A New Economic Engine: - Energy in the 21st Century

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Progress is American -- The Center for American Progress

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The Center for American Progress is a progressive think-tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action.

We are creating a long-term, progressive vision for Americaa vision that policy makers, thought-leaders and activists can use to shape the national debate and pass laws that make a difference.

As progressives we believe that America should be a country of boundless opportunitywhere all people can better themselves through education, hard work, and the freedom to pursue their dreams. We believe this will only be achieved with an open and effective government that champions the common good over narrow self-interest, harnesses the strength of our diversity, and secures the rights and safety of its people.

The Progressive Movement - The Center for American Progress

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The Center for American Progress is a progressive think-tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action.

We are creating a long-term, progressive vision for Americaa vision that policy makers, thought-leaders and activists can use to shape the national debate and pass laws that make a difference.

As progressives we believe that America should be a country of boundless opportunitywhere all people can better themselves through education, hard work, and the freedom to pursue their dreams. We believe this will only be achieved with an open and effective government that champions the common good over narrow self-interest, harnesses the strength of our diversity, and secures the rights and safety of its people.

What is a Progressive? The Center for American Progress

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The Center for American Progress is a progressive think-tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action.

We are creating a long-term, progressive vision for Americaa vision that policy makers, thought-leaders and activists can use to shape the national debate and pass laws that make a difference.

As progressives we believe that America should be a country of boundless opportunitywhere all people can better themselves through education, hard work, and the freedom to pursue their dreams. We believe this will only be achieved with an open and effective government that champions the common good over narrow self-interest, harnesses the strength of our diversity, and secures the rights and safety of its people.

Apollo's Fire - Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy

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In 1961, President John F. Kennedy ignited America's Apollo Project and sparked a revolution in space exploration. Today the New Apollo Energy Project is poised to revolutionize the production of energy and thereby save our planet. This is a thoughtful, optimistic book, based on sound facts. No one before has tied together the concepts of economic growth and greenhouse gas reductions with such concrete examples. The co-authors, one a U.S. Congressman who is the primary sponsor of the New Apollo Energy Act, and the other the founder of the Apollo Alliance, have joined their experience, expertise, and passion for a clean energy future to lay out the path to stop global warming and gain energy independence. www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

www.apollosfire.net

The Global Common Good

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http://www.americanprogress.org/projects/commongood/

When is war justified? Is the use of torture ever acceptable? Do we have a moral responsibility to intervene against atrocities thousands of miles away? These are some of the issues addressed in a new book by policy experts and faith leaders, published by the Center for American Progress. Pursuing the Global Common Good argues that U.S. foreign policy must go beyond preconceived notions of national self-interest and security by including our ethical obligations to the global community. Whether arguing against unjust wars or for our responsibility to lead against global warming, these essays dispel the faulty view that our national interests conflict with our ethical obligations. To the contrary, they make a strong case that we can do better by doing good because our nation's self-interest and its moral responsibilities are intertwined.

This Week in Congress -9/17/07- Center for American Progress

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Ilia Rodriguez of the Center for American Progress preps you for the week's events on Capitol Hill. Iraq is among the issues CAP is keeping an eye on. For more information on what's going on with your government please see: http://www.americanprogress.org

What if our most powerful weapons were ideas?
THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS

www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

Bush Speech on Iraq Surge: March is the New September

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The Center for American Progress sets the facts straight in advance of President Bush's speech to the nation September 13, 2007 on the troop surge policy in Iraq. The surge will end in 2008, not because it has been effective, but because the Army lacks sufficient troops and faces a military readiness crisis.

Featuring Larry Korb, Brian Katulis, Caroline Wadhams & Rand Beers

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/09/bush_prebuttal.html

 FOR MORE ON THE PROJECTED COSTS OF STAYING IRAQ PLEASE SEE: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/09/costs_chart.html

The Petraeus Report: CLAIM vs. FACT by CAP

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The Petraeus Report: CLAIM vs FACT by CAP

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/09/iraq_questions.html READ: Key Questions on the White House Report and Petraeus-Crocker Testimony by John Podesta, Brian Katulis & Lawrence Korb

General David Petraeus testifies before Congress on Monday & Tuesday on the troop surge in Iraq. The Center for American Progress presents the facts on Iraq.

