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The '''Center for Security Policy''' ('''CSP''') is a pro-]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cockburn|first1=Alexander|title=The Politics of Anti-Semitism|date=2003|publisher=AK|isbn=1902593774|page=132}}</ref> activist group and self-described ] that has been accused of propagating ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Media Matters|url=http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/04/09/nra-annual-meeting-to-enmesh-gun-extremism-with/203217|website=http://mediamatters.org|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fear, Inc.|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/report/2011/08/26/10165/fear-inc/|website=americanprogress.org|publisher=Center for American Progress|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Hannah|title=What the Right Misses About Islamic Extremism: A Conversation With Saba Ahmed|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/what-right-misses-about-islamic-extremism-conversation-saba-ahmed/|accessdate=24 July 2015|work=]|date=25 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Presidential Candidates Set to Appear at Event Hosted By Anti-Muslim Conspiracy Theorist|url=http://bridge.georgetown.edu/presidential-candidates-set-to-appear-at-event-hosted-by-anti-muslim-conspiracy-theorist/|website=The Bridge Initiative|publisher=]|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> CSP was founded in 1988 by noted conspiracy theorist ] and advocates policies based on what it describes as a philosophy of "Peace through Strength." <ref>," ''centerforsecuritypolicy.org'', http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/about_us.xml.</ref> The '''Center for Security Policy''' ('''CSP''') is a conservative national security think tank based in Washington, DC. CSP has attracted controversy due to its hard line against radical Islam and the July 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. CSP advocates policies based on what it describes as a philosophy of "Peace through Strength" through research, outreach to Congress and policymakers, books and publications, and a daily radio show, Secure Freedom Radio.<ref>," ''centerforsecuritypolicy.org'', http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/about_us.xml.</ref><ref name="Secure Freedom Radio webpage"> accessed September 7, 2015</ref> CSP has close ties to top Republicans and hosted a series of national security summits in 2015 with GOP presidential candidates.<ref name="centerforsecuritypolicy.org"></ref><ref name="Georgetown University">{{cite web|title=Presidential Candidates Set to Appear at Event Hosted By Anti-Muslim Conspiracy Theorist|url=http://bridge.georgetown.edu/presidential-candidates-set-to-appear-at-event-hosted-by-anti-muslim-conspiracy-theorist/|website=The Bridge Initiative|publisher=]|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref>


The Center's hard line views—especially on radical Islam—have caused it and the Center's founder and President, ], to be reviled by the left which has accused the Center of Islamophobia and propagating ].<ref name="Georgetown University"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Media Matters|url=http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/04/09/nra-annual-meeting-to-enmesh-gun-extremism-with/203217|website=http://mediamatters.org|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fear, Inc.|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/report/2011/08/26/10165/fear-inc/|website=americanprogress.org|publisher=Center for American Progress|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Hannah|title=What the Right Misses About Islamic Extremism: A Conversation With Saba Ahmed|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/what-right-misses-about-islamic-extremism-conversation-saba-ahmed/|accessdate=24 July 2015|work=]|date=25 June 2014}}</ref>
]


== Funding == ==Research and Programs==
], founded Center for Security Policy in 1988 and committed it to pursuing Ronald Reagan's "peace through strength" approach to national Security. Reagan was awarded the Center's Keeper of the Flame Award in 1995. Gaffney wrote a tribute to Reagan on what would have been his 104th birthday in April 2015.<ref>Gaffney, Frank. "Washington Times" February 5, 2015</ref><ref></ref>


Gaffney serves as the Center's President and CEO. The CSP's senior staff also includes Executive Vice President James Hanson, who served in the Army Special Forces; Senior Vice President for Policy and Programs ], a former CIA analyst; ], a former CIA operations officer; and ], co-founder of the Menges Hemispheric Security Project.<ref> accessed September 7, 2015</ref>
⚫ CSP is a ] organization. It gets funding from private individuals and an assortment of philanthropic foundations.<ref><nowiki>http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=489</nowiki>{{Dead link|date=October 2009}} Center for Security Policy grant listing, Media Transparency.com</ref>


The Center, which was recently renamed "Secure Freedom," pursues research on U.S. defense, homeland security, the Middle East, Latin America, securing American infrastructure, weapons of mass destruction, and the Global Jihad Movement. The Center sponsored national security summits for GOP presidential candidates during the summer of 2015 in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Presidential candidates ], ], ], ] and Dr. ] spoke to one or more of these summits.
⚫ Salon has reported that in 2013, CSP received donations from "] ($25,000); ] ($15,000); ] ($15,000); ] ($5,000); ] ($20,000); and ] ($5,000)".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/10/01/far_right_birthers_secret_funders_look_whos_backing_islamophobe_frank_gaffney/ |title=Look who’s backing Islamophobe Frank Gaffney |last1=Clifton |first1=Eli |date=1 October 2014 |website=www.salon.com |publisher=Salon Media Group, Inc. |accessdate=1 October 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="centerforsecuritypolicy.org"/>


Gaffney hosts CSP's nationally syndicated radio show, Secure Freedom Radio, which includes interviews with prominent security experts including Ambassador John Bolton, Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer.<ref name="Secure Freedom Radio webpage"/>
⚫ ==Criticism==
⚫ The ] has accused the CSP's "alarming investigative reports" as designed "to reinforce Gaffney's delusions."<ref name="SPLC">{{cite web|title=Frank Gaffney Jr.|url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/frank-gaffney-jr|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> In one of the group's "Occasional Papers," it alleged ], then Hillary Clinton's aide, was an undercover ] for the ].<ref name="SPLC"></ref> The CSP's accusation was denounced by ], ], ], and ].<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19/huma-abedin-michele-bachmann_n_1686557.html</ref>


===Countering Radical Islam, Shariah, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State===
⚫ In a separate report, it declared ], ], and ], were being secretly controlled by a covert "Iran lobby."<ref name="SPLC"></ref>
CSP devotes a substantial part of its public outreach, briefings, publications, and media appearances to countering the threats from radical Islam (which it calls the Global Jihad Movement), ], ] and the ].


The Center has portrayed the Global Jihad Movement as a worldwide campaign at war with Western civilization to install Shariah Law as a parallel legal and political system in the United States, constituting a separate governance system for the Muslim community with respect to family law, civil society, media and political discourse, finance and homeland security.<ref> Center for Security Policy website, accessed September 22, 2015</ref> In a September 21, 2015 blog article, "," Center President Frank Gaffney endorsed comments made by Republican presidential candidate Dr. ] who said in media interviews “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.” and “I do not believe shariah is consistent with the Constitution of this country.”<ref>Gaffney, Frank. Center for Security Policy website, September 21, 2015</ref>
⚫ Gaffney's leadership of the organization has also prompted criticism of the group in the context of specific accusations made by Gaffney, including that the logo of the ] “appears ominously to reflect a morphing of the Islamic crescent and star with the Obama campaign logo” and is part of a “worrying pattern of official U.S. submission to Islam.”<Ref>{{cite news|title=Far-right birther’s secret funders: Look who’s backing Islamophobe Frank Gaffney|url=http://www.salon.com/2014/10/01/far_right_birthers_secret_funders_look_whos_backing_islamophobe_frank_gaffney/|accessdate=24 July 2015|work=]|date=14 October 2014}}</ref>


One of CSP's notable efforts on these issues was a report issued in 2010, "Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II)",<ref>Gaffney, Frank et al. Center for Security Policy Press, October 2010</ref> co-authored by Frank Gaffney and 17 national security experts: U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (retired) ], U.S. Army (retired) Lt. Gen. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], U.S. Navy Admiral (retired) ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The report, which was modeled after a 1976 "Team B" exercise under which an outside group assesses the CIA's analysis of the Soviet Union, was unveiled in a press conference held in the U.S. Capitol during which it was endorsed by Congressmen ] (R-AZ), ] (R-MI), and ] (R-MN).<ref> September 10, 2010</ref>
⚫ The ] has described the CSP as "an organization with a history of producing dubious claims and "studies" about the threat of shariah."<ref>{{cite news|title=Here's Why You Shouldn't Trust the Latest Poll on American Muslims|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-lean/heres-why-you-shouldnt-trust-the-latest-poll-on-american-muslims_b_7688204.html|accessdate=27 July 2015|work=]|date=7 July 2015}}</ref>


