What We Are Reading

Yikes! Economy shrank in fourth quarter for the first time since ’09

Neil Irwin / Washington Post

The U.S. economy contracted slightly in the final months of 2012, as defense spending plummeted and businesses depleted their inventories, in a surprising development that could presage economic troubles to come.

South Korea launches space rocket carrying satellite

Lucy Williamson / BBC

South Korea says its third attempt at launching a rocket to put a satellite in space has been a success.

Donors pledge $1 bn as UN warns of Syria ‘catastrophe’

AFP

International donors at a Kuwait conference Wednesday pledged almost $1 billion in aid for stricken Syrians, as UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned of a “catastrophic” situation in their war-torn country.

Merkel Advocates Dialogue in Egypt

William Boston / Wall Street Journal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel weighed into the political crisis engulfing Egypt, urging Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to reach out to political opponents as the Egyptian leader rejected opposition calls for a government of national unity.

Reports: Israeli aircraft fired missile along Lebanon-Syria border

Joel Greenberg / The Washington Post

Reports of an overnight Israeli airstrike on a target along the Syrian-Lebanese border were met with official silence in Israel on Wednesday, following public warnings earlier in the week of possible action to prevent Syria’s stock of chemical weapons from falling into the hands of Islamist militants.

ASP Published Today

ASP Biofuels Report Referenced in BioFuels Journal Article

BioFuels Journal posted an article on ASP’s latest report entitled “Advanced Biofuels and National Security.” The report highlights the recent work of the Department of Defense in promoting alternative fuels.

Advanced Biofuels and National Security

Andrew Holland

ASP’s White Paper report, “Advanced Biofuels and National Security” builds on ASP’s long history of demonstrating the importance of reducing oil use for national security and highlighting the work of the Department of Defense in promoting alternative fuels.

On Our Flashpoint Blog

This Week in Public Diplomacy Jan 30

Fiona Cotton

This Week in Public Diplomacy read about #SoftPower, #Afghanistan, #Korea, #OpenBookProject, #Gastrodiplomacy, #SecretaryClinton, #StateDept, #ArtDiplomacy, and more!

Adam Smith, Cheney and Holland: Washington Clean Energy Conference

Nicholas Cunningham

On January 28, ASP and the Washington Clean Technology Alliance (WCTA) co-hosted an event in Seattle, WA entitled “Clean Energy: The New Public Policy Reality.”

Sandy Relief Bill Does Little for Next Major Storm

Nicholas Cunningham

The Senate passed a Sandy relief package 62-36 on January 28, providing $50.7 billion in aid relief to the states hit by Hurricane Sandy, after the House passed its version on January 15.

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