www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

How To Redeploy: A Responsible Drawdown from Iraq -- New CAP Report

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How To Redeploy: A Responsible Drawdown from Iraq -- New CAP Reporthttp://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/08/redeploy_report.html CLICK THE LINK TO READ THE REPORT CAP's military experts release a new report outlining how the United States can implement a logistically sound strategic redeployment from Iraq. THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

CAPAF: Rep. Joe Sestak (US Navy Ret) On Exiting Iraq

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Rep. Joe Sestak shares his thoughts on the challenges of redeploying US troops from Iraq after his recent remarks at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Sestak is recently retired from the US Navy, where he carried the rank of Vice Admiral. He is presently the highest ranking former officer serving in the Congress.

www.AMERICANPROGRESSACTION.org

CAPAF: Rep. Joe Sestak (US Navy Ret.) on Exiting Iraq

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Rep. Joe Sestak shares his thoughts on the challenges of redeploying US troops from Iraq after his recent remarks at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Sestak is recently retired from the US Navy, where he carried the rank of Vice Admiral. He is presently the highest ranking former officer serving in the Congress.

www.AMERICANPROGRESSACTION.org

America is Addicted to Oil

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The Center for American Progress presents the facts on America's oil dependence. Climate Change. National Security. Economic security. Global trade. America's energy policy cuts across a wide spectrum of issues. To learn more about how CAP is engaged on energy please visit www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

UN Peacekeepers Headed to Darfur - ENOUGH!

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Matt Damon Talks Clean My Ride Campaign on The Tonight Show

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Actor Matt Damon discusses his role promoting flex fuels and increased CAFE standards as part of the Center for American Progress Action Fund Project: Clean My Ride campaign (www.cleanmyride.org) on NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

 www.CLEANMYRIDE.org

This Week in Congress -July 30, 2007- Center for American Progress

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Ilia Rodriguez of the Center for American Progress preps you for the week's events on Capitol Hill. The State Children's Health Insurance Program and the Defense Department's spending bill are two issues CAP is keeping an eye on. For more information on what's going on with your government please see: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/07/this_week_073 0.html

What if we grew our own fuel? THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

The Facts on Iraq - America Needs a Strategic Reset - Center for American Progress

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Over 3,000 dead. More than 26,000 honorable Americans wounded. $463 BILLION taxpayer dollars spent. The war in Iraq needs a change in course. The Center for American Progress has a plan, STRATEGIC RESET, to end America's involvement in Iraq and reset our national security in the Middle East & in the war on terror. For more information on Strategic Reset please see: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/06/strategic_reset.html

What if our most powerful weapons were ideas?
THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS
www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

Tonight Show: Matt Damon Talks CleanMyRide.org

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Actor Matt Damon talks about his involvement with the Center for American Progress Action Fund's CLEAN MY RIDE campaign with Jay Leno on NBC's Tonight Show. To watch Matt, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Silverman, Jason Biggs, Joshua Jackson and Jenny Wade take on Big Oil and tell Congress to pass an energy bill that promotes higher miles per gallon fuel standards and alternative energy sources go to www.CLEANMYRIDE.org  

This Week in Congress -July 23, 2007- Center for American Progress

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Clean My Ride, Flex My Fuel - Starring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon - Center for American Progress Action Fund

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Center for American Progress Action Staffers were out in force in Washington to raise awareness for the new Project Phin: Clean My Ride campaign aimed at getting Congress to raises the average fuel mileage standards and to encourage the use of flexible fuels. The campaign is centered around a web-based movie featuring actors Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Silverman, Jason Biggs, Joshua Jackson and others. Watch the movies as they role out each day on youtube or watch them on www.cleanmyride.org Click the link to sign up - tell your member of Congress America's energy policy needs work.

www.cleanmyride.org -- Center for American Progress Action Fund Energy Campaign - Project Phin

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Episode One of Project Phin, a new web-based movie from the Center for American Progress Action Fund starring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Sarah Silerman, Jennifer Garner, Jason Biggs and Joshua Jackson. Get involved in the campaign at www.CLEANMYRIDE.org

Tell your member of Congress it's time to end our dependence on oil and impact climate change by making flexible fuels and cars that go further on a gallon of fuel the part of America's energy policy.  

 www.CLEANMYRIDE.org

Strategic Reset: US Senate Briefing on Iraq Policy Part 2

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Strategic Reset: US Senate Briefing on Iraq Policy Part 1

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Center for American Progress Senior Fellows Lawrence Korb and Brian Katulis discuss CAP's new Strategic Reset plan for Iraq and the Middle East on Capitol Hill.

