International News Coverage
NATO, Russia, Tunisia, Yemen, US
NATO to form rapid-response force amid tensions in Ukraine, Middle East
Carol Morello | Washington Post
NATO officials said Tuesday that they will form an interim military force equipped to deploy quickly if the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East spill across borders.
At least 16 killed, 28 policemen wounded in Russia’s Chechnya attack
Ralph Boulton | Reuters
Gunmen stormed a building in Chechnya’s regional capital of Grozny on Thursday killing 16 people, including ten police, hours before President Vladimir Putin vowed in a policy speech to defend Russia against what he called efforts to dismember it.
France Begins Withdrawing Central Africa Troops as U.N. Deploys
John Irish | Reuters
France is withdrawing troops from Central African Republic as a United Nations peacekeeping force nears its full deployment, but will keep a presence to support the U.N. with a rapid reaction force, officials and diplomats said.
China to Stop Harvesting Executed Prisoners’ Organs
BBC News
China has promised to stop harvesting organs from executed prisoners by 1 January, state media report.
Tunisia’s Parliament chooses secular new chief
Associated Press
Tunisia’s new Parliament has chosen a leader – Mohamed Ennaceur of the Nida Tunis Party, who spent decades in politics under autocratic regimes.
Stabbings worsen violence, political turmoil gripping Israel and the West Bank
Ruth Eglash | Washington Post
Two Israeli civilians were stabbed Wednesday by a Palestinian assailant in the West Bank, who was shot by an off-duty security guard.
Luke Somers: Al-Qaeda group ‘threatens to kill US hostage’
BBC News
Al-Qaeda militants based in Yemen have published a video purporting to show a British-born US hostage.
Technology & the Environment
‘Future Earth’ Platform Outlines Global Change Strategy
Mark Kinver | BBC
A global initiative bringing together scientists across different disciplines has launched its strategy to identify key priorities for sustainability. The document outlines what Future Earth, launched at the 2012 Rio +20 Summit, hopes to contribute towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Engineer Reimagines Solar Energy with Stick-On Panels
Susan Daugherty | National Geographic
In Xiaolin Zheng’s version of the future, installing solar panels could be as simple as applying a sticker.
Update: First Test Flight Postponed for NASA Spacecraft That May Take Us to Mars
Marcus Woo | Wired.com
The Orion spacecraft launch was “scrubbed” after three failed launch attempts Thursday morning. NASA “basically ran out of time trying to trouble shoot the last of the issues, which was a problem with the fill-and-drain valves” before the launch window closed for the day, a NASA spokesman announced.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Innovative Solutions to Providing Reliable Power
Caroline von Wurden
BGen Stephen A. Cheney, CEO of the American Security Project, moderated a panel discussion on Innovative Solutions to Providing Reliable Power.
Maggie Feldman-Piltch
While there are real risks to generating and supplying power, especially in politically or socially unstable environment, the true risk lies in failing to ensure reliable energy sources and distribution systems.
Electricity: The Catalyst for Change
Sophia Dahodwala
“Electricity: The Catalyst for Change,” brought together an array of development and security experts to highlight the importance of energy and electricity generation around the globe. Each panelist stressed the importance of reliable, sustainable electricity as means to bring about peace, security, and stability.
Russia’s Natural Gas Pivot to Asia: A Reality Check
Hidetoshi Azuma
2014 China-Russia natural gas deal is beset with mounting challenges from the beginning. Russia has pivoted to Asia but is heading there at great costs.
14 Challenges in the Secretary of Defense’s Inbox on Day 1
Andrew Holland
There’s no shortage of challenges that Secretary Hagel’s successor will face. Here’s a list of 14 detailed by ASP experts.
Japan Looks East: The Growing Importance of North American LNG
Hidetoshi Azuma
Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011 eliminated Japan’s nuclear power. As Japan seeks alternative energy sources, North American LNG is emerging as the country’s solution.
Three Challenges for the Next Secretary of Defense
Ken Robbins
What will be on the next Secretary of Defense’s desk? ASP Adjunct Fellow Ken Robbins outlines three main challenges facing the incoming SecDef.
Statement on the Extension of the Iran Talks
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
ASP CEO BGen. Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret) issues a statement on the extension of the Iran nuclear negotiations.
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Upcoming Events
Special Envoy Amos Hochstein: Energy Diplomacy and National Security Challenges in the Middle East
December 8 @ 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: American Security Project, Suite 750W – 1100 New York Ave NW, Washington DC 20005
Join ASP on Monday, December 8th as we host Special Envoy Hochstein on how the United States can use energy diplomacy in the Middle East as a tool in combating ISIS.
NYC Event: Pakistan – Aid, Trade, and Security
December 9 @ 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Join ASP and FTI Consulting as we host an event that will discuss current conditions of economic aid, trade and security in Pakistan, and will feature experts of military and development backgrounds.
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense John Conger: DoD Efforts on Climate Adaptation
December 12 @ 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: American Security Project, Suite 750W – 1100 New York Ave NW, Washington DC 20005
Join ASP on Friday, December 12 as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense John Conger discusses the Department of Defense’s Climate Adaptation Roadmap, its implications, and how the military is planning for climate change.
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