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Publication Highlight

Cover: How Terrorist Groups EndHow Terrorist Groups End — 2008

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Featured Publications

Cover: An Examination of Options to Reduce Underway Training Days Through the Use of SimulationAn Examination of Options to Reduce Underway Training Days Through the Use of Simulation - 2008

The authors find that although most exercises are done underway, many could be done in port with or without the use of simulators.

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Cover: South Korea's Miraculous DemocracySouth Korea's Miraculous Democracy - 2008

Despite South Korea's messy democratic trajectory, it has miraculously achieved consolidation.

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Cover: The Defense Acquisition WorkforceThe Defense Acquisition Workforce: An Analysis of Personnel Trends Relevant to Policy, 1993-2006 — 2008

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Cover: Why Has the Cost of Fixed-Wing Aircraft Risen?Why Has the Cost of Fixed-Wing Aircraft Risen? A Macroscopic Examination of the Trends in U.S. Military Aircraft Costs over the Past Several Decades — 2008

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Recent News

Too Soon to Judge the Surge — Aug. 29, 2008

Three soldiers, photo courtesy of Army/Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika

Most of the units involved in the surge have been withdrawn from Iraq, and troop levels are about what they were before the surge was announced. And if General Petraeus recommends, further troop cuts may be adopted this fall. The key question is whether levels of violence will remain low once those troops are gone.

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Georgia: Breakdown of Vision the West Had for a New Europe — Aug. 28, 2008

Russian President Putin and EU Commission President Barrolo, photo courtesy of Fllickr

Since the Russian Federation sent tanks, troops, and planes slicing into Georgia, commentators have reached for a variety of historic parallels.... None of these supposed parallels catches the current situation.

iconCommentary iconInternational Affairs Research Area

Kosovo and South Ossetia More Different Than Similar — Aug. 26, 2008

Russian tank in Georgia, photo courtesy of Flickr

The Russian government has long highlighted the similarities between Kosovo and South Ossetia. When Kosovo declared independence, Russia argued that this would embolden South Ossetia, as discussed by Olga Oliker in this commentary for RFERL.org .

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The Arc: A Formal Structure For a Palestinian State — Aug. 25, 2008

Palestinian girl by fence

This video explores the options for the physical infrastructure of potential for a Palestinian state.

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Turkey's Second Chance — Aug. 25, 2008

Turkey Prime Minister Erdogan, photo courtesy of Flickr

The recent decision by the Turkish Constitutional Court not to close the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) helped Turkey narrowly dodge a dangerous political bullet, according to this commentary by F. Stephen Larrabee for the Washington Times .

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After the Taliban: Nation-Building in Afghanistan — Aug. 19, 2008

U.S. soldier with Afghan children

Ambassador James Dobbins recounts how the U.S. administration reluctantly adjusted to its new role as nation-builder, yields insights into how government and diplomacy really work, and explains why it has failed to stabilize Afghanistan or Iraq.

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Terrorism expert examines intelligence on al Qaida in "Will Terrorists Go Nuclear?" — Aug. 19, 2008

icbm guidance system, courtesy of Flickr

Offering insights into vital questions of national security, presidential decisionmaking, and terrorist motives, world-renowned terrorism expert Brian Michael Jenkins examines how terrorists think about nuclear weapons and nuclear terror.

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Researcher Farhana Ali Discusses Future of Pakistan — Aug. 18, 2008

Pervez Musharraf

The future of Pakistan after the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is discussed in this interview of Farhana Ali by C-Span.

View the Video at c-span.org

Stop the ’War’ on Terror: Calling It a ’War’ Is a Boon to Terrorist Recruiters — Aug. 6, 2008

Sustaining Key Skills in the UK Naval Industry

Military might against terrorist groups isn’t working. After studying the record of 648 terrorist groups between 1968 and 2006, military force has rarely been effective, as discussed in this commentary by Seth G. Jones and Martin C. Libicki for the Christian Science Monitor.

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