Jim Jones Outstanding National Security Advisor Choice

It's official, General James L. Jones, chairman of the Atlantic Council, was appointed this morning by President-elect Barack Obama as the 21st National Security Advisor. [caption id="attachment_28051" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="General James Jones at the Atlantic Council"][/caption] In "General James Jones: Seasoned Leader, Strategic Thinker, and Statesman," The Editors of the Council explain why this is a superb choice.

Cutting Defense to Fund National Security?

We're about to see a great shift in resources from the military to other actors, David Sanger argues.  In a New Atlanticist piece called "Obama's Foreign Policy Shift," I join Matt Yglesias in proclaiming this "a really good idea."

Five Years (Updated)

In an article in the New York Times Eric Schmitt reports that the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, a bipartisan commission established by Congress in 2007, has produced a report warning of the likelihood of an attack on the United States with an unconventional weapon within five years: WASHINGTON — An independent commission has ...

Obama’s Netroots Problem

Chris Matthews has angered the Angry Left by saying they, not the Republicans, are going to be the main obstacles to a successful early start to the Obama administration. But those kinds of issues that brought really bad news to a lot of, we had the Clinton administration with all the brain power they had and they had a lot of ...

Caption Contest

Time for the Monday OTB Caption ContestTM REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES) Winners will be announced Thursday PM

Swiss Approve Free Heroin, Keep Marijuana Illegal

Only in America.

Bobby Jindal Presidential Bid Underway

A long profile in today's WaPo extolling Bobby Jindal as the Republican Party's best hope to regain the White House may constitute the unofficial start of Campaign 2012.  It's about time. Last weekend, 18 days after Barack Obama decisively defeated their candidate for president, a mostly Republican crowd of self-described conservatives received their first introduction to someone many prominent members of ...

Military Recruiting Up as Economy Turns Down

It was inevitable:  As it becomes harder to find work in the civilian sector, more people are turning to their local military recruiter. The economic downturn and rising unemployment rate are making the military a more attractive option, Pentagon officials say. In some cases, the peace of mind that comes with good benefits and a regular paycheck is overcoming concerns about ...

OTB Caption Jam^TM

Weekend Caption Jam Linkfest. . . Rodney is going to redistribute the whole pie. Wizbang is just another brick in the wall. Wyatt Earp is visiting the troops. RT's Ponderings shoulda just said no. Blonde Sagacity didn't pull his finger. Brainfuel has a roast to boast about. Other Humor: Political Demotivation is not particularly motivated. Icanhascheezburger welcomes you to the ...

Terrorist Rampage Ended in Mumbai (Updated)

After nearly three days the terrorist rampage that has rocked India's financial capital, Mumbai, has ended in a hail of bullets as Indian forces killed the last three gunmen who had barricaded themselves within a luxury hotel: MUMBAI, India – A 60-hour terror rampage that killed at least 195 people across India's financial capital ended Saturday when commandos killed the last ...