Who’s making out with your think tanker while he’s out making out with industry?
Peter Singer of Brookings, a think tank type, raises a good question about the problem of journalists quoting think tankers who get paid by the corporations that provide some of the weapons or services under discussion. Reminds me of that old song. Seriously, I have no good answers or perspective here. First of all, I ...
Peter Singer of Brookings, a think tank type, raises a good question about the problem of journalists quoting think tankers who get paid by the corporations that provide some of the weapons or services under discussion. Reminds me of that old song.
Seriously, I have no good answers or perspective here. First of all, I am one of the goldfish in this particular glass bowl. Second, back when I was a reporter, the last thing I wanted to do when writing a story on deadline about, say, Iraq policy, was try to figure out, while I was doing an interview with some foreign policy bigwig, who was paying said bigwig for what goods and services back in the US of A. Nor, as someone now on a think tank payroll, could I tell you what my hidden agenda is supposed to be. Fwiw, here (once you scroll down) is a list of funders of CNAS. You tell me just what "Cross-Strait Interflow Prospect Foundation" does, and what their position on Afghanistan is. First I've ever heard of them.
Wanna solve my moral quandary? For Christmas, send my colleague V. Jeronimo a nice check, at this address, with "Tom told me to" in the memo line:
Peter Singer of Brookings, a think tank type, raises a good question about the problem of journalists quoting think tankers who get paid by the corporations that provide some of the weapons or services under discussion. Reminds me of that old song.
Seriously, I have no good answers or perspective here. First of all, I am one of the goldfish in this particular glass bowl. Second, back when I was a reporter, the last thing I wanted to do when writing a story on deadline about, say, Iraq policy, was try to figure out, while I was doing an interview with some foreign policy bigwig, who was paying said bigwig for what goods and services back in the US of A. Nor, as someone now on a think tank payroll, could I tell you what my hidden agenda is supposed to be. Fwiw, here (once you scroll down) is a list of funders of CNAS. You tell me just what "Cross-Strait Interflow Prospect Foundation" does, and what their position on Afghanistan is. First I’ve ever heard of them.
Wanna solve my moral quandary? For Christmas, send my colleague V. Jeronimo a nice check, at this address, with "Tom told me to" in the memo line:
Ms. V. Jeronimo
Director of Development, CNAS
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue
Suite 403
Washington, D.C. 20004
More from Foreign Policy
Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.
It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.
Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.
Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
