Center for Strategic Communication

Iran, Six Powers Start Expert-Level Nuclear Talks in Vienna

Fredrick Dahl and Mark Heinrich/ Reuters

Iran and six world powers began an expert-level meeting about Tehran’s nuclear program on Thursday, part of efforts to reach an agreement by late July on how to resolve a decade-old dispute that has stirred fears of a Middle East war.

Egypt Calls for International Cooperation against Terrorism

Ahram Online

The Egyptian presidency has called on the international community to take a “clear stance” against terrorism, hours after three bombs exploded at Cairo University.

The UN’s New Focus: Surviving, Not Stopping, Climate Change

Uri Friedman and Svati Kirsten Narula/The Atlantic

The international body has issued a manual for adapting to a warming world.

U.S., Japan, and South Korea to Discuss North Korea Nuclear Weapons Program

David Brunnstrom and Andrew Hay/Reuters

The United States, Japan and South Korea will hold talks in Washington next week aimed at finding ways to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday.

SpaceX Turns Up Heat On ULA; Sen. Feinstein Writes SecDef

Colin Clark/Breaking Defense

Ever since the Air Force restructured its launch contracts for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program with the United Launch Alliance and SpaceX, the underdog, Elon Musk, has cried foul and is pressing his case on Capitol Hill and in the media. The stakes got higher yesterday during a sparsely attended hearing of the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a powerful members of the SAC-D, made Musk’s argument that the Air Force has reduced launch competition through its restructuring.

Why SpaceX Should Replace Russia as Air Force’s Rocket Engine Maker

Michelle Jones/Value Walk

Why does the U.S. military rely on Russia for its rocket engines when there are plenty of U.S. companies, like, for example, SpaceX, which could supply them? That’s certainly a great question, and lawmakers are trying to figure out the answer.

Million Syria Refugees Registered in Lebanon – UN

BBC News

The number of refugees who have fled Syria and registered in Lebanon has surpassed the “devastating milestone” of one million, the UN says.

America the Gentle Giant

Kristin Lord and Stephen J. Hadley/Foreign Policy

How the United States can shape the world without boots on the ground and bombs in the air.

In Bullet-Ridden Afghan Districts, Free Vote Seems an Empty Promise

Azam Ahmed/The New York Times

One of the few polling centers in this part of Logar Province is the government’s district headquarters, a building so devastated by rocket attacks and Taliban gunfire that it looks more like a bomb shelter than an administrative office.

Ukraine Implicates Ousted President in Shooting of Protesters

Andrew Roth/The New York Times

The Ukrainian authorities said on Thursday that former President Viktor F. Yanukovych had been involved in plans for elite police units to open fire on antigovernment protesters in February, killing more than 100 people in the days immediately before the downfall of Mr. Yanukovych’s government.

ASP Recent Publications

Tennessee and Climate Change

Andrew Holland and Nathan Daniels

As members of the American Security Project prepare to visit Tennessee to discuss the threats of climate change, ASP has published a short document detailing some of the threats that climate change poses to the state.

National Security and America’s Space Challenge

August Cole

America’s long-term strategic advantage and economic security depend on policies that create safe, reliable and affordable satellite launch capabilities. U.S. power cannot be measured in the 21st Century without accounting for the safety and security of our military space access.

On Our Flashpoint Blog

Senators Call on DOD for Competition in Air Force Space Launch Program

Nathan Daniels

Yesterday, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and six other Senators called on the Department of Defense to allow more competition within the U.S. Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.

Event Recap: The Battle on the Final Frontier – A Discussion of National Security and Space

Nathan Daniels

On April 1st, ASP hosted an event featuring Lt. General Norman Seip and August Cole to discuss the connection between space technology and U.S. national security interests for the 21st century.

Event Recap: Egypt – A Conversation with Dr. Aboulghar

Kathy Duong

Dr. Aboulghar, founder and leader of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, gives his in-depth discussion that will provide an invaluable opportunity to gain new knowledge of Egypt’s road towards stable democracy and economic development.

Notes from Egypt

Dina Khayat

The news that Marshall Sisi announced his intention to run for president overshadowed an otherwise tense ten days.

Upcoming ASP Events

Tennessee Event: University of Tennessee at Martin – Climate Change: Risks for National Security

April 7 – University of Tennessee at Martin, Holt Auditorium, 7:30-9:30 P.M.

Join Lieutenant General John Castellaw, USMC (Ret.) and Brigadier General John Adams, US Army (Ret.) to discuss how climate change is creating new threats to America’s National Security.

Tennessee Event: Belmont University – Climate Change: Risks for National Security

April 8 – Belmont University, Neely Dining Room, Massey Business Center, 2:00-4:00 P.M.

Join Lieutenant General John Castellaw, USMC (Ret.) and Brigadier General John Adams, US Army (Ret.) to discuss how climate change is creating new threats to America’s National Security.

Weather, Climate, and National Security

April 23 – U.S. Capitol Building Visitors Center, Room SVC 202/203, Lunch 12-12:30/Event starts at 12:30

Join ASP as Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret)., of American Security Project, and Mr. Bryan Norcross, of the Weather Channel, discuss changes in climate and weather and the relationship they have with our national security.

Chicago Event – The Multiplication of Threats: Climate Change & the Risks to National Security

April 30 – Northwestern University, Chicago Campus – Hughes Auditorium, 6:00-8:30 P.M.

Join Brigadier General Stephen A Cheney, USMC (Ret.) and Senior Fellow Andrew Holland to discuss how climate change is creating new threats to America’s National Security.

To purchase your tickets, click here.

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