Today in the news there is a lot of movement in countries such as North Korea, India, and of course Syria. China is once again in the news over their vast pollution problems. Continue reading for more on today’s stories.
North Korea Says it Will Restart Reactor to Expand Arsenal
Cho Sang-Hun and Mark Landler/ NY Times
North Korea announced plans on Tuesday to restart a mothballed nuclear reactor, the latest in a series of provocations by its leader, Kim Jong-un, to elicit a muted response from American officials, who believe they can wait out Mr. Kim’s threats until he realizes his belligerent behavior will not force South Korea or the United States into making any concessions.
U.S. Struggling to Contain Nuclear Threats From North Korea, Iran
Anne Gearan and Chico Harlan/ Washington Post
After more than four years of diplomacy, the Obama administration is struggling to contain the nuclear threats posed by North Korea and Iran, a pair of nations already isolated internationally and resistant to the economic incentives offered in return for an end to their programs.
Indian States Fight Over Water Usage
Manjunath Kiran/ Washington Post
As India’s economic growth drives a rising thirst for water, and with its annual rainy season projected to become increasingly erratic in coming years because of climate change, many states across the country are fighting over their shared rivers.
Two Major Air Pollutants Increase in China
Edward Wong/ NY Times
In the first three months of this year, two major air pollutants increased by almost 30 percent in Beijing, the Chinese capital.
Russia Delivers Aid for Syria Refugees in Lebanon
Mike Collet White/ Reuters
A Russian plane carrying 36 tonnes of humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees in Lebanon landed in Beirut on Wednesday, the first such shipment by Moscow which has supported President Bashar al-Assad throughout the two-year-old conflict.
Climate Maverick to Retire From NASA
Justin Gillis/ NY Times
James E. Hansen, the climate scientist who issued the clearest warning of the 20th century about the dangers of global warming, will retire from NASA this week, giving himself more freedom to pursue political and legal efforts to limit greenhouse gases.
Afghanistan Courthouse Attack Kills Dozens
BBC News
A suicide bomb and gun attack on a courthouse in western Afghanistan has left more than 50 people dead and 90 injured, most of them civilians.
ASP Recently Published Reports
Read our latest collection of our writings in this edition of American Security Quarterly – with a special lead of American Competitiveness
A Global Security Defense Index on Climate Change: Preliminary Results
Andrew Holland and Xander Vagg
The American Security Project releases the preliminary results of a new resource on climate change and national security: The Global Security and Defense Index on Climate Change. The Index analyzes how governments around the world and their militaries plan for and anticipate the strategic threats of climate change.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
The International Marketing of the F-35 that the United States Needs
BGen Stephen A. Cheney
Today the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea of 60 F-35 Lightning IIs for an estimated $10.8 billion.
The STEM Jobs Shortfall Is a National Security Shortcoming We Can Fix
Justin Yarros
At the top of the list of challenges to American competitiveness and national security is the lack of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) graduates in our schools and universities.
This Week in Public Diplomacy April 1
Livia Pontes Fialho
This Week in Public Diplomacy, read about #AlQaeda, #CulturalDiplomacy #VideoGameDiplomacy and more!
North Korea’s Continued Posturing
Magnus Newth
The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense as Pyongyang revives a previously decommissioned nuclear facility and sharpens its rhetoric against U.S. – South Korea exercise.
Poorest Nations Give Green Light on Emissions Cuts
Xander Vagg
In a declaration that surprised many in the United Nations community, the poorest nations of the world announced today that they are now prepared to commit themselves to binding cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions.
Trace Effects: the State Department’s English Teaching Video Game
Matthew Wallin
Matthew Wallin’s review of the State Department’s Trace Effects video game, a public diplomacy effort intended to teach English overseas.
Upcoming Events
A Conversation with Tobias Ellwood MP: The UK in the EU and the future of Transatlantic Cooperation
Wed., April 10 0830 AM – The European Union (EU) is going through major political and economic changes. There is much debate on the future of the United Kingdom within the institutions of the EU. Join us to discuss this and many more issues with Tobias Ellwood MP.
The Future of the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent: A Conversation with Amb. Linton Brooks
Mon., April 15 1230 PM – Join us for a conversation with Linton Brooks, Ambassador and former Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
The Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Natural Gas Exports
Tues., April 16 1230 PM – How do U.S. natural gas exports impact American security and that of its allies? Join us for a discussion with experts and ally representatives.
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