Benjamin H. Friedman

Benjamin H. Friedman is a Research Fellow in Defense and Homeland Security Studies at the Cato Instiute and a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science and an affiliate of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He writes about counter-terrorism, homeland security and defense politics, with a focus on threat perception. He is co-editor of US Military Innovation since the Cold War: Creation Without Destruction. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Articles written by Benjamin H. Friedman

Cutting Through the Rhetoric on Defense Sequestration

By Veronique de Rugy, Benjamin H. Friedman
, on , Briefing

The prospect of $500 billion in cuts to the U.S. defense budget from 2013-2021 has Washington in a panic. In unveiling an updated military strategy yesterday, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta warned that such cuts would lead to a “demoralized and hollow force.” We should not allow such claims to scare us into letting the Pentagon off the hook. The cuts would indispose the Pentagon, not destroy it. more

The Iron Triangle vs. Small Wars

By Benjamin H. Friedman
, on , World Politics Review

A fight is brewing in the U.S. military between manpower and technology. With the economy cratering and defense budgets flattening, we can no longer afford both large armies meant to pacify hostile populations, and high-end weapons platforms that fulfill our technological dreams. The political backing those high-end platforms enjoy could spark a backlash to our fascination with wars of occupation. more

Don't Bet on Obama Reining in Defense Spending

By Benjamin H. Friedman
, on , World Politics Review

Many Americans believe that Barack Obama will lower defense spending and restrain the militaristic foreign policy it underwrites. The coming years should destroy that myth. The Obama administration inherits runaway defense spending and leadership of a military that wants more. Despite a historically benign threat environment, America's fiscally reckless defense policy will survive the Democratic majority. more