Security
Four Years In: Reviewing Catherine Ashton’s Term
The European Union is ‘an Economic Giant, a Political Dwarf, and a Military Worm’. The first part is undeniably true, as the current EU-US negotiations remind us, but have the second two
How Al Qaeda is Losing the Battle for Hearts and Minds
With the death of Omar Hammami, an Alabama-born Somali militant, Al Qaeda recruitment efforts in the West are a diminishing security threat. On September 12th, Omar Hammami, an Alabama-born al-Shabaab
Libya’s Government and Militias Vie for Power
Almost two years after former Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed, the political situation in the country is not living up to the promise of the revolution. The
Karzai Consolidates Power before 2014 Elections
Following a summer of promising electoral reforms, President Hamid Karzai is now moving to broker peace talks with the Taliban following years of failed attempts. The Taliban were removed from power
Will a Moderate Iran Ease Regional Tensions?
A recent Global Risk Insights post discussed an apparent softening of rhetoric on the part of Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, and foreign minister, Javad Zarif. Whether or not that apparent
Op-Ed: The US Has No Coherent Strategy in Syria
When Congress returns from vacation on September 9th, it will begin to debate an appropriate response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. President Obama warned last year that Syria should
U.S. Air Force expands Asia Pacific presence
The United States has worked to enhance its military positioning in the Asia-Pacific as part of its strategic “pivot”. Last month, the Saipan Tribune wrote that the U.S. Air Force
Kaesong Industrial Complex key to Inter-Korea relations
On the 15th of August, talks between North and South Korea reached a deal to reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), which has been closed since April this year. Operations will
US-Philippines Military Cooperation Ensures Trade Stability
The United States and the Philippines began negotiations last Wednesday to increase the rotational US military presence in the country. These discussions hope to secure a “framework agreement” that would
Despite Recent Progress, Instability Persists in Somalia
Just one year ago, Somalia, which has weathered near-constant conflict of varying intensity since 1991, looked poised to finally emerge from the cycle of violence and economic despair. A new
