Key Reads
Kerry meets with Gulf ministers on Iran, Yemen
Lesley Wroughton / Reuters
Concerns over a final nuclear deal with Iran and civil war in Yemen will top the agenda of talks in Paris on Friday between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Gulf Arab states.
New push to give Pentagon the lead on drone strikes
Ken Dilanian / Associated Press
The deaths of an Italian and an American in a covert CIA drone strike in Pakistan — and the rhetorical contortions required of the president when he informed the world — have breathed new urgency into a long-stalled plan to give the Pentagon primacy over targeted killing of terrorists overseas.
American Competitiveness & Economic Diplomacy
Obama to Launch Pacific Trade Pact Defense at Nike Headquarters
William Mauldin and Sara Germano / Wall Street Journal
President Barack Obama will mount his latest defense of a Pacific trade agreement with a visit Friday to the headquarters of a quintessential importer, Nike Inc., a move that scrambles the traditional political arguments for free trade.
Asia’s Stalling Exports Make the Case for Stimulus
Tom Wright / Wall Street Journal
A slew of recent data across Asia is underlining how one of the world’s major economic engines is sputtering, raising the likelihood of further interest rate cuts and public spending to support growth.
National Security & Strategy
A Dark Election Day for U.K.’s Pollsters
Charles Forelle / Wall Street Journal
Britain’s vanquished Labour Party is hanging its head after a brutal defeat in Thursday’s election.
Burundi unrest intensifies as president pushes ahead with plans for third term
Paula Rogo / Christian Science Monitor
Burundi’s president plans to register to run for a third term on Friday, a move that is likely to increase tensions and violence in the lead-up to the June 26 elections.
Gulf Allies’ Doubts Over Iran Policy to Dominate Obama’s Summit
Terry Atlas and Nafeesa Syeed / Bloomberg
President Barack Obama will face six Persian Gulf allies disenchanted with his policies at a summit next week, worried especially that he’s gone soft on Iran.
Asymmetric Operations
Pak chopper crash: 2 ambassadors among 7 dead, Taliban claims shooting down aircraft
Imtiaz Ahmad / Hindustan Times
Two ambassadors to Pakistan were among seven people killed when a military helicopter crashed into a school in the country’s mountainous north on Friday, authorities said, as the local Taliban claimed it shot down the aircraft and had hoped to assassinate the Prime Minister.
Saudis intensify strikes in Yemen despite calls for cease-fire
Guy Taylor / Washington Times
A day after claiming to be on board with the Obama administration’s push for a cease-fire in Yemen, Saudi Arabia intensified its airstrikes Friday against Iran-backed rebels in the nation.
Gunfire and explosions at Nigerian school as Boko Haram carry out latest attack during classes
Khaleda Rahman / Daily Mail
Boko Haram carried out their latest attack on a Nigerian school during classes today, critically injuring six students.
Climate Security
UN climate chief responds to tirade from PM’s adviser
Emma Alberici / Australian Broadcasting Corporation News
UN climate negotiator Christiana Figueres says she is willing to meet business leader Maurice Newman in the wake of his extraordinary attack against on UN climate policy – and warns that it would be dangerous for Australia not to act on climate change.
Energy Security
Elon Musk: Demand for Tesla Energy batteries is ‘crazy off the hook’
Matthew Debord / Business Insider
Following Tesla’s first-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, CEO Elon Musk and other executive held a conference call with analysts.
Nuclear Security
Senate Passes Bill Giving Congress Right to Weigh In on Iran Nuclear Deal
Kristina Peterson / Wall Street Journal
The Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday establishing Congress’s right to weigh in on international negotiations to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
French Nuclear Model Falters
David Jolly and Stanley Reed / New York Times
For decades, France has been a living laboratory for atomic energy, getting nearly three-quarters of its electricity from nuclear power — a higher proportion by far than in any other country.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
What Tesla’s Powerwall Means for Energy Security
Philip Rossetti
The Powerwall and Powerpack mark the first commercial success in bringing batteries powerful enough to power a home—or even a factory, as the factory where Tesla will produce the Powerpacks will be powered entirely by (naturally) Powerpacks.
The ISIS Threat in U.S.
American Security Project
ASP’s Director of Strategy and Communications Paul Hamill was featured on Fox Local News yesterday discussing the threat of ISIS terror cells in the United States. A report from someone claiming to have ties to the terrorist organization reported over 70 militants living in 15 states across the country.
Exporting the Best of America – What the Business Sector Can Learn From Jazz
Chad Tragakis
Jazz, once a uniquely American art form, has been embraced in nearly every corner of the populated world. Many of its most ardent and enthusiastic devotees – both listeners and performers themselves – are now found outside of the United States. And, there are dozens of wonderful programs around the world that use Jazz as a means to promote peace and foster cross-cultural understanding, even among those who share little if any other common ground. It is a grand idea, though not a new one.
From over the Pond – Four things to watch after the UK’s General Election
Paul Hamill
This Thursday will see a General Election in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). All 650 seats in the House of Commons are up for grabs.
ASP Recently Published
Critical Issues Facing Russia and the Former Soviet Union: Governance and Corruption
American Security Project
When it comes to Russia and the other post-Soviet states, corruption is the subject of constant academic, policy, and popular debate. According to many, persistent corruption is the major factor undermining post-Soviet states from achieving broad-based political, economic, and social development along liberal-democratic lines.
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.
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