RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, November 17, 2009, The Washington Examiner
According to Peter Singer, video games have become an effective recruiting tool for the military, and gaming technology has been used in everything from battle training to dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, while creating a new generation of soldiers primed for the fast-pace of modern warfare, Singer cautions that these games may also be desensitizing young people to the realities of war. Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, November 02, 2009
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Washington, DC
On November 2, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead. Admiral Roughead discussed the U.S. Navy’s use of new technologies, and its development and integration of unmanned systems into the current and future Navy force structure. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, October 29, 2009, Future Horizons
Amidst growing use of robotics in warfare, Peter Singer explores the future of unmanned systems in the Middle East and South Asia. Singer concludes that while the United States remains -- and likely will remain -- the top developer of such technology, it is only a matter of time before other nations begin deploying robotics in large numbers. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, September 22, 2009, The Washington Examiner
The U.S. Air Force recently announced a plan to explore purchasing 100 "light fighters" for use in counterinsurgency operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Peter Singer explores why the Air Force should not follow through on this plan, and he argues that unmanned systems already developed are better options moving forward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, August 28, 2009, Wired.co.uk
Though robots are currently being used by the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, Peter Singer says this is just the beginning and much more advanced types are coming. In an extract from his book Wired for War, Singer examines the future of robotic warfare on the ground, in the air and from space. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, July 28, 2009, The Washington Examiner
In addition to an aircraft carrier purchased from Russia, China is reportedly planning to add four more to its fleet by 2020. Peter Singer analyzes the future of China's sea power projection and argues that U.S. defense planning should focus on shorter-term concerns ranging from Chinese hackers accessing sensitive material to anti-ship ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets 1,500 miles away. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, July 17, 2009, The Wall Street Journal
In the post-9/11 era, the United States is grappling with many ethical, operational and political questions regarding the targeted killings of terrorists. Dan Byman argues that such strikes are a painful necessity in a time when U.S. foes cannot be found or fought onconventional battlefields. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, July 14, 2009, ForeignPolicy.com
CIA Director Leon Panetta has cancelled a secret CIA plan to train anti-terrorist assassins, but Daniel Byman notes that strikes by U.S. military drones have had mixed success as a tactic for combating al Qaeda in Pakistan. Given the humanitarian and political risks, each strike needs to be carefully weighed. But equally important is the risk of not striking—and inadvertently allowing al Qaeda leaders free reign to plot terrorist mayhem. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, July 07, 2009, Air & Space Power Journal
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. 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
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 16, 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 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, 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