To read Strategic Reset, please see: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/06/strategic_reset.html THE

CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

This Week in Congress -July 16, 2007- The Center for American Progress

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Balacing the Budget: Iraq Costs Shouldnt Stop Investing in America

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Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Scott Lilly writes of the current budget battle waging between the Bush White House and Congress, " The crushing impact that the Iraq war has had on our ability to make the investments needed to keep us safe; to build our economy and to create a more just and peaceful society."   

"The White House does not want a full and an open debate on these issues and to the extent that controversy over earmarks can help them avoid it they will do everything possible to stoke the flamesregardless of their extensive involvement in creating the earmark mess that the new Congress is now trying to clean up."

THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS

www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org  

IRAN: Contain & Engage - A New Strategy From American Progress

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US Iraq Policy Needs a Strategic Reset - Dr Lawerence Korb On Reclaiming US Security in the Middle E

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With the Iraq war well into its fifth year, the Bush administration still lacks a realistic plan for the Middle East and Iraq. The United States must reclaim control of its core national security interests by taking active steps to stabilize the entire Middle East and abandon the delusions at the heart of President Bush’s policies. Otherwise, U.S. security will continue to suffer by weakening the U.S. military and draining resources away from destroying terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda.

The current Iraq strategy is exactly what Al Qaeda wants—the United States distracted and pinned down by Iraq’s internal conflicts and trapped in a quagmire that has become the perfect rallying cry and recruitment tool for Al Qaeda. The United States has no good options given the strategic and tactical mistakes made on Iraq since 2002, but simply staying the course with an indefinite military presence is not advancing U.S. interests.

Instead, the United States must reset its strategy by looking beyond the deteriorating situation in Iraq in order to counter the threat from global terrorist groups and ensure stability in the entire Middle East and Gulf region. To do this, we need to develop a new overall Middle East strategy, not just a series of tactics focused heavily on Iraq.

www.americanprogress.org

 

US Iraq Policy Needs a Strategic Reset - Dr Lawerence Korb On Reclaiming US Security in the Middle East

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With the Iraq war well into its fifth year, the Bush administration still lacks a realistic plan for the Middle East and Iraq. The United States must reclaim control of its core national security interests by taking active steps to stabilize the entire Middle East and abandon the delusions at the heart of President Bush’s policies. Otherwise, U.S. security will continue to suffer by weakening the U.S. military and draining resources away from destroying terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda.

The current Iraq strategy is exactly what Al Qaeda wants—the United States distracted and pinned down by Iraq’s internal conflicts and trapped in a quagmire that has become the perfect rallying cry and recruitment tool for Al Qaeda. The United States has no good options given the strategic and tactical mistakes made on Iraq since 2002, but simply staying the course with an indefinite military presence is not advancing U.S. interests.

Instead, the United States must reset its strategy by looking beyond the deteriorating situation in Iraq in order to counter the threat from global terrorist groups and ensure stability in the entire Middle East and Gulf region. To do this, we need to develop a new overall Middle East strategy, not just a series of tactics focused heavily on Iraq.

www.americanprogress.org

 

Congressional Agenda - The Week Ahead 7/9/07 - Center for American Progress

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This Week in Congress - July 9, 2007  Iraq

The Senate begins debate today on changing U.S. military policy in Iraq as it considers the fiscal 2008 defense authorization bill. Amendments addressing the war are expected from both sides of the aisle.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R-NV) and Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) are planning an amendment together that would require the military to begin decreasing the size of its deployed force within 120 days. The amendment would also call for a withdrawal of most combat troops by April 2008.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) may also introduce their bill repealing the 2002 authorization for the Iraq war. And Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) is planning on sponsoring language setting minimum lengths of time between deployments to the Iraq war zone. His amendment would mandate that active-duty troops receive as much time at home as they served overseas. Reservists would receive three times as much time off from active duty as they spent deployed.

