GNSI Decision Brief: Keeping Allies in the Fight: Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq

Winston Churchill famously quipped, “There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them.” Today, the U.S. has the largest network of alliances of any nation. America’s allies provide it with a marked advantage over its adversaries including basing rights, transit points, and a forward presence. Compared to going it alone in a conflict, allies bring legitimacy and help share the burden. Following the Cold War, U.S. allies, particularly NATO members, have deployed troops in support of operations that have lasted years — even decades. Why did they stay engaged for so long? Would they be willing to do the same in future wars, especially if they appear to be unpopular non-existential conflicts like Iraq? How can the U.S. provide political cover to allied decision-makers so that they are better able to justify participation in US-led operations to their domestic audiences? Once a conflict is underway, a perceived lack of progress along with the increasing human and material costs often erode domestic support leading to an early allied withdrawal. U.S. leaders must understand how different domestic factors influence an ally’s behavior in order to cultivate and sustain allied support for conflict participation.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/gnsi_decision_briefs/1014/thumbnail.jp

Dangerous Legitimacy: The Risks of Normalizing Hamas As a Fundamentalist Terror Group In Western Discourse

This article examines the dangers of Western discourse misrepresenting and normalizing Hamas, a fundamentalist terrorist group, as a legitimate actor in regional crises and conflicts. It explores Hamas\u27 origins as a global terrorist organization, its history of armed conflict with neighbors and the broader Western world, and its ideological roots in religious fundamentalism and totalitarianism. The article argues that Hamas’ principles and actions are fundamentally incompatible with Western democratic ideals, posing a significant threat to regional and global security. It also addresses the ongoing challenges of Western washing Hamas through propaganda spread via social activism and social media. The article emphasizes the need for robust strategies to counter the normalization of such groups, including strengthening counterterrorism and counter-intelligence measures, promoting educational and awareness campaigns, and supporting moderate voices in conflict regions. By addressing these risks, the article provides a comprehensive understanding of the implications of legitimizing groups like Hamas