Chuck Hagel, Touted As Next SecDef, Argues For Soft Power, Allies
Otto Kreisher /AOL Defense
Former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, a serious contender to be the next Defense Secretary, may have given us a glimpse of his policies today as he argued today that diplomacy rather than military power is the way to resolve emerging global crises.
U.S. Weather Agency Wants to Help Pentagon Prepare for Climate Change
Sandra I. Erwin /National Defense Magazine
The U.S. intelligence community has listed climate change as a potential “black swan” that could cause great disruption in the coming decades. The Defense Department also worries about the damage that rising sea levels and natural disasters could wreak on its facilities, and the U.S. military increasingly views disaster relief as one of its key missions.
Mali PM forced to quit by army
Tiemoko Diallo and Adama Diarra/ Reuters
Mali’s prime minister was forced to resign on Tuesday by the soldiers who staged a coup in March, complicating international efforts to help push Islamists from the north of the country.
Without Congress, There’s Still a Path to U.S. Progress on Climate
John Carey / Yale Environment 360
Don’t expect the U.S. Congress to take any action on climate change in the next four years. But by continuing to use its regulatory authority and working with the states, the Obama administration can make significant progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Military Leaders See Energy Diversity Protecting US National Security
Margaret Ryan / AOL Energy
Growing demand in huge emerging economies like China and India will drive up world oil prices no matter what the US does, so it’s crucial for the US to develop energy alternatives that will keep it from being hurt by those nations’ successes, says Adm. (Ret.) Dennis Blair, former director of national intelligence.
IMF loan to Egypt delayed amid political turmoil
Yasmine Saleh and Marwa Awad/Reuters
The International Monetary Fund’s US$4.8 billion loan to Egypt will be delayed until next month “to allow time to explain a heavily criticized package of economic austerity measure to the Egyptian people.” Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi rescinded planned tax increases on Monday after being met with sharp criticism from opposition groups.
Russian say they’ll name their Magnitsky-retaliation law after baby who died in a hot car in Va.
Will Englund/WorldViews in Washington Post
Russia’s lower house of parliament is developing a bill to retaliate against the Magnitsky Act, passed by the U.S. Senate last week. The Magnitsky Act places visa and financial sanctions on those connected to the death of Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky.
Turkey weighs pivotal oil deal with Kurdistan
Ben Van Heuvelen / Washington Post
American diplomats are struggling to prevent a seismic shift in Turkey’s foreign policy toward Iraq, a change the U.S. officials fear could split the foundations of that fractious state.
Taliban Popular Where Us Fought Biggest Battle
Kathy Gannon / Associated Press
Nearly three years after U.S.-led forces launched the biggest operation of the war to clear insurgents, foster economic growth and set a model for the rest of Afghanistan, angry residents of Helmand province say they are too afraid to go out after dark because of marauding bands of thieves.
In the News
ASP Board Member Chuck Hagel Speaks at Atlantic Council
Yesterday, ASP board member Senator Chuck Hagel spoke at the Atlantic Council spoke yesterday at the Atlantic Council for the release of their Global Trends 2030 Report. Kate Brannen at Politico reported on the event
On Our Flashpoint Blog
The Nuke Review, December 3 – December 10
Mitchell Freddura
Read about the latest Iran Project report, the Iranian economy experiencing a recession, the delayed North Korean rocket launch, and much more!
A Breakdown of EIA’s new Annual Energy Outlook Report
Yong Wang
In November, the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook report announced positive prospects for U.S. energy, specifically the U.S. overtaking Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer before 2017. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Agency (EIA) added to the good news this week with their Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Early Release Overview.
