NATO: AFGHAN MILITANT ATTACKS UP 11 PERCENT
DEB RIECHMANN / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Insurgent attacks in Afghanistan during the past three months were up 11 percent, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest statistics on monthly violence released by the U.S.-led coalition.
Soaring Spanish unemployment hits record highs
Paul Day / Reuters
Spanish unemployment hit its highest level in the second quarter since the Franco dictatorship ended in the mid-1970s, succumbing to a crisis of confidence among business and consumers that looks likely to escalate as the country’s recession drags on.
US REPORT SAYS IRAQ ‘REBUILDERS’ DIED BY HUNDREDS
ROBERT BURNS / AP
In the first tally of its kind, a federal investigative agency has calculated that at least 719 people, nearly half of them Americans, were killed working on projects to rebuild Iraq following the U.S. invasion in 2003.
Climate Change Poses Many Business Risks
Gina-Marie Cheeseman/ Triple Pundit
Extreme weather events have become increasingly common in recent years creating new risks for businesses across economic sectors.
Dutch suspend Rwanda budget support
William Wallis, Katrina Manson, Matt Steinglass/Financial Times
The Netherlands become the first European country to halt budget support for Rwanda on account of a UN report finding that Rwanda is aiding M23 rebels in an armed struggle against neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Britain’s Dfid and the US have already cut financial support to Rwanda.
Ahead of Olympic Games, a Sudanese Athlete Seeks Political Asylum in London
Ravi Somaiya/The New York Times
Before the opening of the Olympics, a runner from Sudan’s Olympic team is seeking political asylum in Britain.
Lugar Receives Award from American Security Project
Kokomo Perspective
On July 25, 2012, the American Security Project (ASP) presented Senator Lugar with an award celebrating his many accomplishments and leadership on national security issues. Senator Lugar, along with Senator John Kerry (D-MA), met with the ASP to discuss opportunities to strengthen global nuclear security, including the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Tidal Energy Comes to the US
Catherine Foley
The nation’s first commercial tidal energy project was dedicated on Tuesday in Eastport, Maine, marking a milestone for the future of renewable energy in the US.
Geoengineering: A Far Off Solution to Climate Change
Carl Grote
With further research needed for geoengineering techniques, curbing carbon emissions remains our best bet for combating climate change.
The Biggest Challenge to American Solar Manufacturing
Matthew Baker
Chinese competitors have been accused of selling modules below production costs. In selling modules at what American producers claim are unreasonably low prices, Chinese manufacturers are unfairly reducing the ability for American manufacturers to compete.
DoD Energy Security Challenges: A Summary of the Hoover Institution’s “Powering the Armed Forces” Report
Robert Gardner
The Stanford University based Hoover Institution recently released report recommending Department of Defense’s initiative to overcome our nation’s energy security challenges. The report was written after the Hoover Institution’s task force on Energy Policy held a conference with senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials. Energy experts, scientists, economists and military fellows all gave their input on the role of the DoD in overcoming energy security challenges. The report is a summary their findings.
CNOOC Makes Bid for Canadian Tar Sands
Nick Cunningham
This week, the China National Offshore Oil Cooperation (CNOOC) made a big move into Canadian tar sands. CNOOC, a state-owned oil company, announced China’s largest foreign acquisition ever with a $15.1 billion purchase of Nexen Inc., a Canadian-based energy company. Already approved by the boards of both companies, the deal goes to the Canadian government for approval. The final go-ahead is expected.
ASP Podcast
Matthew Zeller joined ASP to discuss his book: Watches Without Time: An American Soldier in Afghanistan, and also Joshua Foust’s latest report: Five Lessons We Should Have Learned From Afghanistan
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
