Former National Security Advisors Discuss Lack Of Progress In Middle East Peace Talks

By A.J. Swartwood

Former National Security Advisors James Jones and Stephen Hadley made it clear at a forum on Middle Eastern peace on Monday that the time for a permanent peace agreement is now.

General Jones, who served as President Barack Obama’s NSA until last month, noted the meshing of international forces that seem more inclined to act now than at any time in recent history.

“There’s a convergence of views between the Europeans, the Arab world, and the United States that this is a moment that has enormous potential,” Jones said. The General applauded the administration’s effort to spark dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and urged continued pressure.

Both former security chiefs emphasized that the plan for a two-state solution is no secret. The hard part, said Hadley, who served under former President George W. Bush, is “how do you get there?”

Both agreed that the idea of Isrealis and Palestinians brokering a solution without America’s help is not plausible — “it’s just too hard,” said Hadley. Jones agreed, citing the unwillingness of either state to move past the issue of settlements in the negotiating arena.

Hadley called for a shift in focus from the more polemic issues to more common ground. “We have got to get the debate off the issue of settlements and construction freezes and onto the issue of the terms of peace.” He mentioned that while the issue of settlements remains divisive, the idea of a peace plan is supported by 60% of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Cutting Defense Spending Leaves U.S. Ill Prepared For Future, Says Panel

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

In our current state of economic concern and budget frugality, the notion of cutting defense spending is gaining popularity among Democrats and Republicans alike. However, the independent panel assigned to examine the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) says that in order for the U.S. military to make much needed changes, an increase in budget is vital.

Almost a week after presenting the panel’s recommendations to the House Armed Services Committee, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and former Defense Secretary William Perry came together once more Tuesday in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee to reemphasize the importance of modernization within the military.

“It’s important to plan a force that we’ll need 10 to 20 years ahead,” said Perry. 

The former Defense Secretary explained many of the panel’s recommendations, including sustaining additions to the U.S. ground forces, augmenting Air Force long-range strike capabilities and increasing maritime forces in the Western Pacific.

“What we have described as a need will be expensive,” said Perry. “But, deferring recapitalization could entail even greater expenses in the long run.”

Many committee members agreed with the panel’s advice regarding potential budget constraints that would deter improvements in U.S. defenses. 

“We are in the midst of a great national debate about the priorities and spending habits of our government driven by the mounting debt,” said Senator John McCain (R-Ariz). “For the first time in a decade, there’s a growing call for real cuts in defense spending and a willingness on both sides of the aisle to consider it.”

Defense Train Wreck Could Be Coming, Cautions Independent Panel

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

With future military engagements eminent, the independent panel assigned to examine the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the Congressionally mandated overview of U.S. military policy, says that U.S. defense needs to be modernized in nearly every aspect. A report from the panel calls for more people, equipment and, ultimately, more money.

“Our current federal government structures, both executive and legislative, and in particular those related to security, were fashioned in the 1940s and they work at best imperfectly today,” said former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, who steers the panel along with former Defense Secretary William Perry. The pair testified this morning before the House Armed Services Committee Thursday.

The report states that “the aging of the inventories and equipment used by the services, the decline in the size of the Navy, escalating personnel entitlements, overhead and procurement costs, and the growing stress on the force mean that a train wreck is coming.” 

To avoid such a grim fate, Hadley and Perry recommended expanding personnel, acquisition and the overall force structure.

Rep. Howard McKeon (R-Calif.), the Ranking Member of the committee, applauded the panel’s conclusion, which stands in contrast to calls from many on Capitol Hill to reduce defense spending and the streamlined interpretation of military policy included in the QDR itself.

Despite the report’s answers on how the military should be improved, how to pay for such changes remains in question.

National Security Adviser targets focus on North Korea and Iran

National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley spoke at the Proliferation Society Initiative fifth anniversary meeting and said that North Korea and Iran are still great proliferation risks. Hadley said that the position of the U.S. and many other nations is to not betray future generations by allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons. He said the door is still open to negotiations only if Iran suspends their uranium enrichment program.

Hadley discussed the new challenges in the fight against nuclear weapons that differ significantly from the challenges faced during the Cold War. He said the U.S. is no longer facing a nuclear threat from specific nations, but also terrorist organizations with an increased threat of chemical and biological weapons.

He outlined a six-step plan to achieve the goal of keeping weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. This plan focused on locating the sources of the weapons and disrupting the networks that facilitate terrorist organizations.

Addressing representatives in the international community, Hadley said that information sharing among nations is still not what it needs to be. He said that the faster information is shared the more quickly actions can be taken.