International News Coverage
ISIS, Iraq, Egypt, Ebola, Africa, Mexico
ISIS Wave of Might is Turning into Ripple
Ben Hubbard | New York Times
Roughly a third of Iraq is dotted by active battle fronts, with intense fighting and occasional Islamic State victories. But analysts also say the days of easy and rapid gains for the jihadists may be coming to a close in Iraq, as the group’s momentum appears to be stalling.
Obama to Seek New Authorization for Fight against Islamic State
Karen DeYoung | Washington Post
President Obama said Wednesday that he will ask Congress for new authority to combat the Islamic State, replacing the administration’s reliance on laws passed more than a decade ago to justify its current military operations against the militants in Syria and Iraq.
Uncurbed Sectarianism Prompted Village Attack Say Saudi Shi’ites
Angus McDowall | Reuters
On Monday, Sunni militants attacked a Shi’ite Muslim village in Saudi Arabia and left eight people dead. By Wednesday, grief among the villagers was mixed with anger about a culture of sectarianism they say paved the way for the shooting.
100,000 Workers Protest Belgian Labor Reform
Raf Casert | Associated Press
One of Belgium’s biggest postwar labor demonstrations brought about 100,000 workers to the capital on Thursday to protest government free-market reforms and austerity measures that they claim undermine Belgium’s vaunted welfare state.
U.S. Military Response to Ebola Gains Momentum in Liberia
Jason Beaubien | NPR
The number of U.S. troops fighting Ebola in West Africa is set to increase dramatically this month, and the first two field hospitals erected by U.S. troops in Liberia will open in the coming days.
Burkina Faso Leaders Agree Power Transition Plan
BBC
Burkina Faso’s political parties have agreed that the country’s political transition should last a year, followed by elections in November 2015. But the crisis talks in the capital Ouagadougou ended without a deal on who would head a transitional government.
Missing Students Part of Mexican Scourge
Dudley Althaus, Juan Montes and Santiago Perez | Wall Street Journal
Several thousand soldiers, police and civilian volunteers in Mexico’s southern Guerrero state pick through garbage dumps, wade across rivers and scour wooded mountainsides in search of 43 college students who vanished here nearly six weeks ago.
Nuclear Security, Energy & the Environment
Russia to Skip Nuclear Security Summit Scheduled for 2016 in Washington
Karen DeYoung | Washington Post
Russia will not attend the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, an international gathering initiated by President Obama to draw attention to problems of nuclear security and a key component of his nonproliferation agenda.
Australian Mining Co. to Export Oil without US Approval
World Bulletin
BHP Billiton, an Australian mining and petroleum company, is about to export light oil from the U.S., despite the 40-year-old American ban on exporting crude oil.
Chinese Officials ‘Went On Illegal Ivory Buying Sprees’ That Sent Price Soaring
AFP
Chinese diplomatic and military staff went on buying sprees for illegal ivory while on official visits to Tanzania, sending prices soaring, an environmental activist group said Thursday.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
After Election, Republicans Must Prepare their own Climate Policy
Andrew Holland
The Republicans have won a clear victory. They will take over the Senate, expand their control of the House, and deserve congratulations for their win. Now, it is time to govern
Optimism or Reality: US-China Cooperation on Shale Gas
Andrew Holland
Chinese investment in unconventional fossil fuels is aimed at China’s goal of restricting coal use and increasing domestic natural gas production. It also presents an opportunity for increasingly difficult Sino-US bilateral relations.
The U.S. – E.U. Partnership: Looking Ahead
Maggie Feldman-Piltch
The EU-US partnership has been integral in successfully addressing many of the most serious threats to peace, stability, and democracy across the globe in the two decades since its formalization.
The Rise of Lithuanian LNG: A Long-term Opportunity for the U.S.
Hidetoshi Azuma
Lithuania officially made its debut in the global LNG market with the arrival of its floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Independence on Monday, October 27, 2014.
Is an “Arab-style NATO” in the works?
Giancarlo Lima
Arab states, led by Egypt and its Gulf allies, are working on a military alliance to tackle the region’s security concerns.
UN IPCC Climate Change Report Reaffirms Nexus between Climate Change and National Security
AJ Degarmo
This past weekend United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released their fifth assessment report covering climate change.
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.
Orlando Event – Climate Change: Risks for National Security
November 17 @ 8:00AM – 10:30AM
Location: Pegasus Ballroom – Student Union Building – University of Central Florida: 12715 Pegasus Dr., Orlando, FL 32816
Join us for a discussion with senior flag officers as they discuss the steps the US military has taken and future implications for our national security.
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.
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