SPOTLIGHT: Counternarcotics Policy
Reuters/Tomas Bravo - Packages of money seized during an operation are shown to the media at a military zone on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico.
Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 01, 2009
In testimony before the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Vanda-Felbab Brown discussed illicit economies, organized crime, and their impact on U.S. and global security. Felbab-Brown concluded by offering recommendations for counternarcotics strategies as well as other measures local and foreign governments can take to address the issues.
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Counternarcotics Policy, National Security, Colombia, Mexico, Transnational Security Threats
SPOTLIGHT: Defense Strategy
Reuters/Jason Reed - An array of solar panels point to the Nevada sky as they generate electricity for use on Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
Jerry Warner and Peter W. Singer, August 25, 2009
The U.S. Department of Defense is the world’s single largest consumer of energy, using more resources than 100 nations. Peter Singer and Jerry Warner analyze what can be done to better manage defense energy security by implementing steps to increase energy efficiency and substituting alternative forms of energy to meet the military’s fuel needs.
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Defense Strategy, Energy Security, Defense, Defense Budget, National Security
SPOTLIGHT: Military Technology
Reuters/Philippe Wojazer - France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (2ndR) looks at images made by a drone.
Peter W. Singer, July 07, 2009
General Charles Krulak coined the term “strategic corporal” (a junior member trained to make time-critical decisions in response to the dynamic ground fight). Peter Singer examines a similar phenomenon occurring among senior officers, observing that modern technology allows generals to personally engage on the tactical level from remote locations.
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Military Technology, U.S. Military, Defense Strategy, Defense, Technology
SPOTLIGHT: Defense
Reuters/Yuriko Nakao - A U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jet flies over Kadena U.S. Air Force Base on Okinawa.
Peter W. Singer, June 30, 2009
Peter Singer writes that the United States is a nation of thinking big, but he cautions against continuing to translate this interest to national security and defense policy. Singer believes the Pentagon should encourage more competition to create leaner, cheaper and less time-draining weapons systems and vehicles.
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Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, Military Technology, Defense Budget
past event
Paul Morigi - Admiral Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at Brookings.
Monday, May 18, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Washington, DC
On May 18, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted Admiral Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Mullen discussed the nature of global military engagements over the next decade and how our national security institutions should assess the future spectrum of threats in order to properly organize, resource and respond.
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U.S. Military, National Security, Defense Strategy, National Security Council, Defense
SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Military
Reuters/Goran Tomasevic - U.S. Marines search Afghans for weapons during a patrol in Golestan district of Farah province.
Jason H. Campbell, Michael E. O'Hanlon and Jeremy Shapiro, May 04, 2009
In conventional warfare, identifying the momentum of battle is a fairly straightforward undertaking, but counterinsurgency and stabilization operations are different, and more complex. Jason Campbell, Michael O'Hanlon and Jeremy Shapiro examine a range of indicators in both Afghanistan and Iraq to reach policy conclusions for current and future counterinsurgency operations.
Foreign Policy Paper Series
U.S. Military, Defense Strategy, Afghanistan, Iraq, Transnational Security Threats
Past Event
Monday, January 26, 2009
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Washington, DC
Brookings hosted the launch of Wired for War, a new book by Peter W. Singer, who discussed the ways in which robotics have and will change the face of war, as well as the larger implications of these revolutionary developments. Following Singer’s presentation, General James Mattis, USMC, joined the discussion of the issues surrounding war, politics and technology in the 21st century.
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Past Event
Friday, April 24, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:15 AM
Washington, DC
On April 24, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted General Norton A. Schwartz, chief of staff of the United States Air Force, for a discussion of the Air Force’s strategic and operational role in conducting irregular warfare and counterinsurgency operations.
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Past Event
Friday, March 27, 2009
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Washington, DC
On March 27, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted the launch of the latest version of the Army Field Manual, FM 3-07 Stability Operations. The latest Army doctrine, FM 3-07, underscores a recognition that the U.S. military will increasingly be called upon to help bring peace and order to societies under stress.
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New Paper Series
For several years, Pakistan has been struggling to contain a virulent Islamist insurgency centered in its northwest frontier, much to the concern of the United States and the international community. Six experts will weigh in on aspects of counterinsurgency doctrine and practice and how they may be applied specifically to the deteriorating situation in Pakistan.
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