Center for Strategic Communication

ASP Honors Senator Richard Lugar for His Leadership and Contributions to National Security

Today, the American Security Project presented Senator Richard Lugar with an award commemorating his many years of service and leadership in promoting US national security interests. Senator Lugar met with Senator John Kerry, other members of the American Security Project Board, and leaders of the nonproliferation community to discuss his vision for strengthening the U.S. commitment to global nuclear security.

Yes, Sometimes Drones Are Actually Effective

Joshua Foust/The Atlantic

The public debate about the American use of drones continues unabated, focused mostly on the morality of drone warfare. Sunday, for example, the New York Times ran one stories on the moral case for drones and one on the moral hazard they represent.

Changed standards benefit Afghan force report: watchdog

Reuters

The Pentagon’s decision to change the standards used to grade the success of Afghan police and soldiers, who are a centerpiece of U.S. strategy for smoothly exiting the war in Afghanistan, helped it present a positive picture of those forces’ abilities, a U.S. government watchdog reported on Tuesday.

Michigan governor declares emergency over fuel shortage

Reuters

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on Tuesday declared an energy emergency in the state due to temporary shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel in parts of the Upper Peninsula caused by the shutdown of a pipeline in Wisconsin.

US fusion in budget vice

Eric Hand/Nature

For years, US researchers have been steadfast in their support of ITER, the world’s largest fusion-energy experiment, which is under construction near Cadarache, France.

Iraq blacklists Chevron over oil deal with Kurds

Associated Press

Iraq says it has blacklisted the U.S. oil giant Chevron Corp. from signing future oil deals in the country’s center and south after it secured an agreement with the northern Kurdish self-rule region in defiance of Baghdad.

Veterans back military’s role in biofuels

Morgan Lee/UT-San Diego

A cast of influential military veterans on Tuesday defended the Navy’s foray into biofuels research and development, amid questions on Capitol Hill about the effort’s cost effectiveness.

Turkey Seals Border With Syria to All but Refugees

Nick Cumming-Bruce/New York Times

Turkey has closed its 566 mile border with Syria following the seizure of border posts by Syrian rebel forces.  Turkey stresses that border crossings for  humanitarian reasons will be allowed as it works to construct two camps capable of hosting approximately 20,000 regugees.

Ghana swears in vice-president as new leader

Al Jazeera

Demonstrating the maturity of Ghana’s democracy, Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the country’s new President following the sudden death of President John Atta Mills.

Iran’s supreme leader says Western-led sanctions, pressure, won’t force nuclear policy shift

Associated Press

Western-led sanctions and diplomatic pressure will not force Iran to halt its nuclear program, Iran’s Supreme Leader said Wednesday.

Defense Hawk Says Cut the Nuclear Arsenal

Benjamin Loehrke / Huffington Post

A leading defense hawk took to the floor of the House of Representatives to argue that greater security in the 21st century means spending less on nuclear weapons. This could signal a turning point as leaders in Congress see the strategic and fiscal realities behind why the U.S. should reduce its nuclear arsenal.

On Our Flashpoint Blog

Military Leaders Call for Support of DoD’s Alternative Fuels Program

Nick Cunningham

A coalition of retired military personnel signed a public letter calling for support of efforts by the U.S. military to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The letter is running in today’s Wall Street Journal and it is addressed to the President, members of Congress, and the American public.

The Promise of Revenue Neutral Carbon Regulation

Carl Grote

A revenue neutral carbon tax offers the opportunity for the U.S. to establish a more secure climate future without imposing social or economic costs.

The US and its UAVs: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Ashley Boyle

From a high-level examination, drones are slightly more cost effective to acquire and operate than conventional manned aerial vehicles. The question of cost effectiveness should instead be one of operational advantage.

National Security Leaders Call for Support for DoD Energy Security Efforts

Andrew Holland

The Pew Project on National Security, Energy, and Climate hosted a media briefing to mark the release of a letter signed by retired military and civilian national security leaders that called for support of energy innovation at the Department of Defense.

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