Downing of MH17 jet in Ukraine ‘may be war crime’ – UN
BBC News
“This violation of international law, given the prevailing circumstances, may amount to a war crime,” Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said of the downing of MH17.
U.S. releases images it says show Russia has fired artillery over border into Ukraine
Karen DeYoung / Washington Post
The Obama administration on Sunday released overhead surveillance images it said were evidence that Russia has fired artillery rounds from its side of the border against Ukrainian military units.
Let Sunnis Defeat Iraq’s Militants
Rafe Al-Essawi and Atheel al-Nujaifi / The New York Times
The situation in Iraq today is perilous, particularly for Sunni Muslim Arabs. Their prospects for inclusion in Iraq’s government and fair treatment from it have been declining since 2010, when Iraqiyya, the nonsectarian coalition to which we belonged, drew more votes than any other parliamentary bloc but was denied a chance to form a government. We might not have succeeded, but letting us try would have built public trust in democracy.
Libya warns of ‘humanitarian disaster’ over fuel fire
Rana Jawad / BBC News
Libya has requested international assistance to put out a fire at a large fuel storage site in Tripoli that was hit by a rocket during militia clashes.
The Economist
On July 28th 1914 Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia. As our article from August 1st 1914 feared, the war quickly escalated when on that same day Germany, which was allied with Austria-Hungary, declared war against Russia (which was allied with Serbia) and two days later against France. Britain entered the war against Germany on August 4th, after it received an “unsatisfactory reply” regarding Belgium’s neutrality.
Iran dominates Iraqi market after occupation of Mosul
Omar al-Jaffal / Al-Monitor
If the local government in Baghdad follows in the footsteps of the southern provinces and boycotts the import of goods from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the level of trade between Iraq and Iran may jump to new, unexpected highs.
Close the tax loophole on inversions
Jacob J. Lew / Washington Post
Since we last overhauled our federal tax code, in 1986, countries around the world have lowered their tax rates, leaving the United States with the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Successes of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA)
Theresa Shaffer
On July 23, the U.S. Department of State issued a press release regarding the JPOA’s success in halting Iran’s nuclear program.
Time to Show Putin the US Means Business in Europe, Literally
Dan Day
The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) gives the US a low-cost opportunity to double down on its commitment to European security.
The ND-GAIN Corporate Adaptation Prize
Justin Tolentino
If your company is actively engaging in climate change reduction, come apply for The ND-GAIN Corporate Adaptation Prize!
The Geopolitics of Energy and Climate
Colin Taylor
“I’m often asked do I believe in climate change, and I say no, I’m convinced by the evidence.” Rear Admiral David Titley was among a handful of individuals to testify before a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on the geopolitics of energy and climate change.
Upcoming Events
Beyond Rhetoric: How the US can Help Enhance European Energy Security
July 30 @ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Join ASP on July 30, 2014 as a panel of four distinguished experts will discuss LNG and the concrete steps that the United States can take to help enhance Europe’s energy security.
What’s Next? Fostering the Next Generation of Energy Security Conference
September 30 @ 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The next steps in building a cleaner, more resilient energy system and economy will not be easy. The American Security Project intends to build on its years of research into energy security and climate policy by initiating a study into the next generation of energy policy. Join ASP and our panelists as we discuss the next generation of energy technology and climate policy.
The post What We Are Reading…July 28, 2014 appeared first on American Security Project.