The Center launched another project on these issues in early 2015 that involved several GOP presidential candidates and a new publication. In February 2015, the Center issued "The Secure Freedom Strategy: A Plan for Victory Against the Global Jihad Movement",<ref> Center for Security Policy Press, February 20, 2015</ref> co-authored by Gaffney, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (retired) ], ], ], ], ], James Hanson, ], ], U.S. Navy Admiral (retired) ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The Secure Freedom Strategy, modeled after President Reagan's strategy to defeat the USSR, was unveiled at a national security "summit" with GOP presidential candidates, members of Congress, and international security experts from the United States and abroad, including Senator ], Governor ], former U.S. Attorney General ], ], ], Congressman ], former House Speaker ], former Congressman ], former Israeli ambassador ], British ], Danish free speech advocate ] and Muslim reformer Dr. ].<ref> Washington, DC, February 11, 2015</ref>
⚫ In March 2015 ] described what it characterized as a typical scene at a CSP hosted forum held in South Carolina:<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nguyen|first1=Tina|title=Watch Santorum Painfully React to Totally Batty Question About ‘Communist Dictator’ Obama|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-santorum-painfully-react-to-totally-batty-question-about-communist-dictator-obama/|accessdate=27 July 2015|work=]|issue=18 March 2015}}</ref>


===Opposition to the Nuclear Deal With Iran===
⚫ {{cquote|During a Q&A session with the conference’s attendees, a woman came up to the microphone and introduced herself as a “retired schoolteacher.” Two minutes and twenty seconds later, she was dragged away while screaming about how the “communist dictator” Obama was trying to destroy the country by trying to nuke Charleston.}}
Opposing the nuclear agreement with Iran was a special focus of the Center in 2014 and 2015. The Center co-sponsored large rallies against the nuclear deal in New York City on July 10, 2015<ref></ref> and September 1, 2015.<ref></ref> It co-sponsored a rally against the nuclear deal in front of the U.S. Capitol on September 9, 2015 that featured ], Senator ], and ].<ref> "Breitbart.com", September 1, 2015</ref> The Center's staff have done numerous media interviews and op-eds against the Iran deal.<ref>Gaffney, Frank. "Latest Fraud on the Obamabomb Deal", "Washington Times", August 26, 2015</ref><ref>Lopez, Clare. "How the Iran Lobby Sidetracked the Iran Talks", Washington Times, April 15, 2015</ref><ref>Fleitz, Fred. "More Details on Plan to Allow Iran to Inspect Itself", National Review, August 20, 2015</ref><ref>Gaffney, Frank. "" Fox News Channel, June 24, 2015</ref>


===Protecting U.S. Infrastructure===
== Global warming ==
Another major focus of the Center is protecting America's infrastructure, especially the U.S. power grid from ] (]) attacks. Gaffney has worked closely with former CIA Director ] and former CIA analyst ] to educate the American public and the U.S. Congress about the EMP threat and how rogue states like Iran and North Korea could destroy the U.S. power grid with an EMP attack by detonating small nuclear weapons in the atmosphere.<ref> Fox News, the Kudlow Report, April 10, 2013</ref><ref> Empact America Conference, February 6, 2014.</ref>
The Center does not take an official position on global warming{{spaced ndash}}it focuses its work on domestic and international politics. However, it is a member organization of the ] which seeks to "dispel the myths of ] by exposing flawed scientific, economic, and risk analysis."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalwarming.org/about/ |title=About |publisher=] |accessdate=16 October 2009}}</ref>


==Awards== ==Awards==

In recognition of various achievements, the Center hosts 4 awards for varying accomplishments. In recognition of various achievements, the Center hosts 4 awards for varying accomplishments.


Line 48: Line 50:
"Since 1990, the Center for Security Policy has recognized individuals for devoting their public careers to the defense of the United States and American values around the world. Those extraordinary individuals are the Keepers of the Flame."<ref><nowiki>http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/modules/newsmanager/inside%20the%20ctr%20images%20pdfs/AnnualReport2001.pdf</nowiki>{{Dead link|date=October 2009}} Center for Security Policy, Annual Report 2001</ref> The majority of awards have gone to senior military figures and Republican politicians. A notable exception to this pattern is world chess champion, ]. "Since 1990, the Center for Security Policy has recognized individuals for devoting their public careers to the defense of the United States and American values around the world. Those extraordinary individuals are the Keepers of the Flame."<ref><nowiki>http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/modules/newsmanager/inside%20the%20ctr%20images%20pdfs/AnnualReport2001.pdf</nowiki>{{Dead link|date=October 2009}} Center for Security Policy, Annual Report 2001</ref> The majority of awards have gone to senior military figures and Republican politicians. A notable exception to this pattern is world chess champion, ].


