American Security Council Foundation

06/03/2026

What really happened during the recent riots in Paris?

In this Peace Through Strength Brief, Laurence Sanford, ASCF Vice President - Operations, examines how a soccer celebration turned into widespread unrest and asks whether Americans should look beyond official narratives to understand the deeper issues affecting Western societies.

Watch this timely discussion on the Paris riots, Islamist influence, mass immigration, and what these developments could mean for the future of the United States.

In this edition of the Peace Through Strength Podcast Brief, Lauren...

06/03/2026

What happens when a nation loses the shared civic identity that has united its people for generations?

In this insightful article for the American Security Council Foundation, guest columnist Tom Raque, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), examines why assimilation is once again becoming a strategic question for America's future. He explores how civic culture, national identity, immigration, and social cohesion have historically contributed to the strength and stability of the American constitutional republic.

As the nation continues to debate questions of identity and citizenship, this article offers an important perspective on the role assimilation has played in preserving a common American culture.

Read the full article and join the conversation:

https://ascf.us/guest-contributors/why-assimilation-is-again-becoming-a-strategic-question/

The central challenge facing the American constitutional republic is no longer diversity itself. The deeper issue is whether a shared civic identity can survive once assimilation weakens.   For most of American history, immigration worked because newcomers entered a country confident in its Judeo-C...

06/01/2026

The American Security Council Foundation is pleased to introduce Joe Coakley as Vice President – Development.

In this role, Coakley will lead fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, community engagement, and special events that support the continued growth and impact of ASCF.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Coakley attended Washington State Teachers College in Machias, Maine. He previously served as a police officer in Milford, Connecticut, before working in the banking industry and later relocating to Vero Beach, Florida.

After operating his own executive search business, Coakley became active in civic and political leadership, serving as State Committeeman for the Republican Party of Indian River County. In 2019, he joined Marine Bank & Trust as a Community Relations representative focused on building strong community and business relationships throughout the region.

05/30/2026

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay committed to protecting America’s future. 🇺🇸

The latest newsletter from the American Security Council Foundation is now available, featuring insights and analysis on the issues impacting our national security, freedoms, and global leadership.

Read and share the newsletter below to stay informed and help strengthen the conversation on Peace Through Strength.

B-2/B-52 bomber Barksdale Airbase in Louisiana. Between March 9 and 15, multiple waves of 12 to 15 drones operated over restricted areas of the installation.

05/29/2026

The American Security Council Foundation is proud to announce the promotion of Laurence F. Sanford to Vice President – Operations.

In this expanded leadership role, Laurence will oversee ASCF’s day-to-day operations, strategic initiatives, programs, and organizational development as the Foundation continues advancing its mission of promoting national security education and informed public discussion.

Since 1958, ASCF has worked to protect American freedoms and values through a strategy of Peace Through Strength, and Laurence’s leadership will help continue that important mission into the future

05/28/2026

How much does historical memory shape modern geopolitics?

In this new analysis, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tom Raquer examines how the 1953 overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh continues influencing U.S.–Iran tensions today.

From sanctions and proxy warfare to BRICS and the rise of strategic distrust, the article explores why nations often interpret present-day policies through the lens of past intervention.

The lesson: geopolitical competition is not driven solely by military power or economics — historical memory itself has become strategic terrain.

Read the full article:
https://ascf.us/guest-contributors/why-the-1953-iran-coup-still-shapes-u-s-iran-relations/

Modern geopolitical competition is not shaped solely by military capability or economic pressure. It is also shaped by how states remember past intervention, coercion, and vulnerability.   Historical memory increasingly functions as a strategic variable. For many Americans, tensions with Iran are o...

05/21/2026

Drones are rapidly changing the security landscape for major global events. As the FIFA World Cup approaches, the FBI is preparing to deploy specially trained officers capable of detecting and electronically disabling hostile drones across multiple venues.

In this new Peace Through Strength video brief, host Laurence Sanford, ASCF Vice President - Operations, examines how layered drone defense systems are becoming essential to modern event security — and what lessons can be learned from the war in Ukraine.

Can the same adaptable strategies used on today’s battlefields help protect crowded stadiums and international sporting events?

Watch now and join the conversation.

Hosted by Laurence Sanford, ASCF Vice President - Operations, this Peace Through Strength video brief examines the growing drone threat surrounding major glo...

05/20/2026

📍Be sure to read insights from ASCF's new guest columnist, Tom Raquer, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.).

Here is his first article:

Why the Iran War Fails the Clausewitz Test   A war that begins without public support does not just face opposition—it works under a separate set of constraints from the start.   Most discussions of strategy do not begin there. They begin with capability—force structure, alliances, operational...

05/20/2026

🚨 “Totalitarianism doesn’t just demand obedience… it demands control over your mind.”

In this powerful discussion, Xi Van Fleet explains the true meaning of totalitarianism and why history matters more than ever. Drawing from her firsthand experiences growing up under Communist China 🇨🇳, she describes how these systems seek TOTAL control — not just over actions, but over speech, beliefs, thoughts, and daily life.

From China and the Soviet Union to other authoritarian regimes, this conversation explores how independent thinking becomes dangerous under totalitarian rule and why protecting freedom 🇺🇸 is critical for future generations.

05/20/2026

In our latest Peace Through Strength video brief, hosted by Laurence Sanford, we take a closer look at President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China.

While the trip produced some areas of diplomatic and economic movement, several critical issues remain unresolved—including tensions surrounding Taiwan, access to rare earth minerals, and China’s involvement in supplying precursor chemicals linked to the global illegal drug trade.

We also discuss what was notably missing from the conversation: meaningful engagement on the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai, ongoing concerns regarding the Uyghur population, and broader human rights issues.

Watch the full discussion to understand what was said, what was left unsaid, and what it all means for U.S.–China relations moving forward.

In this Peace Through Strength podcast brief, hosted by Laurence Sanford, ASCF Vice President - Operations, we examine President Donald Trump’s recent visit ...