Center for Strategic Communication

Israeli leader Iran has not yet crossed nuclear weapons ‘red line’

Associated Press / the Washington Post

Israel’s prime minister on Monday said that Iran is steadily edging closer to nuclear weapons capability but has not yet reached the “red line” he drew in a speech to the United Nations last fall.

 

Egypt walks out of nuclear talks in Geneva, citing slow progress toward nuclear-free Mideast

Associated Press / the Washington Post

Egypt walked out of a round of global nuclear talks in protest Monday, saying other nations are not acting quickly enough to establish the Middle East as a zone free of nuclear weapons.

 

Global carbon dioxide levels set to pass 400ppm milestone

John Vidal / the Guardian

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached 399.72 parts per million (ppm) and is likely to pass the symbolically important 400ppm level for the first time in the next few days.

 

China a leader in fight on climate change?
UPI

China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is demonstrating leadership in the fight against climate change, a new report says.

 

An Earth Scientist Explores the Biggest Climate Threat: Fear

Andrew C. Revkin / the New York Times

Here’s a “Your Dot” contribution pushing back against apocalyptic depictions of the collision between humans and the climate system — written by Peter B. Kelemen, the Arthur D. Storke Professor and vice chair in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University.

 

The immigration solution the nation needs

Arnold Schwarzenegger / Politico

The former governor of California gives his insight on what he sees as the keys to successful immigration reform.

 

Timeline for an Iranian ICBM: Differing Assessments?

Laura Grego / All Things Nuclear

Last week, the Pentagon released an unclassified summary of its  Annual Report on Military Power of Iran, dated January 13.  Inside Defense wrote a story on it, “DOD: Iran, With Foreign Help, Could Demonstrate ICBM By 2015”. The story focused on the report’s conclusion that, “With sufficient foreign assistance, Iran may be technically capable of flight-testing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States by 2015.”

ASP Recently Published

 

International Progress on Fusion Energy – How American Leadership is Slipping

Theodore J. MacDonald

ASP’s fact sheet, “International Progress on Fusion Energy” outlines the steps other countries are taking in developing fusion energy. Meanwhile, the U.S. is considering budget cuts to its fusion program, which will cause irreparable harm to the development of fusion power.

 

Perspective: The Defense Industrial Base

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 investment and disciplined management.

On Our Flashpoint Blog

The Governator – The immigration solution the nation needs

BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)

Immigration reform is an economic and national security issue. The United States is in desperate need to improve its competitiveness – and that includes bringing the brightest and best to our country to work, live, start businesses and become American.

 

Chemical Weapon Use All But Confirmed in Syria: World Awaits U.S. Response

Eric Bernstein

At Tuesday morning’s press conference, President Obama confirmed the use of chemical weapons in Syria but did not yet commit to a plan of action

 

Chemical Weapon Use All But Confirmed in Syria: World Awaits U.S. Response

Eric Bernstein

SecDef Hagel announced that the White House now believes chemical weapons have been used in Syria; where do we go from here?

 

War of the Soft Powers

Matthew Wallin

Are we in danger of losing our soft power edge to Russia and China? At this point, the answer is no. Should we be frightened by their efforts to augment and enhance their soft power? The answer is also no.

 

Defense industry faces big tests with Washington and Wall Street

August Cole

The defense industrial base is an important element of America’s economic, and strategic, edge, whether through the contribution to the U.S. economy of billions of dollars in aerospace exports or the employment of some of the country’s most public-minded engineers and programmers.

Upcoming Events

 

U.S. National Security and the New Somalia: Reflections from the Former Prime Minister

Join us for a conversation with Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the former Premier of Somalia.

The last two years in Somalia has seen militant Islamists in retreat and a country rise from the ashes of chronic conflict and chaos. At the helm during this transformative period the former Prime Minister, argues that security and political progress in Somalia has boosted US national security interests.

If you would like to attend this event please RSVP by clicking here.