Foreign Relations ranking member Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), fresh from their recent defection from Bush’s Iraq strategy, will also be prominent during the debate. Domenici has already announced his support for a bipartisan bill intended to create conditions that would allow the military to significantly reduce the size of its forces in Iraq by next spring. The bill specifically calls for the implementation of the 70 recommendations offered by the Iraq Study Group and is sponsored by Sens. Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN).

Former chairman of the Armed Services Committee Sen. John Warner (R-VA) has said he is working on his own Iraq language as a substitute to the Democratic language. Warner is one of the chamber's most respected voices on defense issues and was the author of the Iraq supplemental language that passed the Senate earlier this spring.

In the House, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense will be marking up its spending bill this Thursday, although the details have not yet been announced.

Read the Center for American Progress’s recently released report that details a four-point strategy for reclaiming control of U.S. security in the Middle East:

•  Strategic Reset

Higher Education Act

The House will consider amendments this week to the Higher Education Act, which is intended to make college more affordable. Conservatives in the House are preparing for a fight by seeking to increase funding for Pell grants by taking $1.5 billion from new entitlement spending meant for institutions, including historically black colleges. House Education and Labor committee ranking member Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) has already filed an amendment in committee to shift the funds.

The bill’s price tag totals $18 billion in student aid including Pell grant funding, halving interest rates, increasing borrowing limits, limiting repayments to 15 percent of income, and allowing loan forgiveness of up to $5,000 for military personnel and civilian first responders.

Housing

The House is scheduled to take on legislation late this week that would overhaul the Section 8 housing voucher program. The bill is sponsored by Financial Services Housing Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and would give housing authorities more flexibility in renting to poor and homeless persons and allow vouchers in certain cases to be used for purchasing manufactured homes on leased land. The HUD program currently issues housing vouchers to 2 million low-income people.

Come back on Tuesday for CAP Associate Director for Economic Mobility Andrew Jakabovics’ take on the Section 8 voucher program.

SCHIP 

Senate Finance Committee members are hoping this week to reach an agreement on and markup the reauthorization and expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Before the recess, questions about whether it’s possible to reach the $50 billion target set by the budget resolution and how that expansion would be paid for were still not answered.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats want to reveal a draft of the bill this week. Along with the House Ways and Means Committee, leaders on the issue have said they plan to defer for two or three years pending a 10 percent physician payment cut. They also hinted at trying to get some money out of overhauling some of Medicare's payment systems, particularly within Medicare Advantage.

Read a recent report on key issues of the SCHIP reauthorization:

• Children’s Health Care Benefits

Discriminatory Pay

The House Education and Labor Workforce Protections Subcommittee will examine a bill this week proposed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to increase the damages plaintiffs can seek under the Equal Pay Act on Wednesday. The law bars employers from paying employees in the same job different wages based on gender, but women's advocates say the statute has weak enforcement provisions that make it difficult for plaintiffs to win compensation. Her bill will likely be opposed by employer groups. The committee has recently passed a bill in response to the Ledbetter v. Goodyear Supreme Court case involving discriminatory pay, but that bill had not addressed the Equal Pay Act.

America in the World: Threats to US Security - Senator Gordon Smith (R) Oregon

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America in the World - Senator Gordon Smith (R) Oregon

Smith began his remarks with the observation that it is better to be trusted than to be loved, and that American must re-establish values the world trusts.

Vis a vis Iraq, he called for a redeployment, arguing that they will not stand up until we begin standing down.

Smiths comments focused on Americas relationship with Iran. Irans policies could further radicalize the Middle East, and its nuclear program could start a Sunni-Shia arms race with destabilizing consequences. Iranian weapons had found their way to militants in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there was no defense against Iranian bombs.

Smith, who sponsored the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, argued for serious economic sanctions. The act restricts financing for Iran, seizes assets, singles out Russia as the primary supporter of Irans program, and requires reporting of all investment within Iran.

The administrations continued refusal to negotiate with Iran is correct, he argued, since a favorable outcome is unlikely unless Irans enrichment is suspended during negotiations. He made clear that he is currently against any military option, but asserted, We must use all the tools in the tool box.

Forging a New Vision for Foreign Policy and International Security
At a time when the American people are beginning the process of choosing new leaders, the conference on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, explored how the United States can re-assert its leadership for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure world.

