Keystone XL Pipeline Shuns High-Tech Oil Spill Detectors
Bloomberg / Rebecca Penty and Mike Lee
TransCanada Corp. (TRP), which says Keystone XL will be the safest pipeline ever built, isn’t planning to use infrared sensors or fiber-optic cables to detect spills along the system’s 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) path to Texas refineries from fields in Alberta.
Rouhani, Obama sound positive but indicate progress on nuclear isue is likely to take time
Washington Post / Joby Warrick and Jason Rezaian
President Obama and the newly elected president of Iran signaled willingness to improve ties between their nations Monday, but both leaders made clear that a positive tone may not easily translate into progress in resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
House Appropriators Propose Cut to Nuclear Weapons Spending
Global Securit Newswire / Douglas P. Guarino
House appropriators are looking to provide nearly $200 million less than the Obama administration has sought for nuclear weapons programs in fiscal 2014, even as fellow Republicans on other committees argue the administration is not requesting enough.
Obama, Putin to sign new deal on reducing nuclear threat
Reuters / Roberta Rampton
President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they would sign an agreement on securing and destroying nuclear material to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, replacing a 1992 deal that expired on Monday.
Renewable energy mapping programme to boost energy production
BiztechAfrica
African countries are among a number of nations joining with the World Bank in a new Renewable Energy Mapping Program to map renewable energy resources.
Widening Achievement Gap Hurts U.S. Competitiveness, Report Says
The Chronicle of Higher Education / Cory Weinberg
The United States’ global competitiveness is suffering in part because recent policies at all levels of education have widened the achievement gap between rich and poor, according to a report released on Monday by the Council on Foreign Relations.
The New Yorker / Michael Specter
I am not sure I gave much thought to nuclear power before 1979, when the accident at Three Mile Island made environmental apathy impossible—or, at least, detestable. But there are few more obvious signs that the world is moving in the wrong direction than an event that threatens to despoil the planet forever. To be for nuclear power after Three Mile Island (and, even worse, after the accident at Chernobyl, in 1986) was to be for corporations; for lying, callous governments; and for the inane notion that the benefits of new technologies always outweigh the risks. Nuclear power just wasn’t nature’s way, and who can be against nature?
ASP Recently in the News
ASP Board Member Christine Todd Whitman featured in The Daily Rundown
ASP senior board member and former Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman was featured on last Friday’s The Daily Rundown to discuss the threats of climate change.
ASP Board Member Adm. Fallon quoted on Syrian conflict
American Security Project Board Member Admiral William Fallon (US Navy Ret.) was recently quoted by Lara Jakes of the Associated Press in an article detailing the debate regarding the implementation of a no-fly-zone in Syria. Competing arguments as to the applicability of the lessons learned in Iraq with regards to the viability of a no-fly-zone are presented throughout. Admiral Fallon does not foresee the implementation of a such a tactic, citing fears of possible greater escalation than that of the United States’ best interest.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Senate Armed Services Committee and Missile Defense
Chelsea Sanchez
The House of Representatives Passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act last Friday, June 14. The Senate Armed Services Committee passed through their version of the defense bill this week, focusing on investment rather than construction. While the House has advocated for an East Coast Missile Defense site, the Senate passed on it in favor of spending that money on advanced sensors and research. Since the two differ on what is a more prudent defense option, they will have to decide in conference.
Western Sahara Sidelined for Too Long
Ollie Engebretson
The Western Sahara conflict does not necessarily pose the conspicuous threat of a nuclear Iran, but if left unattended, the region could devolve into a haven for terrorism and extremism.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Evan Meltzer
Monday, June 17 marks the United Nation’s “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.” The United States is not immune to the effects of desertification. Desertification in the American Southwest is a major concern for the United States as water resources decrease and arable land disappears.
GUEST POST – A New Agreement on HFCs
Lt. General Norman Seip, USAF (ret.)
In a highly anticipated meeting this past weekend, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a series of important issues in the bilateral relationship, ranging from North Korea to cyber security, maritime borders to trade. One issue that was overlooked by much of the media accounts of the event was an agreement on climate change. The two nations agreed to decrease the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Event Recap – The Future of Stability Operations: Lessons from Afghanistan
The most successful initiatives in combating insurgency and extremism in Afghanistan were “silent and invisible.”
Upcoming Events…
North Koran Nuclear, Missile, and Space Programs: Imagery Brief Policy with Joel Wit
Join us for a lunchtime discussion with Visiting Scholar and former State Department official Joel Wit as he describes current North Korean nuclear, missile, and space programs using imagery slides. Mr. Wit will give his views on the policy options for dealing with this difficult and dangerous nation. The discussion will take place on Tuesday, June 25th from 12:30-2:00 pm. RSVP by emailing events@americansecurityproject.org.
Redefining US Energy Security for the 21st Century- New York Energy Week
With the United States in the midst of an oil and natural gas boom, long-held concerns about energy security are giving way to bold predictions of energy independence and diminishing concerns about climate change. These trends raise important questions for business leaders and policymakers alike. Please join us on Tuesday, June 25 from 4:15 until 5:30pm at 300 Madison Ave, New York, NY. as we explore them with some of the nation’s foremost national security experts. RSVP to events@theclimategroup.org.
