James Jay Carafano

Stories by James Jay Carafano

Esports and National Security: DoD should invest effort now to reap benefits in the future

Esports and National Security: DoD should invest effort now to reap benefits in the future
Esports and National Security: DoD should invest effort now to reap benefits in the future

Militaries can “learn from world-class players how they develop, train and practice the quick-twitch skills and reaction times needed for competitive gaming,” writes James Jay Carafano.

COVID-19: Another Reason Why The Draft is Obsolete

COVID-19: Another Reason Why The Draft is Obsolete
COVID-19: Another Reason Why The Draft is Obsolete

Retaining the draft, a hallmark of American war since the Civil War, is of questionable practical value. A recent commission report recommended requiring women to register for Selective Service, the foundation of the draft. But from a practical and ethical standpoint many find the notion of drafting women to serve in front-line combat units abhorrent.…

We Must Revive Our Moribund Nuclear Force: Heritage

We Must Revive Our Moribund Nuclear Force: Heritage
We Must Revive Our Moribund Nuclear Force: Heritage

Barack Obama is not likely to be mistaken for Teddy Roosevelt. Yes, his foreign policy has been quite soft-spoken—especially when addressing openly hostile states such as Iran. But he has whittled America’s “big stick” down to kindling. While “resetting” with Russia and “engaging” with Iran, Mr. Obama has presided over a tremendous down-sizing of U.S.…

Heritage Offers 3 Scenarios To Save Defense: One Is A Miracle

Heritage Offers 3 Scenarios To Save Defense: One Is A Miracle
Heritage Offers 3 Scenarios To Save Defense: One Is A Miracle

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently broke with a decades-long tradition in the Congress. And almost no one noticed. Congress traditionally has been sensitive to its Constitutional obligation to provide for the common defense. Despite disagreements and rancor on numerous issues, Congress usually cranks out defense appropriations and authorization bills each year. “Those days are…

Don’t Let Super Committee Destroy America’s Global Safety Net

This commentary was penned late last week, when it looked likely the Super Committee would fail in its appointed task of cutting $1.2 trillion from the federal budget. Well, it has failed. All signs are that Congress has taken the easy way out and will let this stew until after the election. Theoretically, the Defense…

Obama Counterterror Strategy Takes U.S. In Wrong Direction

President Obama’s new counterterrorism strategy reflects a profound misreading of the nature of the global transnational threat. If we follow this strategy for a few years we will be right back where we were on September 10, 2001. The new blueprint misses what should be the primary goal of U.S. counterterrorism strategy: to prevent the…