U.S. becoming ‘refiner to the world’ as diesel demand grows
Patti Domm / CNBC
Diesel demand is growing internationally and U.S. refineries are increasing their diesel-production capacity.
Keepers of the PD Flame: An appreciation of embassy local staff
Paul Rockower / The CPD Blog
Paul Rockower writes about the local staff in U.S. embassies that aid the U.S.’ foreign policy and public diplomacy goals.
Japanese government to help stabilize nuclear plant after leaks
Martin Fackler / New York Times
The Japanese government was ordered to help stabilize the still damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, as it continues leaking more than two years after a triple meltdown.
Can Iran’s new U.S.-educated foreign minister mend ties with Washington?
Ishaan Tharoor / Time
On August 4, Iranian President announced his appointment of Mohammad Javad Zarif to the post of Foreign Minister. Educated at the University of Denver, and the former Iranian ambassador to the U.N., many are hopeful tensions will lessen.
Japanese battery trial seeks to transform how grids work: energy
Chisaki Watanabe / Bloomberg
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan is investing millions on a device to be used to store excess solar and wind power.
Obama cancels Putin meeting over Snowden asylum
BBC
Following Russia’s decision to grant asylum to Edward Snowden, the White House has cancelled Obama’s meeting with Putin.
Koreas agree to restart Kaesong talks
Al Jazeera
After the South Korean government offered compensation to firms located in the closed Kaesong industrial zone, North Korea offered new negotiation parameters.
U.S. government sues Bank of America
Reuters
The U.S. government alleges that Bank of America engaged in investor fraud over the sale of $850 million worth of residential mortgage-backed securities.
The rise and rise of American carbon
Duncan Clark / The Guardian
American carbon extraction continues as coal exports rise, increasing emissions overseas.
ASP Recent Publications
Perspective- U.S. Public Diplomacy towards Iran
Livia Pontes Fialho and Matthew Wallin
This report explores several types of public c diplomacy aimed towards Iran, and looks in to some of the challenges and potential of these programs as part of an overall strategy for addressing U.S. national security interests.
Fact Sheet- U.S.-E.U. Trade and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
Justin Winikoff
The U.S. and E.U. recently began negotiations on what would be, if completed, the largest trade agreement in world history.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Loss of Louisiana Wetlands Increases Vulnerability to Climate Change
Nicholas Cunningham
Louisiana has experience its fair share of severe storms, but the loss of wetlands means the Gulf Coast is losing one of its key insurance policies against climate change.
Bay of Bengal- A Hotspot for Climate Insecurity
Andrew Holland
On the Bay of Bengal’s coast these problems of a changing climate combine with already existing social problems like religious strife, poverty, political uncertainty, high population density and rapid urbanization to create a very dangerous cocktail of already security threats.
Easing Jordan’s burden requires a targeted aid strategy
Ollie Engebretson
As the debate over supplying aid to the Syrian opposition continues, Jordan, the welcoming neighbor to the south, moves further and further towards socio-economic crisis.
The BBG gets three new members
Christian Mull
The Senate has recently confirmed three new members to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the U.S. government’s international broadcasting arm.
Linking climate change and conflict- new report stirs old debate
Andrew Holland
For national security planners and professionals, we don’t need a scientific consensus directly linking past changes in climate or temperature to violent conflict. When national security planners look at threats to our security, they know that you cannot act with certainty: once you have 100% certainty, it is too late to act. The truth is that so long as there’s a persuasive chance that climate change will cause conflict, prudent actions to mitigate that threat are in order.
Gauging the possibility for change in Iran’s nuclear stance
Chris Smith
While the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khameni is ultimately responsible for the foreign policy of Iran, Rouhani will play an important foreign policy role as he is responsible for nominating individuals to fill important government positions.
ASP in the News
BGen Stephen Cheney publishes op-ed in Stars and Strips
ASP’s CEO wrote a piece in stars and Strips urging policy makers to fill high ranking diplomatic positions at the State department.
ASP’s Andrew Holland cited in Washington Post
Brad Plummer of the Washington Post’s WonkBlog wrote an interesting article on the ongoing academic research on the link between climate change and violence, and linked to a blog post written by ASP’s Andrew Holland.
