Group Concerned With DoD Research Plan

A Pentagon plan to involve colleges and universities in research involving potential threats posed by China and the Islamic world drew criticism from a group of academics. The plan, as expressed in an April 14 speech by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, encourages academic institutions to offer "diverse points of view" on the history, anthropology, sociology and evolutionary psychology of possible adversaries. The Network of Concerned Anthropologists believes the DoD proposal would have unpredictable results, foster militarism on "already highly militarized" college campuses, and lead to a drain of both brainpower and money that could be used for other, more peaceful purposes.