But i reach this conclusion because of my personal ethos and moral compass. im against counterinsurgency and every war ive heard about in my lifetime (the last 30yrs). Ethically i dont agree with them.

However, you raise important considerations, issues based on inductive reasoning, that we must test and clarify. If this DoD funding initiative is going to mean many of the best researchers as defined by their peers and the various professional hoops one must jump through will not apply for its funding. And those who do apply will be the less capable researchers – “or those predisposed to sympathize” with the military. and its “a fair assumption…research in this area will be of lower quality than similar research funded by federal agencies” is this not a tangible, data driven objection we must make asap; because the way it is shaping up the military is going to do whatever it wants and to hell with those that dont agree with their direction.

maybe my language is over zealous but that’s the difficulty im having when such initiatives threaten not just my professional morals but the sort of world we will leave to our children. Im fed up living in a world ruled by guns, bombs and whoever spends more on the military. Its insane. And it seeps into everything. As Latour makes the point elsewhere the War never ended. It never ended because those with power and privilege dont want it to. This is another pillar in extending war as our way of life.

Not even sure i should leave my thoughts here…

ANyways the read was informative thanks.