Thursday, February 22, 2018

A Summary of the Case for Unsigning the ATT

Why the U.S. Must Unsign the Arms Trade Treaty in 2018, Heritage Foundation Backgrounder #3287, February 22, 2018. "The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is one of a number of treaties that work not through verifiable commitments but by promoting restrictive norms. Over time, as similar treaties have done, the ATT will shape U.S. policymaking, as the undefined standards at its heart evolve and are applied through political pressure, moral suasion, or the actions of the courts. Even by the standards of the Obama Administration, the ATT is a substantive failure, and it lacks congressional support. But for the progressive activists behind the ATT, its inevitable inability to improve the world’s incompetent and malevolent nations is irrelevant. No U.S. action can eliminate the long-term risks posed by the ATT, but the U.S. can and should mitigate them by “unsigning” the treaty."

Monday, February 19, 2018

Another Abusive Authoritarian Joins Interpol

How U.S. Can Stop Palestinian Authority from Abusing Interpol, Washington Times, February 19, 2018. "Interpol is supposed to help the world’s police agencies communicate with each other, not to play politics. But when Interpol’s member nations voted to admit the Palestinian Authority, they brought a supporter of terrorism into the organization, and Interpol itself into new disrepute."

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Kick the Russians Out

The Indecency of the Olympic Games, Newsday, February 18, 2018. "Anyone who thinks that politics are new to the Olympics doesn’t know the Games. But there are politics, and then there are politics. The politics of the 2018 Winter Games are blatant. And they’re working."

Friday, February 9, 2018

The 2019 NDAA

The 2019 NDAA Must Continue to Rebuild the Military and Make it More Efficient, contributor to to Heritage Foundation Special Report #198, February 9, 2018. "The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) needs to be a step forward in rebuilding the Armed Forces’ capacity, capability, and readiness. Every single service is facing important questions about its future, both in terms of end strength and the infrastructure that will support its mission. Congress plays a vital role in shaping the military forces for next year and for the years to come. The NDAA is the best vehicle for Congress to shape the military’s present and future. The military did not get to the current level of deteriorated readiness in one year, and it will take consistent and sustained effort to rebuild that readiness. The 2019 NDAA needs to build on last year’s efforts and establish a reliable trend of investment."

Friday, February 2, 2018

They Don't Like Him As Much As You Think They Do

The Gun Industry’s Surprising Take on the Trump Administration, Daily Signal, February 2, 2018. "Certainly, it was great to hear the president speak up for the Second Amendment in his State of the Union address. But as I learned at this year’s SHOT—Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades—Show, which wrapped up last week in Las Vegas, it’s more complicated than that."