Author: GSSR

With Elections Near, Putin Can’t Afford to Double Down on Syria

By: Sam Skove, Columnist Photo Credit: Viktoria Odissonova/Novaya Gazetta The United States’ increasing focus on Syria poses a hard policy problem for Russian President Vladimir Putin as he readies for important March 2018 Presidential Elections in Russia. If the United States raises pressure on the Assad regime and Russia does nothing, Putin will lose face internationally. … Continue reading With Elections Near, Putin Can’t Afford to Double Down on Syria

A Misguided Military Escalation in Yemen

By: Nate Subramanian, Columnist Photo Credit: Newsweek This past month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reportedly asked the Trump administration to lift Obama-era restrictions on direct military support for the Saudi-led coalition that has been battling Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015. While the United States has provided intelligence, targeting, planning, arms, and logistical support … Continue reading A Misguided Military Escalation in Yemen

Pakistan’s Militancy Conundrum

By: Nicole Magney, Columnist Photo Credit: Dawn News The Pakistani state’s relationship with terrorism is convoluted and, ultimately, self-defeating. Militant groups that are viewed by elements of the Pakistani government as aligning with state interests, like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Haqqani Network, are offered complicity or support, while other groups are condemned and targeted, like … Continue reading Pakistan’s Militancy Conundrum

Turning a Blind Eye to Chemical Weapons: Will Anyone Investigate What Happened in Darfur?

By: Farnaz Alimehri, Columnist Photo Credit: Amnesty International In the past decade, there has been a disturbing increase in the use of chemical weapons by states and non-state actors alike. While the international community and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have been prompt to act and condemn the use of chemical weapons … Continue reading Turning a Blind Eye to Chemical Weapons: Will Anyone Investigate What Happened in Darfur?

The Case for Preventive Arms Control

By: Paul Kumst, Columnist Photo Credit: United Nations In 1995, the United Nations (UN) adopted Protocol IV of the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) to prohibit the deployment of permanently blinding laser weapons. What makes this protocol unique is its preventive character. Despite their availability to some military forces, no such weapons had … Continue reading The Case for Preventive Arms Control

A Compelling Case for American Leadership

By: Andrew Johnian, Reporter Photo Credit: New Eastern Outlook The United States has championed an active role in international affairs over the past century, placing itself in the forefront of global security. From its commitment to fight imperialism, fascism, and communism in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, to its rejection … Continue reading A Compelling Case for American Leadership

How the ISIL War Changed the Political System in Iraqi Kurdistan

By: Frzand Sherko, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: KRG Department of Foreign Relations The continuation of a de facto autocracy in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has led to an extension of oligarchic authority and created a neglected nation, poor society, locked economy, and an irresponsible and corrupt government. The persistence of this situation would direct … Continue reading How the ISIL War Changed the Political System in Iraqi Kurdistan

THAAD Will Lead to Increased Chinese Nuclear Development

By: Gabriel Gorre, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: US Pacific Command (PACOM) On March 7th, the United States began its deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea.[i] The deployment of the THAAD system aims to minimize the damage from North Korean short and medium range missiles, a danger … Continue reading THAAD Will Lead to Increased Chinese Nuclear Development

To Make War on One Man: A Communications Lesson for Policymakers Turns 100

By: Rick Chersicla, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: LatinAmericanStudies.org Today marks the centenary of America’s entry into the First World War, and journals, magazines and television will likely be filled with special pieces commemorating our entry into The Great War. What will likely be overlooked, however, is the operation that immediately preceded American entry into World … Continue reading To Make War on One Man: A Communications Lesson for Policymakers Turns 100