The Best Way the U.S. Can Help Europe out of Its Mess
Peter Charles Choharis / Forbes
President Obama’s call for “bold and decisive action” at the G20 summit this week followed his earlier advice that Europe “inject capital into weak banks” and “lay out a framework and a vision for a stronger Eurozone, including deeper collaboration on budgets and banking policy.” While admirable, these prescriptions are no longer either sufficient or attainable. Nor can they give Europe what it most needs: certainty, finality, and real economic reform.
Nuclear energy = green jobs, economic growth in Fla., beyond
Christine Todd Whitman & Karen Avilla / Orlando Sentinel
As we look toward diversifying America’s energy portfolio and building out the energy generated by renewables, candidates should look to nuclear energy as one proven way to effectively meet growing demand. In doing so, they are registering their support for well-paying jobs, sustained economic growth and clean, affordable energy options.
Reports of Syrian Military Defections Come Amid Crisis with Turkey
Alan Cowell and Rod Nordland / New York Times
As Turkey moves to consult with NATO over the downing of its military jet by Syria, there are reports that high-ranking Syrian military officials are defecting to Turkey to flee the bloodshed in their own country.
DPRK vows to bolster up nuclear deterrence as U.S. persists in hostile policy
Xinhua / Yao Qilin
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday denounced U.S.-South Korea joint drills as severe provocation, and vowed to bolster its nuclear deterrence for self-defense.
Standoff With Iran Focus Of Putin Visit To Israel
Associated Press
The West’s standoff with Iran over its nuclear program was expected to top the agenda on Monday as Russian President Vladimir Putin began a 24-hour visit to Israel.
Defense industry sounds alarm on sequestration
Anna Palmer and Austin Wright / Politico
The defense industry is arming itself for battle going into the lame-duck session. Fearful that the more than $50 billion in automatic defense spending cuts set to go into effect in January will be buried under the myriad of other pressing issues like tax reform, extending the Bush-era tax cuts and 13 appropriations bills lawmakers have to deal with before the end of the year, the industry is engaged in an all hands on deck lobbying assault.
Pakistan says Afghan peace requires clarity from U.S., Taliban
Missy Ryan and Hamid Shalizi / Reuters
A hoped-for peace deal ending the war in Afghanistan will likely remain out of reach unless both the United States and the Taliban put more clear, consistent offers on the table, a senior diplomat from Afghanistan’s influential neighbor Pakistan said.
India allows use of Iran ships for oil imports
Nidhi Verma / Reuters
India has allowed state refiners to import Iranian oil, with Tehran arranging shipping and insurance, from July 1, keeping purchases of over 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) flowing after European sanctions hit insurance for the cargoes, government and industry sources said.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Budgeting for Biofuels: Military Investment Could Produce a Competitive American Industry
Robert Gardner
As previously discussed in “The Military’s Dependence on Petroleum Must be Mitigated,” the US military’s reliance on petroleum for all of its liquid fuel needs poses long term national security risks. The Navy has outlined plans to mitigate these risks by investing in domestic biofuels producers.
Do Small Modular Reactors Present a Serious Option for the Military’s Energy Needs?
Matthew Baker
The Defense Energy Security Caucus’ briefing on small modular reactors (SMRs) illustrates the intense hype that the nuclear community has surrounding SMRs, highlighting some pressing issues surrounding the military’s energy vulnerability.
China and Russia: Competitors to American Public Diplomacy?
Matthew Wallin
I’m not so worried about these countries making efforts to promote their image as I neither find it surprising nor alarming. I’d be more shocked if they weren’t, and wondering what was going on behind closed doors.
Should U.S. Export Natural Gas?
Nicholas Cunningham
The possibility of exporting natural gas has raised both excitement and concern. But, there are reasons why the issue is overblown.
It’s Time for Magnetic Fusion to Have a Seat at the Energy Table
Matthew Baker
A combination of public and private partnerships could make fusion the solution to some of the greatest challenges of the 21st. It is vital that we make fusion part of the public energy discourse.
About the American Security Project: The American Security Project is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges.
For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org. info@americansecurityproject.org
