28 February 2013 |
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Measure to Toughen Iranian Sanctions
Rick Gladstone/NY Times
As Iranian negotiators spoke in positive tones about their resumed nuclear negotiations with the big powers, Congressional lawmakers in Washington introduced legislation on Wednesday that would greatly expand the sanctions on Iran.
Washington State Governor Worried Budget Cuts Will Hit Nuke Cleanup
Eric M. Johnson
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee on Wednesday warned billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts could hamper the U.S. government’s ability to clean up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation site in his state, where six underground tanks were last week revealed to be leaking.
Breaking: Shell Announces It Will Not Drill in the Arctic Ocean in 2013
Kiley Kroh/Thinkprogress
After a year full of mishaps and failures in its quest to drill for oil off the coast of Alaska, Royal Dutch Shell announced today that it would not pursue exploratory drilling activity in the Arctic Ocean this year.
Energy Policy Shifting as Abundance Replaces Scarcity: Obama Advisor
Roberta Rampton/Reuters
As U.S. oil and natural gas production booms, the Obama administration’s energy policy has been “fluid” by necessity to adapt to the huge economic opportunities and climate challenges posed by growth, the top White House energy and climate adviser said on Wednesday.
From Card Catalogues to 21st Century Community Centers: New Dynamics for the American Space
Tara Sonenshine/ US State Department
Tara Sonenshine gave a speech at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Boston, MA on February 27th, 2013. Her speech was part of a series of lectures entitled “Future of Diplomacy”.Her speech included discussing different American Places around the globe and how public diplomacy works within them.
IPCC Urges Obama to Raise Awareness of Science behind Climate Change
Severin Carrell/The Guardian
Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said that one of the president’s priorities should be “awareness creation” on the public’s understanding of the science underpinning man-made global warming.
ASP Recently Published Reports
Fact Sheet: The U.S. State Department’s American Space Program
Livia Pontes Fialho
For American public diplomacy, engaging with foreign audiences face-to-face continues to be an invaluable asset for promoting mutual understanding and the values of American culture. The State Department’s American Spaces programs are traditional tools in that effort.
Justin Yarros
ASP’s fact sheet “What is Energy Independence?” explores the reasons why energy independence is the wrong goal to be working towards. Instead, a comprehensive goal of “energy security” – access to energy that is secure, economically stable, and sustainable.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
American Spaces – and the Argument for Public Diplomacy
Livia Pontes Fialho
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Tara Sonenshine, gave a speech yesterday at Harvard University where she made the argument for public diplomacy. It becomes particularly compelling at a time of uncertainty, where budgets could be significantly constrained.
Kevin Lalama
Nuclear challenges have changed over the past twenty years, but they have not disappeared. The likelihood of nuclear conflict between the Cold War superpowers has decreased, but the threat of nuclear terrorism is very real.
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.
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