Frederick W. Kagan

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The reality of retreat

Frederick W. Kagan | January 10, 2013, 10:51 am

Leaked White House plans to keep only a minimal American military footprint in Afghanistan after 2014 to conduct training and counter-terrorism operations do not reflect military realities. A force of 6,000 troops or so will be unable either to support … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Terrorism

On Iran, please read; don’t tweet

Frederick W. Kagan | May 24, 2012, 10:57 am

Contrary to the tweets of supposed experts who apparently do not know how to read (@Colinkahl), AEI’s Critical Threats Project does NOT predict that Iran will acquire a nuclear capability in 42 days. Maseh Zarif DOES conclude that any “deal” … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy

‘End this war’ is not a strategy

Frederick W. Kagan | December 15, 2011, 12:49 pm

The end of American military presence in Iraq is not the end of Iraq or the end of America’s interests in Iraq. The worst manifestation of the Vietnam complex that has informed so many decisions about American policy in Iraq … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Terrorism

AEI Debate Prep: Is this the only path to victory in Afghanistan?

Frederick W. Kagan | November 8, 2011, 10:40 am

What do we need to achieve in Afghanistan in order to protect the security of the United States and its allies? That core question should shape any discussion of our strategy in Afghanistan or the resources we devote to executing it. But that … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Terrorism

AEI Debate Prep: After the retreat from Iraq

Frederick W. Kagan | October 28, 2011, 11:24 am

This post is part of an ongoing series preparing for the AEI/CNN/Heritage National Security & Foreign Policy GOP presidential debate on November 22nd. See the rest of the posts here. President Obama’s decision to terminate negotiations extending the presence of … read more >

Hindsight Isn’t 20/20
Many lessons should be drawn from the U.S. experience in Iraq. Unfortunately, we’re not learning what we should. […]
The Uses of Scandal
One of the greatest uses of scandal is to vividly demonstrate what new laws are needed and to create the political conditions to get them enacted. […]
Lean In… to Government?
Sheryl Sandberg's runaway best-selling book Lean In has managed to offend both the Left and the Right. Sandberg touts female hard-headedness, yet also calls for an elaborate government- and employer-supplied support system for women. […]
Are American Voters Racist?
Racial prejudice plays a very small role in American politics, but a highly disciplined sense of self-interest on the part of one group may play a very large role in the way the federal government functions. […]