National Security

Transferring Some Guantanamo Detainees to the U.S. Will Actually Make America Safer

Robert Creamer | Posted 06.22.2009 | Politics


Robert Creamer

Why take the "chance" by bringing additional Guantanamo detainees to our shores? Because it is essential to our national security that we close it down -- and this step is necessary to make that happen.

A Dangerous Day for War On Terror

Julie Menin | Posted 06.21.2009 | Politics


Julie Menin

Today was not a great day for the war on terror. Hearing these two dueling speeches by the President and former Vice President did not advance our g...

Jason Linkins

Obama Vs. Cheney: How The Pundits Called The Fight

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 06.21.2009 | Media


Well, we hope everyone enjoyed today's foreign policy showdown! Because that's what it was, apparently! At least that's what the media's been saying...

Obama and Cheney Don't Play Safe in Battle Over Security...

Phil Bronstein | Posted 06.21.2009 | Politics


Phil Bronstein

The Obama-Cheney faceoff was gladiator vs. gladiator, a war of its own for the soul of national security policy and the judgment of history.

Learn How to Beat Dick Cheney!

Jonathan Powers | Posted 06.21.2009 | Politics


Jonathan Powers

While we might have put the Republicans on the ropes, they are preparing to swing back. That is why Cheney is attempting to go back on the offensive by giving his speech today.

Sam Stein

Obama Huddles With Human Rights Groups Before Security Speech

HuffingtonPost.com | Sam Stein | Posted 06.20.2009 | Politics


Under heavy criticism for a series of decisions on national security that resembled, for some, those of the Bush years, President Barack Obama hosted ...

Obama, Cheney To Give Dueling Speeches

Politico | Posted 06.20.2009 | Politics


President Barack Obama will attempt to regain control of a boiling debate over anti-terrorism policy with a major speech on Thursday -- an address tha...

What, Exactly, Was Pelosi Supposed to Do?

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.18.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Pelosi can be defended for being in an impossible situation at the time. Even if she disagreed with the policy, there simply wasn't much for her to do about it.

Obama Really Had No Choice on Torture Pictures

Earl Ofari Hutchinson | Posted 06.18.2009 | Politics


Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Obama's decision was based on a recognition that he's a young, untested, and perceived liberal Democrat, and therefore widely suspected as weak on national security and military toughness.

Torture Commission: A Gift to the Republican Right?

Hoyt Hilsman | Posted 06.14.2009 | Politics


Hoyt Hilsman

It is a bitter pill to swallow that those most responsible for the terrible abuses of the past decade are those who are most likely to benefit from an investigation into the truth.

A Progressive Case for the Supplemental

Lorelei Kelly | Posted 06.14.2009 | Politics


Lorelei Kelly

This is an excruciating vote for many on the Left who want to support their new president, but decry the fact that less than 10% of the funds will go to non-military items. What to do?

Who Do You Despise More, Dick or Liz?

Jacob Heilbrunn | Posted 06.13.2009 | Politics


Jacob Heilbrunn

The Cheneys are seeking to lay the groundwork for a "Who Lost America?" debate should there be another terrorist attack during the Obama presidency.

Obama Caving on Gays in the Military

Aubrey Sarvis | Posted 06.10.2009 | Politics


Aubrey Sarvis

In Washington, we know about commissions and study groups and promise-them-anything when you're trolling for votes. But after the election... well, memories fade.

Obama Needs to End Silence on Biggest Civil Rights Move of Our Time

Steve Clemons | Posted 06.07.2009 | Politics


Steve Clemons

There is no excuse at all -- none -- for the White House to allow the bigotry and harassment of gays and lesbians in the armed forces to stand. Gays populate the armed services now.

GOP Pollster: Our National Security Attacks On Obama Make Us Look "Irrelevant"

The Plum Line | Posted 06.06.2009 | Politics


A high-profile and well-respected GOP pollster is strongly criticizing the new effort by the GOP Congressional leadership to revive the party's nation...

Why Vets Are Backing Clean Energy

Jon Soltz | Posted 05.31.2009 | Politics


Jon Soltz

Why would veterans get involved in a fight over renewable energy and efficiency? Well, for those of us who served, fighting terrorists and insurgents, this support is a no-brainer.

100 Days and Obama's Achilles Heel

Taylor Marsh | Posted 05.30.2009 | Politics


Taylor Marsh

We all know he can bring people together, but can he confront on issues and push forward implementing what's needed?

National Security: Is Obama Making Progress?

Gordon Adams | Posted 05.30.2009 | World


Gordon Adams

The first 100 days of the Obama administration have been promising, but to paraphrase Death of a Salesman, 'Attention must [continue to] be paid.'"

One Hundred Days

Madeleine Albright | Posted 05.30.2009 | Politics


Madeleine Albright

The first one hundred days in a presidency are roughly comparable to the first one hundred yards in a mile race. Our president may not have won anything yet, but he is off to a reassuring start.

Getting our Game Back: The First Hundred Days

Lorelei Kelly | Posted 05.29.2009 | Politics


Lorelei Kelly

If we kill people, we lose the war. The most significant achievement of the Obama Administration thus far is a consistent and systematic understanding that security as we know it has fundamentally changed.

Transparency in the First 100 Days: Grading the Obama Administration

Elizabeth Goitein | Posted 05.29.2009 | Politics


Elizabeth Goitein

In cases where people seek accountability for government misconduct the administration's commitment to transparency falls by the wayside in every instance.

100 Days, 100 Foreign Policy Achievements

Ilan Goldenberg | Posted 05.28.2009 | World


Ilan Goldenberg

In 100 days, the Obama administration has taken more than 100 actions that are reshaping American foreign policy, reversing the failures of the Bush administration, and renewing America's standing in the world.

The Tortured Past

The Progress Report | Posted 05.24.2009 | Home


The Progress Report

by Faiz Shakir, Amanda Terkel, Satyam Khanna, Matt Corley, Benjamin Armbruster, Ali Frick, Ryan Powers, and Pat Garofalo To receive The Progress Repo...

The Gates Revolution

Adam Elkus | Posted 05.23.2009 | Politics


Adam Elkus

Gates is doing something far more radical than just canceling big-ticket weapons programs: he's finally fusing theory and policy.

How It Is: Psychiatrists, Physicians, and Torture

Dan Agin | Posted 05.21.2009 | Politics


Dan Agin

If the design of torture at Guantanamo came from psychiatrists, they should bear the full brunt of public condemnation.