China says Taiwan Protests won’t Affect Relations
Ben Blanchard / Reuters
Protests by students in Taiwan who occupied the island’s parliament in opposition to a trade pact with China will not affect the development of relations between Beijing and Taipei, state media quoted a top Chinese official as saying on
UN Panel Shows Who’s Responsible for CO2 Emissions
Karl Ritter / Associated Press
The U.N.’s expert panel on climate change is preparing a new report this weekend outlining the cuts in greenhouse gases, mainly CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels, required in coming decades to keep global warming in check.
50 Years Later, Obama Salutes Effects of Civil Rights Act
Peter Baker / The New York Times
For three days, the veterans of a long-ago movement reunited and drew together their spiritual heirs to explore the legacy of the Civil Rights Act a half-century after it transformed America. And then the legacy walked onstage.
US: Russia Uses Energy Supplies ‘to control Ukraine’
BBC
The US has accused Russia of using its energy supplies “as a tool of coercion” to try to control Ukraine.
It comes after Russia warned European countries of possible gas supply cuts because of Ukraine’s energy debts.
Health And Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Resigns
Doug Schoen / Forbes
After holding tight to her position as Health and Human Services Secretary for five years, Kathleen Sebelius resigned earlier this evening.
JPMorgan Chase Earnings Miss Estimates; Mortgages, Trading Weaker
E. Scott Reckard / LA Times
Weakness in the mortgage and bond-trading businesses socked JPMorgan Chase & Co. with disappointing first-quarter earnings, a signal that the start of this year was a tough time for the banking industry.
Overseas Donations Playing Critical Role in Indian General Elections
Swaran Singh / Global Times
India’s 16th general elections, which started Monday, involve 814 million voters and 9.3 million polling stations.
But what is new about India’s 16th general elections is that these will also be the world’s most expensive; crossing even the price tag for US presidential elections.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Andrew Charles Wills
On April 10, 2014, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened for a hearing titled “Keeping the lights on – are we doing enough to ensure the reliability and security of the U.S. electric grid?” The hearing focused generally on grid reliability given recent unanticipated events such as Superstorm Sandy in the northeast in the winter of 2013 and the sniper attack on the PG&E Metcalfe substation in California in early 2013.
ASP’s Holland on KCRW’s To the Point: “Climate Change: Will we Have to Get Used to It?”
Andrew Holland
Andrew was interviewed by Warren Olney about climate change and national security. He was featured with Chris Field, IPCC Working Group II, David Keith of Harvard University, and Mark Fischetti of Scientific American. Asked what “Hot Spots” we have to worry about climate security, Holland answered Pacific and Bangladesh, but of course there’s many more.
Does the US-Japan Impasse Spell Doom for TPP?
Brendan Connell
With top US trade negotiators failing to reach a complete agreement with Japan over any of the most contentious trade issues, many are left feeling a sense of cynicism regarding the precious Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). But does that necessarily mean that TPP will be ultimately run off its tracks?
Ebola Outbreak a Regional Threat
Nathan Alvarado-Castle
Over the past week, a flight from Guinean capital, Conakry, has been quarantined. Neighboring countries have closed their boarders. France has gone on “high alert”. And investors are fleeing Guinea’s market concerned over what the WHO has called the “most challenging” outbreak of Ebola ever.
Castellaw and Adams in The Commercial Appeal: If military sees climate risk, why do we deny?
Adin Dobkin
Today, LTG John Castellaw, USMC (Ret.) and BGen John Adams, USA (Ret.) of ASP were invited to write a column for The Commercial Appeal of Memphis, TN regarding the impacts of climate change on the region.
Guest Post: Egypt’s Political Process Continues – but needs world support
Amr Badr
While every country in the world is important, Egypt merits the attention and concern of all nations due to its natural position as the leader of the Middle East and Africa; its counter-terrorism efforts; the importance of securing its border with Israel; the Suez Canal; and its key position on both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean
ASP Recent Publications
WHITE PAPER – National Security and Space – The Next Space Race: Competition
August Cole
Of any of the armed services, the United States Air Force should know the most about speed. Their pilots, who historically rose to the service’s top ranks, fly the fastest fighters in the American arsenal. Yet, there are times when moving as fast as you can may not be fast enough.
Andrew Holland
Climate change threatens America’s national security around the world by acting as a “threat multiplier” that will undermine stability and draw American forces into conflict. However, we should not think that this is a problem solely for the rest of the world to deal with. Climate change presents clear threats to American livelihoods here at home – the effects of climate change threaten us, and are a growing mission for homeland security.
National Security and America’s Space Challenge
August Cole
The U.S. military and intelligence community is increasingly dependent on its satellite capabilities to do everything from communicating securely to targeting precision weapons. Billions of taxpayer dollars are spent trying to expand and protect this strategic edge.
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.
ASP Upcoming Events
EVENT INVITE: Fusion Power: The Answer to an Uncertain Energy Future – A Discussion with Dan Clery
April 15, 12:00 – 1:30 P.M.
Our rapidly industrializing world has an insatiable hunger for energy and conventional sources are struggling to meet demand. Oil is running out, coal is damaging our climate, many nations are abandoning nuclear, yet solar, wind, and water will never be a complete replacement.
EVENT INVITE: Weather, Climate & National Security
April 23, 12:30 – 1:30 P.M.
Join ASP on Wednesday, April 23 at the Capitol Building, as BGen. Stephen A. Cheney and Mr. Bryan Norcross come together to discuss the national security implications of changing patterns in weather and the climate.
CHICAGO EVENT – The Multiplication of Threats: Climate Change & the Risks to National Security
April 30, 6:00-8:30 P.M.
Join Brigadier General Stephen A Cheney, USMC (Ret.) and Senior Fellow Andrew Holland to discuss how climate change is creating new threats to America’s National Security.
May 13, 8:00-9:30 A.M.
Join ASP Tuesday, May 13th as we host Bob Pozen for an informative discussion about corporate tax reform, as well as the many fiscal and political obstacles facing it. Mr. Pozen will present his unique strategy for a new corporate tax regime that could end up benefiting governments and US corporations alike.
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