What is America's Defense Monitor?

From 1987 until 2000, the weekly television series America's Defense Monitor was broadcast on about 65 PBS and cable stations across the United States. In thirteen seasons, the series presented critical information on the military's impact on the political system, the economy,the environment, and society as a whole. Other topics include foreign policy, international affairs, armed intervention, and nuclear and conventional weapons. Individual episodes of America's Defense Monitor have recieved awards in major film competitions.

Browse America's Defense Monitor award winners

America's Defense Monitor presents the facts in a balanced, artistic, and lively manner. Each half-hour episode features interviews with key experts, policy makers, and community leaders, vivid and often rare images, and the direct contributions of some of the best minds in the fields of national security and military analysis.

America's Defense Monitor was produced by the Center for Defense Information (CDI), an independent, Washington, D.C-based organization dedicated to strengthening security through: international cooperation; reduced reliance on unilateral military power to resolve conflict; reduced reliance on nuclear weapons; a transformed and reformed military establishment; and, prudent oversight of, and spending on, defense programs. ADM benefits from the direct contributions and the expertise of the CDI research staff, in addition to a corps of full-time videographers, producers, directors, and editors. ADM was funded by public and private foundations and charities, and received no government funding.

Why is America's Defense Monitor important?

For the majority of Americans, television is the most important or only source of news and information. America's Defense Monitor represents an alternative point of view which is critical to informed public debate on this vital issue. ADM is used regularly in high schoool and college classrooms, and has been screened by a variety of organizations as part of a larger discussion.

Great. So now what do I do?

Begin by exploring the rest of the ADM website. You can also browse the ADM archive of videos, transcripts, and interviews right here on our website, order VHS copies of individual shows or discount three-packs.

For more information about America's Defense Monitor, contact CDI's Director of Television, Mark Sugg: msugg@cdi.org or (202) 797-5272.