*2014 - ], U.S. Congresswoman from Minnesota and member of the House Intelligence Committee.
*2013 - ], U.S. Congressman from Florida and Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
*2012 - ], U.S. Congressman from New York, chairman of the United States House Committee on Homeland Security *2012 - ], U.S. Congressman from New York, chairman of the United States House Committee on Homeland Security
*2011 - ], U.S. Congressman from California, chairman of the United States House Committee on Armed Services *2011 - ], U.S. Congressman from California, chairman of the United States House Committee on Armed Services
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===Freedom Flame Award=== ===Freedom Flame Award===
"The Freedom Flame Award recognizes individuals who have exemplified the ideals of freedom, democracy, economic opportunity and international strength to which the Center for Security Policy is committed."<ref>http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/about-us/events/freedom-flame-award/</ref> "The Freedom Flame Award recognizes individuals who have exemplified the ideals of freedom, democracy, economic opportunity and international strength to which the Center for Security Policy is committed."<ref>http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/about-us/events/freedom-flame-award/</ref>
*2015 - ], U.S. Representative from the 8th District of Arizona

*2014 - Judge ]
*2013 - Allen West, Former U.S. Representative for the 22nd Congressional District of Florida. *2013 - Allen West, Former U.S. Representative for the 22nd Congressional District of Florida.
*2012 - ], 81st Attorney General of the United States. *2012 - ], 81st Attorney General of the United States.
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===Mightier Pen Award=== ===Mightier Pen Award===
"The ‘Mightier Pen’ Award was launched in 2001 in recognition of individuals who have, through their published writings, contributed to the public’s appreciation of the need for robust U.S. national security policies and military strength as an indispensable ingredient in promoting international peace." "The ‘Mightier Pen’ Award was launched in 2001 in recognition of individuals who have, through their published writings, contributed to the public’s appreciation of the need for robust U.S. national security policies and military strength as an indispensable ingredient in promoting international peace."
*2013 - ]

*2012 - ]. *2012 - ]
*2012 - ]. *2012 - ]
*2010 - ]. *2010 - ]
*2009 - ]. *2009 - ]
*2008 - ]. *2008 - ]
*2007 - ]. *2007 - ]
*2006 - ]. *2006 - ]
*2005 - ]. *2005 - ].
*2004 - ] *2004 - ]
*2003 - ]. *2003 - ]
*2002 - ]. *2002 - ]
*2001 - ]. *2001 - ]


===The Sacred Honor Award=== ===The Terry Elkes Sacred Honor Award===
"The Sacred Honor Award is named after the solemn vow made by the signers of the Declaration of Independence when they wrote, “We mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”" There are no recipients of this award as of yet. "The Sacred Honor Award is named after the solemn vow made by the signers of the Declaration of Independence when they wrote, "We mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.""
*2015 - ]
*2014 - Ambassador ]
*2012 - ]
*2011 - ]
*2010 - ]
*2009 - ]
*2008 - ]
*2007 - ]
*2006 - ]
*2005 - ]


== Prominent members == == Prominent members ==
*], ] *], ]
*], American-Israeli journalist for ] and deputy managing editor of The ], *], American-Israeli journalist for ] and deputy managing editor of The ],
*], Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet
*], former chairman of the ] and ]
*], founder and CEO of Freeman Global Investment Counsel

== Funding ==
⚫ CSP is a ] organization. It gets funding from private individuals and an assortment of philanthropic foundations.<ref><nowiki>http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=489</nowiki>{{Dead link|date=October 2009}} Center for Security Policy grant listing, Media Transparency.com</ref>

⚫ Salon has reported that in 2013, CSP received donations from "] ($25,000); ] ($15,000); ] ($15,000); ] ($5,000); ] ($20,000); and ] ($5,000)".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/10/01/far_right_birthers_secret_funders_look_whos_backing_islamophobe_frank_gaffney/ |title=Look who’s backing Islamophobe Frank Gaffney |last1=Clifton |first1=Eli |date=1 October 2014 |website=www.salon.com |publisher=Salon Media Group, Inc. |accessdate=1 October 2014}}</ref>

⚫ ==Criticism==
⚫ The ] has accused the CSP's "alarming investigative reports" as designed "to reinforce Gaffney's delusions."<ref name="SPLC">{{cite web|title=Frank Gaffney Jr.|url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/frank-gaffney-jr|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> In one of the group's "Occasional Papers," it alleged ], then Hillary Clinton's aide, was an undercover ] for the ].<ref name="SPLC" /> The CSP's accusation was denounced by ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19/huma-abedin-michele-bachmann_n_1686557.html | work=Huffington Post | title=More Republicans Speak Out Against Bachmann Attacks | date=19 July 2012}}</ref>

