In today’s news, China has revealed their “secret” military and Lockheed Martin is planning on building a thermal power plant off China’s shore. Energy is as dirty as it was 20 years ago and Europe is having an energy cost crisis. Read on for more fresh and exciting news.
War and Peace on the Korean Peninsula
Alexander Vorontsov / 38 north
As threats from North Korea intensify, the U.S. has showcased its strength and solidarity with ally South Korea, but cooler heads should prevail.
Lockheed to Build 10- Megawatt Thermal Power Plant off Southern China
Alexander David/ Reuters
U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced plans on Tuesday to build a green energy power plant that will use variations in ocean water temperature to generate electricity, taking a big step toward making the 130-year-old concept commercially viable.
Europe Faces a Crisis in Energy Costs
Reed Stanley/ NY Times
Even the European Union’s flagship environmental achievement of recent years, its Emissions Trading System for carbon dioxide, is beset by existential doubts. On Tuesday, the European Parliament batted away an effort to bolster anemic carbon prices on the E.T.S.
Energy as Dirty as 20 Years Ago on Slow Climate Effort
Bakewell Sally/ Bloomberg
The level of carbon emitted in global energy supplies has barely changed in 20 years amid stalled efforts to curb pollution and increased coal use, the International Energy Agency said.
Obama to Meet South Korea’s Park Geunhye in May
BBC
US President Barack Obama will meet South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Washington on 7 May amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Kerry to Cite Progress on Post- Benghazi Reforms, But Some Measures May Take Years
DeYoung Karen/ Washington Post
Seven months after the deadly terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, the State Department says it has reorganized itself so that security concerns rise more quickly to the top and risks are more thoroughly assessed.
China Lifts Lid on Secretive Military
Hille Kathrin
China sought to demonstrate a new level of military transparency Tuesday by publishing more detailed information than ever before on the structure of its armed forces.
Russian PM Medvedev Defends Record After Putin Warning
Heritage Timothy / Reuters
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev defended his government’s record in a combative speech to parliament on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin signaled he may be losing patience with his long-time ally.
Water Wars: US States Fight Over Rio Grande River
BBC
Large parts of the United States are still in the grip of one of the worst droughts in living memory. It’s caused havoc among the farmers and ranchers of the Great Plains, but it’s causing all manner of legal difficulty too.
ASP Recently Published Reports
Perspective: The Defense Industrial Base
The defense industrial base is tied to American competitiveness in the 21st Century. For that reason, leaders in the private and public sector must take steps to thrive during a drawn out period of changing expectations while also remaining committed to keeping the country strong through innovation, long-term investment and disciplined management.
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
Livia Pontes Fialho
This Week in Public Diplomacy, read about #China, #VirtualDiplomacy, #Gastrodiplomacy, #AmericanCorners and more!
Kerry and Corker on North Korea
Magnus Newth
Sen. Corker recently published a critical op-ed on China’s lack of help on NK. Follows Sec. Kerry’s visit to the region and subsequent lull in hostilities.
Michael Porter: American Competiveness is a Foreign Policy Issue
August Cole
While American competitiveness is often framed in terms of productivity and the ability of businesses to succeed against increasingly capable global competitors, Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter says there are also big implications for diplomats and others setting the U.S. agenda abroad.
Event Review: The Future of the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent: A Conversation with Amb. Linton Brooks
Magnus Newth
The American Security Project hosted an event with Ambassador Linton Brooks on the future of US nuclear policy.
Event Recap: The Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Natural Gas Exports
Nick Cunningham
Today, the American Security Project hosted an event on the geopolitical implications of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports