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Gary Hart has long been one of the nation's
foremost experts on national security, combining a deep
knowledge of national security policy with firsthand experience
of the political realities that influence how America safeguards
itself and its interests. In his new book, Hart outlines,
in clear, concise prose, the fundamental changes with which
America must grapple when confronting a terrorist threat
that has no state and no geographic home base and thus offers
no genuine target for the world's largest and most sophisticated
military force.
Security can only be achieved, Hart argues,
by applying new tactics, new players, and a nuanced understanding
of the radical changes in the security environment. The
old security required massive weapons in massive numbers.
The new security requires special forces, individual warrior
teams seeking out terrorists in the most remote corners
of the world and in the heart of American cities, as well
as cooperation among intelligence services. The old security
required economic dominance. The new security requires economic
integration in a world of international markets, trade,
and finance. The new security will be both national and
international, defensive and offensive, and will require
a shield for the homeland as well as a cloak of nonmilitary
security.
At a time when the Democratic Party is searching
for a platform on security issues, and the Republican strategy
of preemption appears increasingly flawed, Gary Hart once
again leads the discussion with this far-ranging vision
of how a true security of the commons can be achieved.
Gary Hart represented Colorado in the
U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1987. He is the author of fifteen
books, has taught at Yale, and lectured at the University
of California and Oxford University, where he earned a doctor
of philosophy in politics in 2001. As co-chair of the US
Commission on National Security/21st Century, he was credited
with forecasting a 9/11-type attack. He resides with his
family in Kittridge, Colorado.
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