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Militarization

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rethinking Defense: Reducing Pentagon Spending While Increasing Security

The Biden administration’s first Pentagon budget proposal is now slated to come out in early May.  Rather than sticking with current levels of spending, the administration should craft a plan that reduces the Pentagon budget while freeing up funds for investment in other security priorities. Doing so would mark an important first step towards revising America’s approach to security and allocating resources accordingly.

Why is the U.S. Still Building ICBMs?

Although Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) are often touted as an essential part of the United States’ nuclear deterrence apparatus, they don’t actually make us safer.

Demilitarizing Our Democracy

These days, it’s completely normal for military and defense officials to weigh in endlessly on what once would have been civilian matters. As the Biden years begin, it’s time to give some serious thought to how to demilitarize our democracy.

Biden Should Reverse Trump’s Bomb Sales to Saudi Arabia

At a time when Biden has called for an American renewal, ending arms transfers to repressive regimes would be a welcome first step in ensuring that the U.S. role in the world reflects the values and commitments it seeks to promote at home.