The role of the U.S. to promote democracy abroad continues to be a hotly contested issue. The implications for intervening overseas are far reaching—from outcomes, to dollars spent, to number of personnel deployed. As an expert on defense and national security at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Thomas Donnelly believes the U.S. isn’t doing enough to spread American ideals around the globe—something he calls “American neglect.” In light of the many national security threats the U.S. faces, he feels the American military is currently operating at 75 to 80% capacity. Donnelly sits down with GLG to discuss matters at home and abroad, the challenge of putting forth new policy, and more.
Thomas Donnelly has been a writer and policy analyst on defense and security affairs for more than three decades. He currently serves as Director of the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies and at AEI.
In early 1995, Donnelly joined the staff of the House Armed Services Committee as Director of the Policy Group. Donnelly previously served as Deputy Executive Director of the Project for the New American Century as well as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Donnelly was a former Professor of National Security Studies at the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University. He is member of the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission and was an advisor to the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel. He has written numerous books, essays, and articles, and serves as editor of the Armed Forces Journal, Army Times and Defense News.