Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Senior Fellow Amb. David Smith, (Ret.), is the Director of the Georgian Security Analysis Center in Tbilisi, Georgia. In a recent issue of the Georgian publication Tabula, he writes about Japan's multidimensional  disaster as a result of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant damage that occurred there earlier this month. He observes that among the international ramifications of this tragedy is the possibility that the crisis could well be exploited by Russia, which moved to supply energy to Italy after the Libyan uprising interrupted gas supplies and is now promising increased deliveries to Europe while other gas supplies are diverted to Japan. Writes Smith, "These are but Moscow’s latest moves to render Europe and now Japan more energy dependent on Russia, prying at cracks in the American-led alliances, gradually altering the correlation of forces at both ends of Eurasia, leaving, Moscow hopes, Russia as the undisputed geographical pivot." Click below to read the article in full.

The Honorable John Young, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and Senior Fellow and Member of the Board of Regents of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, testified in March before a subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Mr. Young took part in a hearing on "Tools to Prevent Defense Department Cost Overruns," presided over by the members of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.  His testimony was noted on the Government Executive website, which said Mr. Young advised the administration to empower Pentagon personnel to make fiscally sound purchasing choices. Click here to read the Government Executive article: click here to watch the archived video of Mr. Young's testimony. 

Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Research Fellow CDR Derrick Busse, USN (Ret.)  is a national security analyst and former Chief of International Strategy on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the International Engagement Division.  He appeared on Washington DC's Fox-5 (WTTG-TV) morning news on March 29 with analysis and commentary on President Obama's Libya speech the night before. Asked if the mission in Libya was clear regarding regime change, Busse maintained that stopping short of removing Gaddafi could be the product of behind-the-scenes maneuvering needed to form an international coalition. Click here to watch the interview in full.       

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is pleased to announce that Lieutenant General Keith J. Stalder, USMC (Ret.), has joined the Institute as a Senior Fellow. LtGen Stalder has more than 37 years of distinguished service in Joint and Marine Corps operational assignments.  LtGen Stalder is a former Commanding General of  US Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, and former Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Upon retirement he established a technical and management consulting practice and works with industry, government, and academic clients.

Commenting on his appointment as a Senior Fellow, LtGen Stalder said, "It is an honor to be part of the very highly regarded team at Potomac Institute, and I eagerly look forward to contributing to their vital mission.  The Institute's superb and well-deserved reputation for contributing to our Nation and partners is directly attributable to the extraordinary talent and leadership here.  I'm very grateful to be part of that as a Senior Fellow."

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