International News Coverage
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Islamic State Crisis: World Leaders Pledge Iraq Support
BBC
Thirty countries have pledged to help Iraq fight Islamic State (IS) militants “by all means necessary”.
US Won’t Rule Out Working with Iran Against ISIS
Lori Hinnant and Lara Jakes / Associated Press
Diplomats from around the world pledged to fight Islamic State militants “by any means necessary” as Iraq asked allies to thwart the extremists wherever they find sanctuary. Iran and the United States ruled out coordinating with each other, leaving Baghdad’s government caught between two powerful and antagonistic allies.
Exclusive: ISIS Starts Recruiting in Istanbul’s Vulnerable Suburbs
Alev Scott and Alexander Christie-Miller / Newsweek
In one of the pictures, which were sent by Sadik a week after their disappearance, a smiling Halil Ibrahim clutches a pistol. The index finger of his other hand is held skyward in a gesture associated with the Middle East’s most feared armed group: the so-called Islamic State, also known by its former acronym Isis. The children now live with their jihadist father in Syria’s Isis-controlled Raqqa province. They are among an unknown number of Turks – potentially in the thousands – being abducted or lured into Syria and Iraq either to populate Isis’ self-declared caliphate or to fight in its bloody sectarian war.
Russia and Ukraine
Western Sanctions are Testing Russia’s Strength: Medvedev
Reuters
Russia’s strength is being tested by sanctions imposed by the West and the country must react in a level-headed way, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told members of the country’s ruling party, United Russia, on Monday.
Heavy Fighting Between Ukrainian Forces and pro-Russian Rebels over the Weekend
Anthony Faiola and Daniela Deane / The Washington Post
The heaviest fighting in a series of truce violations in Ukraine’s restive east strained the tenuous 10-day-old cease-fire between the Kiev government and pro-Russian separatists, with both sides blaming the other Monday for attacks that included the shelling of residential buildings.
US and NATO Troops Begin Ukraine Military Exercise
BBC
About 1,300 troops from 15 countries – including the US and other Nato members – have begun a military exercise near Lviv in western Ukraine.
Climate Change
Wary of U.N. Action, Australia Unveils Plan to Aid Great Barrier Reef
Michelle Innis / The New York Times
In a bid to keep the Great Barrier Reef from being reclassified by the United Nations as “in danger,” the Australian government on Monday unveiled a 35-year plan to manage risks to the reef, one of the natural wonders of the world. But conservationists warned that the plan does not go far enough.
The Scotland Referendum
A Scottish ‘Yes’ Also Means Exit from EU, NATO
John-Thor Dahlburg / Associated Press
If Scottish voters this week say Yes to independence, not only will they tear up the map of Great Britain, they’ll shake the twin pillars of Western Europe’s postwar prosperity and security – the European Union and the U.S.-led NATO defense alliance.
The Central African Republic Violence
Central African Republic Crisis: Minusca New Peace Mission
BBC
The UN is formally taking over peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic (CAR), where about 25% of the population has fled their homes.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Fallon: Concerns over ISIL in the Homeland
Naman Jain
On September 12, ASP Board Member Admiral William Fallon, USN (Ret.) was interviewed by Fox Business in regards to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East perpetrated by ISIS.
The New Digital Divide and Countering Extremist Propaganda
Matthew Wallin
A great deal of attention is being given recently to the State Department’s efforts to combat extremism online. Notably, a video recently released by the State Department’s “Think Again Turn Away” campaign contains graphic video of some of the many atrocities committed by ISIS in the name of creating a caliphate.
Domestic Sources power ITER
Caroline Julia von Wurden
Twelve high voltage surge arresters (to protect the electrical system against lightning strikes) were shipped from New York and delivered to ITER on September 4th.
Upcoming Events
INVITE – Under Secretary Richard Stengel: American Public Diplomacy in 2014 and Beyond
September 16 @ 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The United States faces many challenges abroad. In a time when the actions of foreign publics are changing political and security landscapes, the need for effective public diplomacy is becoming more urgent. Understanding this need, how should the U.S. best build relationships and influence with target audiences overseas? Join us to hear from Richard Stengel, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, as he discusses his plans for America’s public diplomacy.
INVITE – Industrial Competitiveness & Worker Leadership
September 17 @ 06:00 PM – 09:30 PM
In cooperation with the Harvard Business Club of Washington, DC, we are pleased to present a conversation with Fred Stahl on Worker Leadership. Worker Leadership is a new and innovative production system that creates jobs loaded with responsibility and authority—which workers love because they can be more productive. Managers are thrilled with the dramatic improvements in enterprise productivity, while shareholders love the higher profits. and unions are attracted to a new and vital role.
INVITE –Future of the Middle East and America’s Role
September 18 @ 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The Middle East is currently brimming with violence – bringing into question the future of the region and the role of the United States. The panel of experts will discuss the possible outcomes of the present turbulence in the Middle East. They will also discuss what options the United States has, and if it should be engaged in the region in the first place.
National Security and Climate Change – Perspectives from the Military
September 22 @ 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
The Morgan Library, 225 Madison Avenue, New York City, NY 10016
The American Security Project, the non-partisan national security think tank, will host a panel discussion on the afternoon of Monday, September 22 as a part of the Climate Group’s launch of Climate Week, taking place at The Morgan Library, 225 Madison Avenue.
What’s Next? Fostering the Next Generation of Energy Security Conference
September 30 @ 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The next steps in building a cleaner, more resilient energy system and economy will not be easy. The American Security Project intends to build on its years of research into energy security and climate policy by initiating a study into the next generation of energy policy. Join ASP and our panelists as we discuss the next generation of energy technology and climate policy.
ASP Conference: Africa – Promoting Investment and Extending America’s Security
October 2 @ 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
The half-day event will bring together expects from the public and private sector, as well as policy makers and members of the media to discuss the mutually beneficial impacts of US private investment on the African continent, opportunities for practical investment, and how to effectively manage the accompanying risk.
The post What We Are Reading … September 15, 2014 appeared first on American Security Project.
