RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
The Continuity of Government Commission, June 2009, The American Enterprise Institute and The Brookings Institution
A new report by the AEI-Brookings Continuity of Government Commission examines vulnerabilities in the U.S. presidential succession. It has long been assumed that prospects for a smooth transfer of presidential power in the event of a terrorist attack are assured, as there is already a clear line of succession to the nation's highest office. However, as the report's authors point out, the existing presidential succession could be rendered useless by a catastrophic attack because everyone in line to succeed the president lives and works in Washington, D.C. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, June 30, 2009, The Washington Examiner
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard C. Bush III, June 27, 2009, China Times
Taiwan and China have made impressive progress over the last year improving relations in the political and economic arenas, but China’s People’s Liberation Army has continued to procure and deploy equipment that puts Taiwan at risk. Richard Bush points out that the rate of growth is a bit less than previous years but it still raises the question, what is going on? Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, June 27, 2009, The National
In modern warfare, precision drones can dramatically reduce human casualties. Peter Singer explores the debate surrounding this mechanization of warfare and exposes the battle of ideas—both for and against military robotics use—that it has sparked. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, June 2009, Armed Forces Journal
Peter Singer frames the ongoing robotics revolution within militaries around the world through the idea of the tactical general who—given the ability through unmanned systems—can micromanage even the lowest-level operations. Singer believes that even though the capabilities in war are changing, lessons of the past should guide military leaders who are tempted to stray from their job of setting broad goals and battlefield objectives. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, June 10, 2009, The Washington Post
The Obama administration recently announced a defense budget that accounts for nearly zero real growth in the "base budget" over the next five years. Michael O’Hanlon explores the shortfalls of this plan and points to the lack of viability of the proposed budget. O'Hanlon outlines critical changes that must be made in order to best guarantee U.S. national security objectives. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, June 09, 2009, The Washington Examiner
A central critique of the Obama administration’s new defense budget proposal is that it underfunds missile defense systems. Given how far the systems have progressed over the years, Michael O'Hanlon argues the critique is overblown and examines the relatively minor cuts to the program. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, June 02, 2009, The Washington Examiner
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" forces soldiers to lie about or hide their sexual orientation to keep from being discharged. Peter Singer believes it is time for President Obama to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the policy so that patriotic and capable military members can focus on national security instead social politics. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC
On May 27, the Brookings Institution hosted former Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric S. Edelman for a discussion of the book, Presidential Command: Power, Leadership, and the Making of Foreign Policy from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush (Knopf), written by the late Peter W. Rodman, a Brookings senior fellow. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, May 22, 2009, Slate
Peter Singer examines the growing military robotics industry in light of the Terminator: Salvation and thoughts that robots may someday turn on their human creators. Singer concludes that while many of our inventions come from science fiction, we already have become so reliant on technology that we should not worry about a takeover. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, May 18, 2009, Gizmodo
When people talk about robots and ethics, they always seem to bring up Isaac Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics." But Peter Singer argues there are major problems with these laws and their use in our real world. Singer believes that instead of focusing on the morality of the robots themselves, we should examine the ethics of those behind the machines. Read More
PAST EVENT
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, May 11, 2009, The Age
Peter Singer addresses a recent Australian white paper envisioning a military force for 2030. Noting that the white paper places very little emphasis on military robotics, Singer writes, “in planning for the future, we should not ignore the technological trends that are already in action.” Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Carlos Pascual and Steven Pifer, May 07, 2009, The Brookings Institution
The spread of nuclear weapons is one of the deadliest threats to the human race, and over 30 countries have declared intent to develop nuclear programs. In the wake of a meeting between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russia, Carlos Pascual and Steven Pifer argue that both countries must breathe new life into the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime to strengthen firewalls against proliferation and curtail weaponization. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, May 2009, The Brookings Institution
In April, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced they would work on a new agreement to limit offensive arms before the START treaty expires in December. On Monday, the first round of talks on a new strategic arms reduction treaty begin in Moscow. Steven Pifer assesses the considerations of both countries and offers suggestions for building a new framework to reduce strategic arsenals. Read More