Security and Democracy in Asia Mission Statement
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Therefore, the Indian Ocean will remain strategically important as China seeks to challenge American primacy and gain access and control to vital shipping lanes. This has led to an increased emphasis on strengthening the bond with traditional allies such as Japan and South Korea as well as building new relationships with such countries as the burgeoning India.
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Democracy has yet to reach many corners of the region. North Korea remains a communist dictatorship that imprisons its people in concentration camps and has little concern for the well-being of its populous. Despite the gradual opening of its economic system, China continues to suppress free speech and political rights. Smaller countries such as Burma, Cambodia, Nepal, and others lack the democratic institutions that facilitate peace and prosperity, while the majority of the larger Central Asian states remain under authoritarian governments that are strengthened by their membership in the Russian and Chinese-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
A free and democratic Asia will be a more secure and stable Asia. The United States should continue its push for democratic reforms, expand its alliances, and prevent China from attaining regional hegemony.
The Center’s project on “Security and Democracy in Asia” will seek to provide information and analysis on the state of freedom, democracy, and American interests in Asia as the continent’s 21st Century promises to be just as influential in world events as was its predecessor. Therefore, as Asia develops as a global economic epicenter or collides in a series of intercontinental conflicts, the United States must remain in position to help steer events towards a democratic Asia that is responsive to American interests. This will be accomplished by strong leadership, effective diplomacy, and, as always, securing peace through American strength.
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.
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