What’s the mood of the experts?

If it’s August, then it’s time for the Center for American Progress to release its state-of-expert-opinion annual Terrorism Index.  The quick summary:  Signs of progress in Iraq have left America’s top foreign-policy experts experiencing a rare sensation: optimism. For the first time, the national security establishment appears more positive about the war in Iraq, U.S. ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

If it's August, then it's time for the Center for American Progress to release its state-of-expert-opinion annual Terrorism Index.  The quick summary:  Signs of progress in Iraq have left America’s top foreign-policy experts experiencing a rare sensation: optimism. For the first time, the national security establishment appears more positive about the war in Iraq, U.S. efforts in fighting global terrorist networks, and the security of the United States and its people. But these experts are increasingly critical of the U.S. government's approach to the world—from Iran and Pakistan to U.S. energy policy and addressing failed states. Well, you didn't expect optimism about everything, did you?  Click here to access all of the data.  Be forewarned, however -- like Groucho Marx, I don't completely trust any group of experts that includes me as a member. 

If it’s August, then it’s time for the Center for American Progress to release its state-of-expert-opinion annual Terrorism Index.  The quick summary: 

Signs of progress in Iraq have left America’s top foreign-policy experts experiencing a rare sensation: optimism. For the first time, the national security establishment appears more positive about the war in Iraq, U.S. efforts in fighting global terrorist networks, and the security of the United States and its people. But these experts are increasingly critical of the U.S. government’s approach to the world—from Iran and Pakistan to U.S. energy policy and addressing failed states.

Well, you didn’t expect optimism about everything, did you?  Click here to access all of the data.  Be forewarned, however — like Groucho Marx, I don’t completely trust any group of experts that includes me as a member. 

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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