Center for Strategic Communication

As the nation reels from the bombings in Boston, an earthquake shakes Iran, an Iranian-run factory raises questions in Germany, and we take a look at a State Department program that aims to bring American culture to disparate corners of the globe.

Beware the Few
John Arquilla / Foreign Policy
The terror bombing of the Boston Marathon is yet one more item in a bloody skein of evidence that has emerged over the past decade proving that war is now, more than ever, the province of “the few.” The destructive and disruptive power of small groups and even individuals — in the physical world as well as in cyberspace — just keeps growing.

“Dash to gas” Has Downside for Energy Policy
Christine Todd Whitman / Politico
America is hyperfocused on fiscal matters, but some efforts to save money in the short term may cost us more in the future, says former NJ governor, Christine Todd Whitman.

Beyond the Pivot
Kevin Rudd / Foreign Affairs
President Obama’s strategic pivot to the Asian Pacific was wise, but where do we go from here?

Climate Justice and Hunger Top Agenda for Dublin Summit
The Guardian
Famine, drought and food security will dominate the agenda of a climate change summit hosted by the Irish government

This American Corner
Paul Rockower / Public Diplomacy News
The State Department’s “American Corners” initiatives brings American culture to populations around the world.

EU Climate Change Policy in Crisis after MEPs Vote Against High CO2 Prices
Bruno Waterfield / The Telegraph
The European Union’s climate change policy is on the brink of collapse today after MEPs topedoed Europe’s flagship CO2 emissions trading scheme by voting against a measure to support the price of carbon permits.

Powrful Earthquake Strikes in Iran
Thomas Erdbrink / The New York Times
Only a week after major news sources published stories on Iran’s geologic instability, a 7.8-magnitude quake shook sparsely populated regions near Khash and rocked buildings as far as New Delhi.

A Mysterious Iranian-run Factory in Germany
Michael Birnbaum / The Washington Post
European security officials and former workers have raised questions about whether the high-tech equipment and material at MCS Technologies in Germany could have been part of a scheme to aid Iran’s rogue nuclear program.

ASP Recently Published
 
American Security Quarterly
Read our latest collection of our writings in this edition of American Security Quarterly – with special lead of American Competitiveness

The Defense Industrial Base
The defense industrial base is tied to American competitiveness in the 21st Century.

On Our Flashpoint Blog

Event Review: The Future of the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent: A Conversation with Amb. Linton Brooks
Magnus Newth
The American Security Project hosted an event with Ambassador Linton Brooks on the future of US nuclear policy.

Event Recap: The Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Natural Gas Exports
Nicholas Cunningham
Today, the American Security Project hosted an event on the geopolitical implications of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

Red Line Risks
Eric Harris Bernstein
Do red lines work? And even if they do, are they worth the risk?

Nobody Runs Alone
August Cole
ASP’s August Cole was on the seen at yesterday’s tragic bombing in Boston and brings us some inspirational thoughts on how we can look forward from here.

U.S. and China Release Joint Statement on Climate Change
Justin Yarros
On April 13th, the United States and China released a joint statement which highlighted the need for large-scale action on climate change.

Birthday Suprise
Magnus Newth
April 15 marks the 101st birthday of Kim Il-Sung, the current leader’s grandfather and, despite his 1994 death, North Korea’s “eternal president.” North Korea celebrated by not launching any nuclear weapons.

Water Sharing Between India and Pakistan: An Opportunity for Cooperation
Dhanasree Jayaram
In February, the International Court of Arbitration issued a  ruling partial award on the Kishanganga Dam dispute between India and Pakistan over the Indus River. This might  succeed in bringing certain sense of closure to some of the differences that exist between India and Pakistan on the sharing of the waters of the Indus Basin – but the legal and political battles are far from over.

President’s Budget Makes Cuts on Fusion Energy
Nicholas Cunningham
On April 10, the President released his budget for fiscal year 2014. While there is much to dig into, let’s take a quick look at the numbers for fusion energy, which were not good.

Look beyond winners and losers in the DoD budget
August Cole
The defense industrial base is tied to American competitiveness in the 21st Century. For that reason, leaders in the private and public sector must take steps to thrive during a drawn out period of changing expectations while also remaining committed to keeping the country strong through innovation, long-term investments and disciplined management.

Inertial Fusion Research Continues
Nicholas Cunningham
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is currently conducting research into inertial fusion energy. Using 192 of the largest lasers in the world, the NIF is the leading global research facility on inertial fusion.