Sponsored by The Century Foundation and the Center for American Progress, the conference featured speakers and panels on today's most pressing international issues of peace and security, including U.S. nuclear weapons policy, configuring America's defenses to 21st century realities, America's role in the Middle East, the global economy, and energy and the environment. Panelists included established and emerging voices in the international policy realm, including senior policy makers.

Speakers included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former CIA Director John Deutch, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Egypt Daniel Kurtzer, former Secretary of Treasury Bob Rubin, Senator Gordon Smith, and former Deputy Commander, Headquarters U.S. European Command Charles Wald.

www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

America in the World: Sandy Berger - A Security Agenda for the Next President

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Former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger closed the America in the World conference with a five-point agenda for the next president. He outlined the great challenges facing America and provided some insights on how our next leader may tackle them:

1. Restore respect and support for U.S. global leadership.
2. Combat the threat of jihadist extremism.
3. Halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
4. Manage the rise of China on the global stage.
5. Deal with the challenge of energy and climate change.

Berger argued that each of these issues demands unique and specific attention, but that the keystone upon which each rested was to “restore American moral authority” in the world. It is possible, he noted, that our “insights, passions, and efforts” are not enough, but “we can at least get caught trying.”

www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

America in the World: America and the Middle East

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 America and the Middle East: Helene Cooper (moderator), Daniel Kurtzer, Ellen Laipson, Daniel Levy, and Rep. David Price

America in the World

Forging a New Vision for Foreign Policy and International Security
At a time when the American people are beginning the process of choosing new leaders, the conference on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, explored how the United States can re-assert its leadership for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure world.

Sponsored by The Century Foundation and the Center for American Progress, the conference featured speakers and panels on today's most pressing international issues of peace and security, including U.S. nuclear weapons policy, configuring America's defenses to 21st century realities, America's role in the Middle East, the global economy, and energy and the environment. Panelists included established and emerging voices in the international policy realm, including senior policy makers.

Speakers included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former CIA Director John Deutch, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Egypt Daniel Kurtzer, former Secretary of Treasury Bob Rubin, Senator Gordon Smith, and former Deputy Commander, Headquarters U.S. European Command Charles Wald.

www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

America in the World: Climate Change - A National Security Problem

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Energy and the Environment: 
Tom Daschle (moderator), John Deutch, Gen. (ret.) Charles Wald, and Cathy Zoi
America in the World

Forging a New Vision for Foreign Policy and International Security

At a time when the American people are beginning the process of choosing new leaders, the conference on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, explored how the United States can re-assert its leadership for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure world.

Sponsored by The Century Foundation and the Center for American Progress, the conference featured speakers and panels on today's most pressing international issues of peace and security, including U.S. nuclear weapons policy, configuring America's defenses to 21st century realities, America's role in the Middle East, the global economy, and energy and the environment. Panelists included established and emerging voices in the international policy realm, including senior policy makers.

Speakers included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former CIA Director John Deutch, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Egypt Daniel Kurtzer, former Secretary of Treasury Bob Rubin, Senator Gordon Smith, and former Deputy Commander, Headquarters U.S. European Command Charles Wald.

From Poverty to Prosperity: A CAP National Strategy to Cut Poverty in Half in America

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Oscar Nominee Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) Discusses Darfur at ENOUGH! Launch Event www.enoughproject.org

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America in the World: Rebuilding & Reconfiguring the US Military with General Wesley Clark & Lawrence Korb

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Climate Change & Energy - Getting The Next Generation of Coal Clean

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THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

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Strategic Reset: Reclaiming Control of U.S. Security in the Middle East -- End the Training of Iraqi Security Forces

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America in the World: The Global Economy - Robert Rubin, John Podesta & Alan Blinder

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America in the World: Zbigniew Brzezinski on Global Security Issues

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President Clinton Speaks at the Center for American Progress's Conference on the COMMON GOOD

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Faith in Public Life - Empowering Progressive Religious Leaders

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ENOUGH! Actor Ryan Gosling on Northern Uganda

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SEEPROGRESS blip.tv player

Welcome to SEEPROGRESS

Welcome to SEEPROGRESS, the video blog for the Center for American Progress, a non-partisan progressive think tank in Washington DC. SEEPROGRESS videos are available through YouTube, chbn.com, Yahoo! Video, AOL Video, MSN and Blip.tv, among others.

Ideas fuel progress.
THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS
www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org