Henry Kissinger / Washington Post
Public discussion on Ukraine is all about confrontation. But do we know where we are going?
The Folly of Striking One Country to Send Signals to Another
Conor Friedersdorf / The Atlantic
In a thoughtful post on Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade it, Ross Douthat suggests that the incursion was plausibly connected to White House fumbling in Syria.
White House announces visa restrictions, asset freezes in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Isaacc Web / KyivPost
The White House on March 6 announced visa restrictions on Russian and Crimean officials responsible for “threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Russia Spent $11Bln on Propping Ruble Amid Conflict Fears
Alexey Kudenko / RIA Novosti
Russia’s central bank said Wednesday it burnt through a record $11.3 billion during interventions earlier this week on currency markets as the ruble plummeted amid fears of conflict breaking out in Ukraine.
U.S. Hopes Boom in Natural Gas Can Curb Putin
Coral Davenport & Steven Erlanger / New York Times
The crisis in Crimea is heralding the rise of a new era of American energy diplomacy, as the Obama administration tries to deploy the vast new supply of natural gas in the United States as a weapon to undercut the influence of the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, over Ukraine and Europe.
US military says climate change could increase wars, conflict
John McGarrity / RTCC
US military chiefs have warned climate change is becoming an increasing risk to global security, providing further pause for thought among the Washington political establishment sharply divided on how to tackle global warming.
US judge annuls Ecuador oil ruling against Chevron
BBC News
A judge in the US has ruled that lawyers representing Amazonian villagers used bribes to secure compensation worth billions of dollars from oil company Chevron in Ecuador.
China demands rich countries make 40% carbon cuts by 2020
Ed King / RTCC
China’s government says industrialized countries should commit to new 2020 emission reduction targets of 40% on 1990 levels by the end of next month.
Infrastructure Threatened by Climate Change Poses a National Crisis
Evan Lehmann / Scientific American
Whether it’s water or communication systems, infrastructure is ill prepared to keep functioning under changing climate conditions
Qatar rift is pivotal test for disunited Gulf families
Angus McDowall and Sylvia Westall / Reuters
A breach between Qatar and some of its Gulf Arab neighbours is a pivotal test for a three-decade-old union of monarchies formed to stand united when threatened by common enemies.
ASP Recent Publications
Mapping the Conflict in Aleppo, Syria
American Security Project
Over the course of four months American Security Project supported Caerus Associates and First Mile Geo in what may be the highest fidelity, time series analysis of the ongoing human tragedy unfolding inside of Aleppo, Syria
Fact Sheet — Executive Authority in US Trade Policy
Brendan Connell
There has been an increasing discussion regarding the possibility of Congress granting the US presidency “fast track” authority in free trade agreements. This report gives the facts.
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
ASP Briefing Note: The Ukraine Crisis and the Geopolitics of Energy
Andrew Holland
Russian energy exports have created dependence in Eastern Europe and complex business relationships in Western Europe.
Climate Change: Threat Multiplier
Nathan Alvarado-Castle
Over the last decade, Leon Fuerth, former National Security Advisor to Vice President Al Gore, has been advocating for a radical shift in governance in a world of accelerating change and complex challenges – most notably in the context of Climate Change.
The U.S. Does Not Have As Much Leverage Over Russia’s Energy As You Think
Andrew Holland
I have seen a number of commentators over the last few days say that the American shale gas revolution means that the U.S. could simply announce new LNG exports and that would undercut Russian gas.
Secretary Kerry Follows the Military’s Lead on Climate Change
Consensus for American Security
Secretary of State John Kerry recently gave a speech in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he compared climate change to other transnational security threats such as “terrorism, epidemics, poverty, [and] the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” But the U.S. military was already there.
QDR – the national security challenge of climate change
Paul Hamill
Today, the Department of Defense released the much anticipated Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). As the Pentagon notes, the “QDR is a legislatively-mandated review of Department of Defense strategy and priorities.
Europe Should Embargo Imports of Russian Natural Gas
Andrew Holland
The situation in the Ukraine is getting out of control. To put pressure on Russia, the Europeans should cease buying natural gas through the Nord Stream.
ASP in the News
ASP’s Andrew Holland in Mother Jones
American Security Project’s Andrew Holland, Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate, was quoted in a recent article on Mother Jones.
Hart and Augustine: Why 9/11 can happen again
In the LA Times this morning, ASP Board Members Sen. Gary Hart and Norman R. Augustine wrote an oped on the Congressional oversight over homeland security issues.
ASP’s Pittsburgh Event on Weather.com
A recent Weather.com article quoted American Security Project’s Brig. General Stephen Cheney, CEO, Andrew Holland, Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate, and Rear Admiral Dr. David Titley.
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