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While China's Regional Influence Grows, U.S. Remains Key Security and Economic Partner in East Asia — Nov. 17, 2008

pacific currents

A new study infers that America's key East Asian allies do not see China as a viable strategic alternative to the United States and that allied nations seek to broaden economic and diplomatic relations with both the United States and China.

Obama's First International Crisis — Nov. 16, 2008

Barack Obama giving speech

According to Vice President Joe Biden, the new President Barack Obama "will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power," as discussed by Brian Micheal Jenkins in this commentary for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

U.S. Department of Defense Faces Obstacles in Meeting Small-Business Contract Goals — Nov. 12, 2008

three business people

Many of the goods and services purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense are from industries that are often better suited to larger companies rather than smaller ones, complicating efforts to meet goals that about one-fourth of prime-contract dollars be awarded to small businesses.

Defeating Terrorist Groups — Nov. 12, 2008

three business people

Since 1997, the Defense Department and other federal agencies have been assigned agency-specific goals of spending a set percentage of contract dollars on goods and services with small businesses.

Talk to the Taliban? Not Now — Nov. 12, 2008

A Taliban captured by soldiers in Afghanistan, photo courtesy of Army/J. Wagner

When U.S. Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus reviewed the worsening security situation in Afghanistan, he was advised to engage in peace talks with the Taliban. According to this commentary, by Cheryl Benard for UPI.com, this may not be an advisable approach.

Know Your Enemy: From Iraq to Afghanistan — Nov. 9, 2008

U.S. soldiers walk through Afghan poppy fields, photo courtesy of Army/SSG K. Davis

As debate continues about how to fight a resurgent Al Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan and along the Pakistan border, leaders in Washington, Kabul and Islamabad seem lost about what to do next.

NSRD research center director James Dobbins wins award for memoir of Afghanistan — Oct. 10, 2008

CB-414 Cover

The book by James Dobbins, After the Taliban: Nation-Building in Afghanistan was announced as the winner of the 2008 Douglas Dillon Award for Distinguished Writing on American Diplomacy by the American Academy of Diplomacy.

Georgia Dispute Derails Bid to Stop Nuke Terrorism — Oct. 6, 2008

Russian nuclear warhead, photo courtesy of Flickr

In the wake of Russia’s actions in Georgia, the U.S. has delayed talks with Moscow dealing with missile defense and reducing the size of strategic nuclear arsenals as discussed by Brian Micheal Jenkins for Providence Journal.

Changes Needed in Way the United States Conducts Military Interventions — Oct. 2, 2008

U.S. troops at capitol, photo courtesy of Army

In preparing for possible future military interventions, the United States needs to shift substantial resources and integrate military-civilian efforts.

War's Invisible Wounds — Sep. 28, 2008

Soldier Hugs Wife

Nearly 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan service veterans who have returned home, about one in five, may suffer from combat-stress-related mental health problems as discussed in this commentary for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.


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