Confronting Iran – Again

Doyle McManus/LA Times

In this Op-Ed, Doyle McManus argues that anyone who expects Chuck Hagel to become a strong force for restraint in Obama’s second term may be disappointed. Instead, we are likely to have an antiwar president and an antiwar secretary of Defense, both bent on convincing Iran that they are willing to go to war.

Major report warns climate change could raise temperatures by 10 degrees

Ben Geman/The Hill

The third National Climate Change Assessment, released Friday, said there’s “unambiguous evidence” that earth is warming, and that climate change over the past 50 years is driven primarily by human activity, especially from burning fossil fuels.

Heat, Flood or Icy Cold, Extreme Weather Rages Worldwide

Sarah Lyall/NY Times

Around the world, extreme has become the new commonplace. Bush fires in Australia, a heat wave in Brazil, freezing temperatures in China and eastern Russia, and flooding in Pakistan are just a few of the extreme weather events causing concern.

War on Terror Should Focus on Captures, Not Killings

ASP Fellow Joshua Foust writes for Bloomberg about U.S. President Barack Obama’s nomination of John Brennan to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the future of CIA policy.

US pushes to finish Afghan dam as challenges mount

Heidi Vogt/Denver Post

In the approaching twilight of its war in Afghanistan, the U.S. is forging ahead with a giant infrastructure project long criticized as too costly in both blood and money.

Canadian crude price discount to WTI hits $41

Yadullah Hussain/Financial Post

Canadian heavy oil prices slid a further $4 as traders absorbed news of Enbridge’s decision to ration capacity on Lines 4 and 67 that transport oil from Alberta to the United States due to power outages in December.

Shell’s Arctic troubles only buy time

Juliette Kayyem/Boston Globe

Shell Oil has had a rough time up in Alaska. In the last year, it has had to contend with stray ships, busted engines, mismanaged contracts, and faulty spill containment equipment as it tried, and failed, to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean. On Tuesday, the Interior Department hastily announced a review of the company’s Alaskan adventure.

In the News

ASP Adjunct Fellow David Young Quoted in Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty on Afghanistan

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty quoted ASP’s David Young in an article examining the Afghan government led push to release detained Taliban members in an attempt to build good will between Taliban leadership and Kabul.

ASP Fellow Joshua Foust on BBC Radio Discussing the Challenges of Drone Usage

ASP Fellow for Asymmetric Operations Joshua Foust was featured alongside Congressional Representative Adam Smith on BBC Radio’s Today discussing the challenges and future of drone usage in America’s conflicts.

ASP Events

Understanding the Strategic & Legal Context of Drone Strikes

On our Flashpoint Blog

Climate Change: The Missing Link In Tackling the Mali Crisis

Catherine Foley

ASP Adjunct Fellow Catherine Foley wrote in November about how climate change was adding to instability in Mali and predicted how that would affect the current crisis.

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