⚫ In a separate report, it declared ], ], and ], were being secretly controlled by a covert "Iran lobby."<ref name="SPLC" />

⚫ Gaffney's leadership of the organization has also prompted criticism of the group in the context of specific accusations made by Gaffney, including that the logo of the ] "appears ominously to reflect a morphing of the Islamic crescent and star with the Obama campaign logo" and is part of a "worrying pattern of official U.S. submission to Islam."<ref>{{cite news|title=Far-right birther’s secret funders: Look who’s backing Islamophobe Frank Gaffney|url=http://www.salon.com/2014/10/01/far_right_birthers_secret_funders_look_whos_backing_islamophobe_frank_gaffney/|accessdate=24 July 2015|work=]|date=14 October 2014}}</ref>

⚫ The ] has described the CSP as "an organization with a history of producing dubious claims and "studies" about the threat of shariah."<ref>{{cite news|title=Here's Why You Shouldn't Trust the Latest Poll on American Muslims|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-lean/heres-why-you-shouldnt-trust-the-latest-poll-on-american-muslims_b_7688204.html|accessdate=27 July 2015|work=]|date=7 July 2015}}</ref>

⚫ In March 2015 ] described what it characterized as a typical scene at a CSP hosted forum held in South Carolina:<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nguyen|first1=Tina|title=Watch Santorum Painfully React to Totally Batty Question About ‘Communist Dictator’ Obama|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-santorum-painfully-react-to-totally-batty-question-about-communist-dictator-obama/|accessdate=27 July 2015|work=]|issue=18 March 2015}}</ref>

⚫ {{cquote|During a Q&A session with the conference’s attendees, a woman came up to the microphone and introduced herself as a "retired schoolteacher." Two minutes and twenty seconds later, she was dragged away while screaming about how the "communist dictator" Obama was trying to destroy the country by trying to nuke Charleston.}}


==Recent publications== ==Recent publications==
* Gaffney, Frank. ''War Footing'' (Naval Institute Press, 2005) ISBN 978-1591143017<ref name=g>{{cite web|url=http://author.heritage.org/Press/Events/ev012406a.cfm|title=War Footing: 10 Steps America Must Take to Prevail in the War for the Free World|accessdate=2012-08-23|publisher=The Heritage Foundation}}</ref>
*{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Reilly |date=25 April 2007 |title=EADS: Partner or proliferator? |url=http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/p13610.xml?cat_id=130 |publisher=Center for Security Policy |accessdate=16 October 2009}} *{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Reilly |date=25 April 2007 |title=EADS: Partner or proliferator? |url=http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/p13610.xml?cat_id=130 |publisher=Center for Security Policy |accessdate=16 October 2009}}
* Gaffney, Frank et al. "Shariah: The Threat to America" (Center for Security Policy, 2010) ISBN 978-0982294765
* Gaffney, Frank et al. "Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II)" (Center for Security Policy, 2010) ISBN 098229476X
* Center for Security Policy, "Shariah in American Courts: The Expanding Incursion of Islamic Law in the U.S. Legal System" (Center for Security Policy Press, 2014) ISBN 0692345558
* Gaffney, Frank et al. "The Secure Freedom Strategy: A Plan for Victory Over the Global Jihad Movement" (Center for Security Policy, 2015) ISBN 1507756135
* Gaffney, Frank, "Securing Freedom: 25 Years of Firefights in the War of Ideas" (Center for Security Policy, 2015) ISBN 1507860595
* Corcoran, Ann, "Refugee Resettlement and the Hijra to America" (Center for Security Policy Press, 2015) ISBN 1508820708
* Coughlin, Steven. "Catastrophic Failure: Blindfolding America in the Face of Jihad" (Center for Security Policy, 2015) ISBN 1511617500
* Lopez, Clare. "Star Spangled Shariah: The Rise of America’s First Muslim Brotherhood Party" (Center for Security Policy Press, 2015)


== References == == References ==

Revision as of 22:56, 26 September 2015

Center for Security Policy
File:Center for Security Policy logo.png
AbbreviationCSP
Formation1988
Headquarters1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Location
Founder and PresidentFrank Gaffney, Jr.
Websitecenterforsecuritypolicy.org

The Center for Security Policy (CSP) is a conservative national security think tank based in Washington, DC. CSP has attracted controversy due to its hard line against radical Islam and the July 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. CSP advocates policies based on what it describes as a philosophy of "Peace through Strength" through research, outreach to Congress and policymakers, books and publications, and a daily radio show, Secure Freedom Radio. CSP has close ties to top Republicans and hosted a series of national security summits in 2015 with GOP presidential candidates.

