Key Reads
Obama, Biden, Kerry: Energy Security is Needed in the Caribbean
Andrew Holland / Energy Trends Insider
For two decades, the United States has virtually ignored the geopolitics of the islands of the Caribbean: since the end of the Cold War, the region had changed from a playground of superpowers in America’s backyard to a place for vacations and little more.
President Obama Calls Preliminary Iran Nuclear Deal ‘Our Best Bet’
Peter Baker / New York Times
One week after the start of intensive American airstrikes against Islamic State hide-outs, most of the key parts of central Tikrit had finally fallen to the government’s forces – although significant pockets still remained contested on Thursday.
American Competitiveness
No Preferential Treatment for U.S. Companies, Cuban Government Says
FOX News Latino
The Cuban government takes a positive view of a future when American companies can trade and invest on the island, but also warns they will receive no preferential treatment, according to the island’s foreign trade and investment minister.
National Security & Strategy
Using Cash and Charm, Putin Targets Europe’s Weakest Links
Andrew Higgins / The New York Times
China’s Foreign Ministry expressed anger on Thursday after two U.S. fighter jets landed in Taiwan, in a rare official contact between the militaries of the United States and the self-ruled democratic island.
Iraq, U.S. Are Divided on What’s Next in Battle Against Islamic State
Matt Bradley, Dion Nissenbaum / The Wall Street Journal
Iraqi security forces and their U.S. partners are divided about where to next confront Islamic State after their victory over the extremist group in Tikrit last week.
Asymmetric Operations
Kenya Says it Destroys Two Al-Shabaab Camps in Somalia
Drazen Jorgic, Edith Honan / Reuters
The Kenyan air force has destroyed two al Shabaab camps in Somalia, it said on Monday, in the first major military response since the Islamist group massacred students at a Kenyan university last week.
Saudis Seek Pakistani Troops for Yemen Campaign, Official Says
Salman Masood, Kareem Fahim / The New York Times
Pakistan’s defense minister told Parliament on Monday that Saudi Arabia had asked Pakistan for aircraft, warships and soldiers to join its offensive against the Houthis in Yemen, possibly signaling Saudi plans to expand its war there.
Yemeni Fighters Attack Houthis as Aid Flights Delayed
Mohammed Mukhashaf / Reuters
Southern Yemeni militias backed by warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition attacked Houthi fighters across several provinces in south Yemen on Monday, driving the Shi’ite rebel forces from some of their positions, witnesses and militia sources said.
Climate Security
California Governor Tells Climate Change Deniers to Wake Up
Tom McCarthy / The Guardian
As his state faces the worst drought in its history, with mandatory water rationing for residents and fears of destruction to the agricultural sector, California governor Jerry Brown had a message Sunday for climate change deniers: wake up.
India Can’t Be Forced on Parameters on Climate Change
Businessworld
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (06 April) made it clear that India cannot be forced to “follow” the parameters laid down by the developed world on climate change and instead should lead the world in the fight against it.
Energy Security
U.S. Oil Export Ban Undermines Quest for Energy Security
Bloomberg
It’s a pernicious bit of American mythology that is used to justify the law against domestic oil producers selling their crude overseas: The U.S. needs “energy independence.” Never mind that the law actually undermines this goal, or that the goal itself is practically impossible to achieve. It’s the wrong goal. What the U.S. should be striving for is not independence, but energy security.
Nuclear Security
Top Nuclear Experts Endorse Iran Deal
Nahal Toosi / Politico
A group of 30 U.S. specialists on nuclear security endorsed President Barack Obama’s framework deal on Iran’s nuclear program, issuing a letter on Monday that urged policy makers to back it as well.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
US Announces INDC for Upcoming Climate Deal
Philip Rossetti
On March 31st the US made a big step towards achieving a global climate deal by submitting its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) to the UN. The proposal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the US by 26-28% from 2005 levels by 2025.
Costa Rica: A Preview of Fossil Fuel Independence
William George
For the first 75 days of 2015, Costa Rica was running on 100% renewable energy. This statement from the Ministry of the Environment and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) comes several years after a previous pledge for the country to be carbon neutral by 2021. While environmentalists and other proponents of sustainability are clamoring for other countries-like the US-to follow suit, relying on solely renewable energy sources is not as easy as one may think.
Peter S. Rashish on Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
Hugo Grondel
In an op-ed published by Asia Pathways, ASP Consensus Member Peter S. Rashish takes on one of the most contentious issues that has dominated trade talks all across the globe: the Investor-State Dispute Settlement clause (ISDS). It is hard to find another trade related talking point that has stirred up more controversy lately than ISDS.
Upcoming Events
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.
Conference: Geopolitics of Energy Security in the Eastern Mediterranean
April 15 @ 12:00pm – 5:00pm
ASP will host a half day conference to examine the energy security challenges faced in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Conference: The Geopolitics of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
April 16 @ 12:00pm – 4:30pm
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) has the potential to redefine transatlantic cooperation in the economic, security, and political spheres and provide the U.S. and the EU with a window of opportunity to advance core values that could help shape the international trading system in the 21st century. Our expert panelists will discuss these issues and attempt to examine TTIP’s potential to facilitate further trade liberalization on a global scale.
ASP Recently Published
Environmental Threats to Louisiana’s Future: Climate change
American Security Project
As one of the centers of energy production, transit, and storage, Louisiana is a hub for the whole country. This ensures that any problems in Louisiana are transferred throughout the country by energy price volatility and uncertainty.
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.
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