In the News
Mark McLarty and Nelson W. Cunningham / The Huffingtonpost
In his State of the Union address last week, President Obama took a good first step in asking Congress to provide the tools he needs to close two of the most ambitious trade deals in U.S. history. But he faces an immediate challenge from within his party that could imperil negotiations, with huge stakes for the U.S. globally and for our economy at home.
Severe Drought Has U.S. West Fearing Worst
Adam Nagourney and Ian Lovett / The New York Times
As drought in the American West enters its third year, state officials fear that local water supplies are in danger of running out for 40,000 people.
Iran foreign minister: nuclear deal possible in six months
Andreas Rinke / Reuters
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Mohammad Zarif said on Monday a final deal with world powers on Tehran’s nuclear program is possible within six months if there is good will and he was not worried about the U.S. Congress trying to impose new sanctions.
Russia’s Olympic wall of security surrounds Sochi
Daniel Sandford / BBC News
One road and one railway line are the only sources of transportation that connect Sochi to the rest of Russia. Other roadways have been shut down while the mountains are guarded by the Russian army to keep the Olympic Games as secure as possible.
Car Bombings in Iraq Kill at Least 16 People
Associated Press
A new series of car bombings in and around Baghdad on Monday killed at least 16 people, according to officials. Car bombs went off in the town of Mahmoudiya near the local council buildings and a nearby outdoor market, through a commercial area in the northern Hurriyah neighborhood.
South Africa Power From Coal May Fall to 50% by 2050
Justin Doom / Bloomberg News
South Africa, the continent’s biggest coal producer, plans to reduce its reliance on the fossil fuel as a source of electricity to about 50 percent of its energy mix by 2050, down from more than 80 percent now.
Government likely to exhaust debt ceiling options soon, Lew warns
Jia Lynn Yang / The Washington Post
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said Monday that the government is likely to “exhaust” the measures it can take to avoid hitting the debt ceiling by the end of this month.
Military Force vs. Diplomacy: Can You Have One Without the Other?
Gayle Lemmon / Defense One
The relationship between military force and diplomacy has long been under dispute. Past ambassadors discuss the proper mix necessary between the two.
ASP Recent Publications
Fact Sheet – Executive Authority in US Trade Policy
Brendan Connell / American Security Project
There has been an increasing discussion regarding the possibility of Congress granting the US presidency “fast track” authority in free trade agreements. But the shifting of trade authority to the executive has been a heated debate starting from the days of the Great Depression.
America’s Energy Choices – 2014
American Security Project
Three years after ASP first released “America’s Energy Choices” in 2011, the U.S. remains stuck in a political stalemate over energy. Even so, the energy choices made years or even decades ago by politicians, businesses, and consumers have led to a revolution in how the U.S. produces energy.
Five Choices on Energy that We Need to Make
Andrew Holland / 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.
Upcoming Events
A View from the Ambassador’s Post: Ambassador Don Beyer on American Public Diplomacy
American Security Project
2014 is a year of opportunity and challenges in public diplomacy. Join us as Ambassador Don Beyer discusses his experiences as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and explores the role public diplomacy plays in shaping America’s security, foreign policies and relationships abroad.
Defense Budget Issues for FY15: A Conversation with Dr. Lawrence J. Korb
American Security Project
Since sequestration and passage of the new budget the Defense Department has been adjusting to a reduced funding environment. The speaker will discuss the outlook for Pentagon spending for FY15 from personnel costs to right sizing the nuclear arsenal.
TTIP – Trade and Investment: A U.S. and European Perspective
American Security Project
Paul Adamson, editor of the European magazine E!Sharp and Senior European Policy Advisor, and Peter Rashish, a Senior Advisor for Europe and Transatlantic Trade at Transnational Strategy Group LL, will discuss the key elements of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, key aspects for the U.S. and the E.U., the 2014 trade-political climate, and key issues both parties will face going forward.
Click here to check out more ASP’s events.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
The Slow-Minded Myth about a Fast-Tracked Policy
Brendan Connell
In light of Obama’s most recent State of the Union speech, February might well be the month where the dispute over presidential “fast-track” powers in trade policy comes to a head. The common discourse between political pundits over fast-track mostly involves the alleged trade-off between effectiveness and accountability in US trade policy. But does a “slow-tracked” nation mean any more accountability than a “fast-tracked” one?
Thoughts on The State of The Union 2014
Stephen A. Cheney
America must lead in the pursuit of our common goals and shared security. We must confront international challenges with our partners by using all of the tools at our disposal, as well as address emerging problems before they become security crises.
Defense Budget in 2014: A Conversation with Russell Rumbaugh – Event Recap
Nathan Daniels
On Thursday, January 30th, ASP hosted Russell Rumbaugh, a senior associate at the Stimson Center and Director of its Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense program.
A Background on NERC
Andrew Charles Wills
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit entity set up to ensure the reliability of the electricity system in North America. NERC is an organization of lawyers, engineers, and analysts that is dedicated to setting mandatory and enforceable industry standards for electric energy.
Fusion: Update on the International ITER Project – Event Review
William Fassuliotis
According to Brig. General Stephen Cheney, CEO of the American Security Project, “The science is proven, the engineering is not.”
International Criminal Court in a World of Power Politics
Kathy Duong
Last week at American University- School of International Service (SIS), Professor David Bosco discussed his latest book Rough Justice: The International Criminal Court in a World of Power Politics.
ASP in the News
ASP’s Andrew Holland on US Energy Policies in Politico
American Security Project’s Andrew Holland, Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate, was quoted in a recent article by Politico Pro.
Energy Choices 2014 – The Choices We Face for a Strong & Secure America
The American Security Project (ASP) released a key report regarding the choices America faces regarding Energy production and consumption.
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