The Center's hard line views—especially on radical Islam—have caused it and the Center's founder and President, Frank Gaffney, Jr., to be reviled by the left which has accused the Center of Islamophobia and propagating conspiracy theories.

Research and Programs

Frank Gaffney, Jr., founded Center for Security Policy in 1988 and committed it to pursuing Ronald Reagan's "peace through strength" approach to national Security. Reagan was awarded the Center's Keeper of the Flame Award in 1995. Gaffney wrote a tribute to Reagan on what would have been his 104th birthday in April 2015.

Gaffney serves as the Center's President and CEO. The CSP's senior staff also includes Executive Vice President James Hanson, who served in the Army Special Forces; Senior Vice President for Policy and Programs Frederick Fleitz, a former CIA analyst; Clare Lopez, a former CIA operations officer; and Nancy Menges, co-founder of the Menges Hemispheric Security Project.

The Center, which was recently renamed "Secure Freedom," pursues research on U.S. defense, homeland security, the Middle East, Latin America, securing American infrastructure, weapons of mass destruction, and the Global Jihad Movement. The Center sponsored national security summits for GOP presidential candidates during the summer of 2015 in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson spoke to one or more of these summits.

Gaffney hosts CSP's nationally syndicated radio show, Secure Freedom Radio, which includes interviews with prominent security experts including Ambassador John Bolton, Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer.

Countering Radical Islam, Shariah, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State

CSP devotes a substantial part of its public outreach, briefings, publications, and media appearances to countering the threats from radical Islam (which it calls the Global Jihad Movement), Shariah, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The Center has portrayed the Global Jihad Movement as a worldwide campaign at war with Western civilization to install Shariah Law as a parallel legal and political system in the United States, constituting a separate governance system for the Muslim community with respect to family law, civil society, media and political discourse, finance and homeland security. In a September 21, 2015 blog article, "Ben Carson Speaks the Truth About Shariah," Center President Frank Gaffney endorsed comments made by Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson who said in media interviews “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.” and “I do not believe shariah is consistent with the Constitution of this country.”

One of CSP's notable efforts on these issues was a report issued in 2010, "Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II)", co-authored by Frank Gaffney and 17 national security experts: U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (retired) William G. Boykin, U.S. Army (retired) Lt. Gen. Harry Edward Soyster, Christine Brim, Clare M. Lopez, Ambassador Henry Cooper, Stephen Coughlin, Michael Del Rosso, John Guandolo, Brian Kennedy, U.S. Navy Admiral (retired) James A. "Ace" Lyons, Andrew McCarthy, Patrick Poople, Joseph E. Schmitz, Tom Trento, J. Michael Waller, Diana West, R. James Woolsey, and David Yerushalmi. The report, which was modeled after a 1976 "Team B" exercise under which an outside group assesses the CIA's analysis of the Soviet Union, was unveiled in a press conference held in the U.S. Capitol during which it was endorsed by Congressmen Trent Franks (R-AZ), Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), and Michele Bachmann (R-MN).

The Center launched another project on these issues in early 2015 that involved several GOP presidential candidates and a new publication. In February 2015, the Center issued "The Secure Freedom Strategy: A Plan for Victory Against the Global Jihad Movement", co-authored by Gaffney, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (retired) William G. Boykin, Ambassador Henry Cooper, Frederick Fleitz, Dan Goure, John Guandolo, James Hanson, Brian Kennedy, Clare M. Lopez, U.S. Navy Admiral (retired) James A. "Ace" Lyons, Joseph E. Schmitz, Tom Trento, J. Michael Waller, Tommy Waller, and David Yerushalmi. The Secure Freedom Strategy, modeled after President Reagan's strategy to defeat the USSR, was unveiled at a national security "summit" with GOP presidential candidates, members of Congress, and international security experts from the United States and abroad, including Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Bobby Jindal, former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Congressman Steve King, Congressman Scott Perry, Congressman Mike Pompeo, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Congressman Peter Hoekstra, former Israeli ambassador Yoram Ettinger, British Lord Malcolm Pearson, Danish free speech advocate Lars Hedegaard and Muslim reformer Dr. Zuhdi Jasser.

