Since its founding in 2007, ISW has focused mostly on wars in the Middle East, especially Iraq and Afghanistan, including closely cooperating with Gen. David Petraeus when he commanded U.S. forces in those countries. However, more recently, ISW has begun reporting extensively on the civil war in Ukraine. [See Consortiumnews.com's "Neocons Guided Petraeus on Afghan War."]
So, to understand the enduring influence of the neocons -- and the Kagan clan, in particular -- you have to appreciate the money connections between the business of war and the business of selling war. When the military contractors do well, the think tanks that advocate for heightened global tensions do well, too.
And, it doesn't hurt to have friends and family inside the government making sure that policymakers do their part to give war a chance -- and to give peace the old heave-ho.
[For more on this topic, see Consortiumnews.com's "A Family Business of Perpetual War."](Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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