September 2014

commentary

The Gaza Conflict: Tunnel Warfare's Latest Chapter

Despite its long history as an effective combat tool, tunneling rarely garners much attention, perhaps because it is inherently clandestine, tedious, and dirty. However, as the conflict in Gaza indicates, tunneling remains effective, and will likely persist as long as conflict itself.

Scott Savitz

commentary

If You Want Ex-Cons to Be 'Productive Members of Society,' Ban the Box

When an inmate is released, you often hear Americans say that he's 'paid his debt' and can now become 'a productive member of society.' But the reality is ex-cons pay for their crimes long after sentences end. On the outside, the stigma of incarceration makes it extremely difficult to land a job.

Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis

commentary

A Dispatch from the Ukrainian Front

If Putin sought advice about what NATO is thinking, his Russian Western Front Military commander might say that given its current political indecisiveness and lack of military readiness, NATO lacks the capability to launch a credible intervention, but they should watch for changes in the alliance posture.

Terrence K. Kelly, David A. Shlapak

blog

A U.S. Strategy for Dealing with China

Developing a next generation strategy for dealing with China will require the United States to sculpt a balanced and flexible approach that protects U.S. interest in East Asia while at the same time fosters cooperation with China on issues of common concern.

commentary

The Grim Lessons of 'Protective Edge'

For all the attempts to find technological quick fixes or enforce a permanent settlement, Operation Protective Edge has highlighted that a war of attrition, known as a 'long war,' remains the only viable strategy in the current environment.

Raphael S. Cohen, Gabriel Scheinmann

commentary

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Understanding the Security and Privacy Implications of the Internet-Connected Living Room

The modern living room contains a range of Internet-connected devices. This increased connectivity comes with privacy and security concerns, threats to consumers, and challenges for industry.

Neil Robinson

commentary

A Broad Approach to Countering the Islamic State

Recent analysis about how to defeat the Islamic State tends to be based on no more than intuition, a general sense of history, or a small number of cases of questionable comparability. A study of 71 historical cases of counterinsurgencies should help provide empirical evidence to this important debate.

Christopher Paul, Colin P. Clarke

commentary

Why the U.S. Swaps Prisoners but Doesn't Pay Ransom

Reports that the United States refused to pay ransom for journalist James Foley, only weeks before it released Taliban prisoners in exchange for Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, have caused confusion about U.S. policy. On the surface, it may seem inconsistent. Why release prisoners but not pay ransom?

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins