We strive to examine issues important to U.S. national security from a post-partisan perspective, meaning we try to break through the spin to find ideas we can use to encourage fresh thinking and build genuine consensus.
What we are reading
posted by Kelvin Lum on April 9, 2012 at 1:11 pm
IAEA: Iran agrees to nuclear talks
CNN
Nuclear talks will resume this week in Turkey between Iran and six world powers, the U.N. nuclear watchdog reported Monday.
S. Korean government says North preparing for third nuclear test
Chico Harlan / Washington Post
As North Korea prepares for a long-range rocket launch within the next week, the South Korean government has released fresh evidence that, it says, suggests a nuclear test soon could follow.
Mubarak’s intelligence chief joins race for Egypt presidency
The Guardian
The intelligence chief of Egypt’s deposed leader Hosni Mubarak formally joined the race for the presidency on Sunday , a last-minute entrance that raises the heat in a contest pitting former regime figures against newly-assertive Islamists.
Turkey Accuses Syria of Firing on Refugees at the Border
SEBNEM ARSU and ALAN COWELL / New York Times
Prospects for a peaceful solution to Syria’s conflict on the eve of a cease-fire deadline appeared to diminish further Monday as Turkish officials accused the Syrian military of shooting and killing refugees crossing the border into Turkey, and a senior Foreign Ministry official said the cease-fire plan was void.
US Navy deploys 2nd aircraft carrier to Gulf
AP
The U.S. Navy said Monday it has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region amid rising tensions with Iran over its disputed nuclear program.
Jalali to contest 2014 presidential vote
Mir Agha Samimi / Pajhwok Afghan News
A former interior minister announced on Saturday he would contest the 2014 presidential election, saying his decision was based on the consistent demand of his supporters. In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Ali Ahmad Jalali said his backers had asked him to join the 2009 presidential race that saw Hamid Karzai re-elected for a five-year term.
How to Engage Iran
Hossein Mousavian / Foreign Affairs
There is a peaceful path — one that will satisfy both Iranian and U.S. objectives while respecting Iran’s legitimate nuclear rights. Washington and Tehran must find that right path together, and, despite what passes for debate in the international arena today, I believe they can.
The Future is Fusion
Peak Oil
While these initial forays into the world of alternative energy are wonderful in their own right, and while they are certainly helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, they are only partial solutions and intermediary technologies on the way to something even better, something that will completely and permanently solve our energy crisis: Fusion power.
Pakistan on the Brink by Ahmed Rashid – review
Jason Burke / The Guardian
Over the past 15 years Ahmed Rashid has established a well-earned reputation as a meticulous, reliable and authoritative chronicler of events in south-west and central Asia. This latest work is effectively an update of his lengthy and important Descent into Chaos (2008). Despite its title, it actually covers Afghanistan in as much detail as Pakistan.
On this day – Surrender at Appomattox (1865)
Eyewitness to History
With his army surrounded, his men weak and exhausted, Robert E. Lee realized there was little choice but to consider the surrender of his Army to General Grant. After a series of notes between the two leaders, they agreed to meet on April 9, 1865, at the house of Wilmer McLean in the village of Appomattox Courthouse. The meeting lasted approximately two and one-half hours and at its conclusion the bloodiest conflict in the nation’s history neared its end
UPCOMING EVENT: Nuclear Security Media Call with Ambassador Linton Brooks
On Our Flashpoint Blog
AMERICAN SECURITY QUARTERLY – April 2012
Gold: The Nuke Review: March 28- April 5
As the P5+1 gears up for its first summit with Iran in more than a year, Iran dismisses Istanbul as the summit’s location. Read this story and more in this week’s Nuke Review.
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
Relevant Reports
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The Global Security Defense Index on Climate Change: Preliminary Results -
FACT SHEET: American Security Enhanced – The Benefits of the New START Treaty -
PERSPECTIVE: Understanding the Strategic and Tactical Considerations of Drone Strikes -
Fact Sheet – Intelligence Assessments of Iran’s Nuclear Program -
Why the U.S. Can Not Ignore Pakistan
