Travis Sharp
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AND MILITARY POLICY ANALYST
202-546-0795 ext. 2105
tsharp AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
Sharp blogs at Iraq Insider
Travis Sharp is the Communications Director and Military Policy Analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation where he directs print, TV, internet, and radio communications strategy and performs policy work on national security spending, military policy, and Iraq. He originally came to the Center in 2006 as a Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellow.
Prior to joining the Center, Sharp worked on a congressional campaign in California and spent a summer working at the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. He went to college on a soccer scholarship, winning two conference championships during his varsity career, and received the Mauricio Romero Prize in Politics and the Ralph Lane Peace and Justice Prize.
Sharp has provided expert commentary in various media outlets, including CNN International, Al Jazeera, Defense News, Reason Magazine, Global Security Newswire, and McClatchy. He has published letters and articles in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Parameters, Peace Review, United Press International, The Hill, IraqSlogger, and Politico.
Sharp holds a B.A. in History and Politics, with minors in African Studies and Humanities, from the University of San Francisco.
SHARP IN THE NEWS
Travis Sharp Quoted in Boston Globe on DDG-1000 Destroyer
On August 20, Travis Sharp, an analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, said "It only takes a few dedicated members of Congress to keep a weapon system afloat years after they should have pulled the plug and ended it."
Travis Sharp Appears on CNN's Situation Room to Discuss Arms Sales to Iraq
On August 19, military policy analyst Travis Sharp told CNN "Iraq has a very bad track record for keeping the weapons that come into the country from getting into the hands of insurgents. "
Travis Sharp's Article on Obama and McCain's Iraq Plans Republished in OneWorld.net
On August 13, OneWorld.net republished military policy analyst Travis Sharp's article, "Iraq and the Presidential Candidates: Chess vs Checkers."
RECENT BLOG POSTS BY SHARP
RECENT WEB ARTICLES BY SHARP
Aug 7, 2008 U.S. Surges $11 Billion in Arms Sales to Iraq
During the last week of July, the Department of Defense notified Congress about the proposed sale of $10.9 billion in U.S. military equipment and support to Iraq. Besides the eye-catching price tag, the equipment included in the proposed agreement represents a potential watershed in the development of Iraq’s military capabilities. In this new article published on IraqSlogger.com, military policy analyst Travis Sharp considers the implications for the balance of power in the region and raises questions about oversight, accountability, and transparency in a country riddled with internal violence.
Jul 23, 2008 Total Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental War Funding To Date
This updated fact sheet provides a revised tally of Iraq and Afghanistan war costs to date, and offers ways to keep such a massive amount of money in perspective.
Jul 17, 2008 Saxton’s Ill-Advised Proposal to Tie Defense Spending to GDP
U.S. defense spending has increased markedly under the Bush administration and is now at its highest level, in inflation-adjusted terms, since World War II. Tying defense spending to GDP basically amounts to using overall wealth creation to justify ever-increasing defense budgets. If the American economy triples in size, should our grandchildren spend three times more on defense than we do today just because they are three times richer?
Jul 7, 2008 Is Iran Currently an Existential Threat to the United States? A Side-By-Side Comparison of Military Capabilities
Iran currently presents a number of serious problems for the United States. However, the current threat posed by Iran is exaggerated by conflating it with Iran's potential, but far from certain, acquisition of a nuclear weapon in the future. In this new analysis, the two countries' conventional military capabilities are compared side-by-side. The bottom line is clear: Iran does not currently represent an existential threat to the United States or its allies, and there is still time to find a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear program.
Jun 16, 2008 Despite Soaring Budgets, Pentagon's Weapons Acquisitions Process Falters
The past decade has seen incredible growth in the amount of money spent by the United States on its national defense. But DOD can only recover from the past and present, while preparing for the future, if it fixes the acquisitions process and starts giving American taxpayers the return-on-investment they deserve. Steps must be taken right away to ameliorate the crisis in weapons acquisitions.
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