Energy diversity is a national security imperative
Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) / The Hill
When Gen. James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, first visited my office last year, I was one of the newest members of the House Armed Services Committee. I was eager to hear what he would want to tell me. I expected to hear about the sequester, recruiting and the drawdown, or about medical care. I certainly did not expect the topic he actually raised: “Congressman,” he said, “I want to talk to you about solar energy.”
Ukraine crisis: Details of Poroshenko’s peace plan emerge
BBC
The document, calling for disarmament in eastern Ukraine, appeared in Ukrainian media overnight. It comes after Mr. Poroshenko held his second phone conversation this week with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Rebels seize former chemical weapons plant; Sistani urges formation of new government
Liz Sly and Loveday Morris / Washington Post
Islamist insurgents continued to bear down on Iraqi forces Friday, seizing a former chemical weapons facility and battling for control of the country’s largest oil refinery, as the spiritual leader of Iraq’s Shiite Muslim majority called for the formation of a new “effective” government with broad support.
A Roadmap for Restoring American Leadership
James A. Baker III / Wall Street Journal
At West Point last month, President Obama did what he does best: He gave a speech. This time he confronted growing criticism of his foreign policy in an address to the military academy’s graduating class.
New study improves measurements of the warming oceans
John Abraham / Guardian
Uncertainties in ocean measurements are crucial to our understanding of human-caused climate change.
Branding Terrorism for What it Really Is
Matt Freear / Huffington Post
In his West Point speech the other week President Obama reminded the American people that terrorism is the “the most direct threat to America at home and abroad,” and will be for the “foreseeable future.”
Ukraine crisis: EU deal to be signed on 27 June
BBC
The new president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, has said he will sign a controversial association agreement with the EU on 27 June. His elected pro-Russian predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, was overthrown in February after refusing to sign the deal at the last moment.
World Gets 22% of Electricity from Renewable Energy
Rani Molla / Wall Street Journal
The Renewables 2014 Global Status Report released earlier this month has good news for the environment, namely that an estimated 22.1% of the world’s electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2013. That percentage is expected to rise as countries across the globe pour money and resources into alternative, clean energy.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Public Diplomacy Among US Bishops and Iranian Religious Leaders
Theresa Shaffer
On June 14, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops went to Iran to meet with the Iran Supreme Council of the Seminary Teachers of Qom (Shia Islam) to sign a joint declaration opposing actions that “endanger the life, health, dignity and welfare of others, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
India’s Nuclear Policy and Regional Stability
Theresa Shaffer
On June 16, the Stimson Center hosted two panels on India’s Nuclear Policy and Regional Stability. The first panel began with Indian Vice Admiral A.K. Singh, who underscored the importance of recognizing India and Pakistan as part of a nuclear triangle with China.
Obama Plans to Create World’s Largest Marine Sanctuary
Colin Taylor
On Tuesday June 17, President Barack Obama announced his intent to declare 782,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean a National Monument. Obama’s plan expands the sanctuary, created in 2009 by President George W. Bush, by a factor of nine and makes fishing, energy exploration, and other human activities in the area illegal.
PODCAST – Cultural Diplomacy: Hip Hop Diplomacy in India
ASP was recently joined by Paul Rockower and DJ 2-Tone Jones to discuss their recent cultural diplomacy tour of India. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Next Level uses hip hop and dance to build relationships with foreign audiences overseas.
Upcoming Events
INVITE – The 2014 Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review: A Blueprint for State and USAID
June 24 @ 12:30 – 1:30PM
A briefing and Q&A with Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom, Assistant Administrator Alexander Thier and Special Representative for QDDR Thomas Perriello.
The post What We Are Reading… June 20, 2014 | ASP appeared first on American Security Project.
