In brief: North Korea headlines most news sources yet again, this time with the announcement that it intends to reopen its plutonium production plant at Yongbyon. On climate, ASP board members show that fusion will be the energy source that ushers in a new era of American security and well being, just as some of world’s least developed countries commit to doing what they can to lower their emissions.
In the News
A Challenge to America: Develop Fusion Power Within a Decade
Norman Augustine & Gary Hart / Forbes
ASP board members Norman Augustine and Gary Hart show that America’s security and economy depend on reliable sources of energy. With an ailing infrastructure, America needs to act now to develop a clean, safe, secure, and abundant energy source. Fusion might be that energy source.
North Korea Vows to Restart Shuttered Nuclear Reactor that Can Make Bomb-Grade Plutonium
Chico Harlan / The Washington Post
North Korea announced Tuesday that it intends to resume operations at its plutonium-producing facility at Yongbyon. The state-run news agency stated that the reactor and related facilities will open meet electricity needs, but international commentators are understandably speculative.
Iran Cools Nuclear Work as Vote Looms
Jay Solomon / The Wall Street Journal
In the face of Israeli pressure and an approaching election, Ayatollah Al Khamenei announced that Iran will slow the pace at which it is enriching uranium. Although better than the alternative, it is likely that this policy move is only a temporary stop gap meant to allow a pre-election period of calm.
Canada’s Latest Climate Change
Christopher F. Schuetze / The New York Times
The Canadian government has withdrawn from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Canadian officials cited a lack of action on the convention’s part as the reason for their waning interest, but many within the Canadian government and around the world feel this is just a conservative government’s latest step away from environmental protection and towards big oil.
European industry flocks to cheap U.S. gas
Michael Birnbaum / The Washington Post
A natural gas boom in the United States has sent manufacturing costs plummeting, and European companies are setting sail across the Atlantic to stay competitive.
The World’s Poorest Nations Say Yes to Emissions Cuts
Alex Kirby / Climate News Network
In a statement of independent initiative and dissatisfaction with the environmental leadership shown by the world’s developed nations, the constituents of the U.N.’s Group of Least Developed Countries has committed to cutting their respective emissions, despite being only a small contributor to global emissions and related global warming issues.
Japan Shifts From Pacifism as Anxiety in Region Rises
Martin Fackler / The New York Times
The effects of North Korea’s belligerent threats can be seen in the behavior of its regional neighbor, Japan, who has increased defense spending for the first time in a decade and upped the intensity of its annual war games.
ASP Recent Reports
American Security Quarterly
Read our latest collection of our writings in this edition of American Security Quarterly – with a special lead of American Competitiveness
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Washington Post Looks at “Water Wars” in India – But Forgets Climate Change
Andrew Holland
WP gives a good overview of how water is becoming an important point of legal conflict between states in India, and tensions between India as a whole and China, but the authors missed the man behind the water conflict curtain – climate change.
A Clear and Present Danger: The Security Council and Climate Change
Xander Vagg
On Februaru 15th, the U.N. Security Council met in an unofficial capacity to discuss the pressing threat of climate change. The meeting highlights the international community’s growing acceptance of climate change as a legitimate security threat.
Immigration, American Competitiveness, and National Security
August Cole
Immigration reform can simultaneously improve American competitiveness and national security.
ASP Upcoming Events
Nation Branding and Global Politics: A Conversation with Sir Martin Sorrell
Wed., April 3rd 0130 PM – Join ASP for an insightful conversation on nation branding with Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and CEO of the world’s largest advertising group:
Major General Muniruzzaman in Conversation: Climate Change and Global Security
Wed., April 3 0530 PM – Join us for a conversation with Major General Muniruzzaman (Ret.), and ASP’s CEO Brigadier General Stephen Cheney, USMC (Ret.), both of whom are members of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change (GMACCC), with General Muniruzzaman as Chairman.
A Conversation with Tobias Ellwood MP: The UK in the EU and the future of Transatlantic Cooperation
Wed., April 10 0830 AM – The European Union (EU) is going through major political and economic changes. There is much debate on the future of the United Kingdom within the institutions of the EU. Join us to discuss this and many more issues with Tobias Ellwood MP.
The Future of the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent: A Conversation with Amb. Linton Brooks
Mon., April 15 1230 PM – Join us for a conversation with Linton Brooks, Ambassador and former Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
The Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Natural Gas Exports
Tues., April 16 1230 PM – How do U.S. natural gas exports impact American security and that of its allies? Join us for a discussion with experts and ally representatives.
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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
