Natural Gas Exports: A Geopolitical Game Changer?
Meg Handley / U.S. News and World Report
While the debate of exporting U.S. natural gas focuses on the economics, there would likely be geopolitical benefits of allowing exports to move forward.
Statoil May Abandon US Arctic Drilling Leases
Jennifer Dlouhy / Fuel Fix
Statoil spent $23 million buying leases to drill in the Chukchi Sea five years ago, but now the company may abandon the prospects as both the costs and challenges of exploring in U.S. Arctic waters mount.
US Combating African Extremism with Public Diplomacy
Pamela Dockins / Voice of America News
The United States is working to counter violent extremism in Africa by providing an “alternative narrative” and “alternative scenarios,” according to Under Secretary of State Tara Sonenshine.
Venezuelans mourn President Hugo Chavez
BBC
Venezuela has announced seven days of mourning for Hugo Chavez, who has died aged 58 after 14 years as president. Thousands of Mr Chavez’s supporters took to the streets of Caracas to express their grief.
UK to send armored vehicles to Syrian opposition
BBC
The UK is to provide armoured vehicles and body armour to opposition forces in Syria “to help save lives”, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said. It will offer millions of pounds in “non-lethal” equipment, including search and rescue, communications, and disease-prevention materials.
Are we heading for another debt ceiling fight?
Greg Sargent / The Washington Post
Believe it or not, it’s already time to start posing that question. Remember, the temporary authorization of the debt ceiling hike House Republicans agreed to came in mid January, and it was a three month extension. That means we’ll be needing to raise the debt ceiling again next month.
Two Enlistees in the Climate Wars
The New York Times
In 2009, President Obama pledged to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. Thanks to several factors, the country is halfway there. On Monday, Mr. Obama announced the appointment of two seasoned officials who could fulfill that pledge — but only if the president himself helps them navigate the formidable political obstacles ahead.
World powers moderate on Iran at nuke meeting
Associated Press
World powers are avoiding harsh criticism of Tehran at a meeting of the U.N. atomic agency, reflecting efforts to have the Islamic Republic accept their latest offer in nuclear talks.
Iran spurns UN call for Parchin visit
AFP
Iran on Tuesday spurned a request by the IAEA for access to a military base where Tehran allegedly conducted nuclear weapons research, saying the issue should be addressed in a wider agreement with the UN atomic agency.
Thrifty Nuclear Terrorism Nanodetectors Delayed by Funding Uncertainty
Aliya Sternstein / Nuclear Threat Initiative
The Energy Department this month announced plans to prop up nanotechnology sensors at airports and other U.S. entry points for detecting nuclear substances, but there is no rollout timetable because of budget uncertainty, according to operators of the counterterrorism program.
Mattis: Keep 13.6K Troops in Afghanistan, Keep Talking with Iran & Keep Out of Syria
AOL / Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
The US should keep 13,600 troops in Afghanistan to advise and assist the Afghan forces after American combat brigades withdraw in 2014, about a quarter of the current troop level, said Central Command chief Gen. James Mattis, giving his personal recommendation — not the Administration’s final decision — after prodding from the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
ASP Recently Published Reports
The Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Natural Gas Exports
Nick Cunningham
Low prices for natural gas in the U.S., and high prices in Asia, have sparked calls to allow American drillers to export LNG. Thus far, the debate surrounding LNG exports has focused on the economic impacts.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Strategic Thinking Key to Managing Budget Reductions
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
As military leaders work to adapt to fiscal constraints while maintaining readiness, flexibility in the budgeting process is key, General James Mattis said in a congressional hearing today.
NASA’s Public Diplomacy – Improving Relations on Earth by Exploring Space
Danielle Parillo
On Tuesday, March 5 ASP hosted the event “NASA’s Public Diplomacy – Improving Relations on Earth by Exploring Space.” Speakers included Kent G. Bress, the Director of Aeronautics and Cross Agency Support Division at NASA’s Office of International and Interagency Relations and Dr. Vaughan Turekian, Chief International Officer at American Association for the Advancement of Science.
American Competitiveness – Interview with Adm Fallon USN (Ret.)
August Cole
As Washington girds for automatic spending cuts, it is already clear the U.S. is going to pay a price for the political fumbling that led to sequestration.