Opposition to the Nuclear Deal With Iran

Opposing the nuclear agreement with Iran was a special focus of the Center in 2014 and 2015. The Center co-sponsored large rallies against the nuclear deal in New York City on July 10, 2015 and September 1, 2015. It co-sponsored a rally against the nuclear deal in front of the U.S. Capitol on September 9, 2015 that featured Donald Trump, Senator Ted Cruz, and Glenn Beck. The Center's staff have done numerous media interviews and op-eds against the Iran deal.

Protecting U.S. Infrastructure

Another major focus of the Center is protecting America's infrastructure, especially the U.S. power grid from electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks. Gaffney has worked closely with former CIA Director James Woolsey and former CIA analyst Peter Pry to educate the American public and the U.S. Congress about the EMP threat and how rogue states like Iran and North Korea could destroy the U.S. power grid with an EMP attack by detonating small nuclear weapons in the atmosphere.

Awards

In recognition of various achievements, the Center hosts 4 awards for varying accomplishments.

Keeper of the Flame Award

"Since 1990, the Center for Security Policy has recognized individuals for devoting their public careers to the defense of the United States and American values around the world. Those extraordinary individuals are the Keepers of the Flame." The majority of awards have gone to senior military figures and Republican politicians. A notable exception to this pattern is world chess champion, Garry Kasparov.

Freedom Flame Award

"The Freedom Flame Award recognizes individuals who have exemplified the ideals of freedom, democracy, economic opportunity and international strength to which the Center for Security Policy is committed."

Mightier Pen Award

"The ‘Mightier Pen’ Award was launched in 2001 in recognition of individuals who have, through their published writings, contributed to the public’s appreciation of the need for robust U.S. national security policies and military strength as an indispensable ingredient in promoting international peace."

The Terry Elkes Sacred Honor Award

"The Sacred Honor Award is named after the solemn vow made by the signers of the Declaration of Independence when they wrote, "We mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.""

Prominent members

Funding

CSP is a 501(c)(3) organization. It gets funding from private individuals and an assortment of philanthropic foundations.

Salon has reported that in 2013, CSP received donations from "Boeing ($25,000); General Dynamics ($15,000); Lockheed Martin ($15,000); Northrup Grumman ($5,000); Raytheon ($20,000); and General Electric ($5,000)".

Criticism

The Southern Poverty Law Center has accused the CSP's "alarming investigative reports" as designed "to reinforce Gaffney's delusions." In one of the group's "Occasional Papers," it alleged Huma Abedin, then Hillary Clinton's aide, was an undercover spy for the Muslim Brotherhood. The CSP's accusation was denounced by John McCain, John Boehner, Scott Brown, and Marco Rubio.

In a separate report, it declared Susan Rice, Richard Haass, and Dennis Ross, were being secretly controlled by a covert "Iran lobby."

Gaffney's leadership of the organization has also prompted criticism of the group in the context of specific accusations made by Gaffney, including that the logo of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency "appears ominously to reflect a morphing of the Islamic crescent and star with the Obama campaign logo" and is part of a "worrying pattern of official U.S. submission to Islam."

The Huffington Post has described the CSP as "an organization with a history of producing dubious claims and "studies" about the threat of shariah."

In March 2015 Mediaite described what it characterized as a typical scene at a CSP hosted forum held in South Carolina:

During a Q&A session with the conference’s attendees, a woman came up to the microphone and introduced herself as a "retired schoolteacher." Two minutes and twenty seconds later, she was dragged away while screaming about how the "communist dictator" Obama was trying to destroy the country by trying to nuke Charleston.

