ECONOMICS OF NATIONAL SECURITY
2007
Global Perspectives on Oil and Security
Book
This book was born out of a seminar organized by the Centre for Foreign Policy Studies in January 2006, where members of the Department of Political Science at Dalhousie University presented papers on topics related to oil and security.
September, 2003
Countering Terrorism: Dimensions of Preparedness
Book
By Robyn Pangi, Former Research Specialist, Executive Session on Domestic Preparedness, International Security Program and Arnold Howitt, Executive Director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government, Faculty Affiliate
The United States now knows that it is vulnerable to terrorist attacks. In Countering Terrorism, experts from such disparate fields as medicine, law, public policy, and international security discuss institutional changes the country must make to protect against future attacks. In these essays, they argue that terrorism preparedness is not just a federal concern, but one that requires integrated efforts across federal, state, and local governments.
Department of Defense
January 2008
Defense Management Challenges in the Post-Bush Era
Book Chapter
By Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Co-Director, Preventive Defense Project (on leave), Harvard & Stanford Universities
Dr. Ashton Carter discusses the resource management challenges facing American defense leaders in the coming decade.
January 2009
Defense Management Challenges for the Next American President
Journal Article, Orbis, issue 1, volume 53
By Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Co-Director, Preventive Defense Project (on leave), Harvard & Stanford Universities
PDP Co-Director Dr. Ashton B. Carter explores the daunting list of national security challenges facing the next American president.
AP photo
Summer 2008
"Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz"
Journal Article, International Security, issue 1, volume 33
How might Iran retaliate in the aftermath of a limited Israeli or U.S. strike? The most economically devastating of Iran's potential responses would be closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to open-source order of battle data, as well as relevant analogies from military history and GIS maps, Iran does possess significant littoral warfare capabilities, including mines, antiship cruise missiles, and land-based air defense. If Iran were able to properly link these capabilities, it could halt or impede traffic in the Strait of Hormuz for a month or more. U.S. attempts to reopen the waterway likely would escalate rapidly into sustained, large-scale air and naval operations during which Iran could impose significant economic and military costs on the United States — even if Iranian operations were not successful in truly closing the strait. The aftermath of limited strikes on Iran would be complicated and costly, suggesting needed changes in U.S. force posture and energy policy.
Velo Steve
May 19, 2008
National Security Challenges and Competition: US Defense and Space R&D in a Strategic Context
Journal Article, Technology in Society, issue 3, volume 30
By Dr. Robert J. Hermann, Formern Senior Advisor, Preventive Defense Project
PDP Senior Advisor Robert J. Hermann examines the evolution of the role of science and technology as a strategic national security advantage.
AP Photo
October-December 2007
"United States Hegemony and the New Economics of Defense"
Journal Article, Security Studies, issue 4, volume 16
By Jonathan D. Caverley, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2007-2008
This paper proposes an alternate theory of technological hegemony that explains the U.S. policy of massive R&D investment in both the late Cold War and the current era of American preponderance. Modern weapons' complexity and economies of scale tend to produce monopolies, and the value chain for the production of these monopolistic goods is dominated by the systems integration techniques of prime contracting firms. In turn these prime contractors remain largely enthralled by U.S. market power. The United States gains international influence by controlling the distribution of these weapons. Put simply, technology with international political effects is likely to have international political origins.
Winter 2002/03
"Two Dismal Sciences Are Better Than One— Economics and the Study of National Security: A Review Essay"
Journal Article, International Security, issue 3, volume 27
Ethan Kapstein reviews The Dark Side of the Force: Economic Foundations of Conflict Theory, by Jack Hirshleifer.
AP Photo
May 1, 2009
"U.S.-China Relations: Key Next Steps"
News
By Beth Maclin, Communications Assistant
With the United States and China expected to be the two dominant powers in the twenty-first century, it is essential that they actively manage their relationship to avoid military conflict, a group of distinguished Chinese and American scholars said at a major conference in Washington, D.C. The scholars—from Harvard Kennedy School, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and elsewhere—have worked together for more than two years to create a blueprint for a new relationship between the two countries.
Winter 2008-09
Belfer Center Newsletter Winter 2008-09
Newsletter
By Sharon Wilke, Associate Director of Communications
The Winter 2008-09 issue of the Belfer Center newsletter features recent and upcoming research, activities, and analysis by Center faculty, fellows, and staff on critical global issues. "What should the next president do first?" is a question raised in this issue. Belfer Center experts respond to the question with advice on what they consider priority issues of national security, climate/energy policy, and the economic crisis.
The Winter 2008-09 issue also features take-aways from the Center’s recent “Acting in Time on Energy Policy” conference hosted by the Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group. In addition, it spotlights Belfer Center Faculty Affiliate Richard Clarke and new Kennedy School Professor Nicholas Burns.
