National Security
Jan 19, 2012
Army Captain Pete Hegseth, an American Experiment Senior Fellow, recently wrote the following update while in Kabul, Afghanistan and then Manas, Kyrgyzstan on his eventual way back to Minnesota.
Welcome home, soldier and great thanks for your brave service and that of your family.
Nov 10, 2011
Fall has come to Afghanistan. Back home in Minnesota, it’s my favorite season; ushering in falling leaves, weekend football, warm sweatshirts, and the forthcoming crisp winter air. The weather is changing here as well, with chilly nights, frequent rain, and snow on distant mountaintops. It feels foreign to experience “fall” in a warzone—it just doesn’t compute. My previous two deployments were perpetual summers, with yearlong weather patterns cycling between hot, hotter, and hottest. Fall feels like home, yet it has arrived in Afghanistan—with winter close behind. I’m certainly glad to be rid of the heat; it just takes a while to associate the cold with camouflage.
Sep 12, 2011
As dawn broke on Sept. 11, 2001, America was asleep—believing itself to be prosperous, safe and secure. Hours later, we gazed in horror and disbelief as the Twin Towers collapsed in a maelstrom of flame, smoke and debris.
What did we learn? First and foremost, that there is evil—real evil—in the world.
Sep 11, 2011
We all remember where we were when the towers fell.
Sep 6, 2011
In counterinsurgency warfare, the population is the prize. The strategic sympathies of people in cities, villages, and the countryside are what both insurgents and counterinsurgents seek. Population support—whether active or passive—determines physical freedom of movement, either stifling insurgent operations (see my 2008 articles from Baghdad and Samarra) or providing safe haven and support (Marjah, 2009). The same goes for counterinsurgents.
Aug 17, 2011
Last week, Capt. Pete Hegseth--American Experiment's newest Senior Fellow--sat down for an interview with FoxNews.
Jul 28, 2011
The following are remarkably insightful first impressions of the military and political situation in Afghanistan by Army Capt. Pete Hegseth, a Minnesota native from Forest Lake—and I’m very pleased to announce, a newly named American Experiment Senior Fellow.
Dec 4, 2007
Prof. John Radsan discusses what he describes as Iran's "grave threat" to American security and national interests.
Feb 13, 2005
The recent Iraqi election and the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz occurred within the same week, two events that exemplify the contrast between ignoring the plight of others and making the sacrifice of preemptive action.
Sep 23, 2003
Below is Mitch Pearlstein's opening statement in a debate Tuesday night (9/23/03) on the question: "Be it resolved: The Bush administration is adequately addressing U.S. national and domestic security concerns in the wake of 9/11." He argued in the affirmative. Arguing in the negative was Phil Steger, executive director of Friends for a Non-Violent World. The debate was sponsored by the West Metro Neighbors for Peace and was held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka (in Wayzata).
