ASP: In Case You Missed It…
June 10, 2015
Key Reads
Obama lambasts Putin: you’re wrecking Russia to recreate Soviet Empire
Kate Connolly / The Guardian
Barack Obama has used the close of the G7 summit in Germany to deliver his strongest criticism yet of Vladimir Putin, lambasting the Russian president’s isolationist approach as the seven leaders signaled their readiness to tighten sanctions against Russia if the conflict in Ukraine escalates.
Turkey’s Kurdish party accuses government of inaction over violence
Seyhmus Cakan / Reuters
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition party accused the government on Wednesday of standing aside in the face of attempts to “push the country into a civil war” by fomenting violence in the mainly Kurdish southeast.
American Competitiveness
Dow opens higher for the first time in five days
Tanya Agrawal / Reuters
The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened higher on Wednesday for the first time in five days and returned to positive territory for the year as a selloff in the equities market took a breather.
National Security & Strategy
China military conducts drills near Taiwan, Philippines
Reuters
Chinese warships and aircraft on Wednesday passed through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines to carry out routine planned exercises in the Western Pacific, China’s Defense Ministry said.
Lebanon army conducts live-fire demonstration of US missiles
Zeina Karam / Associated Press
The Lebanese army on Wednesday conducted a live-fire demonstration of advanced missiles supplied by the United States to help combat Islamic extremists along the country’s volatile border with Syria.
Saudi summons Iran ambassador over mass poisoning
Associated Free Press
Saudi Arabia has summoned Iran’s ambassador over a mass poisoning which killed four children and left 28 other Saudi pilgrims sick, official media said on Tuesday.
Asymmetric Operations
US embracing new approach to battling ISIS in Iraq
Michael Gordon / NYT
In a major shift of focus in the battle against the Islamic State, the Obama administration is planning to establish a new military base in Anbar Province, Iraq, and to send up to 450 more American military trainers to help Iraqi forces retake the city of Ramadi.
At least 43 killed in Yemen clashes as parties prepare for talks
Mohammed Mukhashaf / Reuters
At least 43 people were killed in heavy fighting in Yemen overnight and on Wednesday between supporters of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the country’s dominant Houthi group, residents, tribal and medical sources said.
2nd attack in Egypt raises fears about tourism as a target
David Kirkpatrick / NYT
An explosion near the Karnak temple in Luxor came about a week after gunmen shot and killed two tourism police officers near the pyramids of Giza.
Bombs kill eight people around Baghdad, coalition targets Islamic State
Reuters
Bomb attacks killed eight people in and around Baghdad on Wednesday as U.S.-led coalition warplanes targeted Islamic State insurgents west of the capital, police and medics said.
Battle for Mosul: The cards are stacked against ISIL
Megan O’Toole / Aljazeera
Thousands of fighters have been training in northern Iraq to retake ISIL’s de facto capital in the country.
Al-Qaida militants in Libya attack IS after leader killed
Associated Press
Al-Qaida-linked militants in eastern Libya declared holy war on the local Islamic State affiliate after one of their senior leaders was killed Wednesday by masked gunmen, which set off clashes between the rival jihadi groups that left 11 people dead on both sides, including a top militant commander.
Yazidi militia killed 21 in Iraq revenge attack
Associated Free Press
Members of the Yazidi community, one of the Iraqi minorities hardest hit by jihadist atrocities, killed 21 Sunni Arab villagers in a January revenge attack, Amnesty International said Wednesday.
Climate Security
Climate change has left US exposed in Arctic, say military experts
Karl Mathiesen / The Guardian
High-ranking former military commanders and security advisors echo Barack Obama’s warning that global warming is jeopardizing US national security.
What matters (and what doesn’t) in the G7 Climate Declaration
Michael Levi / CFR
The G7 leaders concluded their annual summit yesterday with a declaration that put climate change front and center. As with all G7 communiqués, most of the content reaffirms steps that the leaders have already promised to take and, in many cases, are already taking. But, as usual, there are some interesting wrinkles.
Nuclear Security
Data-collecting spyware reportedly found at Iran nuclear talk venues
Brian Murphy / Washington Post
The virus, known as “Duqu,” is widely believed to be used by Israeli intelligence.
On Our Flashpoint Blog
The Weather Channel Presents “The Climate 25” Featuring ASP’s Gov. Whitman, BGen. Cheney
ASP
On June 10th the Weather Channel will launch “The Climate 25.” According to its press release Climate 25 will bring together influential leaders of Fortune 100 companies, conservative political leaders, military leaders, and others to discuss their views of the challenges climate change, security, energy and peace. The goal of this project is to show a multi-faceted view of climate change from individuals from diverse backgrounds.
ASP Supports Cuba’s Removal from State Sponsors of Terrorism List
ASP
This morning, the United States officially removed Cuba from the state sponsors of terrorism list. This represents a crucial step in moving forward on a establishing a more effective Cuba policy. It was also an appropriate measure, as Cuba’s presence on the list has long been considered questionable, and threatened to dilute the meaning and effectiveness of that list.
Why Burundi’s Election Crisis Matters to the United States and the World
John Bugnacki / ASP
Burundi is currently undergoing an electoral crisis whose outcome is vitally important for the United States, African countries, and the world as a whole. This article explains the current crisis, it’s meaning within the context of American foreign policy, and what the U.S. can do to resolve the conflict.
Upcoming Events
New York City Event – The American Fusion Project: Scientific Breakthroughs
June 16 @ 12:30pm
As a part of New York’s annual “Energy Week,” the American Security Project, in conjunction with FTI Strategic Communications, is proud to sponsor a lunch on new developments in fusion energy research. It will take place at FTI’s Wall Street Plaza office, 88 Pine Street, 32nd Floor, New York City, NY.
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.
The post What We Are Reading appeared first on American Security Project.
