By: Yasmin Faruki, Columnist Photo Credit: Al-Jazeera The recent ousting of Daesh from Raqqa by the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) is a welcome victory for the US-led coalition, but upcoming challenges underscore the lack of a clear US strategy in Syria. As Daesh’s former de facto capital in Syria, Raqqa enabled the organization to carry … Continue reading What Comes After Raqqa?
Month: October 2017
Preventing Russian Dominance in the Arctic
By: Will Chim, Columnist Photo Credit: CIMSEC The lands and seas of the Arctic Circle remain one of the last great frontiers on Earth and hold up to 13% of total undiscovered oil and 30% of undiscovered natural gas in the world.[1] Out of all the countries with an interest in the Arctic, the Russian … Continue reading Preventing Russian Dominance in the Arctic
China’s Evolving Cybersecurity Strategy
By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo Credit: Cyberwar News After the Communist Party of China’s 19th Party Congress concludes this week, only 17% of the original military leadership is expected to remain in power—the most extensive military reshuffle since Mao Zedong.[i] Much of this reshuffle and recent Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) modernization focuses on transitioning … Continue reading China’s Evolving Cybersecurity Strategy
Hawalas’ Role in the Financial War on Terrorism
By: Kailey Pickitt, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President Bush declared that the United States would destroy al-Qa’ida using “every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, and every financial influence;”[i] the last of these largely determines the success of a … Continue reading Hawalas’ Role in the Financial War on Terrorism
The European Defense Project: Challenges and Potential
By: Lorris Beverelli, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: European Parliament The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) serves as the main assurance for European defense. However, the European Union (EU) wants to better organize and increase its own military capabilities.[i] A potential opening for greater military cooperation lies with Brexit. The United Kingdom (UK) has always preferred … Continue reading The European Defense Project: Challenges and Potential
Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness
By: Benedikt Meng, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: US Army Gone are the days of the post-Cold War ‘American Hyperpower’ which dominated global economic and strategic security in a world of relatively stable nuclear security. While the Cold War world presented an uneasy nuclear balance resting on the actions of two superpowers, today’s nuclear environment is … Continue reading Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness
Rethinking the South Asia Strategy—Addressing the Root Causes of Afghanistan/Pakistan Tensions
By: Doug Livermore, Columnist Photo Credit: Reuters The recently announced US South Asia Strategy represents one of the Trump administration’s first comprehensive, whole of government approaches to global affairs. The most prominent aspect of the strategy noted by foreign affairs observers was the transition to a “conditions based” approach for assessing progress and appropriate troop … Continue reading Rethinking the South Asia Strategy—Addressing the Root Causes of Afghanistan/Pakistan Tensions
Finding a Place for Political Islam
By: Andrew Swick, Columnist Photo Credit: Al-Jazeera Two recent publications by prominent Washington researchers aim to tackle the difficult question of how the United States should approach political Islam—especially in the Arab world. Rethinking Political Islam, by Shadi Hamid and William McCants, reviews a multi-year study by the Brookings Institution, providing country case studies and … Continue reading Finding a Place for Political Islam
The Mounting Challenges in Refugee Education
By: Rebecca Robison, Reporter Photo Credit: JRSUSA.org The global rise in the number of conflicts, particularly protracted conflicts, has resulted in a drastic increase in refugees. In fact, the number of displaced persons worldwide has reached its highest level since World War II. The event “A Crisis Unfolding: Access to Education for Refugees in Africa?” held … Continue reading The Mounting Challenges in Refugee Education
Death from Above? The United States Must Address Air Defense Challenges
By: Patrick Savage, Columnist Photo Credit: FighterSweep United States ground forces have not been killed by enemy aircraft since 1953.[i] That record is certainly due in large part to the advantages in training and equipment afforded to the United States Air Force and the United States Army’s air defense units. However, it is also important … Continue reading Death from Above? The United States Must Address Air Defense Challenges