The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor 72 years ago was a classic “Black Swan” event in that it was unexpected but should have been, as concluded after the fact. A fair question is whether we are courting another “surprise” attack that should be identified now and countered while there is still time to prevent or defend against it? Read Full Story
On this, the final day of Chanukah, as Jews worldwide complete their celebration of the Maccabee victory that liberated their Temple over two millennia ago, all Americans should remember our common love of liberty, the heritage that has set the West apart, and the common enemy that threatens our very existence and freedom today. We need modern Maccabees to preserve that heritage of liberty for our posterity. So may it be . . . Read Full Story
As we pause to give thanks for all our blessings, it is good to remember lessons learned from those who came before us, and to recommit ourselves to keeping this land free and prosperous for those who follow us. Memories give us a context for seeing and meeting our opportunities to leave this land better than we found it—with the help of the Sovereign of the Universe. So may it be . . . Read Full Story
As Americans this week recalled Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address 150 years ago and we remember the Maine 20th Regiment in the battle for Little Round Top, we see an interesting parallel. Maine citizens again have the potential to lead to the protection of all Americans from the existential threat posed by manmade or natural electromagnetic pulse (EMP). So may it be. Read Full Story
Like leaving a child with access to a supply of candy without a threat of disciplinary measures, the powers that be are permitting the nation’s electric power companies to ignore existential threats to the American people while conducting interesting but ineffective exercises that ignore this reality. More effective oversight is needed. Stay tuned . . . Read Full Story
Secretary of State John Kerry’s assertions on aspects of the Geneva negotiations with Iran seem an echo of the President’s false claims and promises that accommodated the 2010 passage and subsequent execution of Obamacare. Moreover, his unfulfilled promises that accompanied the 2010 ratification of New START Treaty leave one skeptical of promises accompanying the ongoing negotiations with Iran. “Curiouser and curiouser,” said Alice. Read Full Story
Today’s electric power grid, which has evolved over most of the last century, has vulnerabilities that previously have led to cascading failures leaving tens of millions of Americans without electricity for days. Fictional, but realistic TV dramas have illustrated the disaster of losing the grid for 10 days in a cyberattack. An indefinite loss of the grid due to a natural or manmade electromagnetic attack would create societal collapse. Read Full Story
U.S. aspirations for a deal with Iran, including preemptive concessions to remove the sanctions that are slowing Iran’s economy without any satisfaction from Iran on their deliberate efforts to build nuclear-armed missiles, threaten not only all Israelis but also all Americans. Thanks to France, there is at least a brief hiatus in these talks. Stay tuned . . . Read Full Story
In contemplating that an important purpose of the Constitution is “to provide for the common defense” and today’s existential challenges, it is difficult to ignore that Washington’s “powers that be” are collectively failing their oath of office. We seem oblivious to storm clouds that are gathering. We’ve been here before and awakened to the threat and dealt with it. Will we again find our way? Stay tuned . . . Read Full Story
Last Monday, construction began at an Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense site in Romania—to be completed by 2015 to begin defending our NATO allies against ballistic missiles from the Middle East, particularly Iran. A second Aegis Ashore site is planned by 2018. So why no Aegis Ashore sites around the Gulf of Mexico to defend America against Iranian or terrorist ballistic missiles launched from vessels in the Gulf? Read Full Story
We will be adding key policy briefs as we progress.