In The News
Syria Will Continue Peace Talks
Ben Hubbard / New York Times
The Syrian government said on Friday that it would continue to participate in the Geneva talks aimed at ending the country’s civil war, as civilians trapped in a rebel-controlled part of Homs waited to see if a deal to allow them to leave would be carried out.
Civilians Evacuated from Homs, Raising Hopes for Syrian Peace Talks
Loveday Morris / Washington Post
The first civilians were evacuated from a besieged area of the central Syrian city of Homs on Friday, raising hopes for progress at a second round of peace talks next week. The evacuations from rebel-held areas of Homs, where residents have been without regular access to food or medicine for the past 18 months, followed a United-Nations brokered deal between opposition forces and the government.
AP Source: Sanctions Waived for Iran Broadcaster
Julie Pace / Associated Press
The Obama administration is temporarily waiving sanctions on Iran’s state broadcaster, a senior Obama administration official said. The move could be seen as a confidence-building measure as the U.S., Iran and five other world powers prepare to open talks this month on a final agreement on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
U.S. and Iran Jostle Before Nuclear Talks
Jay Solomon / Wall Street Journal
The U.S. and Iran are staking out increasingly entrenched and opposing positions over Tehran’s nuclear program, threatening the prospects of a vital foreign policy initiative of President Barack Obama.
‘Cordial and Friendly’ Session as Pakistan and Taliban Open Talks
Salman Masood / Wall Street Journal
Pakistani government officials and Taliban representatives made their first formal contact on Thursday, each side handing the other a wish list as they began talks to end a debilitating conflict that has ravaged the country for years.
Low Natural Gas Storage Levels Spiral Still Lower
William Pentland / Forbes
A series of winter storms and prolonged periods of extreme cold across large parts of the United States has resulted in record high natural gas demand and close to record low storage supplies.
Analysis: Washington Gridlock at a Crossroads
Tom Raum / Associated Press
How Washington policymakers respond to the improvements in the economy may even sow the seeds for more cooperation in Washington.
U.S. Navy Warships Enter Black Sea Ahead of Sochi Games
Sarah Sheffer / PBS Newshour
Two U.S. Navy ships entered the Black Sea Wednesday as part of a Pentagon security plan ahead of the Sochi Olympics. The ships will be on standby to assist in the evacuation of American athletes and spectators in the event that threats are made to the 2014 Games.
Report Says North Korea is Improving Missile Capabilities
Choe Sang-Hun / New York Times
North Korea has made progress in expanding its main satellite launch site, apparently to accommodate larger rockets that outside analysts said the country was developing for its intercontinental ballistic missile program, an American research institute reported Thursday.
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. The reality of change in America’s energy system is far different from the stagnation of the political debate.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Threats to Pennsylvania from Climate Change
Adin Dobkin
On Monday and Tuesday, members of the Consensus for American Security will be in Pittsburgh, PA as part of a nationwide tour with the goal of education the American public on the risks of climate change in light of national security.
Update: Negotiations on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Nathan Daniels
Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing providing an update on the P5+1’s negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, contributed the progress made to a combination of “tough diplomacy” and the most comprehensive targeted sanctions regime ever imposed on a country.
Upcoming Events
American Security Project
Join us February 10, 2014 at 7pm on the campus of Washington and Jefferson College. In 2014-2015, the American Security Project (ASP) is undertaking a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: but instead it is a pressing national security threat.
American Security Project
Join us February 11, 2014 at 12:15pm on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. In 2014-2015, the American Security Project (ASP) is undertaking a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: but instead it is a pressing national security threat.
PENNSYLVANIA EVENT: VFW Dinner on Climate Change and Energy in Regards to National Security
American Security Project
Join us February 11, 2014 at 6pm for a dinner at West View VFW Post 2754. In 2014-2015, the American Security Project (ASP) is undertaking a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: but instead it is a pressing national security threat.
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.
Inside Aleppo: New Tools for Understanding the Syrian Conflict
American Security Project
The American Security Project will host Dr. David Kilcullen and Mr. Nate Rosenblatt of Caerus Associates who will provide a briefing on findings from what may be the most detailed, publicly available assessment of the ongoing conflict in Syria to date.
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.
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