The Limits of Hard Power in Trump’s Afghanistan and South Asia Strategy

By: Stephanie Pillion, Columnist Photo Credit: US Department of Defense In a speech to Congress on August 21, 2017, President Donald Trump outlined his strategy for the Afghanistan and South Asia region. President Trump’s speech focused on three core pillars, which balance the use of hard with soft power in US strategy for the region. … Continue reading The Limits of Hard Power in Trump’s Afghanistan and South Asia Strategy

The US-Russia Race to Beat ISIS in Eastern Syria

By: Patrick Hoover, Columnist Photo Credit: Daily Sabah The race to rule eastern Syria after the defeat of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is quickly and quietly escalating into a focal point of US-Russian tension and competition. The US-backed, Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Russian-backed Syrian regime are conducting separate, but competing, … Continue reading The US-Russia Race to Beat ISIS in Eastern Syria

Women and De-Radicalization

By: Gregory Niguidula, Reporter Photo Credit: Georgetown University On September 15, 2017, over two-dozen people gathered around the Mortara Center conference table for a panel titled “Women and De-Radicalization: Comparing Perspectives”. The panel, hosted by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security (GIWPS), was moderated by Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the Institute’s executive director. “Women are the … Continue reading Women and De-Radicalization

Georgetown’s Center for Security Studies Hosts Kalaris Intelligence Conference

By: Donnie Hill, Reporter Photo Credit: Georgetown University The Center for Security Studies (CSS), in partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), hosted the George T. Kalaris Intelligence Conference on September 14th, 2017 in Gaston Hall. This year’s theme, Global Intelligence Trends: Embracing Paradigm Shifts, drew a diverse group of professionals from government and the … Continue reading Georgetown’s Center for Security Studies Hosts Kalaris Intelligence Conference

Prospect Theory Suggests the Islamic State is Primed for Risk-Seeking Behavior

By: Collin Meisel Photo Credit: The Guardian Iraqi forces have recaptured Mosul, Raqqa is surrounded by US-backed forces, and, in all likelihood, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is no more.[1] For all intents and purposes, the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate is dead. So, is it time to celebrate and declare victory? Not exactly. Much like a cornered … Continue reading Prospect Theory Suggests the Islamic State is Primed for Risk-Seeking Behavior

Revamping the Radiological Security Regime

By: Brittany R. Marien, Guest Contributor Photo Credit: BBC.com Although more than 100 countries possess radiological sources for use in industry, medicine, agriculture, and research, many of these sources are poorly secured or located in areas, such as hospitals or research centers with open access to large numbers of people. The 2014 Nuclear Security Summit revealed … Continue reading Revamping the Radiological Security Regime

The Syrian Conflict: The Difference Between Peace and Justice

By: Lauren Prudente, Columnist Photo Credit: The Independent (via US Navy) The current United States strategy in Syria is to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), but that cannot happen until the Syrian Civil War ends and the country is unified. The current US strategy is not equipped for ending the civil … Continue reading The Syrian Conflict: The Difference Between Peace and Justice

Turkey’s Referendum Affects the Fight Against ISIS

By: Yasmin Faruki, Columnist Photo Credit: CNN.com On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared victory in a sweeping constitutional referendum that transformed the government’s parliamentary system into a presidential one. The changes are a welcome victory for Erdogan, who just survived a military-led coup last July.[i] Though 51% of the population voted in favor … Continue reading Turkey’s Referendum Affects the Fight Against ISIS

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