National Security and Terrorism

Iran
commentary
Iran's Network of Fighters in the Middle East Aren't Always Loyal to Iran
Becca Wasser, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
May 21, 2019
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
Iran's nonstate partners are emerging as central players in the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, and may be a driver of further escalation. But how involved is Iran with these proxy groups?
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China
commentary
Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 15, 2019
The Diplomat
China's last major war experience gave it virtually zero lessons to apply to future armed conflict. At some point the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will need to test its new capabilities and the training it has honed over time. There are at least three reasons why Vietnam is likely in the PLA's crosshairs.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
We're Just Beginning to Grasp the Toll of the Islamic State's Archaeological Looting in Syria
Fiona Greenland, Oya Topçuoğlu, Tasha Vorderstrasse, James V. Marrone
May 15, 2019
The Conversation
During the Islamic State's rise, looted artifacts were said to be a significant source of income for the group. But no one had identified the value, using empirical data and systematic calculations, of the artifacts that were known to exist in Syria's archaeological sites. Until now.
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China
commentary
Getting to Know the Competition
Cortez A. Cooper III
May 13, 2019
RealClearDefense
Americans are facing a new reality in global great power relations that will define the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy for the foreseeable future. Understanding China's threat perceptions, while remaining clear-eyed regarding differences in objectives, is essential to developing strategies to deter conflict.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Can Anyone Save the Iran Nuclear Deal Now?
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
May 10, 2019
New York Times
Europe faces mounting pressure from both Tehran and Washington regarding the Iran nuclear deal. European countries could take steps to signal their commitment to upholding the deal, but doing so may alienate the United States.
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Iran
commentary
U.S., Iran Must Both Tread Lightly with Tensions Running So High
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai, Becca Wasser
May 9, 2019
The Hill
Tensions between the United States and Iran have increased, raising concerns that they may be headed for war. But conflict is not inevitable. The United States and Iran could seek to re-establish communications channels, as well as look for available off-ramps to de-escalate tensions and keep the slightest misstep from spiraling into an all-out conflict.
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Urban Warfare
commentary
Urban Legend: Is Combat in Cities Really Inevitable?
David E. Johnson @DaveJohnsonDC
May 7, 2019
War on the Rocks
Future combat will take place in dense urban areas and likely in megacities. These are the new “truths” that are taking hold in the U.S. military. But before going all-in on optimizing for urban operations, the U.S. military should take a deep breath and think carefully about future operations within the context of the National Defense Strategy.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
Baghdadi Resurfaces: What It Means for ISIS's Global Terror Campaign
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
May 6, 2019
Los Angeles Times
With last week's release of a video of Abu Bakr Baghdadi, ISIS showed that it's still got some life left—literally. The most important message to take away from the Baghdadi video may be that the Islamic State does not need territory to survive and even thrive.
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Terrorist Bombings
commentary
Sri Lanka's Easter Attacks: Dismantling Myths to Prevent the Next Attack
Jonah Blank
May 6, 2019
Fox News Channel
On Easter Sunday, suicide bombers hit six locations across Sri Lanka, killing more than 250 people. Even before ISIS claimed responsibility, there was no obvious connection to the quarter-century of violence that afflicted the nation until 2009. It is worth dismantling a few myths that might prevent better preparation for future attacks.
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Japan
commentary
With Little Fanfare, Japan Just Changed the Way It Uses Its Military
Jeffrey W. Hornung
May 3, 2019
Foreign Policy
In early April, Japan deployed its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) abroad to join a multinational force not connected to the United Nations. This is the first time that SDF personnel will participate in overseas peacekeeping operations not under UN control. The difference may not seem important, but it is.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
What the Baghdadi Video Means
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Apr 30, 2019
Foreign Policy
For the first time in five years, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the reclusive leader of ISIS, appeared on video. Why did he suddenly feel the need to show his face and speak to his followers? The answer concerns how recent events intersect with ISIS's long-term needs.
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Russia
commentary
Mueller Report May Result in Russian Sanctions but Not Better Behavior
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Apr 26, 2019
The Hill
The Mueller report could help mobilize political pressure in the United States for a stronger posture toward Russian activities that harm American and allied interests. But the Kremlin will likely still see propaganda, disinformation, and subterfuge as useful tools to undermine America's values and cohesion.
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Refugees
commentary
Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Apr 19, 2019
The National Interest
Active fighting in Syria is dwindling. But Syria remains divided in a frozen conflict and empty peace, unstable and unlikely to attract the investment in reconstruction, public institutions, job creation, and local reconciliation efforts needed to motivate Syrians in large numbers to return home.
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Warfare and Military Operations
commentary
Yes, the U.S. Could Be Drawn Into Yet Another Big War
Michael J. Mazarr
Apr 19, 2019
The Wall Street Journal
The outcome of the Iraq invasion has done little to alter the factors that have led American leaders and the public into unwise military adventures. Today's big idea of America's mission is not so different from what it was in 2003. Any number of events could spark a new moral imperative to act.
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China
commentary
Book Review: 'Unrivaled' by Michael Beckley
Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Apr 18, 2019
The National Interest
In Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World's Sole Superpower Michael Beckley argues not only that U.S. preeminence is safer than most contemporary commentary would have one believe, but also that it is more resilient.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
A Warming Trend in China-Russia Relations
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz, Ali Wyne @Ali_Wyne
Apr 18, 2019
The Diplomat
The China-Russia relationship is indeed growing across military, economic, and political dimensions. But it is still more anchored in shared grievances than in common visions. Both countries contest U.S. interests, but in different ways. Washington should treat them as separate strategic challenges.
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127

Lessons from a Prison-Based College Program That Continues After Release

Fostering Skills and Creating New Pipelines for Military Service

Iran's Network of Fighters in the Middle East Aren't Always Loyal to Iran

The U.S. and Iran: Beyond the Rhetoric

Anticipating Policy Options for Addressing U.S. Arctic Hurdles

The Policy Currents Podcast

Measuring Wellbeing to Help Communities Thrive

Impact Dashboard Helps Local Regulatory Services Deliver Value

Improving Access to Early Childhood Education

Addressing the Invisible Wounds of War

National Security and Terrorism

Iran's Network of Fighters in the Middle East Aren't Always Loyal to Iran

Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight

We're Just Beginning to Grasp the Toll of the Islamic State's Archaeological Looting in Syria

Getting to Know the Competition

Can Anyone Save the Iran Nuclear Deal Now?

U.S., Iran Must Both Tread Lightly with Tensions Running So High

Urban Legend: Is Combat in Cities Really Inevitable?

Baghdadi Resurfaces: What It Means for ISIS's Global Terror Campaign

Sri Lanka's Easter Attacks: Dismantling Myths to Prevent the Next Attack

With Little Fanfare, Japan Just Changed the Way It Uses Its Military

What the Baghdadi Video Means

Mueller Report May Result in Russian Sanctions but Not Better Behavior

Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon

Yes, the U.S. Could Be Drawn Into Yet Another Big War

Book Review: 'Unrivaled' by Michael Beckley

A Warming Trend in China-Russia Relations

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