ASP Recent Publications
Five Choices on Energy that We Need to Make
American Security Project
We are in the midst of an energy revolution. It is overlooked that this is the result of energy choices made decades ago by politicians, businesses, and consumers. Many of these choices go back to the 1970s, in response to the Mid-East oil embargo of 1973 and the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Republican and Democratic Administrations, accompanied by Congress, made a series of decisions about how to increase America’s energy security and safeguard our economy.
In The News
U.S. Strike Killed al Shabaab commander: Somali officials
Abdi Sheikh / Reuters
A U.S. missile strike in southern Somalia on Sunday killed a senior al Shabaab commander who had masterminded suicide attacks by the al Qaeda-linked militant group, two Somali security officials said.
Carl M. Levin and Angus S. King Jr. / The New York Times
We don’t know whether Iran can be persuaded to peacefully give up its nuclear weapons ambitions — but it is very much in our interest to give this diplomatic process every chance to succeed.
Tense Session Breaks up Over Syria Transition
Zeina Karam / Associated Press
The first meeting meant to discuss the contentious issue of a Syrian transitional government broke up less than an hour after it began Monday following a tense session that one delegate described as “a dialogue of the deaf.”
C. African Republic Rebels Leave Hillside Camp
Associated Press
Dozens of Muslim rebels who ousted the president of Central African Republic last year moved out of the main military base in downtown Bangui on Monday, hours after some of their top brass were escorted out of the capital by peacekeepers.
Obama to Assert Unilateral Agenda
Carol E. Lee and Damian Paletta / The Wall Street Journal
President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night will seek to shift the public’s souring view of his leadership, a challenge the White House sees as critical to shaping the nation’s policy direction over the next three years.
Planned Detainee Release Widens U.S.-Afghan Rift
Nathan Hodge / The Wall Street Journal
The Afghan government is preparing to release more than three dozen detainees that U.S. officials say are implicated in deadly attacks, a decision that sparked a strongly worded U.S. protest just as the White House contemplates a full withdrawal from the country.
52 Dead in Northeast Nigeria Attack by Extremists
Associated Press
Security officials say suspected Islamic extremists used explosives to attack a village in Nigeria’s northeast, killing 52 people and razing more than 300 homes.
Egypt’s Generals OK el-Sissi Presidential Bid
Associated Press
The official news agency says that Egypt’s top generals have endorsed a presidential run by the army chief who led the ouster of the Islamist president last summer.
Can Natural Gas Weather The Cold?
James Conca / Forbes
If natural gas is going to save America, boost our economy, roll back carbon emissions and bring back our Golden Age of energy, we probably should determine if it can stand the cold. The last few weeks seemed to stump natural gas supplies with its cold snap.
Why Keystone Became The Environmental Cause Celebre
Loren Steffy / Forbes
Oil began flowing through the Keystone pipeline last week, but it’s hardly a defeat for environmental groups that have opposed the project for the past two years. The oil is being shipped through the southern leg of the line, which runs from Cushing, Okla., to refineries on the Gulf Coast. That part of the Keystone project was never the focal point of the fight.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
ASP Congratulates Cultural Diplomats Della Mae on their Grammy Nomination
Matthew Wallin
Della Mae has demonstrated that they are not only exceptional musicians, but exceptional cultural diplomats as well. They represent some of the finest talent this country offers, and set a great example for audiences at home and abroad.
Top Military Officials Summoned to Pentagon to Ensure Nuclear Security
Nathan Daniels
The Air Force recently announced that it had suspended the security clearances of 34 nuclear launch officials, from the commanding officer on down, due to allegations of irresponsible behavior and cheating on the proficiency exam that personnel must pass before becoming a part of the nuclear force.
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.
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.
The post What We Are Reading appeared first on American Security Project.
