Brookings: Experts - Peter W. Singer

Video Game Veterans and the New American Politics

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

According to Peter Singer, video games have become an effective recruiting tool for the military, and gaming technology has been used in everything from battle training to dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, while creating a new generation of soldiers primed for the fast-pace of modern warfare, Singer cautions that these games may also be desensitizing young people to the realities of war.

How to Steal from Our Troops: The Annual Defense Budget Raid

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While the United States faces budget deficits and economic challenge of a scale not seen in decades, earmarks and wasteful "pork" continue to be built into defense policy bills. Peter Singer explains why, especially during a time of war and economic crisis, this wasteful behavior can hurt defense priorities while funding unneeded projects.

Future U.S. Defense Needs in a High Technology Present

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, October 7, Peter W. Singer and Fred Barbash answered your questions about defense in a high-tech world during a live web chat.

Light Fighter Planes: From Crop-Dusting to Counterinsurgency?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Air Force recently announced a plan to explore purchasing 100 "light fighters" for use in counterinsurgency operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Peter Singer explores why the Air Force should not follow through on this plan, and he argues that unmanned systems already developed are better options moving forward.

Wired for War: The Future of Military Robots

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though robots are currently being used by the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, Peter Singer says this is just the beginning and much more advanced types are coming. In an extract from his book Wired for War, Singer examines the future of robotic warfare on the ground, in the air and from space.

Fueling Our Security: The Need for a Defense Energy Strategy

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer believes the issue of energy security has too long been looked at through only the environmental lens. He argues that it is also a national security issue, noting the U.S. military spends roughly $20 billion a year for petroleum alone, that diverts funds which would be better served elsewhere.

Fueling the "Balance": A Defense Energy Strategy Primer

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Defense is the world’s single largest consumer of energy, using more resources than 100 nations. Peter Singer and Jerry Warner analyze what can be done to better manage defense energy security by implementing steps to increase energy efficiency and substituting alternative forms of energy to meet the military’s fuel needs.

Are Chinese Aircraft Carriers a Threat?

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In addition to an aircraft carrier purchased from Russia, China is reportedly planning to add four more to its fleet by 2020. Peter Singer analyzes the future of China's sea power projection and argues that U.S. defense planning should focus on shorter-term concerns ranging from Chinese hackers accessing sensitive material to anti-ship ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets 1,500 miles away.

Tactical Generals: Leaders, Technology, and the Perils

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

General Charles Krulak coined the term “strategic corporal” (a junior member trained to make time-critical decisions in response to the dynamic ground fight). Peter Singer examines a similar phenomenon occurring among senior officers, observing that modern technology allows generals to personally engage on the tactical level from remote locations.

Our Dangerous Defense Policy Addiction

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer writes that the United States is a nation of thinking big, but he cautions against continuing to translate this interest to national security and defense policy. Singer believes the Pentagon should encourage more competition to create leaner, cheaper and less time-draining weapons systems and vehicles.

Attack of the Military Drones

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In modern warfare, precision drones can dramatically reduce human casualties. Peter Singer explores the debate surrounding this mechanization of warfare and exposes the battle of ideas—both for and against military robotics use—that it has sparked.

The Rise of the Tactical General

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer frames the ongoing robotics revolution within militaries around the world through the idea of the tactical general who—given the ability through unmanned systems—can micromanage even the lowest-level operations. Singer believes that even though the capabilities in war are changing, lessons of the past should guide military leaders who are tempted to stray from their job of setting broad goals and battlefield objectives.

The Damning Paradox of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" forces soldiers to lie about or hide their sexual orientation to keep from being discharged. Peter Singer believes it is time for President Obama to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the policy so that patriotic and capable military members can focus on national security instead social politics.

Gaming the Robot Revolution

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer examines the growing military robotics industry in light of the Terminator: Salvation and thoughts that robots may someday turn on their human creators. Singer concludes that while many of our inventions come from science fiction, we already have become so reliant on technology that we should not worry about a takeover.

Isaac Asimov's Laws of Robotics Are Wrong

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When people talk about robots and ethics, they always seem to bring up Isaac Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics." But Peter Singer argues there are major problems with these laws and their use in our real world. Singer believes that instead of focusing on the morality of the robots themselves, we should examine the ethics of those behind the machines.

A Defense Force of Terminators is Almost Here

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer addresses a recent Australian white paper envisioning a military force for 2030. Noting that the white paper places very little emphasis on military robotics, Singer writes, “in planning for the future, we should not ignore the technological trends that are already in action.”

Reasons to Love Washington (D.C.): We're Inventing the Future

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer explains why the Washington, D.C. area can be compared to a science fiction laboratory where the future of technology is created.

