Note from AFA President -- Kissinger, Friedman, Clarke

A few op-eds for your review:

First, Dr. Henry Kissinger has penned an intriguing piece about the so-called Arab Spring that appeared in the Washington Post.  In it, he posits (among other points) that humanitarian intervention into Middle East revolutions will prove unsustainable, unless linked to a concept of American national security.  Like Dr. Kissinger, the piece is a bit convoluted … but, then again, so is the subject.  You can find the piece at:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-new-doctrine-of-intervention/2012/03/30/gIQAcZL6lS_story.html

 

Secondly, Tom Friedman has an op-ed in the New York Times entitled “Why Nations Fail.”  He takes the title from a new book with the same title by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.  A quote from the piece to interest you:
 

“Our analysis,” says Acemoglu, “is that China is experiencing growth under extractive institutions — under the authoritarian grip of the Communist Party, which has been able to monopolize power and mobilize resources at a scale that has allowed for a burst of economic growth starting from a very low base, but it’s not sustainable because it doesn’t foster the degree of “creative destruction” that is so vital for innovation and higher incomes.”

You can find the piece at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/opinion/sunday/friedman-why-nations-fail.html

Third, Richard Clarke has a piece in the New York Times entitled:  “How China Steals Our Secrets.”  A quote from the piece: 
 

“Many companies do not even know when they have been hacked. According to Congressional testimony last week, 94 percent of companies served by the computer-security firm Mandiant were unaware that they had been victimized. And although the Securities and Exchange Commission has urged companies to reveal when they have been victims of cyberespionage, most do not.”

 

You can find the piece at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/opinion/how-china-steals-our-secrets.html

As always, I look forward to your comments.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

"The only thing more expensive than a first-rate Air Force is … a second-rate Air Force."  --  Senate staff member