Defense and National Security: Democracy and the War on Terror 
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Can We Have Our Liberties Back Yet?
It could be argued that less terrorists abroad equals more terrorizing of citizens at home. Cato Institute scholar Gene Healy notes this interesting point when he explains that while an ever more decentralized al Quaeda is forced to embrace a change of tactics (to include a proposal to attach swords to farm tractors), the U.S. government is amping up efforts that intrude in people's personal lives in the name of security. Healy seconds Spencer Ackerman’s question, "Why does the U.S. still need to devote such overwhelming resources worldwide against a force that's seeing history pass it by?" He concludes that thought with a question of his own, "As the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches, isn't it time we started thinking about a 'peace dividend'?"
Less Spending, More Security
Responsibly cutting military spending requires more than simply pursuing efficiencies or making unilateral cuts, so says Benjamin Friedman, research fellow at the Cato Institute, in a recent piece in the New York Times online. Rather, we should pursue a shift in defense strategy. Friedman explains, "If we let rich allies defend themselves and admitted that we lack the ability to fix disorderly states, we could have a smaller, more elite, less strained, and far less expensive military," without sacrificing security.
Balancing Liberty and Security in an Age of Terrorism
Cato On Campus will be kicking off the school year with another fantastic speaker series with support from area universities. The D.C. Forum for Freedom will begin its series of monthly events on September 24th, addressing Balancing Liberty and Security in an Age of Terrorism. Students from around D.C. are invited to attend the forum held at the Cato Institute, and students from around the world are invited to attend online. The forum will begin at 4pm (EST) and will be followed by a reception with scholars, students, and other young professionals.
Interested parties must register with the Cato institute to attend the free event.
Can Obama Order Executions of Citizens Abroad?
Whether or not an American is a criminal and should die, the judge/jury/executioner should not be the president of the United States. This statement echoes Gene Healy's recent column, partially in response to the Obama administration's targeting of Anwar al-Awlaki (involved with the 9/11 attacks, Ft. Hood shooting, "underwear bomber," and Times Square car-bomber). Al-Awlaki's despicable acts aside, Healy notes that "an important matter of principle (is) at stake." On the slippery slope of politics, the danger is not what the administration can get away with now, it’s what one might attempt 50 years in the future. And, as Healy comments, “You don't need to wax conspiratorial to find that prospect disturbing.”
Online Student Event - Friday, 3/26
Today - Friday, March 26th, at 4pm (EST) - Cato Student Programs will be hosting the DC Forum for Freedom at the Cato Institute and online. The event will feature Christopher Preble and Juan Carlos Hidalgo, who both find significant reasons to challenge the politicized "wars" on drugs and terror. The scholars will address the theme: 'Why an effective state a limited state.'
Please tune in online to watch it live and participate in the online discussion board.
Police Department goes Pre-Crime
Move over Minority Report, there's a new pre-crime division in town. Reason's Radley Balko describes a situation in Medford, Oregon on March 8th when David Pyles woke up to a phone call from the police and SWAT team in his front yard. Pyles was taken to the station and given a mental evaluation on grounds that he was "disgruntled" from his job and had recently purchased several firearms (legally, and with money from his recent tax return). "Instead of being reactive, we took a proactive approach," said one officer. The problem is, the police had no warrant, had talked to no judge, and Pyles had committed no crime. After being released, Pyles commented, "If something like this can happen here, where just about everyone owns a gun, it can happen anywhere."
Video: US in Afghanistan, 8th Year Anniversary
The United States has been in Afghanistan for eight years and the end of our engagement there is not in sight. In this new video, Cato foreign policy experts Ted Galen Carpenter, Malou Innocent and David Rittgers tackle myths associated with the war in Afghanistan and offer solutions to American involvement there.
Dick Cheney Is Becoming Obama's Enabler
In a recent op-ed, Cato Vice President Gene Healy discusses the recent tour of former Vice President Dick Cheney and writes: "Whatever you think the right policy is regarding enemy combatants, warrantless wiretapping, and "enhanced interrogation," the differences between Obama and Bush are far more stylistic than substantive."
Ilya Shapiro: "Libel Tourism: The Next Front in the War on Terror"
Who: Ilya Shapiro What: Speech on "Libel Tourism: The Next Front in the War on Terror" Where: University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law Host: The University of Louisville Law Review