The Saudi Lobby: Enabling the Monarchy’s Misdeeds
While all of these are important steps, they are long overdue, and much more can be done — like blocking arms sales to the Saudis — to hold the Kingdom accountable for its crimes. As the Saudi activists who remain behind bars can attest, the Saudi monarchy, particularly under the tyrannical rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is not an “indispensable” U.S. partner.
Taking Stock of U.S. Security Assistance Since the 9/11 Attacks
The countries that have received the greatest security assistance from the United States continue to struggle to address grievances among populations and to provide deeper human security that can only be resolved through political, social, and economic solutions.
The 20th Anniversary of Our Post-9/11 Wars Is Time for Reflection, Not Political Posturing
The end of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan marks a potential turning point in U.S. foreign and military policies that realigns them with the world as it is, not as the Washington establishment wishes it to be. It is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.
U.S. Arms Exports Under Congressional Reporting Thresholds: A Clear and Present Danger
If Congress is only notified of and the American public is only able to access partial data on U.S. arms sales, how can policymakers and the general public even begin to assess their impacts? Can partial transparency really be called transparency at all?
President Biden Must End America’s Special Treatment of Saudi Arabia
When innocents are killed by American bombs dropped from American-made planes that are kept in the air by American contractors, Yemeni civilians understandably associate the U.S with the carnage being imposed on them from above.
Most Recent
- The Saudi Lobby: Enabling the Monarchy’s Misdeeds by Ben Freeman / October 12, 2021
- Taking Stock of U.S. Security Assistance Since the 9/11 Attacks by Lauren Woods / September 23, 2021
- The 20th Anniversary of Our Post-9/11 Wars Is Time for Reflection, Not Political Posturing by William D. Hartung / September 17, 2021
Most Popular
- by Temi Ibirogba / March 5, 2021
- by Maj. Danny Sjursen, USA (ret.) / November 17, 2020
- by Ben Freeman, Brian Steiner / May 7, 2021
Foreign Policy
The Saudi Lobby: Enabling the Monarchy’s Misdeeds
While all of these are important steps, they are long overdue, and much more can be done — like blocking arms sales to the Saudis — to hold the Kingdom accountable for its crimes. As the Saudi activists who remain behind bars can attest, the Saudi monarchy, particularly under the tyrannical rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is not an “indispensable” U.S. partner.
President Biden Must End America’s Special Treatment of Saudi Arabia
When innocents are killed by American bombs dropped from American-made planes that are kept in the air by American contractors, Yemeni civilians understandably associate the U.S with the carnage being imposed on them from above.
The Biggest Reason U.S. Arms Sales Continue to Go Unchecked and What Could Change That
When countries who are party to a conflict receive U.S. arms, and the U.S. willingly approves those sales, it also tacitly approves the role of that country in conflict, even countries that violate human rights and bring about large numbers of civilian casualties.
National Security
U.S. Arms Exports Under Congressional Reporting Thresholds: A Clear and Present Danger
If Congress is only notified of and the American public is only able to access partial data on U.S. arms sales, how can policymakers and the general public even begin to assess their impacts? Can partial transparency really be called transparency at all?
Nuclear Weapons: Big Business, Bad Policy
The recent meeting between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a glimmer of hope in the form of a joint statement that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” If they are serious about that, they should make substantial reductions in the nuclear arsenals of both sides as a step towards joining the international consensus in favor of eliminating nuclear weapons.
The Dawn of the New Israel Lobby?
The new government in Israel has not yet indicated what, if anything, it will do differently when it comes to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, but it has announced a fundamental shift when it comes to another contentious foreign policy issue that could ultimately influence Palestinian relations: its approach to influence in the U.S.
War and Peace
Taking Stock of U.S. Security Assistance Since the 9/11 Attacks
The countries that have received the greatest security assistance from the United States continue to struggle to address grievances among populations and to provide deeper human security that can only be resolved through political, social, and economic solutions.
The 20th Anniversary of Our Post-9/11 Wars Is Time for Reflection, Not Political Posturing
The end of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan marks a potential turning point in U.S. foreign and military policies that realigns them with the world as it is, not as the Washington establishment wishes it to be. It is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.
Why Ending the Forever Wars Is Harder Than It Should Be
Ending forever wars will mean more than simply revising AUMFs. It will take a thorough rethinking of how and when the United States uses force and what role Congress and the American public should play in those decisions.
Climate Justice
Rethinking Security: Military Security Versus Climate Security
The Biden administration and Congress need to act promptly to shift priorities towards a security policy that prioritizes dealing with climate change, even if it involves eliminating the filibuster rule, a formidable obstacle to forging a new direction. The lives of future generations may depend on it.