The 3 Laws May Not Be Enough To Guide Robot Warriors

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What does the Pentagon think about a possible robot uprising? Is Star Trek's view of combat realistic? Peter Singer addresses these questions and others in an interview with io9 about his new book, Wired for War.

The Robot Wars Have Arrived

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Just as the computer and ARPAnet evolved into the PC and Internet, robots are poised to integrate into everyday life in ways we can't even imagine, thanks in large part to research funded by the U.S. military. Peter Singer discussed his new book, Wired for War with CNET, and explored the future of U.S. war fighting tactics.

Robots and the Rise of "Tactical Generals"

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer explores the most amazing robotics revolution taking place in the history of war, and even perhaps of humanity.

The U.S. Military's New Warriors: Robots

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:32:27 GMT

Peter W. Singer discusses advances in the use of robots by the U.S. military and the ethical concerns they raise.

War as Entertainment?

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer joined bigthink.com to explore if force is used more liberally when humans are removed from the battlefield and replaced by robotics.

Wired for War? Robots and Military Doctrine

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The growth in of unmanned systems by the U.S. military has taken place so rapidly that we often forget how far we have come in just a short time. Peter Singer analyzes these changes in warfare and what it means for the future.

Military Robots and the Laws of War

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer explores how unmanned systems are rapidly transforming armed conflict and how the U.S. military fights wars.

Inside the Rise of the Warbots

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer's Wired for War has been praised by everyone from former National Security Advisor Anthony Lake to Jon Stewart as a definitive look at the growing use of robots on the battlefield. Wired.com interviewed Singer about the rise of the machines.

Wired for War: American Killing Machines

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As science fiction becomes reality on our battlefields, America has a new corps of warriors fighting on its behalf. Peter Singer examines the robotic revolution now underway in the U.S. military and how it may shape the future of war.

The Future of Robotics at War

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When the United States invaded Iraq, there were only a handful of aerial drones and no unmanned ground systems. Today there are thousands of each, and the technology continues to improve. Brookings Senior Fellow Peter Singer joined Jon Stewart to discuss this technological revolution in light of his new book Wired for War.

Military 2.0: Should You Fear the Killer Robots?

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In his new book, Wired for War, Peter Singer takes an in-depth and at times frightening look at the growing use of robotics by the military—a development that he argues will be looked on as "something revolutionary in war, maybe even in human history." Singer spoke with Mother Jones about the unforeseen ripple effects of these new technologies, the folly of calls to use robots in Darfur, and whether we should ban these machines before it's too late.

In the Loop? Armed Robots and the Future of War

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the next generation of unmanned vehicles, ships, and planes hits the battlefield, Peter Singer explores the ramifications of the new battlefield reality involving robots at war.

Prepare for the Robot Wars

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In his latest work, Wired for War, Peter Singer confesses his passion for science fiction as he introduces us to a glimpse of things to come–the new technologies that will shape wars of the future. In this interview with Scott Horton, Singer discusses the future of military technology.

Robots at War: The New Battlefield

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It sounds like science fiction, but it is fact: On the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, robots are killing America’s enemies and saving American lives. But today’s PackBots, Predators, and Ravens are relatively primitive machines. Peter Singer says the coming generation of “war-bots” will be immensely more sophisticated, but their development raises troubling new questions about how and when we wage war.

Wired for War? Robots and Military Doctrine

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer writes that it is clear that the American military must begin to think about the consequences of a 21st-century battlefield in which it is sending out fewer humans and more robots. Just as the technologies and modes of wars are changing, he argues, so must our concepts of how to fight and win them.

"Wired for War" Explores Robots on the Battlefield

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Robot soldiers are no longer just the stuff of sci-fi fantasy. As Peter Singer explains, some military tasks previously assigned to humans are now being handled by machines.

How The Real World Ended “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer analyzes the history of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy which allows gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans to serve in the U.S. military as long as they stay quiet about their sexuality. Singer argues a world shaped by reality television has created a new generation of troops more open to allowing homosexuals in the military, and that during this difficult time for recruiting and retaining talent, the military should embrace those willing to serve.

To Win the "War on Terror," We Must First Win the "War of Ideas"

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hady Amr and Peter Singer address the critical role that public diplomacy plays in improving the deteriorating image of the United States in the Muslim world. They argue that both public diplomacy and policies, including those on civil liberties, are vital to U.S. success in the war on terrorism and that the next U.S. president must designate this effort as a matter of highest national security importance.

