Laicie Olson
SENIOR POLICY ANALYST
202-546-0795 ext. 2105
lolson AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
Laicie Olson is Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, where her work focuses on weapons proliferation, military spending and global security issues.
Prior to joining the Center, Olson served as the Student Program Coordinator for Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), where she published research on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, U.S.-India nuclear deal, and Iran. She also directed planning and implementation of the 2009 Student PSR National Conference in New York City. Olson previously interned for The Counter Terrorist Finance Organization and Global Green USA.
Olson holds a B.A. in Political Science from The George Washington University and an M.A in International Relations from St. Mary’s University.
Click here to view blog posts written by Laicie Olson
OLSON IN THE NEWS
Laicie Olson Interviewed about Defense Budget on Boston Public Radio
On February 6, Laicie Olson, military policy analyst/development officer at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, talked about the Quadrennial Defense Review and the FY 2011 defense budget request with John Grebe on WZBC 90.3.
Laicie Olson Quoted on the Quadrennial Defense Review in the Washington Independent
On January 29, Laicie Olson, military policy analyst/development officer at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, commented on the cost savings associated with delaying production of the Navy's LCC command ship, canceling production of the Navy’s planned CG(X) cruiser, and not seeking additional funding for the Air Force's C-17 transport plane in the Washington Independent.
Laicie Olson Quoted on President Obama's Proposed Spending Freeze in the Washington Independent
On January 28, Laicie Olson, military policy analyst/development officer at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said “Defense spending is over half our discretionary spending....It would be crazy not to include it. It begs the question whether this is a real effort.”
RECENT ARTICLES BY OLSON
Growth in U.S. Defense Spending Since 2001
The Pentagon's budget has increased dramatically since 2001. In inflation-adjusted dollars, the total defense budget has grown from $432 billion in FY01 to $720 billion in FY11, a real increase of approximately 67 percent. The Pentagon’s base budget, which excludes war and nuclear weapons funding, has also grown steadily over the last decade, increasing from $390 billion in FY01 to $540 billion in FY11, a real increase of 38 percent.
Analysis of FY 2011 Budget Request
For Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, which begins on October 1, 2010, the Obama Administration has requested a base budget of $548.9 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD). This is $18 billion, or 3.4 percent, above the appropriated Fiscal Year 2010 base budget of $531 billion. In addition, the Administration has requested $159.3 billion for “Overseas Contingency Operations,” to fight the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This brings the Fiscal Year 2011 defense budget request to a total of $708.3 billion.
Iran Sanctions Are Counterproductive
If the United States hopes for the emergence of an environment in Iran where pro-democracy forces may successfully challenge—and one day replace—the current regime, new sanctions are a step in the wrong direction. Poorly designed gasoline sanctions strengthen hardliners’ anti-American arguments and undercut moderates’ calls for internal reform and external engagement with our country, writes Laicie Olson in the East Texas Review.
RSS Feed