Syria peace talks on verge of collapse before they begin
Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Stephanie Nebehay / Reuters
Syria’s first peace talks were on the verge of collapsing on Friday before they began, with the opposition refusing to meet President Bashar al-Assad’s delegation and the government threatening to bring its team home.
Tunisia’s NCA agrees new constitution
BBC News
Tunisia’s parliament has agreed a new constitution, in a bid to end months of political deadlock and pave the way for elections later this year.
Car bomb kills four at Cairo police HQ
AFP
A car bomb struck Cairo police headquarters on Friday, killing at least four people in an early morning blast heard across the Egyptian capital, police and health ministry officials said.
Building pressure, Ukraine protesters enlarge territory, strike at other cities
Will Englund / Washington Post
Cranking up the pressure on the government, opposition protesters unhappy with the outcome of negotiations moved on several fronts early Friday to expand their holdings.
UN sounds alarm as Iraqis flee violence
Nick Cumming-Bruce / NY Times
The United Nations sounded an alarm Friday over the impact of deepening conflict involving militants linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq’s Anbar Province.
S. Sudan rebels say gov’t violating new cease-fire
The Associated Press
Rebels in South Sudan say government forces are attacking their positions, one day after a cease-fire was signed.
Emerging market sell-off spills over to Europe, U.S.
Francesco Canepa / Reuters
A global flight from emerging market assets gathered pace on Friday, sending the Turkish lira to a record low and setting global shares on course for their worst week this year.
US coal’s new focus on exporting leaves a cloud of dust over Louisiana
Peter Moskowitz / Aljazeera
Looking overseas for profits, industry giants are building shipping terminals that pollute nearby communities.
US warns against business with Iran
Rick Gladstone / NY Times
The Obama administration intensified efforts on Thursday to counter what officials called a misimpression that the six-month nuclear agreement with Iran had opened the door to new economic opportunities with the country.
Five reasons Obama may cave on the Keystone Pipeline
Christopher Helman / Forbes
Despite years of acrimonious delay, the Keystone XL pipeline project is increasingly likely to receive the green light from the U.S. government sometime this year.
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.
Fusion Power and ITER
US House of Representatives
Sustainable and controlled fusion power has been a dream for the scientific community for decades. However, recent advances in research and technology have raised hopes that fusion could become a new source of electricity.
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
Cheney on the terrorist attacks in Cairo
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
Following the terrorist attacks in Cairo this morning, killing five people, ASP’s CEO BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.) explains.
Benefit or Burden? The Future of U.S. Tactical Nuclear Weapons
Nathan Daniels
After years of contentious debate within NATO about the presence of American nuclear weapons in Europe, the United States faces a critical decision about whether to spend billions of increasingly scarce defense dollars on the upgrades needed to keep these weapons in service. Last week I attended an event hosted by the Stimson Center regarding this issue.
OPEC, Iran and the Global Oil Glut?
Nathan Alvarado-Castle
According to president and founder of the Eurasia Group, Ian Bremmer, a scenario where the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) loses leverage on oil pricing in 2014 is likely
Killing Two Birds
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
If there ever was a time to kill two birds with one stone, the time is now for our nuclear missile force.
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.
ASP in the News
Wallin in The Public Diplomat: US Public Diplomacy Priorities Podcast
Discussing his Top 10 US Public Diplomacy Priorities for 2014, Matthew Wallin spoke to The Public Diplomat’s Michael Ardaiolo and Guy Golan on the public diplomacy outlook for 2014.
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