Obama begins Asia tour with reassurance to Japan
CNN / Jethro Mullen and Kevin Liptak
President Barack Obama arrived in Japan on Wednesday for the first part of his Asia trip that started with reassuring Tokyo of U.S. support in its bitter territorial dispute with China.
Russia Renews Threat to Intervene in Ukraine as Truce Falters
Bloomberg News / Daryna Krasnolutska, Daria Marchak and Volodymyr Verbyany
Russia vowed to defend its citizens in neighboring Ukraine after the government in Kiev said it’s resuming operations to oust militants from eastern cities.
PLO and Hamas agree landmark pact
The Guardian / Peter Beaumont
The two main rival Palestinian factions have signed an accord designed to end seven years of sometimes violent division, paving the way for elections later in the year and the formation of a unity government within weeks.
U.S. steps up trade pressure on Japan ahead of Obama visit
Reuters / Antoni Slodkowski and Linda Sieg
The United States put last-minute pressure on Japan to compromise in tough trade talks on Wednesday, shortly before President Barack Obama was to arrive for a state visit.
Mexican State Utility Unveils Plans for Natural-Gas Pipelines
Wall Street Journal / Anthony Harrup
Mexico’s state-owned electric utility said Tuesday it plans to seek private-sector bids for five natural-gas pipelines in northern Mexico that are expected to cost $2.25 billion to build.
Cairo bombing ‘kills senior Egyptian policeman’
BBC News
A senior Egyptian police officer has been killed by a bomb blast in the capital, Cairo, security officials say.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
No Doubts at the Boston Marathon
August Cole
The 2014 Boston Marathon was going to be special, no matter who won. That an almost 40-year old American, Meb Keflezighi, crossed the line first among the elite men made it an historic sporting day for U.S. running. No American had won the Boston Marathon since 1983.
Welcome, Undersecretary Stengel
Madeline Bersch
Stengel, who has previously served as a journalist and managing editor of TIME Magazine, will provide leadership of Department of State’s public diplomacy strategy and initiatives, overseeing the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, International Information Programs, and Public Affairs, as well as the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications (CSCC).
A Deeper Look into the Melting Arctic
William Fassuliotis
In the “10 Facts of Climate Change” (to be released on April 22), graph demonstrates just how precipitous the decline in sea ice has been. The annual minimum amount of ice has decreased precipitously. Two and a half million square kilometers (1 million square miles) of ice has been lost in only 35 years.
ASP Reports
Ten Key Facts – Climate Change
American Security Project
The facts about climate change are clear: the earth is warming, man-made emissions are causing the warming, and the effects will get worse over time.
Current Space Launch Vehicles Used by the United States
Nathan Daniels
At present, the United States relies on Russian rocket engines to launch satellites into space. The U.S. also relies on Russia to transport its astronauts to the International Space Station, as the U.S. Space Shuttle program ended in 2011.
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.
Upcoming Events
CHICAGO EVENT – The Multiplication of Threats: Climate Change & the Risks to National Security
Northwestern University Chicago Campus, Chicago, IL
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.
21st Century U.S.-Egypt Strategic Relations Conference
Four Seasons Hotel, Washington DC
May 7, 1:00-6:00 P.M.
Join us for in depth look into the current state of Egypt, the challenges the nation faces, and the future outlook for the government and people.
Building a Better Corporate Tax Regime & Strengthening our Economic Security
The American Security Project, Washington DC
May 13, 8:30-9:30 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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