September 29, 2014
International News Coverage
Middle East, ISIS, Terrorism, and Counterterrorism
Afghanistan’s new president: ‘Hold me accountable’
Sudarsan Raghavan | The Washington Post
After months of political tensions, Afghanistan’s new president, Ashraf Ghani, took the oath of office Monday to lead a US-brokered coalition government that marked the first democratic transfer of power in the nation’s history.
Tara Sonenshine | The Hill
A question that we, as Americans, have to ask ourselves in the wake of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the rampage in the Middle East is simple: What happens when young people — men, sometimes women) — reach a fork in the road, wherever the road is, and face a choice between extremism and non-extremism? How do we — the United States — help young people take a positive turn rather than the path to violence? Is it enough to counter extremist “thought,” or is the task even more basic — to stop extremist action? And whose job is it, anyway?
US-led air strikes pound Isis bases in Syria
The Guardian
US-led forces launched air strikes overnight on territory controlled by Islamic State (Isis) in northern and eastern Syria while the Syrian army continued bombing areas in the west, according to a group monitoring the war.
New Iraqi comedy show aims to counter Islamic State extremists
Loveday Morris | The Washington Post
Reclining on a gold-rimmed purple sofa, the leader of the Islamic State extremist group mulls his social-media strategy as an over affectionate sword-wielding dwarf looks on.
Briton arrested in Bangladesh ‘confessed to recruiting’ for Isis
Shiv Malik | The Guardian
British man from London has been arrested in Bangladesh on suspicion of recruiting people to fight for al-Qaida affiliates in the Middle East
New York
At Madison Square Garden, Chants, Cheers and Roars for Modi
Vivian Yee | The New York Times
They wore his face on their chests, waved it on posters, chanted his name and quoted his slogans, 19,000 fans drawn to a single star. His image stared down from the big screen at Madison Square Garden and emerged on canvas in a live speed-painting onstage. And when the man himself emerged, the capacity crowd on Sunday in New York’s most storied arena roared as one, as if all the Knicks, all the Rangers, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen had suddenly materialized.
European leaders addressing UN say current crises threaten global governance system
UN News Centre
European leaders addressing the United Nations General Assembly today raised the spectre of what some saw as Russia’s largely unchallenged actions in Ukraine and the march of armed militants through large swaths of northern Iraq as emblematic of an international system in dire need of repair.
Ukraine
Ukrainians just pulled down a massive Lenin statue. What does that signal for Russia?
Michael Birnbaum | The Washington Post
Anti-Russian protesters in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, pulled down a massive statue of Vladimir Lenin late Sunday, a sign of hardening anger toward the Kremlin in an eastern Ukrainian area where sympathies are split between Kiev and Moscow.
Science
Molecule detected in space may show origins of life
Justin Moyer | The Washington Post
At the conclusion of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001,” released in 1968, a large baby floats beside the Earth as Richard Strauss’s “Also sprach Zarathustra” pumps on the soundtrack. What scientists just found in the star-forming region Sagittarius B2(N) isn’t as cool as that. In fact, it’s not life at all — just traces of a carbon-based molecule a little more special than some others out there.
Asia and Pacific
Deadly volcano eruption: ‘I heard boom, boom, then everything went dark.’
Gail Sullivan | The Washington Post
The towering volcano about 125 miles west of Tokyo is dotted with lakes and religious shrines. One of Japan’s holy mountains, Mount Ontake is still a destination for religious pilgrims. Its eruption over the weekend came without warning to some 250 climbers making their way to the peak.
Hong Kong standoff: Pro-democracy crowds swell as police bolster barricades
William Wan | The Washington Post
Security forces in Hong Kong reinforced barricades and patrols Monday after using tear gas in widening clashes with pro-democracy demonstrators mounting the most serious challenge to Beijing’s policies in the former British colony.
Ebola
Patient exposed to Ebola arrives in U.S.
Susanna Capelouto | CNN
An American doctor who was exposed to Ebola has arrived at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the National Institutes of Health said Sunday.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Egypt President Sisi Must Confront Old Challenges To Bring Forward A New Egypt
Giancarlo Lima
In a wide ranging interview with Charlie Rose during this week’s UN General Assembly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discussed a variety of issues ranging from Egypt’s role in the coalition against ISIL, the Egyptian economy, Egypt’s relations with the Gulf, and whether the Muslim Brotherhood has a future in Egyptian society.
Secretary Kerry: ‘Energy economy of the future is a win-win’
Caroline Julia von Wurden
On Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry (one of ASPs founding board members) addressed the 2014 NYC Climate Week conference to discuss the future of climate change and its implications for the United States and the international community.
Nelson Cunningham Elected President of the American Security Project
American Security Project
This week, ASP congratulates Board Member Nelson Cunningham on his election as the new President of the American security Project.
Secretary Kerry’s Remarks at 2014 NYC Climate Week
Giancarlo Lima
On Monday, ASP founder and Secretary of State John Kerry addressed the 2014 NYC Climate Week conference to discuss the future of climate change and its implications for the United States and the international community.
Event Recap: Future of the Middle East and America’s Involvement
Sophia Dahodwala
Building off the current national conversation surrounding the ongoing turbulence in the Middle East, a cadre of panelists reflected on the future of the region and laid out several prescriptions for the United States’ involvement in the Middle East, with varying degrees of optimism and pessimism.
Upcoming Events
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.
Bangladesh: Prospects and Challenges
October 6 @ 9:00 AM –4:30 PM
The full day conference will include 3 panels and a keynote address will facilitate discussion on the political, security, and economic issues facing Bangladesh and how they can impact the US going forward.
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