The Defense Priorities Foundation, also known as Defense Priorities, is an American foreign policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for more restrained U.S. foreign policy.

Defense Priorities
Formation2016; 8 years ago (2016)
TypeForeign policy think tank
81-0714113[1]
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[1]
Location
  • Washington, D.C., United States
President
Edward King[2]
Revenue (2020)
$1,255,009[1]
Websitedefensepriorities.org

History edit

Defense Priorities was established in early 2016 by supporters and acolytes of United States Senator Rand Paul and funded by conservative donors Charles Koch and his brother David Koch. Early leadership included William P. Ruger of the Charles Koch Institute and Edward King of a pro-Paul political action committee. The organization was founded to advance Paul's foreign policy views, which argued for a "more prudent, restrained" United States foreign policy.[3][4]

Positions edit

Defense Priorities publications have advocated against the arming of rebels during the Syrian Civil War, against harsher sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear program, and against deeper military engagement in the Middle East.[3]

The think tank's leanings have been characterized as "non-interventionist",[5] "libertarian",[6] "pro-restraint",[7] and "realist".[8]

Notable scholars and affiliates edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Defense Priorities Foundation". Nonprofit Explorer. Pro Publica. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "About Defense Priorities". defensepriorities.org. Defense Priorities. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Bender, Bryan (June 9, 2016). "Allies of Rand Paul, Koch take aim at hawks". Politico. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  4. ^ Racke, Will (November 8, 2016). "New Washington think tank urges detente with Russia (Part One)". Northwestern University. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Roza, David (February 12, 2020). "Will leaving Afghanistan cause another 9/11? Former soldiers and diplomats say no, not necessarily". Task & Purpose. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Kwong, Matt (December 13, 2018). "Why vote to end U.S. support for war in Yemen is a black eye for Trump". CBC. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "Afghanistan Lessons Learned". Politico. September 10, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  8. ^ Gould, Joe (October 10, 2019). "Kurds may be wiped out before Turkey sanctions happen, senators worry". Defense News. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  9. ^ "Rajan Menon". carnegieendowment.org. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved June 6, 2023.