Syria chemical weapons: Security ‘slows transport’
BBC News
The head of the UN body tasked with removing and destroying Syria’s chemical arsenal says the process has been slowed down by security concerns.
Egypt voters back constitution as roadmap advances
Tom Perry and Mary Fick / Reuters
Egypt’s new constitution was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum, state media reported on Thursday, an expected victory that nudges army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ever closer to a bid for the presidency.
Yoweri Museveni: Uganda troops fighting South Sudan rebels
BBC News
Ugandan troops are fighting alongside South Sudan government forces against rebels, President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed.
Deadly car bomb strikes Lebanese town near Syrian border
Aljazeera
A car bomb struck a northeastern Lebanese town close to the Syrian border during rush hour on Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more.
Administration is seen as retreating on environmental talks on Pacific trade
Coral Davenport / NY Times
The Obama administration is retreating from previous demands of strong international environmental protections in order to reach agreement on a sweeping Pacific trade deal that is a pillar of President Obama’s strategic shift to Asia, according to documents obtained by WikiLeaks, environmentalists and people close to the contentious trade talks.
Ukraine passes sweeping law to crack down on protests
The Guardian
Supporters of the Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, have pushed a sweeping law through parliament in an attempt to curb anti-government protests, sparking an outcry from the opposition and raising tensions on the streets.
David Ignatius / Washington Post
For decades, Americans have talked about “energy policy” as if it were the political equivalent of a migraine. The phrase connoted pain — in ever-rising gas prices, costly government schemes and dependence on imports from precarious Middle East regimes.
MIT fusion experiment benefits from budget deal, but more uncertainty looms
Carolyn Y. Johnson / Global Staff
It’s a universal source of anxiety among scientists these days: the uncertainties about federal funding for research.
China Asks IMF to Grant Greater Powers to Emerging Market Economies
M Rochan / International Business Times
China called on the International Monetary Fund to stick to a pledge to give emerging markets a greater say at the world body, after US lawmakers stalled historic reforms aimed at giving developing countries more power.
Nigerian president replaces military chiefs, loses ally in party crisis
Joe Brock and Tim Cocks / Reuters
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan replaced his entire military leadership on Thursday after serious setbacks in the struggle against an Islamist insurgency, and he lost a close political ally who quit as crisis grips the ruling party.
Upcoming Events
America’s Energy Choices for 2014
American Security Project
The way America uses and produces energy remains a hotly debated issue in Washington and around the country. We will discuss the various energy choices available to the United States currently and in the years to come.
Defense Budget in 2014: A Conversation with Russell Rumbaugh
American Security Project
Since sequestration and passage of the new budget, the Defense Department has been adjusting to a reduced funding environment – and 2014 won’t be much different. The speaker will discuss the outlook for Pentagon spending in 2014.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Congratulations to the Egyptian People on a Successful Constitutional Referendum
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
Congratulations to the Egyptian people on a successful Constitutional referendum! As I personally witnessed last month in Cairo, they are optimistic and embracing a new era for their democratic nation. I look forward to seeing the official turnout numbers and the results.
5 Reasons Why More Sanctions Should Not be Imposed at This Time
Nathan Daniels
There is one thing that everyone wants: the successful dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program. Here are 5 reasons why more sanctions should not be imposed right now.
PODCAST – Egypt, the Referendum and What’s Next
American Security Project
Today we are joined from Cairo by former Egyptian Senator and Civil Society leader Mona Makram Ebeid, and from DC. just back from his fact-finding visit to Egypt, Gen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.).
ASP’s Cheney: Congressional Budget deal is a “Step in the Right Direction for Fusion”
Andrew Holland
On Monday evening, January 13, Congressional Appropriators announced an agreement on the fiscal year 2014 consolidated appropriations bill. Passage of this bill will fund the government through Sept. 30, 2014… The agreement (Energy and Water Appropriations is here) includes $305,677,000 for the domestic fusion program, with an additional $200,000,000 slated for the U.S. contribution to the ITER project, for a total funding of $505,677,000 for fusion. Importantly, this budget will allow important research to continue at all the major research labs currently operating, including MIT’s Alcator C-mod, which had been threatened with closure by the Department of Energy.
ASP Podcast- Report from Cairo – the Referendum and Egypt’s Future
Paul Hamill spoke with Gladys Haddad, a civil society leader in Egypt, about the mood in Cairo, the referendum process, and what she expects next in Egypt.
ASP in the News
ASP congratulates former Board Member Lael Brainard on her nomination to the Federal Reserve Board
ASP congratulates former Board Member Lael Brainard on her nomination to the Federal Reserve Board.
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