“I think we should be prepared for a spate of inconsequential or even frivolous stories about what happens when the policy is ended – from both opponents and advocates of the policy’s termination.

“In my opinion, it will take at least a couple of years to know just what impact the new situation will have on readiness, recruitment, morale, etc. I expect there won’t be much of a ripple, just some noise from expected quarters.”

Contact Michael Corgan at 617-353-3553 or mcorgan@bu.edu

“If the Arab League resolution is introduced in the Security Council, the U.S. will probably veto it with a ‘no’ vote in deference to the concerns of its close ally Israel. Of the other permanent members, China and Russia will probably vote in the affirmative.

“Britain and France are the ones that would be put on the spot. Both are close allies of the United States, both in NATO and in the war on terrorism. But both also have a strong interest in preserving good relations with the Arab world.

“If both Britain and France vote ‘no,’ it will highlight Washington’s isolation on the Security Council concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Contact William Keylor at 617-358-0197 or wrkeylor@bu.edu

“The US should raise the debt ceiling and increase government spending toward infrastructure and green technologies in order to expand the economy. Without growth, the US won’t ever be able to generate full employment and pay back its debts.

“Worse still, if the Republicans drag out the process, the results would be disastrous both in the US and across the globe. If the US started missing payments on interest or principal, interest rates would jump for new bonds. For evidence, just look at Greece, Portugal and other heavily indebted nations. A rise in rates would put a halt to the fragile recovery by choking off credit to businesses and households.”

Gallagher wrote on his Facebook page that he “wrote this piece before the debt ceiling debate got as silly as it is now, and I still support what I said.” He told Professor Voices, “As Congress continues to threaten debt default, they should examine the global implications.”

Contact Kevin at 617-353-9348, kpg@bu.edu

“Withdrawing military forces at the end of wars in which the enemy has not been defeated is arguably the most difficult mission of all. The dangers of being attacked as the troops depart increases substantially.

“If violence escalates during the draw down, the White House may well be under pressure to hasten the timetable for pulling out altogether.

“This will probably be the greatest security policy challenge that Obama will face, all the more challenging since it will begin in the middle of an election year.”

Contact William Keylor, 617-358-0197, wrkeylor@bu.edu

“Lagarde’s announcement appears to confirm French claims that China has informally given her its support.

“It will be interesting to see what the quid pro quo will be for China — particularly given the claim by a People’s Bank spokesperson that China is more concerned about the dominant voting position of the United States than about continued European leadership.

“In fact, of course, the U.S. has a reasonable quota based on its size and influence (in fact, it is arguably even slightly underrepresented), while Europe as a whole is wildly overrepresented.

“Another irony of the situation is that the U.S. has been pushing for greater Chinese quota shares against European resistance for the better part of a decade.”

Contact William Grimes, 617-353-9420, wgrimes@bu.edu

Arthur Hulnick, a 35-year veteran of the intelligence profession, mostly with the CIA

Contact 617-353-8978, ahulnick@bu.edu

Joseph Wippl, a 30-year CIA veteran

Contact 6170353-8992, jwippl@bu.edu