ASP: In case you missed it ….
8 April 2013
U.S. Designs a Korea Response Proportional to the Provocation
David E. Sanger/The New York Times
As North Korea hints at new military provocations in the coming days, the United States and South Korea have drawn up plans to respond more forcefully than in the recent past, but in a limited way intended to prevent an escalation to broader war.
All Syria chemical arms claims must be probed: U.N.’s Ban
Anthony Deutsch/Reuters
An advance team of U.N.-mandated experts has arrived in Cyprus and is awaiting the Syrian government’s permission to investigate the possible use of chemical weapons in the extensive civil war.
Margaret Thatcher, Who Remade Britain, Dies at 87
Joseph R. Gregory/The New York Times
Former British Prime Minister, the “Iron Lady”, died Monday at age 87. She was best known for tough economic reforms and for leading Britain during the Falkland War.
Kerry presses Israel and Palestinians for concessions to pave way for peace talks
Anne Gearan/Washington Post
Attempting shuttle diplomacy, Secretary of State John Kerry has begun visiting Palestinian and Israeli leaders in hopes of gaining concessions from both sides to open up future peace talks.
John Kerry/ Op-Ed/ Foreign Policy
Three years after the ratification of the New START Treaty, Secretary of State, John Kerry, says that the treaty is working exactly how it was intended.
Parents’ statement on the death of Anne Smedinghoff
Craig Newman/Sun-Times News
U.S. foreign service officer, Anne Smedinghoff, was killed in Afghanistan when a bomb exploded on her way to delivering books to a local school. She became the first U.S. diplomat killed in the country since 2001.
Fracking support becomes bipartisan as both parties see economic benefits
Ben Wolfgang/The Washington Times
As he weighs whether to allow fracking in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is under intense pressure from the oil and gas industry, Republican lawmakers and long-struggling communities eager to see the drilling technique jump-start the state’s economy.
Won’t give a kopeck for Arctic shelf exploration
Thomas Nilsen / Barents Observer
Russia’s largest private oil company Lukoil says drilling the Arctic seabed is accompanied by too high risks and will not be profitable enough.
Extreme Weather Boosts Poverty in Sri Lanka – Report
Amantha Perera / Alertnet
Drought and floods have left many people in Sri Lanka in dire circumstances. Climate experts warn that such impacts on the economy and its poorest sections will become more frequent unless governments plan ahead.
ASP Recently Published
Read our latest collection of our writings in this edition of American Security Quarterly – with special lead of American Competitiveness
The Global Security Defense Index on Climate Change: Preliminary Results
Andrew Holland and Xander Vagg
The American Security Project releases the preliminary results of a new resource on climate change and national security: The Global Security and Defense Index on Climate Change. The Index analyzes how governments around the world and their militaries plan for and anticipate the strategic threats of climate change.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Removal of Highly Enriched Uranium from the Czech Republic
Katharyn Nicolle
The United States has successfully secured 68 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, enough to make two nuclear weapons, from the Czech Republic.
Interview – Norm Augustine: Willpower, patience needed to improve American competitiveness
August Cole
There are times when the best policy solution should be the easiest to achieve, but remains stubbornly out of reach. Nowhere is this more evident than in the challenges with improving American competitiveness.
Interview – Debt ceiling again looms large for states, city government
August Cole
America’s competitive position has state and local roots, even if most of the policies that impact our standing are decided inside the Beltway.
America’s National Labs Critical to Energy Security
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
America’s national labs are critical to driving innovation in the years to come, which will help solve many of the most vexing problems facing our country today such as threats from climate change and energy insecurity.
Upcoming Events
A Conversation with Tobias Ellwood MP: The UK in the EU and the future of Transatlantic Cooperation
Wednesday, April 10 at 8:30 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 institutions of the EU. Join us to discuss these issues and many more with Tobias Ellwood MP.
The Future of the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent: A Conversation with Amb. Linton Brooks
Monday, April 15 at 12:30 PM – Join us for a conversation with Linton Brooks, Ambassador and former Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), on the future of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
The Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Natural Gas Exports
Tuesday, April 16 at 12:30 PM – Join us for a discussion on how U.S. natural gas exports can achieve geopolitical goals by enhancing the energy security of America’s closest allies.
Video: ASP Board Member Christine Todd Whitman on Platts Energy Week
ASP Board Member Christine Todd Whitman, former Governor of New Jersey and EPA Administrator, appeared on Platts Energy Week discussing the evolving energy landscape.
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