The Republic of Korea and the United States are running out of time to finish negotiations on a bilateral agreement for nuclear cooperation. The current agreement from 1974 expires next March. The conventional wisdom is that because the U.S. Congress requires 90 days of continuous session to review a finished agreement before entry-into-force, the two …
The Well Read Wonk
by | 2013-03-09 | 19 Comments
Mastery of technical detail without an understanding of history is like learning to ride a bicycle without wheels. Ergo, The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy by Lawrence Freedman is must reading for aspiring wonks. The paperback on my bookshelf dates back to 1983; help yourselves to the third edition. Freedman acknowledges that “strategy” and “nuclear weapons” …
Drone Strikes in Pakistan
by | 2013-03-02 | 32 Comments
Drones provide essential surveillance, thereby helping to protect US forces and national security interests. Drone strikes are meant to serve the same purposes, but they have become a recruiting tool for militancy. Are drone strikes necessary, and if so, under what criteria? Do the current pattern and number of drone strikes advance or harm US …
Ward Wilson Wednesdays Part 4
by | 2013-02-28 | 33 Comments
Yeah, so I missed a couple of Ward Wilson Wednesdays. Suck it. Ward’s final contribution contains an elaborated version of my favorite joke about the epistemology of deterrence. Like the others, it’s an enjoyable read. It’s been a pleasure hosting Ward these past few weeks. In case you missed them, here are links to parts 1, …
