America

Carter’s Dilemma – New Secretary Must Balance Force Size, Cost
Carter’s Dilemma – New Secretary Must Balance Force Size, Cost

America, Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

Carter’s Dilemma – New Secretary Must Balance Force Size, Cost

When Ashton Carter takes the oath of office as the US secretary of defense, he will be caught on the horns of an excruciating dilemma. If unresolved, the long-term consequence will be a 21st century replay of the “hollow force” that arose after the Vietnam War ended. That force was unready and largely incapable of carrying out all its duties to defend the nation. The first and very visible horn of this dilemma is White House guidance. One of many reasons why Carter was chosen for the post is that he is highly experienced, hence a “safe pair of hands” who is unlikely to do “stupid stuff.” One [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:27:57+02:00January 31st, 2015|America, Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

Countering domestic terrorism
Countering domestic terrorism

America, Blogs, Economics, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

Countering domestic terrorism

Normally, when Washington-based policy institutions issue major reports, unless the study reflects strongly held ideological preferences of its constituents or is a stunning condemnation of whichever administration is in power, the half-life is at best a day or two. Last week, Business Executives for National Security (BENS---and I am on the advisory board but did not participate in this study) issued its findings on countering domestic terrorism. This report is a must read for the White House, state houses, mayors’ offices and the public. This report is a critical follow-on to the Commission on September 11th co-chaired by former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean and Representative Lee Hamilton who [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:27:57+02:00January 31st, 2015|America, Blogs, Economics, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

Needed: Realistic foreign policy priorities for Barack
Needed: Realistic foreign policy priorities for Barack

America, Blogs, Democracy & Human Rights, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Regions

Needed: Realistic foreign policy priorities for Barack

In foreign policy as well in virtually every human endeavor, how do you know how well or badly you are doing. Most smart people have annual physicals to check on their health. Scorecards for hedge fund managers and CEO’s are measured in return on investment or share value. And in sports, overtime is the ultimate measure of winning or losing. Unfortunately, foreign policy has no universal or even partial scorecard except to the extent that White Houses, Congresses, critics and the media pass judgments on what appears to be working and what does not. The starting point for making these assessments regarding foreign policy rests in analyzing the priorities [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:00+02:00December 3rd, 2014|America, Blogs, Democracy & Human Rights, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Regions|0 Comments

Defense at risk—but not why you think
Defense at risk—but not why you think

America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Regions

Defense at risk—but not why you think

London: To hear the anguished cries of critics of the Obama administration’s defense plans, one would think the nation is disarming. We are told that at a projected end strength of 450,000 active duty Army personnel, ground forces will be headed to pre-World War II levels. The Navy, with some 290 ships or less, will be down to the size of the pre-World War I fleet. Is the sky falling? Unfortunately, the first complaint is misleading. And the second dismisses the fighting power of today’s Navy. Worse, the real dangers to the future size and capability of the U.S. military are entirely ignored. Regarding the size of ground forces, America [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:02+02:00November 10th, 2014|America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Regions|0 Comments

America votes
America votes

America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Regions

America votes

Next Tuesday, America goes to the polls to elect all manner of officials from city counsel person and sheriff to members of Congress. Congressional and gubernatorial races have of course attracted national attention. While the House of Representatives will remain firmly in Republican hands, the future control of the Senate is uncertain. Both parties predict that should they lose or win the Senate, the future of the nation is at stake. Unfortunately, whether Republicans win or Democrats maintain Senatorial control, it will make little difference. The political system is badly broken and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men cannot repair it. Interestingly, control of the Senate races [...]