General Petraeus at Heritage
October 9, 2008 | By Nathaniel Ward
While American forces have made substantial progress in Iraq, Gen. David Petreaus said Wednesday at The Heritage Foundation, the progress is still fragile and reversible.
Nevertheless, the situation is much less fragile than before, explained Petraeus, the architect of the successful surge strategy in Iraq. In June 2007, before the surge, there were 180 insurgent attacks per day in Iraq. Today, there are fewer than 25 daily attacks.
—David Talbot
» Watch video of Petraeus's remarks
Missile defense is imperative
While the financial crisis rightly remains at the center of attention on newscasts and on the campaign trail, we must keep in mind another potential crisis issue: America's vulnerability to missile attack.
The preamble to the Constitution states that it is the government's responsibility to "provide for the common defense." Our military is therefore obligated to defend the nation against long-rang missile attack, Heritage expert Peter Brookes explains in the latest edition of Policy Review.
"Today there are 28 countries with ballistic missile arsenals of varying capability," Brookes says, and several of them pose a threat to the United States.
» Continue reading about the potential threats and the common-sense solution
In March, 1983, President Ronald Reagan's introduced the missile defense program when he announced the Strategic Defense Initiative. The Heritage Foundation helped lay the intellectual groundwork for President Reagan's missile defense policy. In fact, the "High Frontier" study that formed the basis for his policy was written at Heritage.
Heritage will release 33 Minutes, a full-length, high-definition documentary about the need for missile defense, in February.
—David Talbot
Congressman recognizes Heritage's achievements
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives last week, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) praised Heritage for our 35 years of advancing conservative ideas in Washington and around the country:
Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize The Heritage Foundation on the 35th anniversary of their founding. Since 1973, Heritage has been a stalwart in promoting and educating the American people on the merits of conservative, free market principles. Their belief in the power of individual liberty, American values, and limited government is matched by their dedication to a strong national defense.
The Heritage Foundation has been intricately involved in the rise of modern conservatism.
From its influence in the days of the Reagan Revolution to the Contract with America and in promoting a strong national defense and sound economic growth in the aftermath of September 11th, I commend The Heritage Foundation for over three decades of important work to help our Nation's leaders build a stronger America.
For federal or military employees
If you are a federal or military employee, you can contribute to Heritage through the 2008 Combined Federal Campaign. Mark CFC #10155 to support The Heritage Foundation's work.
Other Heritage Work of Note
- Family and Religion. In a new in-depth research paper, Heritage expert Christine Kim evaluates "the parent factor" in preventing underage sex. She also lays out a prescription for what parents and policymakers should do in light of troubling statistics about promiscuity even among preteens. At the end of the day, Kim says, there is no substitute for parents investing in a strong relationship with their kids.
- Protect America. Heritage national security expert Mackenzie Eaglen wrote the cover story for this month's issue of Armed Forces Journal, an influential magazine read widely among defense policymakers. In it, she explains the need to continue essential investments in our armed forces to ensure the country is strong enough to meet future threats.
In other news
- The stock market continued to tumble early this week despite the bailout legislation signed into law last Friday and an emergency interest-rate cut enacted Wednesday.
- "The Bush administration is considering taking ownership stakes in certain U.S. banks as an option for dealing with a severe global credit crisis," the Associated Press reports.
- Massachusetts may ask for federal assistance like that provided to banks. California has already requested a bailout.
- A Border Patrol agent was held at gunpoint by members of the Mexican military on U.S. soil. Government officials could not explain the incursion, though the Washington Times reports that "law enforcement authorities have long said that current and former Mexican military personnel have been hired to protect drug and migrant smugglers."
- A federal raid at a chicken facility in South Carolina captured approximately 300 suspected illegal immigrants.
- A pair of bombs exploded in Baghdad Tuesday as Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte met with Iraq's Foreign Ministry.
Coming up at Heritage
To attend these or any other events at Heritage please RSVP at Heritage's website. Or you can view these events live online. All times are Eastern.
- On Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 p.m., Judge Robert Bork will deliver a lecture titled "A Republic – If you can keep it."
- On Thursday, October 16 at 10:30 a.m., Heritage energy expert Jack Spencer hosts a panel discussion on new nuclear technology with four guest energy experts.
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. David Talbot contributed to this report.
