Are Drone Strikes Worth the Cost?
Mark McDonald / The New York Times
Conventional wisdom seems to suggest that drones are a useful and effective way of combating the likes of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, especially in remote terrain and difficult warscapes. But security analysts and scholars say the debate on drones is far from clear and far from over.
Progress Is Cited on New Reactor in North Korea
Choe Sand-Hun / The New York Times
While the region’s attention has remained focused on whether the new North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, can consolidate his power, his country has been making significant progress in the construction of a new reactor widely seen as a cover for making more fuel for nuclear weapons, analysts say, citing satellite imagery of the building site.
IAEA to press Iran for access but nuclear “clean-up” suspected
Fredrik Dahl / Reuters
U.N. nuclear inspectors will press again for access to a major military facility in talks with Iran this week but the chances of finding any evidence of suspected atom bomb research may have dimmed because the site has been “cleaned up”, Western diplomats and experts say.
U.N. nuclear watchdog confirms new Iran talks this week
Reuters
The UN nuclear watchdog said it would hold a new round of talks with Iran in Vienna later this week about a long-stalled investigation into suspected nuclear weapons research in the Islamic state.
Seeking to cool war fever over Iran
David Ignatius / The Washington Post
As Israel and Iran entered this summer of confrontation over Tehran’s nuclear program, the Iranians were also conducting talks with the United States and other leading nations to seek a diplomatic alternative to war. Since then, the rumors of an impending Israeli military strike have grown almost daily, but whatever happened to the negotiations?
Death toll from Lebanon fighting climbs to 10
Reuters
At least 10 people were killed overnight in fighting between Sunni Muslims and Alawites in what is being described as the worst violence since the country’s civil war. It is believe 100 people have also been wounded in the fighting.
Egypt’s Islamist President to Visit US Next Month
AP
Egypt says its president will visit the United States next month, his first trip there since taking office June 30.
CBO warns of deep recession if Congress fails to stop ‘fiscal cliff’
Erik Wasson / The Hill
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Wednesday in its most dire warning yet, said the economy will enter a recession next year if the country goes over the so-called fiscal cliff.
Darpa Looks to Make Cyberwar Routine With Secret ‘Plan X’
Noah Shachtman/Danger Room in Wired
Building upon years of research into how it can bolster US cyberdefenses, Darpa is introducing “Plan X,” a program that aims to increase offensive capabilities with tools such as a “digital battlefield map.”
ASP Published Today:
An Examination of the Fulbright Program
Prachi Naik
As a key element of public diplomacy, international exchange is a long-term strategic investment in the relationship between the people of countries. Since 1948, the U.S. has operated one of the most internationally renowned exchange programs: The Fulbright.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Lunar Mining and the “Industrialization” of Space
Nicholas Cunningham
A private company believes that it can profitably mine resources on the moon, which would pave the way for an “industrialization” of space.
A Misunderstanding of Smart Power
Matthew Wallin
Yesterday, Al Jazeera English aired a segment discussing the use of “smart power” in the Middle East. Unfortunately, Al Jazeera’s reporting sheds very little light on how smart power can be employed effectively.
Nuke Review: August 13 – August 19
Daniel Painter
The U.S. State Department’s International Security Advisory Board advised reductions in deployed nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles in a recent assessment.
About the American Security Project: The American Security Project is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges.
For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org. info@americansecurityproject.org