Countering Violent Extremism: Palliative or Cure?

by Diana Ohlbaum As violence continues to escalate across the Middle East, one thing ought to be clear: the problem of terrorism cannot be solved militarily. It’s not just peaceniks who say this. Retired General James Conway and Retired Admiral… Continue Reading

How Hillary Clinton Militarized US Policy in Honduras

by Tim Shorrock In 2012, as Honduras descended into social and political chaos in the wake of a US-sanctioned military coup, the civilian aid arm of Hillary Clinton’s State Department spent over $26 million on a propaganda program aimed at… Continue Reading

The Rise of the Development Industrial Complex

by David Isenberg The private military and security contracting (PMSC) industry has long claimed, not without some justification, that all the publicity about private security contractors—that is, guys carrying guns—overshadows and unfairly tars the work of reconstruction. This latter subcategory… Continue Reading

After 53 Years, Obama To Normalize Ties with Cuba

by Jim Lobe In perhaps his boldest foreign policy move during his presidency, Barack Obama Wednesday announced that he intends to establish full diplomatic relations with Cuba. While the president noted that he lacked the authority to lift the 54-year-old… Continue Reading

Despite concerns, State Department to maintain aid levels to Pakistan

By Paul Mutter McClatchy reports that even though the Obama Administration has not publicly reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Afghan War, a necessary announcement to justify both military and non-military aid to Islamabad, it has nonetheless waived the requirement to… Continue Reading