Syrian Civil Defense: A Framework for Demobilization and Reconstruction in Post-Conflict Syria

By Sloane Speakman, Guest Columnist As various factions in Syria’s civil war meet in Geneva this week to restart stalled negotiations, renewed attention is being given to what post-conflict Syria would look like. But while high-level diplomats discuss this distant reality, local organizations in Syria, like the Syrian Civil Defense (SCD), are already working … Continue reading Syrian Civil Defense: A Framework for Demobilization and Reconstruction in Post-Conflict Syria

Not All Apologies Are Created Equal: Israel’s Insecurity and the March Elections

Wikimedia Commons By Mitchel Hochberg, Columnist Opinions presented in this article do not represent the views of the Office of the Secretary of Defense or the US Government Two weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu feebly expressed remorse for saying that Israeli Arabs voted in “droves” during March’s Israeli elections.[1] Netanyahu also attempted to … Continue reading Not All Apologies Are Created Equal: Israel’s Insecurity and the March Elections

Interview: Dr. Bruce Hoffman on His New Book, Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947

By Sarah Maksoud, Reporter The GSSR sat with Dr. Bruce Hoffman to discuss his new book, Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947. Based on meticulous archival research conducted in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel, the book explores the use of terrorism as a tactic in the Jewish campaign against the British in … Continue reading Interview: Dr. Bruce Hoffman on His New Book, Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947

Dr. Avraham Sela: State, Society and Transnational Islamic Volunteer Fighters in Comparative Perspective: Palestine 1948 and Afghanistan (1980-92)

Dr. Sela By Kristin M. Pettersen, Reporter On March 19th, The Center for Security Studies hosted Dr. Avraham Sela for a talk entitled, "State, Society and Transnational Islamic Volunteer Fighters in Comparative Perspective: Palestine 1948 and Afghanistan (1980-92)." Dr. Sela addressed the paradoxical role of the direct and indirect support Arab states gave to jihadist … Continue reading Dr. Avraham Sela: State, Society and Transnational Islamic Volunteer Fighters in Comparative Perspective: Palestine 1948 and Afghanistan (1980-92)

What’s in a Safe Haven?

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Wikimedia Commons By Mitchel Hochberg, Columnist What’s in a Safe Haven? Since the attacks of September 11th, 2001, United States foreign policymakers have been obsessed with preventing the emergence of terrorist … Continue reading What’s in a Safe Haven?

Enduring Challenges of the Strategic Trade Control Regime

Photo of the United Nations Security Council hall (taken by Hu Totya, Wikimedia Commons) By Evan Thompson, Columnist Since the first use of nuclear weapons in 1945, there has been a concerted, global effort to prevent their spread. The bookends of this effort were the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970 and the United Nations Security … Continue reading Enduring Challenges of the Strategic Trade Control Regime

Congress’ Iran Sanctions Dilemma

Benjamin Netanyahu Speaking to the US Congress in 2011, Wikimedia Commons By Mitchel Hochberg, Columnist Though the agreed upon framework for negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran bars new sanctions, congressional anti-Iran hawks—who believe restrictions brought Iran to the table—really would like to increase sanctions on Iran.[1] Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin … Continue reading Congress’ Iran Sanctions Dilemma

Yemen: The Difficulties of Curtailing Smuggling and the Regional Implications

Port city of Aden, Yemen, Wikimedia Commons By Evan Thompson, Columnist Eleven different intra- and inter-state conflicts have plagued Yemen since 1948, making it a very difficult nation to govern. Most recently, the Arab Spring swept Yemen, ousting long-time ruler President Ali Abdulla Saleh.[i] The consistency of conflict has weakened the Yemeni economy and other important … Continue reading Yemen: The Difficulties of Curtailing Smuggling and the Regional Implications

The United States Should Think Twice Before Intervening Against ISIL

Territory currently controlled by ISIL, Wikimedia Commons By Mitchel Hochberg, Columnist Capitalizing on instability and poor governance in the region, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has employed hybrid military-insurgent tactics to gain control of large swaths of territory. While the group poses a considerable danger to local and regional governments, US … Continue reading The United States Should Think Twice Before Intervening Against ISIL

Diagnosing the Latest US-Israel Relationship Woes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry, Wikimedia Commons By Jamie Geller, Associate Editor for the Middle East A widespread notion assumes amicable US-Israel relations that are both eternal and inevitable.[1] Both countries indeed share democratic aspirations materializing in strong bilateral coordination in areas like defense, security, and trade.[2] … Continue reading Diagnosing the Latest US-Israel Relationship Woes