US-Japan Relations and Obama’s Visit to Japan
The Diplomat/ Yo-Jung Chen
U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Japan, which begins today, has been the subject of both excitement and anxiety.
Strong Durable Goods Orders Buoy U.S. Growth Outlook
Reuters/ Lucia Mutikani
Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods rose more than expected in March and a measure of business capital spending plans surged, bolstering views of an acceleration in growth in the second quarter.
Climate Change is the Fight of our Lives – yet we can Hardly Bear to Look at it
The Guardian/ Naomi Klein
This is a story about bad timing.
One of the most disturbing ways that climate change is already playing out is through what ecologists call “mismatch” or “mistiming.” This is the process whereby warming causes animals to fall out of step with a critical food source, particularly at breeding times, when a failure to find enough food can lead to rapid population losses.
Will Nuclear-Powered Spaceships take us to the Stars?
BBC/ Richard Hollingham
Project Orion has to be the most audacious, dangerous and downright absurd space programme ever funded by the US taxpayer. This 1950s design involved exploding nuclear bombs behind a spacecraft the size of the Empire State Building to propel it through space. The Orion’s engine would generate enormous amounts of energy – and with it lethal doses of radiation.
Obama Administration Delays Keystone XL Pipeline Decision
LA Times/ Neela Banerjee & Lisa Mascaro
The Obama administration on Friday delayed a decision on the construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, citing a Nebraska state court decision that invalidated part of the project’s route.
U.N. Considering Sanctions Over South Sudan Massacre
Associated Press/ Cara Anna & Jason Straziuo
The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday viewed “horrific pictures of corpses” from the scene of last week’s massacre in South Sudan and discussed taking actions that could include sanctions, diplomats said.
U.S. Stocks Rise as Apple, Facebook Results Top Forecasts
Bloomberg/ Jonathan Morgan & Joseph Ciolli
U.S. stocks advanced, pushing the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to near a record, as earnings from Apple (AAPL) Inc. to Facebook Inc. (FB) and Caterpillar Inc. topped estimates.
Exclusive: FBI warns Healthcare Sector Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
Reuters/ Jim Finkle
The FBI has warned healthcare providers their cybersecurity systems are lax compared to other sectors, making them vulnerable to attacks by hackers searching for Americans’ personal medical records and health insurance data.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Event Recap: A Conversation with Dr. Kevin Geiss
Kathy Duong
On Tuesday, April 22nd, the American Security Project (ASP) hosted a discussion with Dr. Kevin Geiss, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy. The discussion focused on energy management in the Air Force, moderated by BGen Stephen Cheney USMC (Ret) and Andrew Holland, ASP’s Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate.
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.
European Union Election Results: Implications for the United States
The American Security Project, Washington DC
May 28, 8:30-9:30 A.M.
Join ASP on Wednesday, May 28th as Paul Adamson, Philippe Maze-Sencier, and Geoffrey Harris come to discuss the impacts that the European Union parliamentary elections could have on EU politics and the international community.
The post What We Are Reading appeared first on American Security Project.
