Danielle Pletka

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Danielle Pletka is the vice president for foreign and defense policy studies at AEI. Before joining AEI, she served for ten years as a senior professional staff member for the Near East and South Asia on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. She writes frequently on national security matters with a focus on domestic politics in the Middle East and South Asia regions, U.S. national security, terrorism and weapons proliferation.

Foreign and Defense Policy

Something Congress shouldn’t do, aircraft edition

Danielle Pletka | March 19, 2013, 2:41 pm

So, here’s an embarrassing confession for a foreign policy geek: I’m afraid to fly. And I mean — medication, alcohol, hold-the-hand-of-strangers afraid to fly. Do you want to hear about the problems with the Airbus 380 and wing strut cracks? … read more >

A statue of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is pulled down by US troops in central Baghdad April 9, 2003. Image Credit: REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Paul Wolfowitz on Iraq ten years later

Danielle Pletka | March 19, 2013, 10:57 am

Ten years ago today, the United States invaded Iraq and a few short weeks later deposed Saddam Hussein. After a period of popularity, the war became unpopular with the American public and with many in the body politic who had … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Defense

The State of the Union, Obama style

Danielle Pletka | February 12, 2013, 3:19 pm

The press is reporting that tonight’s State of the Union will be light on defense and national security. Shocking. Indeed, the president is likely to spare little breath for previous commitments to extend free trade, prioritize victory in Afghanistan, roll … read more >

Records from John Bolton's UN ambassador confirmation hearings kept stored at AEI. If stacked on top of one another, they would reach well above 5 feet.

Foreign and Defense Policy, Defense

The unprecedented and Chuck Hagel

Danielle Pletka | February 11, 2013, 2:13 pm

The Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is poised to force a committee vote on Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense tomorrow despite outstanding questions from Republican members regarding Hagel’s finances, speeches, receipt of foreign payments. Chairman Levin … read more >

Photo Credit: Pete Souza, White House Flickr Feed

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Obama and arming the Syrian rebels

Danielle Pletka | February 8, 2013, 9:51 am

Yesterday, both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and outgoing SecDef Panetta told the Senate Armed Services Committee that they supported arming the rebels in Syria. We also know that Hillary Clinton supported doing the same. So… let’s get this … read more >

Also of Interest

How to stop Assad's slaughter

If the U.S. wants to break the military stalemate in Syria, force Assad into political concessions or aid in his ouster, eliminating his air power should be the first order of business.

read more >
A pivotal fight in Syria. US AWOL per usual

The fight now going on in the strategic city of Qusayr has already spilled over into neighboring Lebanon.

read more >
Judging Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State

The simple consensus about Hillary Clinton’s tenure at state is: Meh.

read more >