Truman National Security Project is a non-profit 501(c)(4) membership organization for national security leaders. Follow our sister organization @TrumanCenter.
The President posted this morning: "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again."
That is a threat of collective punishment. Under the law of armed conflict, it is unlawful.
Our EVP wrote about this today.
bit.ly/4bVOmS3
New op-ed from Truman member Julie Roland in @fulcrum_us:
“Trump Has Betrayed the Troops Again.”
A veteran’s warning about VA rule changes that could cut disability compensation and weaken care for those who served.
🔗 thefulcrum.us/democracy/vete…
New from Truman board member @ColinKahl in @ForeignAffairs:
“What Is the Endgame in Iran?”
A timely analysis of the strategic questions that must shape any conflict.
🔗 fam.ag/3P2saN5
Iran presents real threats. But war carries irreversible consequences. Military action must be grounded in clear objectives, constitutional authorization & a credible path forward with civilian protection as a priority.
Our statement:
🔗 bit.ly/3OIyKYS
Check out this artcile by Truman National Security Project Member, Camille J. Mackler, on how security is about precision, credibility and protecting the human networks our intelligence and future operations depend on.
bit.ly/4bZKn7q
How do institutions erode?
How does power consolidate?
What can the region teach us about legitimacy?
Friday at 1 PM ET.
Ambassador James B. Story & Amanda Curtis Mattingly.
Register here: bit.ly/4042MZm
What led to Venezuela’s crisis — and what comes next? 🇻🇪 Join our expert conversation on Feb 20 at 1 PM ET with Amb. James Story & Amanda Curtis Mattingly for a grounded look at institutions, power, and regional dynamics. #VenezuelaSeries
Register here: bit.ly/4042MZm
Venezuela provides essential context for a broader conversation about legitimacy, restraint, and the long aftermath of force, sanctions, and pressure campaigns.
Live conversation tomorrow at noon ET. Register to join here: bit.ly/3NYEOfs
Venezuela: Power, Legitimacy & the Limits of Force: A 3-Part Series. At moments of crisis, pressure mounts to act quickly. This series creates space for clear thinking grounded in regional & historical experience & the rule of law. Register for session 1: bit.ly/4rex9YJ
It determines:
Whether missions succeed or abort
Whether crews come home safely
Whether our word as a spacefaring nation holds weight
Whether we can sustain what we build
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A recent medical emergency forced the evacuation of a U.S. space crew—a stark reminder that even near Earth, health risks can derail entire missions in minutes. Now imagine that scenario 240,000 miles away, with no quick return option.
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Here's the reality: space isn't getting easier—it's getting farther. Longer missions. Lunar bases. Deep-space exploration. Every mile we push outward makes the human body the most critical piece of technology we have.
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A thread 🧵
Next Friday, NASA doesn't just launch a rocket. We launch a new era.
The Moon is no longer somewhere we visit. It's becoming somewhere we stay. And that changes everything.
bit.ly/4rpIDsF
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Venezuela: Power, Legitimacy & the Limits of Force: A 3-Part Series. At moments of crisis, pressure mounts to act quickly. This series creates space for clear thinking grounded in regional & historical experience & the rule of law. Register for session 1: bit.ly/4rex9YJ
Repeated lethal use of force by federal agents inside American communities is not an isolated tragedy — it is a national security risk.
When legitimacy erodes, instability grows.
Our statement: bit.ly/460coYA
In a new Fulcrum op-ed, one of our members, Julie Roland, lays out why women’s full participation in the U.S. military is essential to readiness and national security. bit.ly/3LCxkxZ
National security is not sustained by force alone.
It depends on legitimacy.
The use of force—at home or abroad—demands accountability, restraint, and respect for democratic rights.
Our EVP @AngelicYoung shared her personal statement here: bit.ly/45o0JTp
Standards win wars—not stereotypes.
If we care about military effectiveness and legitimacy, this matters.
New from Truman member Jeffrey Wells (DefCon '24):
👇 bit.ly/4qP2WPX
Extraordinary uses of force demand extraordinary accountability.
The Constitution is not optional—even in moments of crisis.
Truman’s statement: bit.ly/4aFgWqF & a reflection from @angelicyoung on why democratic legitimacy matters for NatSec: bit.ly/4plucnW