Center for Strategic Communication

 

Key Reads

 

The Global Struggle to Respond to the Worst Refugee Crisis in Generations

Patrick Boehler and Sergio Pecanha / New York Times

Eleven million people were uprooted by violence last year, most propelled by conflict in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and Afghanistan. Conflict and extreme poverty have also pushed tens of thousands out of parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Here’s a look at the international response to what has become the worst migration crisis since World War II, according to the United Nations.

 

Erdogan Concedes No Party has Mandate After Shock Turkish Vote

Constanze Letsch and Ian Traynor / the Guardian

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey has said the country is entering an uncertain period of coalition government after his 13-year-old reign of solid majorities for the Justice and Development party (AKP) was ended by a stunning voter backlash against his increasingly authoritarian rule.

  


American Competitiveness

 

HSBC to Cut About 50,000 Jobs in Major Overhaul of Global Business
Chad Bray / New York Times
Besides layoffs, bank announces withdrawal from Brazil and Turkey as it mulls leaving London hub and expanding in Asia.
Wall St. Opens Slightly Lower as Rate Hike Fears Grow
Reuters
U.S. stocks opened marginally lower on Tuesday on growing speculation that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates as soon as September.

 

Asymmetric Operations

 

 

Islamic State Seizes Power Plant Near Libyan City of Sirte
Reuters

Islamic State militants have seized a power plant west of the Libyan city of Sirte which supplies central and western parts of the country with electricity, the group and a military source said on Tuesday.
Al Qaeda Works With Local Insurgents in Tactical Shift
Ben Hubbard / New York Times

While the image of Al Qaeda has long been one of shadowy operatives plotting international attacks from remote hide-outs, its branches in Yemen and Syria are now increasingly making common cause with local groups on the battlefield.

 

State Dept.: Yes, the US Does Have a Strategy in Iraq
Nick Gass / Politico

The strategy includes airstrikes, training and equipping Iraqis to fight, stemming the flow of foreign fighters and working with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to build a more inclusive and representative government, Kirby reiterated. Bombing is but one way to achieve the strategy, he said in response to a question about the tactic’s efficacy.

Climate Security

 

White House Launches $34 Million Plan to Help Developing Countries Prepare for Climate Change
Chris Mooney / Washington Post
When it comes to rising seas and flooding risks, there are few countries more vulnerable than low-lying Bangladesh. Not only does the nation face the risk of devastating tropical cyclones — but with higher seas forecast for later in this century, such storms could flood a considerably broader area, according to the World Bank.

 

The Coal Boom Choking China
The Guardian
The country is grappling with the direct costs of that coal, in miners’ lives, crippling air pollution, expanding deserts and “environmental refugees”.

 

 

Energy Security

 

G7 Leaders Agree to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Use by End of Century
Kate Connolly / The Guardian
German chancellor Angela Merkel announces commitment to ‘decarbonise global economy’ and end extreme poverty and hunger.

 

Nuclear Security

 

The Gender Politics of Iran’s Nuclear Policy

Maysam Behravesh / The Guardian

Defenders of Iran’s nuclear program speak in terms of protecting female honor from the ‘inspections’ of intrusive foreigners.

 

 

On Our Flashpoint Blog

 

National Security Leaders Back TPP

Clark Derrington

Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter wrote in USA Today in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and urged the House of Representatives to join the Senate in authorizing President Obama to continue negotiations on this important trade agreement.

 

ASP Supports Cuba’s Removal from State Sponsors of Terrorism List

American Security Project

The United States officially removed Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list. This represents a crucial step in moving forward on a establishing a more effective Cuba policy. It was also an appropriate measure, as Cuba’s presence on the list has long been considered questionable, and threatened to dilute the meaning and effectiveness of that list.

 

Why Burundi’s Election Crisis Matters to the United States and the World
John Bugnacki / The American Security Project

Burundi is currently undergoing an electoral crisis whose outcome is vitally important for the United States, African countries, and the world as a whole. This article explains the current crisis, its meaning within the context of American foreign policy, and what the U.S. can do to resolve the conflict.

 

The Weather Channel Presents “The Climate 25″ Featuring ASP’s Gov. Whitman, BGen. Cheney 

The American Security Project

On June 10th the Weather Channel will launch “The Climate 25.” According to its press release Climate 25 will bring together influential leaders of Fortune 100 companies, conservative political leaders, military leaders, and others to discuss their views of the challenges climate change, security, energy and peace. The goal of this project is to show a multi-faceted view of climate change from individuals from diverse backgrounds.

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

New York City Event – The American Fusion Project: Scientific Breakthroughs
June 16 @ 12:30pm

As a part of New York’s annual “Energy Week,” the American Security Project, in conjunction with FTI Strategic Communications, is proud to sponsor a lunch on new developments in fusion energy research. It will take place at FTI’s Wall Street Plaza office, 88 Pine Street, 32nd Floor, New York City, NY.

 

 

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.

 

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