What we are reading

US, EU and Japan challenge China on rare earths at WTO

BBC

The US, Japan and the European Union have filed a case against China at the World Trade Organization, challenging its restrictions on rare earth exports.

Oil rises to near $107 amid improving US economy

PABLO GORONDI, Associated Press

Oil prices rose to near $107 a barrel Tuesday as traders bet an improving U.S. economy will boost demand at a time when the ability to increase crude production is limited

U.K. supports low-carbon future

UPI

Great Britain remains committed to a low-carbon future but considers nuclear and other technology a part of that goal, a minister said.

U.S. drone strikes kill 15 in northwest Pakistan

Saud Mehsud / Reuters

U.S. drone aircraft struck twice in Pakistan’s unruly tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing 15 suspected militants, including two senior commanders of the Pakistan Taliban, security and intelligence officials said.

US and Russia clash over Syria at UN

EDITH M. LEDERER  / Associated Press

The United States and Russia clashed over Syria at the United Nations on Monday after the U.N.’s chief urged the divided Security Council to speak with one voice and help the Mideast nation “pull back from the brink of a deeper catastrophe.”

Russian official: No missile deal at NATO summit

VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press

Russia and the United States have failed to narrow their differences over a planned U.S. missile shield and stand practically no chance of reaching a compromise at the NATO summit in Chicago in May, a top Russian official said Tuesday.

AFGHANISTAN LATEST

Mass slaughter shocking, but not surprising

Joshua Foust / CNN

Put simply, the U.S. never put in place the strategic and political framework to make much headway in Afghanistan. Despite the renewed push for negotiations with the Taliban, there is no political strategy for the country. There is no end state for the war, either — right now, the plan is to drawdown to about 20,000 troops or so — similar to troop levels in 2008 — and stay that way for the indefinite future. That’s not a strategy, and it’s not a plan.

Afghan government team attacked, Taliban fume over massacre

Rob Taylor and Mirwais Harooni / Reuters

Suspected insurgents opened fire on Tuesday on senior Afghan investigators of the massacre of 16 civilians by a lone U.S. soldier, Afghan officials said, just hours after the Taliban threatened to behead American troops to avenge the killings.

Timing unclear on charges in Afghan shooting

PAULINE JELINEK  Associated Press

U.S. military officials say it’s unclear when charges might be filed in the case of the weekend massacre of 16 Afghan villagers allegedly by a U.S. soldier.

On Our Flashpoint Blog

Gold: This Week In Washington

From the AIPAC conference to Mitt Romney’s latest Op-Ed in the Washington Post, last week was another big one for Iran and policymakers.

Dorsk: Operation Green Strike: the Promise of Biofuels

The Navy is posed to sail a carrier strike group around Hawaii using a 50% biofuel blend during next summer’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). Industry minds, who met Thursday at a briefing held by PEW Charitable Trusts, referred to this effort as ‘Green Strike’, not to be confused with ‘the Great Green Fleet’ due to sail by 2016. Biofuel has been garnering attention from the media and Department of Defense as a next generation source of energy. Creating a commercialized biofuel market is one of the Navy and Air Force’s top priorities as both branches are seeking alternatives to offset petroleum use.

Holland: Why Climate Change is A Matter of National Security

A changing climate is important enough that our national security planners are studying it closely. The Defense Department, the Intelligence Community, and the Department of Homeland Security are closely studying the effects of climate change, particularly how it will impact our security.

Klum: One year later: Looking back at intervention in Libya

The international community appears to be leaning towards some form of military action as hopes of diplomacy with the Assad regime appear to be fading. Intervention may be the correct decision for aiding Syria but the current chaos in Libya rightfully continues to give the US and the international community pause in its decision making.

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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