Outsourcing the Fight

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Peter W. Singer writes about the increased reliance on and the weaknesses of private military contractors. He believes that the U.S. military needs to re-assess which jobs are appropriate to outsource and which are not as well as increase regulation in the contractor market.

What Do You Call a Terror(Jihad)ist?

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer and Elina Noor write that using the wrong words to describe terrorists, like those connected to Al Qaeda, is a fundamental strategic mistake. They argue that that in a war of words, "we would do well to choose the ones we use with greater care."

Steering the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Program Off the Shoals

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Michael Mohn, Stephen Murray, and Peter Singer write that there is a growing problem in acquisitions related to the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. They argue that if nothing is done to save the program, the integrity of the U.S. fleet of the future will be in question.

Contracting Out Iraqi Army Advising

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer writes that the Pentagon is now seeking to hire contractors that will train and advise Iraq's army. He believes this task, determined as "essential to our successful war effort," should not be outsourced and that the military should learn from contracting mistakes of the past.

A Look at the Pentagon’s Five Step Plan For Making Iron Man Real

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As the movie Iron Man debuts in theaters, Peter Singer writes that the superhuman strengths enabled to the star character, through use of a suit, are "no mere fiction." Instead, Singer details how this vision of technology overcoming the weaknesses of the human body has led the Pentagon to invest billions of dollars into creating a military of supersoldiers.

Los Nuevos Niños Soldados de la Guerra

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer discusses Child Soldiers. (Spanish)

Winning the War of Ideas in the Islamic World

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:59:25 GMT

The U.S. mission in Iraq has reached the mid-decade mark, while U.S. troops continue to battle Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. Senior Fellow Peter W. Singer says our next president will need a thoughtful plan for improving America’s relationship with the Islamic world.

Train and Protect Those Who Serve Us in the Military

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Though the current focus continues to be on Iraq, difficulties in recruiting and retaining talent in the U.S. military may continue to impact the country after the conflict is over. Peter Singer believes one of the greatest tasks for the next president will be leading and maintaining our military, therefore difficult questions need to be addressed to ensure readiness and quality in the force.

Military Readiness

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:42:10 GMT

Peter Singer explains how the next president of the United States needs to ensure that the ranks of our military continue to grow and that our troops have the the resources they need to remain ready and capable.

Blackwater: The Roger Clemens of War

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer discusses a lawsuit against Blackwater USA that claims employees in the field have used steroids and other "judgment-altering substances."

Outlook: Break the Blackwater Habit

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer answers readers' questions online regarding his Washington Post article listing the myriad ways he sees military outsourcing hampering U.S. efforts in Iraq.

Sure, He's Got Guns for Hire. But They're Just Not Worth It.

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer advises Defense Secretary Gates that, "on balance, for all the important jobs that contractors are doing, Blackwater and its kin have harmed, rather than helped, our troops' counterinsurgency efforts."

Blackwater Hearings Ain't No Superbad

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer discusses his perceptions of the October 2 Congressional hearings on private security contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Dark Truth about Blackwater

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Outsourcing the war to private military contractors such as Blackwater has shattered the United States' moral authority and its ability to win wars like that in Iraq.

Seven Questions: The Hired Guns of Iraq

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer discusses why he believes the Blackwater Scandal won’t prompt the U.S. to stop outsourcing their wars.

Can't Win with 'Em, Can't Go to War Without 'Em: Six Questions for P.W. Singer

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter W. Singer discusses private security contractors in Iraq, concluding that they are actually undermining the American military’s achievement of its declared objectives in a counterinsurgency operation in Iraq.

Can't Win with 'Em, Can't Go To War without 'Em: Private Military Contractors and Counterinsurgency

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter W. Singer says that the use of private military contractors appears to have harmed, rather than helped, the counterinsurgency efforts of the U.S. mission in Iraq.

Banned In Baghdad: Reactions to the Blackwater License Being Pulled

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Peter W. Singer argues that “when it comes to military outsourcing: We dealt these cards to ourselves.”

American Goodwill, in Shackles

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, Salon.com (6/26/07)

Bent but Not Broken: The Military Challenge for the Next Commander-in-Chief

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Although the next U.S. President will become Commander-in-Chief of a military unmatched in its power and capability, this excellence is under siege. The U.S. military has been stretched thin and worn down by the combination of extensive deployments over the last six years and a deferral of the hard questions of how a nation supports a military at war. Downward trends in recruiting and retention show a force under great stress. More than a simple matter of raw numbers, this has a long-term effect on the quality of our military forces. And, while defense budgeting remains focused on acquiring major new weapons systems that will not be available until many years hence, a looming equipment gap harms our security in the here and now. The war in Iraq has created many of these challenges, but they will continue years after operations there end.

