International News Coverage
Al-Qaida, ISIL, Egypt
Analysts: Al-Qaida still offers olive branch to IS
Deb Riechmann & Bassem Mroue | AP
Al-Qaida is using U.S.-led coalition airstrikes in Syria as a reason to extend olive branches to the renegade Islamic State group, saying the two should stop feuding and join forces to attack Western targets – a reunification that intelligence analysts say would allow al-Qaida to capitalize on the young group’s ruthless advance across the region.
Egypt to create buffer zone along Gaza border
Ashraf Sweilam | AP
Egyptian authorities on Tuesday ordered residents living along the country’s eastern border with the Gaza Strip to evacuate so they can demolish their homes and set up a buffer zone to stop weapons and militant trafficking between Egypt and the Palestinian territory, officials said.
Sectarian Wedge Pushes From Syria Into Lebanon
Anne Barnard | The New York Times
Recent outbreaks of fighting and growing sectarian tensions in northern Lebanon have heightened fears that the civil war in neighboring Syria is spilling over with new momentum, threatening the country’s fragile stability.
UAE official warns of potential for IS – Shabab link
Adam Schreck | AP
The United Arab Emirates’ top diplomat warned Wednesday that the Islamic State group could team up with Islamic militants in Somalia, saying that more should be done to prepare for such a threat.
Energy
The American Solution to Europe’s Energy Woes
BGen. Stephen A. Cheney (Ret.) | The Wall Street Journal
The crisis in Ukraine has once again demonstrated the importance of diversified natural-gas supplies for Europe.
Science & Technology
Cyberattacks Most Imminent Threat to U.S., Economy
Brian Donahue | Threat Post
In a panel discussion Monday morning, a crowded table of top-level security experts from industry, military and government agreed that the threat posed by cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and private industry now outweighs any other national security threat.
Antares rocket on ISS resupply mission explodes seconds after launch
Dan Roberts & Alan Yuhas | The Guardian
The company behind a resupply mission to the International Space Station that ended in a spectacular explosion over a Virginia Launchpad has defended the use of ageing Soviet rockets amid growing questions over Nasa’s reliance on private contractors to fill gaps in the US space program.
Hackers breach some White House Computers
Ellen Nakashima | The Washington Post
Hackers thought to be working for the Russian government breached the unclassified White House computer network in recent weeks, sources said, resulting in temporary disruptions to some services while cybersecurity teams worked to contain the intrusion.
Russia & Ukraine
Sanctions bind Russia’s energy elite to Putin
Elizabeth Piper & Timothy Heritage | Reuters
An offer by Gazprom to help rival Rosneft salvage an Arctic oil project shows how tightly sanctions have bound Russia’s political and business elite together in the Ukraine crisis – an unintended consequence of the West’s punitive measures.
Africa
Zambian President Michael Sata dies in London
BBC
President Sata, who was being treated in the UK, died in London’s King Edward VII hospital on Tuesday night.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
ASP in Indiana: Climate Change and Security in the Heartland
Andrew Holland
ASP visited Indiana to discuss how the Midwest is threated by climate change.
The US and EU Strategy to Defeat ISIL
Giancarlo Lima
Aside from military operations, US and EU leaders should pursue a comprehensive socioeconomic strategy to confront groups like ISIL.
Canada’s Resilience in the wake of this week
AJ Degarmo
This week has tested the moral fiber of Canadians, and placed them in the center of the recent conversation of residents who aspire to travel to the Middle East with the intent of joining deadly terrorist groups.
Sophia Dahodwala
Electricity supply is a catalyst for economic development. Operating a factory, maintaining a business, transporting crops and goods are impossible without utilizing some form of energy. Electricity at a more basic level is indispensable. Without it, people cannot refrigerate, use household appliances or illuminate their homes.
Senator Gary Hart To Play Diplomatic Role For State Department
BGen Stephen A. Cheney USMC (Ret.)
The American Security Project congratulates Senator Gary Hart upon his appointment at the Secretary of State’s Personal Representative including on issues related to Northern Ireland.
Upcoming Events
ASP Conference – The US – EU Strategic Partnership: Trade, Energy, and Security
November 12 @ 12:30PM – 1:30PM
Location: American Security Project, Suite 750W – 1100 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Numerous strategic challenges and opportunities face the United States and European Union in 2015. Join ASP on November 12, 2014 as our high-level panel discusses what options are ahead of the US and the EU.
Tampa Event – Climate Change: Risks for National Security
November 18 @ 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606
Climate change is already a major concern for US military planners. Meanwhile, American politicians continue to ignore the issue of this growing threat. Join ASP at the University of Tampa on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 as we discuss this important issue.
Geography 2050: Mounting an Expedition to the Future
November 19
Location: Low Memorial Library, Columbia University, 2960 Broadway, Manhattan, NY 10027
The one-day inaugural event, to be held at Columbia’s Low Library in Manhattan, offers an opportunity for thought leaders in industry, government, the social sector, and academe to come together to think about collectively exploring the future, and to examine how geography, geographic thinking, and geospatial data and technologies will enable this new age of exploration.
FSC Event – Climate Change: Risks for National Security
November 19 @ 10:30AM – 12:00PM
Location: Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801
Climate change is already a major concern for US military planners. Meanwhile, American politicians continue to ignore the issue of this growing threat. Join ASP at the University of Tampa on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 as we discuss this important issue.
ASP Conference: Electricity Supply: What it Means for Security, Developments and Geopolitics
November 19 @ 12:00PM – 4:30PM
1100 New York Avenue, NW – 7th Floor – West Tower
The nexus of electricity, development, and security is significant, yet its nuances are too often overlooked. The half-day event will bring together development and energy experts, government officials, and policy makers to better establish the important linkages between power, security, and development, share successful implementation strategies and consider how these successes can be replicated in diverse contexts.
ASP Conference – Pakistan: Aid, Trade, and Security
December 9 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Location: TBA
Join ASP and FTI Consulting as we host an event that will discuss current conditions of economic aid, trade and security in Pakistan, and will feature experts of military and development backgrounds.
About the American Security Project: The American Security Project is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges.
For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org info@americansecurityproject.org
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