Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson recently shared insights from his book, America’s Entangling Alliances: 1778 to the Present, in a panel webinar presented by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

“What I hope will be an important consequence of this book is pointing out that some of the many reasons the United States has entered into new alliances in the post-Cold War period … was because of the benefits those allies provide that have nothing to do with their aggregate defense spending, have nothing to do with their payments for offsetting U.S. expenses for basing on their territory.” Watch here.

Dr. Davidson also commented on the following news stories:

Is a new war starting? The West could launch military attacks against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (Capital)

“The West could reject all economic aid and launch periodic military attacks against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State” (La Razon)

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson was interviewed about the situation in Afghanistan on LBC News in London.

“I don’t personally think that it made sense from a strategic perspective for the United States or for Britain to stay in Afghanistan forever. Both countries have other important interests and we certainly have other things to be doing with our resources … particularly if you look at a situation that didn’t really have the prospect of improving dramatically no matter how long we had stayed.” Listen here.

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson was interviewed on Fortune.com in an article entitled, “U.S. allies slam Afghanistan pullout as a debacle, but also see big opportunities.”

“For NATO allies, what they care most about at the moment is that the U.S. is better equipped coming out of this conflict to focus on bolstering the alliance relative to a resurgent, aggressive Russia,” said Jason Davidson, a specialist on U.S. political alliances, and political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

“The Afghanistan situation will be a blip to the U.S. commitment made to NATO,” he added. Read more.

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson appeared on With Good Reason, which airs Sundays at 2 p.m. on Fredericksburg’s Radio IQ 88.3 Digital and at various times throughout the week on stations across Virginia and the United States. Check the website for show times.

In an episode entitled “Entangling Alliances,” which began airing on July 30, discusses how George Washington famously warned against the dangers of alliances in his Farewell Address. But Dr. Davidson says despite Washington’s misgivings, America has relied on foreign alliances throughout its history. Also appearing in the episode are experts from George Mason University, William & Mary and Virginia Military Institute. Listen here.

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson was interviewed by several international media outlets on his “Costs of War” report, commissioned by Brown and Boston universities, which focuses on contributions of America’s allies in Afghanistan.

“Americans do not fully understand, do not acknowledge, the sacrifices that allies made in Afghanistan,” Davidson recently told The Guardian. 

“It’s something that not only doesn’t get attention from those who are critics of the allies. It doesn’t even get the attention that it deserves from those who are generally cheerleaders for allies, like the current administration. I would like to see more American policymaker acknowledgment and discussion with the public of the costs that America’s allies have incurred in these wars.”

Dr. Davidson also penned an op-ed in The Hill entitled, “Biden needs to talk about the costs of our wars to America’s allies.” Read more.

British troops were twice as likely to be killed in Afghanistan as US forces (The Guardian; The Times)

Key NATO Allies Were More Than Twice as Likely to Die in Afghanistan Than U.S. Forces, According to New Study (Forbes)

British troops were twice as likely to be killed in Afghanistan as US forces (London Daily)

British soldiers were more than twice as likely to die during peak of Afghan War than US troops, report reveals (Daily Mail)

With Afghanistan Withdrawal Underway, New Report Reveals Costs of Post-9/11 Wars for US Allies (Common Dreams)

Key NATO allies twice as likely to die in Afghanistan as US forces: report (Ecns.cn)

The British Costs of the War in Afghanistan (New Eastern Outlook)