Is Putin Rational? Probably. Here’s How to Work With Him
Alexander J. Motyl / Foreign Affairs Magazine
Ukrainians are waiting to see whether Russian President Vladimir Putin, having wrested Crimea from Ukraine, will continue his advance. The outward signs point to yes.
Israel is warned of being sucked into Syrian conflict after Golan bombings
Peter Beaumont / The Guardian
Israeli air force jets bombed Syrian army positions near the town of Quneitra in the early hours of Wednesday, killing one soldier and wounding seven, as analysts warned of the danger of the country’s armed forces being sucked further into its northern neighbour’s conflict.
Japan, N. Korean officials sit at negotiating table again in China
Takuya Karube / Kyodo News
Japanese and North Korean officials returned Wednesday to the negotiating table in China, only two weeks after a previous meeting, with the possibility emerging of Tokyo and Pyongyang resuming formal dialogue for the first time since November 2012.
How the U.S. Outsmarted Everyone by Giving Up the Internet
Patrick Tucker / Defense One
The U.S. may have kept China and Russia from gaining influence over the Internet by announcing a plan to keep less control for itself.
South Sudan Targets the United Nations
Colum Lynch / Foreign Policy Magazine
South Sudan’s relationship with the United Nations has plummeted to an unprecedented low as authorities have beaten U.N. personnel and relief workers, forcibly searched their vehicles, and organized public demonstrations demonizing the world body as an enemy of the fledgling African nation, according to a confidential internal report obtained by Foreign Policy.
Where’s NATO’s Strong Response to Russia’s Invasion of Crimea?
Kurt Volker / Atlantic Council
As Russia completes its invasion and eventual annexation of Crimea — and possibly threatens more Ukrainian territory — one can be forgiven for asking, “Where’s NATO?” With NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Washington this week, perhaps we’ll find out. . . .
Egypt to modify food subsidy system within three months
Marwa Hussein / Ahram Online
The Egyptian government will implement a new food subsidy system within three months starting with a pilot project that will be implemented in Port Said next month.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Negotiations on Iran’s Nuclear Program – 2nd Round of Political Talks
Nathan Daniels
Today, representatives from the P5+1, led by Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy for the EU, concluded the second round of political talks in Vienna with Iran regarding a comprehensive solution to eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.
U.S. Suspends Diplomatic Relations with Syria
Nathan Daniels
Three years since the start of the bloody civil war in Syria that has killed more than 140,000 people and resulted in more than 2.5 million refugees, with this week marking the anniversary of the Syrian revolution, the United States notified the Syrian government today that it must immediately suspend operations of its Embassy in Washington, D.C. and its honorary consulates in Troy, Michigan, and Houston, Texas.
Scientists Release Report on the Risks of Climate Change
Nathan Alvarado-Castle
The report focuses on the potential impacts and risks that climate change will pose to the United States and the world. Like the recently released report “Climate Change, Evidence & Causes” from the US National Academy of Sciences and the UK Royal Society, this shows that scientists are beginning to engage in the debate about the risks and realities of climate change – an important development.
Prospects for the Egyptian Economy are Linked Directly to Security
Dina Khayat
In the end, issues of security will determine the presidential candidate the majority of Egyptians will vote for, as well as the future of the country’s economic prospects. It is true that the fate of Egypt is directly linked to the performance of the economy in the few years to come. It is also true that these are inextricably linked to security.
A Military View: Climate Change is Threatening our National Security
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
Climate change is threatening our national security, and indeed the security of hundreds of millions around the world. It is a “threat multiplier” or an accelerant of instability” that affects issues like food and water availability and energy security. It will drive migration and create economic challenges.
Virginia and Climate Change
Andrew Holland
With a population of 8.2 million, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the country. Virginia borders between the mid-Atlantic region and the Southeast; its climate has similarly been a border. Compared to other regions, like the southwest or the Northeast, warming in Virginia has been moderate over the last 50 years, with warming occurring mostly in the winter months.
ASP Recent Publications
American Security Quarterly V3 Issue 1
American Security Project
We see it in the news nearly every day. The world is rapidly shifting before our eyes as countries sprout up, struggle to gain a foothold in our international community, and sometimes fall just as quickly. One equally important trend is the interrelationship between the United States and international players on this stage. Never before have we seen the level of interdisciplinary security issues that we see today occurring in all corners of the globe.
National Security and Climate Change
Andrew Holland
The American Security Project, as a national security-focused think tank, believes that concern about climate change should be a non-partisan issue. While we know that the argument about solutions will be partisan, both sides should start with a common understanding that climate change poses real threats to national security.
The Ukraine Crisis and the Geopolitics of Energy
Andrew Holland
A briefing note on the Ukraine Crisis and the Geopolitics of Energy – click to find out the facts and way forward the United States could take.
ASP Upcoming Events
Norman Augustine on Defense Budget & Acquisition Reform
March 26, 12:30 – 1:30 P.M.
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.
Extreme Productivity – An Evening with Bob Pozen
March 27, 6:30 – 9:00 P.M.
Bob Pozen is one of the most productive executives. While serving as full time chairman of a large asset management company and teaching a full course load at Harvard Business School, he wrote a popular book entitled Extreme Productivity: Boost Your Results; Reduce Your Hours.
Cost: $40.00 Member/ $60.00 Non-Members (cost includes copy of Professor Posen’s book, signed upon request) – Click here to buy tickets
April 7, 7:30-9:00 P.M.
Today, the U.S. Navy is preparing for an open Arctic, the Marines are deploying in response to historic typhoons, and the Army is preparing their bases to use less energy than they produce. We know the effects of climate change are here. Meanwhile, many American politicians continue to ignore climate change.
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