Abraham Rosenthal, R.I.P.
Press release No. 06-P 13 2006-05-11
(Washington, D.C.): The world’s oppressed and suffering – and all those who love freedom and strive for its expansion around the globe – lost one of their most impassioned, articulate and effective champions today with the passing of legendary journalist and editor Abraham Rosenthal. The Center for Security Policy was proud to have him as a mentor, inspiration and friend and deeply mourns his death.
Abe Rosenthal, as he was known to his friends, and A.M. Rosenthal as he was known to untold millions who admired his handiwork at the New York Times, in his syndicated column and in his last years as a columnist for the New York Daily News was a truly extraordinary human being. He epitomized the driven beat reporter, the fearless and intrepid foreign correspondent, the take-no-prisoners editor and the impassioned author of innumerable columns. In every position, he unflinchingly spoke truth to power and “called ’em like he saw ’em.”
For all his affected professional curmudgeonliness in public, Abe was a profoundly gentle and caring man. Those who were treated to his self-deprecating and infectious humor and to his tender other-directedness would never forget the love he gave so freely.
Perhaps the most memorable of Abe Rosenthal’s many splendid qualities was his commitment to principle. He spoke tirelessly for the victims of genocidal totalitarians, those who were often inconvenient and forgotten by policy-makers and those who had no representation in the councils of government. He savaged phony solutions to real problems and their perpetrators. He was a conscience for his time and, for serving as a hair-shirt, was subjected to criticism and even ridicule by those he properly made uncomfortable.
The world is a better place for Abe Rosenthal’s long, steadfast efforts to make it so. And those of us who confront the many ways in which it is at risk of once again becoming a far worse a place do so without the counsel, inspiration and help of one of our most cherished friends and effective leaders.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Abe Rosenthal’s family and particularly to his cherished wife, Shirley Lord Rosenthal, a valued founding member of the Center’s Board of Regents. It was the Center’s privilege to honor A.M. Rosenthal in 2003 with its “Mightier Pen Award.” While that recognition was but one of the countless awards he received, few – if any – were ever bestowed with greater affection and appreciation.
Mr. Gaffney is the host of Secure Freedom Radio, a nationally-syndicated radio program heard weeknights throughout the country. He is an associate author of highly acclaimed Shariah: The Threat to America and the publisher of over a dozen other books and monographs from the Center for Security Policy Press.
In April 1987, Mr. Gaffney was nominated by President Reagan to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, the senior position in the Defense Department with responsibility for policies involving U.S.-USSR relations, nuclear forces, arms control, missile defense policy and U.S.-European defense ties. He acted in that capacity for seven months during which time, he was the Chairman of the prestigious High Level Group, NATO’s senior politico-military committee. He also represented the Secretary of Defense in key U.S.-Soviet negotiations and ministerial meetings.
From August 1983 until November 1987, Mr. Gaffney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy under Assistant Secretary Richard Perle.
From February 1981 to August 1983, Mr. Gaffney was a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by the late Senator John Tower (R-Texas). And, in the latter 1970’s, Mr. Gaffney served as an aide to the late Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (D-Washington) in the areas of defense and foreign policy.
Mr. Gaffney holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Mr. Gaffney’s leadership has been recognized by numerous organizations including: the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award (1987), the U.S. Business and Industry Council’s Defender of the National Interest Award (1994), the Navy League of the United States’ Alfred Thayer Mahan Literary Achievement Award (1999), and the Zionist Organization of America’s “Louis Brandeis Award” (2003), the Western Conservative Summit’s Stephen H. Long Award (2015), the Council for National Policy’s George Washington Military Leadership Award (2016) and the IMPACT Award from Ginni Thomas and United in Purpose (2017).
Mr. Gaffney was born in 1953 and resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
- The UN transforms itself into a world government - September 22, 2024
- Hezbollah is engaged in terrorism, not Israel - September 22, 2024
- Israel must seize the day - September 20, 2024