U.S. Staged Secret Operation into Syria in Failed Bid to Rescue Americans
Adam Goldman and Karen DeYoung / The Washington Post
U.S. Special Operations forces staged an unsuccessful operation this summer to rescue photojournalist James Foley and other Americans being held in Syria by Islamic State militants, according to senior Obama administration officials.
New US Strikes in Iraq after IS Foley Video
BBC
US aircraft have launched fresh strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in northern Iraq, despite threats from the group to kill a second American captive in retribution for continued attacks.
Aid Group: 2nd US Worker with Ebola Released
Jeff Martin / Associated Press
An aid group says a second American aid worker has been released after she was treated at an Atlanta hospital for the Ebola virus.
Russian Aid Convoy Starts Moving into Ukraine
Reuters
The first trucks from a Russian aid convoy on Thursday passed a Russian border check point and started moving towards the border crossing with Ukraine, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.
Indonesia President Says Islamic State ‘Embarrassing’ Muslims
The Telegraph
The president of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, Indonesia, has called the actions of Islamic State militants “embarrassing” to the religion and urged Islamic leaders to unite in tackling extremism.
Iran to US: We’ll Help You Against ISIS if you Lift Nuclear Sanctions
Business Insider
Iran is ready to join international action against jihadists in Iraq provided the West lifts crippling sanctions, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday.
Tunisia, Cairo Airport Cancel Libya Flights over Security Fears
Reuters
Tunisia and Egypt’s Cairo airport canceled most flights to and from Libya on Thursday, officials said, days after the Libyan government said unidentified war planes had attacked positions of armed groups in Tripoli.
Boko Haram Crisis: Nigeria Militants ‘Seize Police Academy’
BBC
Northern Nigeria’s riot police training academy has been overrun by Boko Haram Islamist militants, a witness in Borno state has told the BBC.
Lessons from Denmark: How District Heating Could Improve Energy Security
Frederika Whitehead / The Guardian
What is particularly clever about district heat networks is that they also capture and redistribute heat that would otherwise be wasted. The surplus heat produced by electricity generating stations, factories, server farms and public transport networks is funnelled into the network, eliminating waste, lowering carbon emissions, lowering fuel consumption and saving everybody money.
ASP Recent Reports
Free Trade and National Security – 5 Key Issues
Dan Day
As the world’s largest economy and the home to many of the most resourceful and innovative industries in the world, it is essential that the US take the lead in setting the standard for global trade practices.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
US Countermeasure to IS Social Media Presence
Thomas Campbell
Controlled by State Department’s CSCC, the #ThinkAgainTurnAway public diplomacy initiative challenges advocates of extremist groups over social media.
Private Sector Contributions to International Development
Maggie Feldman-Piltch
Government programs play a significant role in international development, but represent only a portion of ongoing projects and potential opportunities. Public-private partnerships (PPPs), and private sector initiatives, are increasingly prevalent and necessary to support the complex nature of human development.
Upcoming Events
INVITE – Under Secretary Richard Stengel: American Public Diplomacy in 2014 and Beyond
September 16 @ 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The United States faces many challenges abroad. In a time when the actions of foreign publics are changing political and security landscapes, the need for effective public diplomacy is becoming more urgent. Understanding this need, how should the U.S. best build relationships and influence with target audiences overseas? Join us to hear from Richard Stengel, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, as he discusses his plans for America’s public diplomacy.
INVITE –Future of the Middle East and America’s Role
September 18 @ 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The Middle East is currently brimming with violence – bringing into question the future of the region and the role of the United States. The panel of experts will discuss the possible outcomes of the present turbulence in the Middle East. They will also discuss what options the United States has, and if it should be engaged in the region in the first place.
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 … August 21, 2014 appeared first on American Security Project.
