Center for International Policy
William Hartung is director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy, and author of Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex. He formerly directed the Arms and Security Initiative at the New America Foundation.
America and the 'forever war' Anyone born in the US since September 11 has lived an entire lifetime in a nation at war. Presidents Bush, Obama and Trump have warned of threats from overseas -- but allies as well as enemies feel the real threat is America's unparalleled power. The total cost is up to $5.6 trillion, but less than one percent of the population has served -- and without shared sacrifice, foreign battlefields seem far away. Now the so-called "war on terror" is coming home, as Congress encourages local police to adopt military strategies and equipment designed for combat. In the name of ensuring freedom abroad, are we in danger of losing freedom at home? In December of the year 2000, this program went on the air. Less than a year later, everything changed.
The F-35 Striker Jet and Pork Barrel Politics More than 15 years in the making, the F-35 striker jet still has trouble landing on wet runways. The most expensive weapons system in history was grounded again this week, missing several airshows in England. They were much-needed marketing opportunities to help sell the F-35 fighter-bomber to foreign countries, amortizing increasing costs. We’ll hear about continued Congressional support despite a history of failure.
The New Congress, the Deficit and the Pentagon In his farewell speech warning about the "military-industrial" complex, President (and former Army General) Dwight Eisenhower said that defense spending has to be weighed in the balance along with every other national program. The new House majority wants to cut $100 billion from next year's budget, but the Pentagon won't be subject to major reductions.
The New Congress, the Deficit and the Pentagon In his farewell speech warning about the "military-industrial" complex, President (and former Army General) Dwight Eisenhower said that defense spending has to be weighed in the balance along with every other national program. The new House majority, led by newly sworn in speaker, Republican John Boehner , wants to cut $100 billion from next year's budget. The Pentagon makes up more than half the spending that could be reduced, but cuts in the Defense Department are off the table. Even the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the deficit is a threat to national security, and the Pentagon is a paradigm of government waste. Why is it immune from the cost-cutting voters have asked for? Will the Tea Party make a difference? We look at the prospects.
Obama Charts Middle Path on Nuclear Arms President Obama's goal of a world without nuclear weapons is a long way off. The Nuclear Posture Review , announced yesterday, is a new strategy for America's existing arsenal. Why do we maintain it? When might it be used?
Splitting the Difference on Nuclear Weapons What threats justify maintaining a nuclear arsenal? When, if ever, could such weapons be used? Those and other questions get some new answers in the Obama Administration's Nuclear Posture Review , reviving arguments that go back to World War II. Now that the Soviet Union is ancient history, the focus is on North Korea, Iran, proliferation and terror. What's the best way to deal with those challenges, reduce the chance of a confrontation and keep America as safe as possible? We hear from journalists, nuclear experts, military analysts and former Pentagon officials.
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?