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National Security and Terrorism

Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Can U.S. Pressure Lead to a New Iran Nuclear Deal?
Ariane Mitra Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai, Eric Brewer
Sep 18, 2018
Foreign Policy
It could be a mistake for the United States to assume that more pressure will bring Iran closer to ending or reducing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. When it comes to measures aimed at Iran's nuclear program, more pressure could worsen nuclear risks and further drive a wedge between the United States and its European allies.
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Joint Operations
commentary
Huge Military Drills Show Both the Limits and the Durability of China-Russia Ties
Timothy R. Heath
Sep 11, 2018
World Politics Review
The appearance of military cooperation between China and Russia masks deep strategic distrust and suspicion. But despite these real limitations, strong incentives and a lack of alternatives provide a sturdy foundation for a continued strategic partnership going forward.
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Politics and Government
commentary
Reforming Security Assistance: Why the State Department Can't Lead from Behind
Michael J. McNerney, Jennifer D. P. Moroney @jdpmoroney
Sep 5, 2018
The Hill
The reforms in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act are driving the Department of Defense to improve security cooperation planning. Similar reforms for the State Department could help leaders there more effectively communicate the value of security assistance and maintain their traditional leadership role.
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Politics and Government
commentary
McCain's Heroism
Phillip Carter @Carter_PE
Aug 27, 2018
Slate
John McCain's heroism will forever punctuate America's memory of the Vietnam War, reminding us both of the horrors of war and the human potential to transcend them. His heroism also stands out because of how it empowered him as a congressman and senator to do things others could not.
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Information Operations
commentary
Iran's Disinformation Campaigns
Ariane Mitra Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Aug 24, 2018
Foreign Affairs
New reports suggest that the Kremlin may have company in its efforts to shape the United States' domestic information landscape: Iran. As Americans prepare to return to the voting booths this fall, Washington would be well advised to look into Iran's disinformation capabilities and intentions.
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Military Transformation
commentary
How the U.S. Military Learned to Learn in World War I: Lessons from the American Expeditionary Forces
Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Aug 22, 2018
War on the Rocks
The U.S. military generally believes it has little to learn from its allies. But during World War I, the more open the Americans were to their allies’ wisdom, the better they fought and the less they suffered.
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Russia
commentary
Walking a Fine Line on Russian Sanctions
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Aug 22, 2018
Reuters
The United States and its allies are increasingly frustrated over malign activities by Russia. This week the U.S. unveiled new sanctions, and is expected to impose even more in the future. But choosing sanctions requires care. Their purpose should be to penalize Russia for misbehavior, but not to isolate Russians.
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Syria
commentary
The Growing Risk of a New Middle East War
Richard C. Baffa @R_Baffa, Nathan Vest
Aug 21, 2018
United Press International
Escalating clashes between Israeli and Iranian forces in Syria have demonstrably increased the risk of a new, large-scale regional conflict that would likely involve the U.S. military. Tehran's continued provocations and violations of Israel's stated red lines are fueling escalation with the potential to rapidly spin out of control.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
A U.S.-Russia Partnership Against China Is Unlikely
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Aug 21, 2018
Lowy Institute
After Donald Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July, it might appear as if the U.S. and Russia are considering the formation of a partnership against China. But Russia seems more likely to try to expand the scope of its cooperation with China while also attempting to extract concessions from the United States.
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Missile Defense
commentary
Japan's Aegis Ashore Defense System
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Aug 20, 2018
Yomiuri Shimbun
For nearly 20 years, Japan has used the North Korea threat as a legitimate rationale to build its missile defense system and cooperate closely with the U.S. in its development. This argument remains as true today as it was before the flurry of regional diplomacy began earlier this year.
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Information Operations
commentary
Here's How Russia Will Try to Interfere in the 2018 Elections
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Aug 14, 2018
Fox News Channel
Russia will threaten U.S. midterm elections in November, although by how much is unclear. Moscow might be more restrained this year, but it could be wilier.
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Military Strategy
commentary
The Military's Search for Innovation
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Aug 13, 2018
RealClearDefense
Militaries have historically sought ways to incorporate new weapons, armaments and methods of fighting into their operations. As the United States military continues to vigorously pursue innovation, history has provided important lessons which can help guide future innovation efforts.
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Terrorism Threat Assessment
commentary
Approaching a 'New Normal': What the Drone Attack in Venezuela Portends
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Aug 13, 2018
Foreign Policy Research Institute
The attempt to assassinate Venezuelan President Maduro showed that drones are easy to use and difficult to defend against. Commercial off-the-shelf technology is easy to acquire. It is imperative that counterterrorism specialists begin planning a robust response to the threat.
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Iran
commentary
Bringing Back Sanctions Will Hurt U.S. Allies and Iran, but Will It Help the U.S.?
Dalia Dassa Kaye @dassakaye
Aug 7, 2018
The Hill
What happens if leaving the Iran nuclear deal and applying “maximum pressure” doesn't lead Iran to change its behavior or the regime to collapse? The Trump administration may find that it's much easier to break a deal than to replace it with something better.
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Gender Integration in the Military
commentary
The U.S. Air Force Is Working Harder to Retain Female Officers, and Here's How
Miriam Matthews
Aug 6, 2018
Dallas Morning News
Women are underrepresented among the U.S. Air Force's senior leadership. This could be robbing the service of the potential to improve innovation, agility, and performance. The Air Force is working to address diversity in the service, and it continues to work to improve representation of women within its ranks.
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Threat Assessment
commentary
The Security Risks of a Trade War with China
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Aug 6, 2018
Foreign Affairs
As U.S.-China trade tensions continue to rise, many observers are focused on the potential for a full-fledged trade war that could destabilize the world economy. But there are security concerns as well. A China less constrained by and invested in economic ties with the United States could pose a greater challenge to U.S. foreign policy.
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119

National Security and Terrorism

Can U.S. Pressure Lead to a New Iran Nuclear Deal?

Huge Military Drills Show Both the Limits and the Durability of China-Russia Ties

Reforming Security Assistance: Why the State Department Can't Lead from Behind

McCain's Heroism

Iran's Disinformation Campaigns

How the U.S. Military Learned to Learn in World War I: Lessons from the American Expeditionary Forces

Walking a Fine Line on Russian Sanctions

The Growing Risk of a New Middle East War

A U.S.-Russia Partnership Against China Is Unlikely

Japan's Aegis Ashore Defense System

Here's How Russia Will Try to Interfere in the 2018 Elections

The Military's Search for Innovation

Approaching a 'New Normal': What the Drone Attack in Venezuela Portends

Bringing Back Sanctions Will Hurt U.S. Allies and Iran, but Will It Help the U.S.?

The U.S. Air Force Is Working Harder to Retain Female Officers, and Here's How

The Security Risks of a Trade War with China

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