The Center for Security Policy, a conservative think tank led by former Reagan-era Defense Department official Frank Gaffney, has churned out a heckuva list of anti-EADS talking points just in time for the Boeing-EADS debate in Washington over future U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft.
"Before EADS can become a U.S. defense partner, it and its owners must first prove themselves worthy of our trust," the center says in an 11-page statement titled "EADS is Welcome to Compete for U.S. Defense Contracts – But First It Must Clean Up Its Act."
To be sure, the communique (pdf), the latest in the center's "occasional paper series," is less a product of new research and more a recitation - or resuscitation? - of long-standing complaints by the Buy American, Old Europe-as-ungrateful-offspring, watchout-for-China-and-Russia crowd here in the United States. But give them credit for at least providing a nice summary of their arguments.
With the balance of power in Washington shifting away from the Bush administration and U.S. influence abroad under increasing pressure, debates such as those over domestic industrial bases and choosing, cajoling and rewarding allies is likely to heat up ahead of the 2008 presidential election. While the arguments on all sides might be old, it's about time they were taken seriously and something decided.
--Michael Bruno
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