Press Releases

Tonight in Florida, the presidential debate on foreign policy will be the last big chance for the candidates to prove to the American people theirs is the right path for U.S. foreign policy. On a press call with the National Security Network, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Maj. Gen. (ret) Paul D. Eaton, Dr. Lawrence Korb and Jon Soltz explored the contrasts between President Obama’s steady leadership on terrorism, Iran, Libya, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Pentagon spending, and China with Romney’s rhetoric and repackaging of Bush-Cheneyisms. In drawing the contrast, the speakers emphasized a lesser noticed trend in support of progressive foreign policy principles that better balance the three elements of American power: diplomacy, economy and military. LISTEN to the call here. READ call transcriptions… Read More ›

This week, the UN General Assembly annual meeting in New York is shining a national and global spotlight on international diplomacy. On a press call with the National Security Network on September 24, Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), House Armed Services Committee ranking member, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, former U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations and co-chair and signatory to The Iran Project report on “Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Military Action in Iran,” and Heather Hurlburt, National Security Network executive director, previewed the UN summit and laid out top benchmarks and opportunities for U.S. leadership and multilateral efforts in Iran, Syria, Africa and Asia. Listen to the call HERE. Ambassador Thomas Pickering emphasized non-military options for confronting challenges in the Middle East, Africa and… Read More ›

On September 12, the National Security Network held a press call with senior diplomatic, military and security experts to offer perspective on yesterday’s tragic violence in Libya, which resulted in the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other members of the diplomatic staff. Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin, Major General Paul Eaton, Tom Malinowski and Brian Katulis emphasized the importance of measured responses from U.S. policymakers and politicians. Listen to the call HERE. Major General (ret) Paul Eaton, National Security Network senior adviser and thirty-year U.S. Army veteran including service in conflict- and post-conflict Somalia, Bosnia and Iraq, urged a measured response from American leaders: “Soldiers look to their chain of command, look to their leadership to be cool, calm, and collected, steady in the… Read More ›

Today, the National Security Network held a press call with senior diplomatic, military and security experts to offer perspective on yesterday’s tragic violence in Libya, which resulted in the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other members of the diplomatic staff. Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin, Major General Paul Eaton, Tom Malinowski and Brian Katulis emphasized the importance of measured responses from U.S. policymakers and politicians. Listen to the call here. Major General (ret) Paul Eaton, National Security Network senior adviser and thirty-year U.S. Army veteran including service in conflict- and post-conflict Somalia, Bosnia and Iraq, urged a measured response from American leaders: “Soldiers look to their chain of command, look to their leadership to be cool, calm, and collected, steady in the saddle. To… Read More ›

In a press call today with National Security Network (NSN) and Women’s Action for New Directions & Women Legislator’s Lobby, a Georgia state senator joined a local military veteran and experts on national security and the Pentagon budget to discuss Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)’s attempts to fan fears about automatic budget cuts –slated for next year– instead of finding a comprehensive, safe and secure alternative budget. LISTEN to the call here These military veterans, state leaders and budget experts outlined the possible impact of automatic budget cuts on Georgia’s economy and explained military and civilian leaders believe the U.S. can afford necessary reductions in Pentagon spending. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is expected to speak tomorrow morning at the College of Coastal Georgia in Kingsland as… Read More ›

In response to today’s announcement of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as Governor Romney’s vice presidential pick, NSN Executive Director Heather Hurlburt issued the following statement: “Mitt Romney’s choice today to name Paul Ryan as commander-in-chief-in-waiting is at best cynical, at worst reckless — with consequences in lives and livelihoods. In his time in Washington, Ryan has proven himself to be less a courageous budget maverick and more a creature of politics – pitting himself against America’s military, diplomats and veterans. Ryan’s flip-flopping on Pentagon spending –moving from agreement with the core of President Obama’s plan in his 2011 budget to a 2012 budget that imposes monies and programs on the military that they do not want – while being consistent about gutting veterans’ programs and… Read More ›

Today, leaders from Center for American Progress Action Fund, National Security Network, VoteVets.org and Ohio and Pennsylvania veterans held a press call to discuss attempts by Mitt Romney and Ohio conservatives’ attempts to restrict voting rights for Ohioans –including nearly 1 million veterans. Listen to the call HERE Mitt Romney and his fellow conservatives are trying to restrict voting rights of veterans in Ohio while promoting strategic choices regarding Russia, Afghanistan and Pentagon spending that do not heed the advice of our military and ignoring broad-based needs of veterans. In response, NSN Senior Adviser Major General (ret) Paul D. Eaton, a thirty-year veteran of the U.S. Army and commanding general of the Coalition Military Training Team (CMATT) in Iraq from 2003 to 2004, expressed the… Read More ›

On July 24, Mitt Romney addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Reno, Nevada as a precursor to his first foreign policy tour, to include the United Kingdom, Israel and Poland. Following Romney’s speech, experts from the Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF), National Security Network (NSN) and VoteVets held a press call to discuss why Romney’s slogan-heavy, solution-light plans are at odds with our veterans, our allies and our long-term security interests. LISTEN to the call here Former deputy secretary of defense Rudy deLeon, CAP Action Vice President for National Security and International Policy; NSN Executive Director Heather Hurlburt, former State Department and White House policy staff and speechwriter; CAP Action Senior Fellow Brian Katulis, Middle East and South Asia expert; and… Read More ›

The National Security Network issued the following statement on Pentagon spending and the sequester: Defense contractors and some members of Congress have been spotlighting a “side show” aimed at preserving corporate profits over advancing a strategy to preserve US security. This week, an Aerospace Industry Association (AIA)-sponsored report and a congressional hearing with four top defense contractors are megaphoning an argument that sequestration would be devastating to defense jobs, with the implication that we should shelter Pentagon spending from deficit reduction plans. The reality is that economic and military security are inextricably linked and, as Chairman Martin Dempsey has pointed out, “we are only as strong as those three pillars – diplomatic, military and economic – can interrelate.” With this strategic imperative to preserve America’s economic… Read More ›

Washington, D.C. — In response to Romney campaign comments today on Pentagon spending, National Security Network Executive Director Heather Hurlburt issued the following statement:  “Shifting blame will not ensure America’s strength. Yet that seems to be Romney and his allies’ response to that bipartisan budget deal passed by Congress last year. Security leaders from both parties support measured cuts, increases in revenue, and a commitment to U.S. infrastructure and the economic foundations of our security. It will take tough choices to prepare America for a post-post-9/11 world, where economic security is paramount to national strength. It is disappointing that Romney has chosen to pass the buck instead.” Key Facts National security leaders have called for a more balanced approach that recognizes America’s domestic strength is… Read More ›