CFR.org - Defense/Homeland Security

U.S. Action in Syria Could Sway Iran on Nukes

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:37:25 -0400

According to Meghan O'Sullivan, U.S. action in Syria may have implications for Iran and its nuclear program.

Bomb, Coerce or Contain Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:15:42 -0400

Gregory Koblentz weighs the U.S. foreign policy options toward Iran.

Why should the United States pay attention to the impoverished and economically devastated North Korea?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:20:32 -0400

North Korea, formally called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), remains a top security concern for the United States, despite its moribund economy. The DPRK poses a serious potential military threat to its neighbors and to U.S. military bases and allies in the Pacific.

Talking in Circles

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:44:33 -0400

Micah Zenko explains why the speech made by Harold Koh, former state department legal adviser, earlier this week is nothing more than a reiteration of the "fundamental myth of the Obama administration's targeted killing program."

Managing Illegal Immigration to the United States

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:30:54 -0400

The authors examine the lack of understanding of the effectiveness of enforcement efforts in preventing illegal immigration to the United States.

Is the American use of drones legally sound?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:21:01 -0400

Both the Bush and Obama administrations have concluded that the use of drones to kill al-Qaeda leaders is permissible under both U.S. domestic law and international law.

Hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives: "Benghazi: Exposing Failure and Recognizing Courage," May 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:50:44 -0400

Three State Department officials testified at the Committee for Oversight and Government Reform on May 8, 2013.

Joint Press Conference by President Obama and South Korean President Park, May 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:01:25 -0400

President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-hye held a press conference on May 7, 2013. They discussed trade and threats from North Korea.

The New Yorker: The Thin Red Line

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:11:34 -0400

The Administration has given the Syrian opposition more than six hundred and fifty million dollars in nonmilitary aid, but Obama has consistently opposed arming the rebels or intervening militarily on their behalf. The United States has taken a tenuous position: not deep enough to please the rebels or its allies in Europe, or to topple the regime, or to claim leadership in the war's aftermath—but also, perhaps most important, not so deep that it can't get out.

CRS: Securing U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel Abroad: Background and Policy Issues

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:06:25 -0400

Under reciprocal treaty obligations, host nations are obligated to provide security for the diplomatic facilities of sending states. However, instances in which host nations have been unable or not fully committed to fulfilling this responsibility have sometimes left U.S. facilities vulnerable, especially in extraordinary circumstances. U.S. facilities therefore employ a layered approach to security including not only the measures taken by a host country, but also additional, U.S.-coordinated measures, to include armed Diplomatic Security agents, hardened facilities, U.S.-trained and/or contracted local security guards, and sometimes U.S. Marine Security Guard detachments (whose principal role is securing classified information).

Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:19:17 -0400

Mandated by the FY2000 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense's annual report discusses China's military and security strategies, technological advancements in its capabilities, military doctrine, and security issues in the Taiwan Strait.

Cybersecurity and Internet Governance

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:26:40 -0400

The Internet's growing role in economies and societies also poses new threats. The time has come for states and private partners to set global norms for web conduct, says expert Andrea Renda.

Bringing It All Back Home

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:16:40 -0400

Only by getting its own house in order will the United States be in a position to set an example other societies will want to emulate, argues CFR President Richard N. Haass. And only by fixing itself will the United States possess the resources necessary to discourage or deal with the emergence of a serious political and military competitor.

Is it part of the U.S. anti-drug policy to sell weapons to Mexico to combat drug cartels?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:55:25 -0400

Under the security cooperation agreement called the Merida Initiative, the United States provides military and law enforcement assistance to the Mexican government in support of efforts to combat drug cartels and organized crime. The United States and Mexico jointly developed this agreement in response to a substantial increase in drug-related criminal activity and violence on both sides of the border.

U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:54:17 -0400

U.S. missile defense in the twenty-first century is focused on emerging threats from North Korea and Iran, but critics say these systems are too costly and largely unproven, explains this Backgrounder.

Hawking Something

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:35:15 -0400

Micah Zenko weighs the options on a United States intervention in Syria.

French Government: White Paper on Defense and National Security

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:07:02 -0400

The French government published a white paper on June 17, 2008, which, according to its introduction, "substantially redefines French strategy in a 15-year perspective, embracing both defense and national security." On April 29, 2013, the government released its fourth defense reform paper, which freezes the budget, further reduces personnel and equipment in addition to 2008 cuts, and focuses on intelligence gathering, cyberwarfare, and drones.

General Dempsey's Remarks at the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo, April 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:13:06 -0400

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey gave these remarks at the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo on April 26, 2013.

General Dempsey's Remarks at a Town Hall Meeting in Yokota Air Base, April 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:17:38 -0400

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey held this town hall meeting at the Yokota Air Base in Japan on April 25, 2013. He discussed the U.S. strategy to "rebalance" with the Asia Pacific, effects of sequestration, officer character reviews, and U.S. global power.

Is using drones against terrorists cheaper than using special forces?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:44:21 -0400

The Obama administration has increasingly relied on drones in its counterterrorist operations. And, as I explain in a recent CFR report, U.S. special operations forces are doing more things in more places than ever before. The heavy reliance on both drones and unilateral commando raids needs to be reassessed.

Secretary Hagel's Press Conference on the Conclusion of his Trip to the Middle East, April 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:55:28 -0400

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel held a press conference in Abu Dhabi to wrap up his five day trip to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. He discussed U.S. intelligence on the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

China, Cybersecurity, and Crisis Stability

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:34 -0400

Adam Segal, CFR's Maurice R. Greenberg senior fellow for China studies, leads a conversation on U.S.-China relations through the lens of cybersecurity issues, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Domestic Intelligence and the Boston Bombings

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:10:31 -0400

The Boston Marathon bombings illustrate the stresses on domestic intelligence gathering and counterterrorism in a democratic system, says CFR's Richard Falkenrath.

General Dempsey and Chinese General Fang's Joint Press Conference, April 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:02:25 -0400

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and Chinese General Fang Fenghui held a press conference on April 24, 2013. They discussed the U.S.-China military relationship, especially in regard to addressing North Korean threats, joint military exercises, and cybersecurity.

Boston Consequences

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:11:38 -0400

Julia Sweig reflects on implications of the Boston Marathon bombings in the midst of debates on gun control and immigration reform.

Web Censorship: the Net is Closing In

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:17:40 -0400

Jared Cohen and Eric Schmidt discuss potential future Internet censorship and security scenarios.

Why the U.S. Army Needs Armor

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:44:57 -0400

Looming budgetary constraints and the U.S. Army's ongoing downsizing have enhanced the appeal of forces that are lighter, smaller, and cheaper than tanks and other protected vehicles. But not only have armored forces proved critical in yesterday's wars; they will also be needed to win tomorrow's.

Why the U.S. Army Needs Missiles

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:40:23 -0400

Conventional wisdom holds that the U.S. Army will bear the brunt of forthcoming defense cuts. But that need not be the case, provided it shifts its focus away from traditional ground forces toward more relevant weapons: land-base missile systems.

Reducing Gun Violence?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:07:18 -0400

New legislation will do little good given diminishing enforcement capabilities, says Jeanne Hull.

The Dark Side of the Digital Revolution

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:23:23 -0400

After visiting North Korea, Jared Cohen and Eric Schmidt write about the future of surveillance and digital police states.