Yemen president offers conditional dialogue with al Qaeda
Andrew Hammond/Reuters
Yemen’s president offered dialogue to Islamist militants including al Qaeda on Wednesday, but said they must agree first to put down weapons and reject support from abroad.
Yemen needs a US reset, not a retreat
Kari Jorgensen Diener and Victoria Stanski/Christian Science Monitor
Last week’s violent anti-US protests underscore the need for greater US engagement in Yemen. The country’s economic, political, and security future hinges on alleviating humanitarian needs, addressing their root causes, and fostering an inclusive political transition.
More Airports Offer Streamlined Security Screening
Amaani Lyle/American Forces Press Service
Active duty service members and other eligible travelers now have more opportunity to take advantage of streamlined security check-in, as Transportation Security Administration officials have added two more airports to the program.
A Giant Step Forward in Nuclear Fusion
James Burgess/oilprice.com
It turns out that the group closest to achieving nuclear fusion has done so on a far smaller budget than ITER or NIF. Researchers at the Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are on track to test their reactor before the end of 2013, and have high hopes that it will reach break-even.
The Afghan Surge is Over: So did it work?
Rajiv Chandrasekaran/Foreign Policy
This article provides an examination of the costs and benefits of the troop surge employed by the Obama administration in Afghanistan. What strategic objectives did the surge allow the US to accomplish and what were its political and tactical shortcomings?
Death of rebel who caught Gaddafi stokes Libya tensions
Reuters
Omran Shaban, a Libyan rebel who helped capture Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly tortured and killed on Wednesday, renewing tensions between Misrata and Bani Walid as the Libyan government seeks to restore order after attacks on the US Embassy on September 11.
Brazil court orders YouTube to remove anti-Islam film in 10 days
Reuters Brasilia/Al Arabiya News
A state court in Sao Paulo has ordered YouTube to pull the trailer for the anti-Islamic movie that has prompted protests across the globe. In deciding the lawsuit against Google, brought by Brazil’s National Islamic Union, the court “juxtaposed freedom of expression and the need to protect individual or groups of people form action that might incite religious discrimination.”
The Strongest Argument for Renewable Energy Comes from the US Military
Geoffrey Ingersoll/Business Insider
Military leaders discuss the increasing attractiveness of the options to use renewable energy sources to sustain US operations abroad. Not only is this measure cost-effective, it reduces threats to the troops by minimizing reliance on traditional supply lines for fuel delivery.
Obama pays tribute to envoy, warns Iran on nukes
Aamer Madhani/USA Today
In a speech focused on the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the recent killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Obama used stark language to warn Iran to abandon its suspected nuclear program, while insisting that simply containing a nuclear-armed Iran was not an acceptable option for the United States.
Reports
Fact Sheet: The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Sean Boers
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty is a zero-yield ban on nuclear testing that builds upon a long and bipartisan history of attempts to halt nuclear testing. It allows us to maintain our own strong nuclear deterrent while deterring and preventing other non-nuclear states from developing nuclear weapons. As the U.S. marks twenty years since its last nuclear test, this fact sheet presents the history, elements, and reasons for ratification of the CTBT.
In the News
The Last U.S. Nuclear Test – 20 Years Later: Status and Prospects for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
ASP will be hosting this exciting event Wednesday, September 26th at 12:30 p.m. The featured speaker will be Rose Gottemoeller, Acting Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. ASP CEO BGen Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret.) will moderate the discussion. Tune in for more details!
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Energy Forum Notes Pros and Cons of Shale Gas
Nicholas Cunningham
On September 24-25, the Howard Baker Forum and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory hosted an event on the role shale gas will play in America’s energy future. The speakers offered their views on what the “Shale Gale” means for global energy markets and geopolitics, as well as the strategic benefits for the United States.
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.