Frequently Asked Questions on the UCMJ Change and its Applicability to Private Military Contractors

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Question and Answer by Peter W. Singer (1/12/07)

The Law Catches Up to Private Militaries, Embeds

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, DefenseTech (1/4/07)

America, Islam, and the 9-11 War

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Current History (December 2006)

9/11 Plus 5: Hope Not Hate?

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, The Brookings Institution (9/7/06)

Restoring America's Good Name: Improving Strategic Communications with the Islamic World

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Hady Amr and Peter W. Singer, National Defense University (September 2006)

The 9-11 War Plus 5: Looking Back and Looking Forward at U.S.-Islamic World Relations

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Relations with the Islamic World, Analysis Paper #10

Name That War

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, Los Angeles Times (8/19/06)

Mike Tyson and the Hornet's Nest: Military Lessons of the Lebanon Crisis

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, The Brookings Institution (8/1/06)

Humanitarian Principles, Private Military Agents: Some Implications of the Privatized Military Industry for the Humanitarian Community

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, from Victoria Wheeler and Adele Harmer (eds), Resetting the Rules of Engagement: Trends andIssues in Military?Humanitarian Relations, HPG Report 22 (February 2006)

The New Children of Terror

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Chapter by Peter Singer from ""The Making of a Terrorist: Recruitment, Training, and Root Causes,"" James Forest, ed."" (Praeger, 2005)

Outsourcing War

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Foreign Affairs (3/1/05)

The New Faces of War

Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, American Educator (Winter 2005/2006)

The Contract the Military Needs to Break

Sun, 12 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, Washington Post (9/12/04)

Should Humanitarians Use Private Military Services?

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Humanitarian Affairs Review (Summer 2004)

The War on Terrorism: The Big Picture

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Parameters (Summer 2004)

Beyond the Law

Mon, 03 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, The Guardian (5/3/04)

Outsourcing the War

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Salon.com (4/16/04)

Warriors for Hire in Iraq

Thu, 15 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Salon.com (4/15/04)

The Dogs of War Go Corporate

Fri, 19 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, The London News Review (3/19/04)

War, Profits, and the Vacuum of Law: Privatized Military Firms and International Law

Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Columbia Journal of Transnational Law (Spring 2004)

6 Guidelines to Improve American Public Diplomacy

Sat, 28 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer and Hady Amr, The Daily Star (2/28/04)

The Enron Pentagon

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, The Boston Globe (10/19/03)

The Crisis Within the Crisis

Fri, 01 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, Al Jazeerah (August 2003)

Have Guns, Will Travel

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, The New York Times (7/21/03)

Peacekeepers, Inc.

Sun, 01 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by P.W. Singer, Policy Review (June 2003)

The Ultimate Military Entrepreneur

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by P.W. Singer in Military History Quarterly (Spring 2003)

New Thinking on Transatlantic Security: Terrorism, NATO, and Beyond

Wed, 15 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Speech delivered by Peter W. Singer, Olin Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in Weltpolitik, January 15, 2003

Children at War

Sun, 01 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Article by P.W. Singer, Olin Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in Veterans Vision, Fall 2002

Child Soldiers

Thu, 25 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Peter Singer, Olin Fellow, the Brookings Institutin, with Voice of American, April 25, 2002

Fighting Child Soldiers

Wed, 10 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with P.W. Singer, John M. Olin Post-doctoral Fellow, the Brookings Institution, with NPR's All Things Considered, April 10, 2002

AIDS and International Security

Mon, 01 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Article by P.W. Singer in Survival (Spring 2002)

Iraq Can Wait Till Phase 1 is Done

Tue, 19 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter .W. Singer, John M. Olin Post-Doctoral Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in The Baltimore Sun, March 19, 2002

Corporate Warriors: The Rise and Ramifications of the Privatized Military Industry

Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Article by P.W. Singer, John M. Olin Post-doctoral Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in International Security, Winter 2001-2002

Who's the Big Winner? All Services Likely to Reap Rewards

Tue, 18 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, Olin Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in Defense News, December 17-23, 2001

Caution: Children at War

Sat, 01 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Article by P.W. Singer, John M. Olin Post-doctoral Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in Parameter, Winter 2001-2002

Now What?

Thu, 15 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, Olin Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in St. Louis Post Dispatch, November 15, 2001

Arguments Against Federalization Flimsy

Wed, 07 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, Olin Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Baltimore Sun, November 7, 2001

Some Things Just Can't Be Handed Off

Thu, 25 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, John M. Olin Post-doctoral Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the Los Angeles Times, October 25, 2001