Recent publications

  • Gaffney, Frank. War Footing (Naval Institute Press, 2005) ISBN 978-1591143017
  • Reilly, Michael (25 April 2007). "EADS: Partner or proliferator?". Center for Security Policy. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  • Gaffney, Frank et al. "Shariah: The Threat to America" (Center for Security Policy, 2010) ISBN 978-0982294765
  • Gaffney, Frank et al. "Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II)" (Center for Security Policy, 2010) ISBN 098229476X
  • Center for Security Policy, "Shariah in American Courts: The Expanding Incursion of Islamic Law in the U.S. Legal System" (Center for Security Policy Press, 2014) ISBN 0692345558
  • Gaffney, Frank et al. "The Secure Freedom Strategy: A Plan for Victory Over the Global Jihad Movement" (Center for Security Policy, 2015) ISBN 1507756135
  • Gaffney, Frank, "Securing Freedom: 25 Years of Firefights in the War of Ideas" (Center for Security Policy, 2015) ISBN 1507860595
  • Corcoran, Ann, "Refugee Resettlement and the Hijra to America" (Center for Security Policy Press, 2015) ISBN 1508820708
  • Coughlin, Steven. "Catastrophic Failure: Blindfolding America in the Face of Jihad" (Center for Security Policy, 2015) ISBN 1511617500
  • Lopez, Clare. "Star Spangled Shariah: The Rise of America’s First Muslim Brotherhood Party" (Center for Security Policy Press, 2015)

References

  1. About Us," centerforsecuritypolicy.org, http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/about_us.xml.
  2. ^ Secure Freedom Radio webpage accessed September 7, 2015
  3. ^ Center for Security Policy website, accessed September 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "Presidential Candidates Set to Appear at Event Hosted By Anti-Muslim Conspiracy Theorist". The Bridge Initiative. Georgetown University. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  5. "Media Matters". http://mediamatters.org. Retrieved 24 July 2015. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  6. "Fear, Inc". americanprogress.org. Center for American Progress. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  7. Green, Hannah (25 June 2014). "What the Right Misses About Islamic Extremism: A Conversation With Saba Ahmed". The Nation. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  8. Gaffney, Frank. Reagan: Relevant, revered on his 104th birthday - plus a 21-gun salute to celebrate "Washington Times" February 5, 2015
  9. Center for Security Policy website, accessed September 7, 2015
  10. Center for Security Policy website accessed September 7, 2015
  11. Center for Security Policy website, accessed September 22, 2015
  12. Gaffney, Frank.Ben Carson Speaks the Truth About Shariah Center for Security Policy website, September 21, 2015
  13. Gaffney, Frank et al. Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II) Center for Security Policy Press, October 2010
  14. September 10, 2010
  15. "The Secure Freedom Strategy: A Plan for Victory Against the Global Jihad Movement" Center for Security Policy Press, February 20, 2015
  16. Defeat Jihad Summit Washington, DC, February 11, 2015
  17. Stop Iran Rally website, accessed September 7, 2015
  18. Stop Iran Rally website, accessed September 7, 2015
  19. Gaffney's Center for Security Policy to Rally Against Iran Nuke Deal in DC "Breitbart.com", September 1, 2015
  20. Gaffney, Frank. "Latest Fraud on the Obamabomb Deal", "Washington Times", August 26, 2015
  21. Lopez, Clare. "How the Iran Lobby Sidetracked the Iran Talks", Washington Times, April 15, 2015
  22. Fleitz, Fred. "More Details on Plan to Allow Iran to Inspect Itself", National Review, August 20, 2015
  23. Gaffney, Frank. "Interview with Neil Cavuto on Iran deal" Fox News Channel, June 24, 2015
  24. Frank Gaffney: Is North Korea Planning to Launch EMP Attack? Fox News, the Kudlow Report, April 10, 2013
  25. Woolsey: EMP catastrophe worse than effects of nuclear war Empact America Conference, February 6, 2014.
  26. http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/modules/newsmanager/inside%20the%20ctr%20images%20pdfs/AnnualReport2001.pdf Center for Security Policy, Annual Report 2001
  27. http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/about-us/events/freedom-flame-award/
  28. http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=489 Center for Security Policy grant listing, Media Transparency.com
  29. Clifton, Eli (1 October 2014). "Look who's backing Islamophobe Frank Gaffney". www.salon.com. Salon Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  30. ^ "Frank Gaffney Jr". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  31. "More Republicans Speak Out Against Bachmann Attacks". Huffington Post. 19 July 2012.
  32. "Far-right birther's secret funders: Look who's backing Islamophobe Frank Gaffney". Salon. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  33. "Here's Why You Shouldn't Trust the Latest Poll on American Muslims". Huffington Post. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  34. Nguyen, Tina. "Watch Santorum Painfully React to Totally Batty Question About 'Communist Dictator' Obama". Mediaite. No. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  35. "War Footing: 10 Steps America Must Take to Prevail in the War for the Free World". The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2012-08-23.

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