This Week's Respectable Republican is. . . Senator Chuck Hagel

Friday is the one day each week when we single out a singularly notable and redeemable Republican.

Retiring Senator Chuck Hagel is joining the American Security Project (ASP), an upstart think tank launched by two former Democratic presidential candidates, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart.







The ASP's bipartisan Board of Directors-General includes Anthony Zinni (USMC, Ret.) and former Bush administration official Richard Armitage, who are working together to build consensus around a new strategy to enhance American security and improve U.S.-foreign relations around the world. ASP president and chairman Gary Hart welcomed Senator Hagel:

His willingness to question assumptions and his courage to speak difficult truths are qualities that are needed to end the paralysis that dominates the discussion of national security issues today. He has been an eloquent advocate for the use of all the instruments of American power, and we enthusiastically welcome him to the board.

Of note, is the ASP's most recent white paper, Are We Winning? Measuring Progress in the Struggle Against Violent Jihadism. The following summary shows promise:

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. foreign policy has focused largely on confronting the violent jihadist threat worldwide. There have been numerous successes and failures over the past six years in this so-called "war on terror."

The American Security Project has developed ten criteria to measure progress – or lack of progress – in the struggle against violent jihadism. These metrics are designed to be both reproducible and as objective as possible. They are intended to comprise a holistic approach, examining causes and processes associated with violent jihadism, in addition to outcomes.

On balance, these metrics indicate that the United States is not winning the "war on terror." The lack of measurable progress on most indices, the collapse of international public support for the United States, and the dramatic increase in jihadist violence since 2003 paint a bleak picture.

I. Number of Terrorist Incidents

There has been a massive and dramatic increase in Islamist terrorism since 2003. Terror attacks by Islamist extremist groups have increased significantly during this time, even when excluding attacks in Iraq, Afghanistan, and those related to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

II. Health of the Jihadist Movement

The jihadist movement remains vibrant and dynamic. Early claims about disruption of the al Qaeda network were dramatically overstated. Only five of the twenty-two most wanted terrorists in 2001 have been captured or killed. Though some high ranking al Qaeda members have been eliminated, the organization has been able to promote or recruit members to replace losses.

III. Al Qaeda Affiliated Movements

Al Qaeda has expanded its reach globally by forging closer relationships with previously autonomous groups.

IV. State Sponsorship of Terrorism

Active state sponsorship of terrorism has diminished worldwide.

V. Public Attitudes in the Muslim World

U.S. foreign policy is perceived throughout the Muslim world as an aggressive, hostile and destabilizing force.

VI. Public Attitudes in the United States

American citizens remain very concerned about the terrorist threat. Significant numbers fear attacks on themselves or their family and friends. Increasing numbers of Americans believe the U.S. is losing the "war on terror."

VII. Economic Prosperity and Political Freedom

Broad measures of economic prosperity and political freedom show slow but steady improvement throughout most of the Muslim world.

VIII. Ungoverned Spaces

There has been minimal progress on reducing ungoverned spaces. Iraq and Afghanistan are no longer state sponsors of terrorism, but vast ungoverned areas within both of those states make them homes to vibrant jihadist movements that are less vulnerable to traditional instruments of statecraft.

IX. International Cooperation Against Terrorists

The number of countries committed to combating terrorism has increased since 9/11.

X. Terrorist Financing

International cooperation has led to some successes in curtailing terrorist financing, but there is no clear evidence that Islamist terror groups are being starved of resources. Trends in Afghan poppy production suggest a disturbing new source of terrorist financing.

The Global War on Terror (GWOT) is in dire need of new leadership and new ideas. Our present leadership has produced self-inflicted problems every time and everywhere it promised us solutions. Good ol' Al Einstein observed,

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.

I'll be looking for ASP's appearances on C-SPAN.