Trade agreement will enhance national security
Stephen Cheney/E!Sharp
Earlier this month, representatives from the United States and European Union began the start of what both sides hope will be the largest trade deal in history. This Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a comprehensive trade deal that will attempt to eliminate trade barriers between the two economic superpowers.
At War: Notes from the Front Lines
David H. Young/New York Times
Here’s something to ponder: Though it is probably years away and though there are countless obstacles preventing talks from even getting started, what might a settlement between the Taliban and the Afghan government look like?
Transatlantic trade: Is China in or out?
Dan Grant/The Hill
One of the most significant international events of the new century is unfolding at this very moment, and it’s receiving almost no attention from the press. It will affect trade, manufacturing, safety, significantly alter international regulations, and will affect power dynamics across the globe. What is it? It’s the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.
Iraq returns to civil war? Al Qaeda group claims Abu Ghraib prison attack
Richard Engel/NBC News
Al Qaeda-linked militants have claimed responsibility for Monday’s assault on Iraq’s Abu Ghraib jail, which freed some of the terror network’s top leaders amid U.S. fears that the country is back in civil war.
The Enduring Mirage of the Arab Spring
Seth G. Jones/Foreign Affairs
Egypt used to be a poster child for those who believed that the Arab uprising would usher in a new wave of democracy. When Egyptians dethroned former President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011 and held elections just over a year later, some Western politicians were exuberant.
Global warming ‘hidden’ as oceans soak up more heat: scientists
Hannah Devlin/The Australian
The pause in global warming during the past decade is because more heat than expected is being absorbed by the deep oceans, according to scientists.
Iran not to accept nuclear obligations beyond NPT: spokesman
Xinhua
Iran will not accept nuclear obligations beyond the directives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday. Speaking at his weekly press conference, Abbas Araqchi denied that his country has made any agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the latter’s inspection on Iran’s facilities.
Saving energy to aid economy, leader of national group says
Nancy Bartley/The Seattle Times
When it comes to saving energy, many of us think of turning out the lights, driving less and making personal sacrifices as consumers. While that might be part of it, saving energy also means jobs, says Kateri Callahan, president of Alliance to Save Energy, a national consortium of energy experts, businesses and government leaders.
On Our Flashpoint Blog…
Balancing the Risks and Benefits: Chinese Investment into U.S. Energy
William Joyce
The United States and China are the two largest consumers of energy in the world, and these countries require substantial investments in order to meet their energy needs. As China and the U.S. pursue similar goals, it makes sense for these big energy consumers to want to learn from each other. In 2012, Chinese direct investments into the U.S. totaled $6.7 billion, of which $2.965 billion went into the energy sector.
Nuclear Power and the Holy Grail
William Joyce
uclear power is a major source of global energy production. Although nuclear energy currently accounts for 19% of energy production in the United States, this figure will decline as older reactors are retired. In order for nuclear energy to produce a greater portion of global electricity, future reactors must become more cost efficient.
Economic Competitiveness and Educating the Next Generation
Ben Secrist
Poverty and poor education in America’s cities will reverberate on a global scale as it impacts the country’s economic competitiveness.
Adapting a Strategy for Yemen’s Dual Threat
Ollie Engebretson
Counterterrorism concerns have long preoccupied much of U.S. foreign policy in Yemen over the past decade, and rightly so given the global aims of the Yemen-based al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The State Department has labeled them the most lethal branch of the al-Qaeda organization. However regional changes and recent developments in Yemen require that the U.S. broadens its strategic approach.
IIP: The Red-headed Stepchild of the State Department?
Katrina Trost
On Sunday, John Hudson, writing for Foreign Policy, depressingly labeled the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) the red-headed stepchild of the State Department. While the Bureau does indeed have directional and organizational problems, it is more the “forgotten middle child” of distracted, arguing parents rather than an unwanted addition to the family.
ASP in the News
ASP’s BGen Steve Cheney Op-Ed published on eSharp – ‘Trade agreement will enhance national security’
Earlier this month, representatives from the United States and European Union began the start of what both sides hope will be the largest trade deal in history. This Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a comprehensive trade deal that will attempt to eliminate trade barriers between the two economic superpowers. The United States and Europe hope to have the deal completed by the end of 2014.
ASP’s Event on Port Security Featured in Maritime Reporter Op-Ed
An op-ed piece published in the July edition of Maritime Reporter by Joan M. Bondareff and Patricia O’Neill quoted analysis provided by ASP’s May panel on the threat of nuclear terrorism and port security. The article argued for increased investment in port security and infrastructure, quoting ASP panelists Dr. Stephen Flynn, David Waller, and Rear Admiral (Ret.) Jay Cohen as they discussed the ease in which terrorists could smuggle a nuclear device undetected into American ports:
ASP’s Andrew Holland Quoted in Law360
ASP’s Andrew Holland offered his take on the recent selection of Adm. McGinn to lead the Navy’s energy efficiency efforts.
ASP Board Member Norman Augustine and American Competitiveness Principles Quoted by National Defense Magazine
The National Defense Magazine recently published an article reviewing ASP’s American Competitiveness Day Panel Discussion. The article quotes Dr. Michael Porter and Dr. Jan Rivkin of the Harvard Business School as well as ASP Board Member Mr. Norman R. Augustine.
Upcoming Events
Yemen’s Political Transition and National Dialogue: Progress and Challenges
Yemen is currently in a historic period of political transition following the 2011 revolution and the end of former President Saleh’s regime. At the mid-point of its National Dialogue process, Yemen faces many challenges. Please join us on Tuesday, July 30th from 12:00 until 1:00pm at 1100 New York Ave, 7th Floor West Tower. Lunch refreshments will be served between 11:30am and 12:00pm. If you wish to attend, please RSVP by July 28th to: events@americansecurityproject.org.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Implications for Global Security & Western-Chinese Relations
How will a free trade zone with unified standards that comprises nearly half of the world’s GDP affect China? Is this the beginning of an economic cold war between East and West? Or is it an opportunity for establishing standards that will become globally recognized? Join us for a panel discussion on the implications of the TTIP on Wednesday, July 31stfrom 8:30 until 9:30 am. Location: 1100 New York Avenue, NW 7th Floor West. Breakfast refreshments will be served from 8:00 until 8:30 am. If you wish to attend, please RSVP by July 29th to: events@americansecurityproject.org
