The Geopolitics of Gas Exports
Keith Johnson / Foreign Policy
The Energy Department approved the construction of a new multi-billion terminal for exporting U.S. natural gas overseas, only the sixth green light the Obama administration has given during 18 months of bitter political jousting over how to best take advantage of the United States’ sudden energy abundance.
Iran’s Gas Output Hits 641 mcm/d
Natural Gas Asia
Iran’s gas production has touched a record 641 million cubic meters a day, Shana News Agency quoted a senior official of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) as saying.
Lebanese army seizes top al Qaeda-linked militant
Reuters
(Reuters) – Lebanon’s army on Wednesday arrested a senior al Qaeda-linked militant described by security sources as a “mastermind of car bombs” that targeted Shi’ite areas of the country.
Exclusive: Syrian opposition presents plan for post-war Syria
Reuters
The Syrian opposition called on Wednesday for a transitional governing body to be set up that would oversee a total ceasefire under U.N. monitoring, and be empowered to drive out foreign fighters deployed on both sides of the civil war.
Julie Lenarz & Michael Miner / The National Interest
The unrest in Syria has quickly spiraled beyond a sectarian civil war and into a regional crisis.
Al-Qaeda Isn’t Dying: It’s ‘Morphing and Franchising’
Sara Sorcher / Defense One
Al-Qaida is not on the run, and after being hunted for two decades it is not on the path to defeat. That’s the sobering message from two top intelligence leaders, National Intelligence Director James Clapper and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Michael Flynn during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing Tuesday.
Worse Than Mubarak: Egypt’s New Constitution and the Police State
Mara Revkin
Egypt is not the first country in the world to declare a “war on terror,” but it is one of the only nations to have written counterterrorism into its constitution.
Five Futuristic Weapons That Could Change Warfare
J. Michael Cole / The National Interest
Predicting which five weapons will have the greatest impact on the future of combat is a problematic endeavor, as the nature of warfare itself is fluid and constantly changing.
ASP Recent Publications
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
Cunningham and McLarty on Trade Promotion Authority
Arran Cooper
Last week, American Security Project board member Nelson W. Cunningham and Mack McLarty wrote an article on the importance the president’s leadership carries in renewing the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). This authority would enable the Executive Branch to “fast-track” trade policy, allowing trade agreements to be sent to Congress for a vote that is free of amendments.
Egypt and the Brotherhood Question
Paul Hamill
In an Op-Ed over the weekend for Forbes, Dina Khayat, a leading Egyptian business women, set out some of the realities Egyptians face with the Muslim Brotherhood.
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
Egypt – Its Political and Economic Future
American Security Project
The American Security Project will be hosting members from the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AMCHAM) and the US-Business Council, who will discuss many of the salient issues budding from Egypt’s current political and economic issues.
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.
Save the Date: Defense Budget 2014 Discussion
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.
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