Key Reads
A nuclear deal that offers a safer world
Ernest Moniz, U.S. Energy Secretary / The Washington Post
The recent announcement of the Lausanne framework concerning Iran’s nuclear program has stimulated a lively public and political debate. This is an important discussion that the nation deserves to have, and it must be informed by clarity on the specifics of the negotiated technical parameters for a final Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
American Competitiveness
Global stocks fall on worries over dollar strength
Jemima Kelly / Reuters
Global stock markets edged down on Tuesday as investors worried about the impact of a strong dollar on U.S. company earnings and unease over Greece’s debt crisis overshadowed news of a possible merger between two big European telecoms equipment firms.
China’s cyber laws could saddle firms with redundant data center: U.S. lobby
Reuters
Chinese restrictions on transferring data overseas would burden firms with building “redundant” data centers in China and hamper domestic companies expanding abroad, the American Chamber of Commerce in China said on Tuesday.
National Security & Strategy
Kremlin confirms oil-for-goods swap with Iran under way
Reuters
The Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday that an oil-for-goods barter deal between Russia and Iran was being implemented and said all legal barriers had been removed to Moscow supplying S-300 missile systems to Tehran.
Islamic State conflict: Iraq PM to seek weapons on U.S. visit
BBC
Iraq’s prime minister is to seek a greater US contribution to fighting Islamic State (IS) in talks with Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.
American flags popping up in Cuba on everything but a pole
Randal C. Archibold / New York Times
The diplomatic thaw between the United States and Cuba has been accompanied by an unexpected outburst of flag-waving here — of the American flag.
Asymmetric Operations
Violence escalates in east Ukraine ahead of talks
Reuters
Ukraine’s military accused pro-Russian rebels on Monday of using heavy weapons that were meant to have been withdrawn under a ceasefire deal, after one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six wounded in rebel-held territories.
Iran puts forward Yemen peace plan as Houthis suffer battlefield setbacks
Reuters
Iran proposed a peace plan for Yemen on Tuesday and called for an end to Saudi-led air strikes against Houthi rebels allied to Tehran, but the move was likely to draw a cool response from Riyadh.
Iraq ‘retakes over quarter of Islamic State territory’
BBC
Islamic State (IS) has lost more than a quarter of its territory in Iraq since the US-led coalition air campaign began in August, a Pentagon spokesman says.
Six servicemen killed as violence escalates in east Ukraine
Reuters
Six servicemen were killed and 12 wounded in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours despite a ceasefire deal, Ukraine’s military said on Tuesday, as both sides in the conflict accused the other of increasing attacks and building up weapons on the frontline.
Al-Shabaab militants kill 10 in attack on Somali education ministry
The Guardian
At least 10 people were killed on Tuesday when militants from the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab detonated two bombs outside the education ministry in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, and gunmen fought their way into the building. Seven attackers were also killed, the Somali government said.
Southern Syria rebels set collision course with al Qaeda
Tom Perry / Reuters
Western-backed fighters in southwestern Syria, the one part of the country where they are strong, have spoken out this week against al Qaeda, a sign of friction that could lead to new fighting among opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.
Report: Boko Haram has forced nearly a million kids from their homes
Kevin Sieff / The Washington Post
Even as Boko Haram militants wreaked havoc on northeastern Nigeria in recent months, it was sometimes difficult to discern the breadth of the destruction. Now, with a UNICEF report released Monday, we have one more indicator of the group’s indiscriminate violence.
Climate Security
California water district’s plan to reduce supply could bring higher costs
Jessica Glenza / The Guardian
One of southern California’s most influential water wholesalers appears primed to reduce the amount of water available to agencies that serve 19 million Californians in six southern California counties, including Los Angeles.
Energy Security
Oil above $58 on U.S. shale report, Mideast tension
Christopher Johnson / Reuters
Crude oil rose on Tuesday after a forecast that U.S. shale oil output would record its first monthly decline in more than four years and on tensions in Yemen, where top oil exporter Saudi Arabia is embroiled in a civil war.
Japan’s post-Fukushima nuclear restart plan dealt a blow by court ruling
Justin McCurry / The Guardian
A court in Japan has dealt a blow to plans by the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, to relaunch nuclear power generation four years after the Fukushima meltdown by halting the restart of two reactors over safety concerns.
Nuclear Security
Iran nuclear talks to resume on April 21, Zarif says
Reuters
Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers will resume on April 21 at the deputy level, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday, in what will be the first meeting since a major breakthrough two weeks ago.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Sungtae “Jacky” Park
Iran is a rising power in the Middle East, but one whose power is far more fragile than assumed by many observers.
Geopolitics of Energy in the Eastern Mediterranean: Panel 3
William George
The panel will examine America’s role in building energy cooperation between countries in the region, as well as promoting economic and investment opportunities for new found energy reserves.
Geopolitics of Energy in the Eastern Mediterranean: Panel 2
William George
The panel will examine the challenges to developing the newfound energy resources in the region.
Geopolitics of Energy in the Eastern Mediterranean: Panel 1
William George
The panel will examine the potential of using new found energy reserves to build international cooperation within the region.
What the Experts Are Saying About the Nuclear Framework Deal with Iran…
Sungtae “Jacky” Park
Here is a list of opinions from political and military leaders, academics, scientists, and other experts on the nuclear framework deal with Iran.
Upcoming Events
Conference: Geopolitics of Energy Security in the Eastern Mediterranean
April 15 @ 12:00pm – 5:00pm
ASP will host a half day conference to examine the energy security challenges faced in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Conference: The Geopolitics of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
April 16 @ 12:00pm – 4:30pm
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) has the potential to redefine transatlantic cooperation in the economic, security, and political spheres and provide the U.S. and the EU with a window of opportunity to advance core values that could help shape the international trading system in the 21st century. Our expert panelists will discuss these issues and attempt to examine TTIP’s potential to facilitate further trade liberalization on a global scale.
ASP Recently Published
Environmental Threats to Louisiana’s Future: Climate change
American Security Project
As one of the centers of energy production, transit, and storage, Louisiana is a hub for the whole country. This ensures that any problems in Louisiana are transferred throughout the country by energy price volatility and uncertainty.
Energy in Egypt: Background and Issues
American Security Project
The Egyptian government is making serious efforts to bring more investment into its oil and gas sector while seeking to diversify Egypt’s sources of energy. Given the country’s political, economic, and social challenges, whether the Egyptian government will be able to achieve its objectives remains to be seen.
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