Latest Briefs

June 23, 2017

Asia

International

June 23, 2017

U.S. Running Out of Options in Afghanistan

by Bennett Seftel

The U.S. war in Afghanistan has entered into its 16th year with no end in sight. With the battle against the Taliban essentially mired in a stalemate and the Afghan government failing to address...
June 22, 2017

Middle East

International

June 22, 2017

Close Calls or Worse Between U.S. and Russia in Syria

by Fritz Lodge and Will Edwards

Last Sunday, a U.S. Navy F/A-18E fighter jet shot down a Syrian government SU-22 bomber in the U.S. military’s first air-to-air kill involving manned aircraft since the 1999 Kosovo campaign. In...
June 21, 2017

Tech

Tech/Cyber

June 21, 2017

Allying Public and Private Forces on the Front Lines of Cybersecurity

by Levi Maxey

Few security challenges muddle the distinction between government and business roles as those emanating from cyberspace. National security issues no longer remain solely under the purview of...
June 20, 2017

Asia

International

June 20, 2017

Can China Actually Restrain Kim Jong-Un?

by Will Edwards

On June 21, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis will meet with their Chinese counterparts, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and General Fang Fenghui, Chief of Joint...
June 18, 2017

Latin America

International

June 18, 2017

Drugs and Violence on the United States’ Doorstep: No End in Sight

by Kaitlin Lavinder

Heads of government from Central America, Mexico, and the United States convened in Miami on June 15 and 16 to discuss security in the Americas, while the Trump Administration plans to cut aid to...
June 16, 2017

Asia

International

June 16, 2017

Philippine City is a Battleground in Global Fight Against Extremism

by Will Edwards

Last week, General Eduardo Ano, the Philippines Chief of Staff, said he hoped that the city of Marawi would be liberated from Islamist militants before June 12, the country’s Independence Day. The...
June 15, 2017

Middle East

International

June 15, 2017

Will China Play Peacemaker with Its Oil Suppliers Saudi Arabia and Iran?

by Bennett Seftel

China, for some time, has performed a delicate balancing act in the Middle East. As a major importer of oil from two archrivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran, Beijing has managed to pursue its economic...
June 14, 2017

Africa

International

June 14, 2017

South Africa: On the Road to Turmoil?

by Kaitlin Lavinder

Long the example of stability on the African continent, South Africa emerged in the 1990s, after decades of apartheid, as an up-and-coming democracy ruled by the African National Congress (ANC), then...
June 13, 2017

Europe

International

June 13, 2017

Does Brexit Still Mean Brexit?

by Fritz Lodge

British Prime Minister Theresa May had hoped to have an ironclad majority in parliament that would bolster her negotiating position in upcoming Brexit talks. That hope was dashed by the results of...
June 11, 2017

Tech

Tech/Cyber

June 11, 2017

Terror Finance in the Age of Bitcoin

by Levi Maxey

Terrorists’ tactics evolve with the times. Just as we have seen an adaption of terrorist methods for sowing fear and distrust, so, too, we have seen their propaganda machines evolve to inspire...

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