Key Reads
Non-Binding Document Threatens Cuts to Climate Security Research
Andrew Holland
The House Budget Committee’s released its draft FY2016 Budget Resolution, implying Congress will cut spending on climate change research by the DoD and CIA. But, as Holland points out, the Budget Resolution is “a roadmap, but one that is seldom actually followed.”
In three-day push, Netanyahu draws right-wing votes and captures Israel election
Luke Baker / Reuters
In the three days leading up to the Israeli elections, Netanyahu has used increased media presence and right-wing statements to convince voters.
American Competitiveness
Fed to markets: no more promises
Jon Hilsenrath / Wall Street Journal
The Federal Reserve is about to inject uncertainty back into financial markets after spending years trying to calm investors’ nerves with explicit assurances that interest rates would remain low.
Deadlock over Greek debt crisis could play into Russia’s hands
Helena Smith / The Guardian
As Alexis Tsipras courts both Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin, diplomats fear the country’s economic woes are spiraling into a potential geopolitical threat.
National Security & Strategy
A year after Crimean annexation, threat of conflict remains
Michael Birnbaum / The Washington Post
A fragile cease-fire in eastern Ukraine was coming under increased strain on Wednesday as pro-Russian rebels accused Kiev of violating a plan to give them significantly increased autonomy.
DoD to boost modernization of weapons, capabilities
Cheryl Pellerin / DoD News
The Defense Department will move aggressively to reverse the trend of chronic underinvestment in weapons and capabilities, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work.
Asymmetric Operations
Tunisia attack: gunmen kill tourists in museum raid
BBC
Nineteen people, including 17 foreign tourists have been killed after gunmen targeted a museum in the Tunisian capital, the Tunisian Prime Minister says.
Report says Iraq forces turned on nearby villages after military victory
Missy Ryan / The Washington Post
Shiite militias and Iraqi government forces reportedly burned and looted dozens of villages in the wake of a U.S. supported operation against the Islamic State last year.
U.S. loses control of drone over Syria
Krishnadev Calamur / NPR
The U.S. lost control of a drone over Syria, a Pentagon official said Tuesday, hours after the Syrian government said it had shot down a U.S. drone near the city of Latakia.
Houthi rebels release detained Yemeni Ministers
Kareem Fahim / New York Times
Houthi rebels released Yemen’s former prime minister and members of his cabinet after nearly two months of house detention on Monday, in a sign of some progress toward easing the country’s chaotic political crisis.
Climate Security
Oregon governor declares drought emergency as snow pack levels drop
Shelby Sebens / Reuters
Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a drought emergency on Tuesday in two rural Oregon counties, with more expected in the coming weeks, as the states suffers abnormally low snow pack levels.
Food concerns mount in Vanuatu after cyclone Pam
The Guardian
International aid agencies ramped up appeals for cyclone-hit Vanuatu, warning that wiped out crops and destroyed fishing fleets raises the risk of hunger and disease.
Six changes to fuel consumption that could combat global warming
The Guardian
A new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows how widespread adoption of low-carbon fuels could stall climate change.
Energy Security
Global oil glut set to grow as China slows crude imports
Henning Gloystein / Reuters
A global oversupply of oil is set to rise as China pauses in the build-up of its strategic reserves and Asian refineries slow crude imports ahead of the spring maintenance season, putting more downward pressure on prices.
Japan inches closer to final approval for nuclear reactor restart
Reuters
A reactor in southwestern Japan cleared another regulatory hurdle on Wednesday, another small step in Japan’s return to nuclear power after all units were shut down following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Obama administration wants more renewable energy, tighter pollution controls on public lands
Joby Warrick / The Washington Post
The Obama administration will seek tougher standards for companies extracting oil, gas and coals on taxpayer-owned land and will push for expanded solar and wind projects.
Nuclear Security
U.S., Iran race to fill out contours of a nuclear agreement
The Associated Press / New York Times
American and Iranian negotiators raced to fill out a framework for rolling back Iran’s nuclear program and punitive U.S. economic sanctions, hoping for enough progress to call in other world powers for the finishing touches on agreement next week.
Chernobyl: Containing the world’s worst nuclear accident
David Shukman / BBC
Rising above the scene of the world’s worst nuclear accident is the largest moveable structure ever created on land.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
Vanuatu Devastation Blamed on Climate Change
William George
This past weekend, the island nation of Vanuatu was devastated by Cyclone Pam, a massive cyclone with winds that reached up to 185mph, destroying a significant portion of the country’s infrastructure.
Attacking Energy in Libya- A New ISIS Strategy?
William George
Last month, affiliates of the terrorist group ISIS attacked key oil fields and pipelines in Libya. Are these recent attacks aimed at Libya’s energy infrastructures indicative of a new ISIS strategy? Would attacking energy installations reap more benefits in the long term than capturing them?
Upcoming Events
LSU Event – Climate Change: Risks for National Security
March 25th @ 6:00pm – 8:00pm
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 Louisiana State University on Wednesday, March 25th as we discuss this important issue.
Climate Change: Risks for National Security
March 26 @ 3:30pm – 5:30pm
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 Tulane University on Thursday, March 26th as we discuss this important issue.
Discussion with Gov. Christine Todd Whitman: Climate Change Calls for Clean and Safe Energy
April 10 @ 10:00am – 11:00am
Join Governor Whitman at the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head Island as she discusses the important issue of climate change and its impact on clean, safe energy. She will recount her experience as governor as well as the Administrator of the EPA. Come join this exciting event.
ASP Recently Published
Energy in Egypt: Background and Issues
American Security Project
The Egyptian government is making serious efforts to bring more investment into its oil and gas sector while seeking to diversify Egypt’s sources of energy. Given the country’s political, economic, and social challenges, whether the Egyptian government will be able to achieve its objectives remains to be seen.
Energy Security in the Caribbean
American Security Project
On Wednesday, February 4th 2015, the American Security Project hosted a half-day conference examining energy security in the Caribbean. Nearly 100 experts from academia, International Financial Institutions, the US government, and private corporations attended the conference.
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