15 April 2013
A look at the North Korea crisis
Associated Press
As the world waits and watches for an expected North Korean ballistic missile test, the U.S. and its allies are prepared to respond. U.S. officials are conceding that North Korea may be increasing its nuclear capabilities, but they don’t expect a nuclear strike.
Deadly wave of bombings across Iraq ahead of elections
Mohammed Tawfeeq/CNN
A series of bomb blasts across Iraq on Monday killed at least 42 people and wounded more than 257 others, police said.
The Ghosts of Afghanistan’s Past
William Dalrymple/NY Times
On March 10, Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, shocked Western leaders by declaring that recent attacks proved that the Taliban “are at the service of America.”
World military spending falls, but China, Russia’s spending rises, says SIPRI
Stockholm International Peace Institute
World military expenditure totalled $1.75 trillion in 2012, a fall of 0.5 per cent in real terms since 2011, according to figures released today by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
A Capricious River, an Indian Island’s Lifeline, Now Eats Away at It
Jim Yardley/NY Times
For many environmentalists and scientists, the Brahmaputra is a critical laboratory in studying the impact of climate change, with much of the attention focused on the mouth of the river in Bangladesh.
Antarctic ice melting at record rate, study shows
The Guardian
Summer ice is melting at a faster rate in the Antarctic peninsula than at any time in the last 1,000 years, new research has shown.
China Must Exploit Its Shale Gas
Elizabeth Muller/NY Times
If the Senate confirms the nomination of the M.I.T. scientist Ernest J. Moniz as the next energy secretary, as expected, he must use his new position to consider the energy situation not only in the United States, but in China as well.
Niger rapidly emerges as a key U.S. partner in anti-terrorism fight in Africa
Craig Whitlock/Washington Post
As the Obama administration expands its counterterrorism operations in Africa, this country is rapidly emerging as a key U.S. partner.
Flooding, fires and food: Climate change is costing taxpayers plenty
Mindy Lubber/Forbes
Climate change and extreme weather are fundamentally changing the United States, and American taxpayers are paying a huge – and growing – cost.
United States, China reach critical deal on climate change
William Marsden/National Post
The world’s two biggest polluters have signed what could be a groundbreaking agreement and “call to action” on the fight against escalating climate change.
North Korea looks inward for founder’s birthday, tensions ease
Ju-min Park and Jack Kim/Reuters
North Korea celebrated the anniversary of its founder’s birth on Monday and abandoned its shrill threats of war against the United States and the South, easing tensions in a region that had seemed on the verge of conflict.
UN Report Finds World Climate Change Goal at Risk as Emissions Surge
Alister Doyle/Insurance Journal
A global goal for limiting climate change is slipping out of reach and governments may have to find ways to artificially suck greenhouse gases from the air if they fail to make deep cuts in rising emissions by 2030, a draft U.N. report said.
ASP Recently Published
Read our latest collection of our writings in this edition of American Security Quarterly – with special lead of American Competitiveness
The defense industrial base is tied to American competitiveness in the 21st Century.
ASP in the News
ASP Board Member Christine Todd Whitman Featured in Politico
ASP Board member and former governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman penned an article for Politico entitled “‘Dash to Gas’ Has Downside For Energy Policy.”
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