cooperation among ...
April 26, 2004
A New Security Agenda for the U.S. Japan Alliance
By Balbina Hwang
(Backgrounder #1749)
The U.S.-Japan alliance became the anchor for building stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia during the Cold War. The current security environment includes some Cold ...
April 9, 2004
National Security Isn't Just about Terrorism
By James A. Phillips
(WebMemo #472)
A myopic, single-issue defense policy would leave the nation vulnerable. Fortunately, however, the federal government is fully capable of doing more than one task at ...
March 18, 2004
Washington Must Head Off European Arms Sales to China
By John J. Tkacik, Jr.
(Backgrounder #1739)
With the European Union likely to lift the embargo on arms sales to China at the March 25-26 Brussels summit, the Bush Administration should remind ...
April 10, 2002
Breaking Down Intelligence Barriers for Homeland Security
By Dana R. Dillon
(Backgrounder #1536)
The United States should immediately close the gaps in America's intelligence machinery by creating of an intelligence fusion center and developing methods to enlist state ...
September 24, 2008