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March 2017

commentary

Why It's So Hard to Stop a Cyberattack — and Even Harder to Fight Back
Cyber weapons attack the underlying network or computer systems. The possibility of unexpected effects in the cyber world is therefore greater than in conventional warfare. Not knowing if the effects were intentional complicates the response.
Mar 30, 2017

commentary

Belarus: Between Russia and the West
Public demonstrations in Minsk and across Russia hint that winds of political change and disillusionment with stagnation and corruption may be reaching both countries. Their leaders will blame the West, try to ride out the protests and, despite differences, will likely stick together.
Mar 29, 2017
commentary

Brexit and the Politics of Raising Barriers
A lot is known about bringing new members into alliances and trade relationships. Not much is known about dismantling these bonds peaceably. Since Brexit will be more about adding barriers than taking them down, it will be a leap into the dark.
Mar 29, 2017
commentary

Sixty Years Later European Integration Has Benefited EU Countries
Sixty years after the Treaty of Rome, the EU is facing one of its most challenging periods. Closer ties and shared values across EU member states have provided social and economic benefits but any moves towards closer integration in Europe will fail to materialize in the absence of political will.
Mar 28, 2017
commentary

The Urgent Need for an Education Plan in Mosul
In addition to restoring Mosul's damaged infrastructure, efforts to stabilize the city must include a plan to rebuild education. Students need to make up years of missed K-12 and university education, and ISIS indoctrination needs to be undone.
Mar 27, 2017
commentary

Strategic Consequences of U.S. Withdrawal from TPP
America's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership has exacerbated doubts about U.S. international leadership and America's role in Asia. Future trade agreements could face similar fates until they do a better job outlining how domestic workers can prosper.
Mar 27, 2017
commentary

What Americans Need to Know if Russia Intervenes in Libya's Civil War
Indications that Russia could intervene militarily in Libya's civil war are growing. If it does, the Trump White House will face a tangle of unpleasant choices with far-reaching consequences.
Mar 26, 2017
commentary

Murder, Missiles, and Messages from North Korea
Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile on February 12 — one day before Kim Jong Nam, half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered in Malaysia — and four more on March 6. What would lead North Korea to carry out these provocations?
Mar 24, 2017
commentary

Al Qaeda in Syria Can Change Its Name, but Not Its Stripes
Al Qaeda in Syria, by any name, remains a dangerous and capable terrorist organization with the ability to conduct attacks in the West. Those seeking to grapple with the threat the group poses should focus less on its names and more on its actions.
Mar 23, 2017
commentary

Reining in Internet Abuse
The internet is being used for harmful, unethical, and illegal purposes. Examples include incitement and recruitment by terrorists, cyber bullying, and malicious fake news. Americans say they are unhappy with the tone of the online discourse, but are reluctant to consider potential remedies.
Mar 23, 2017
commentary

Holding Bashar al-Assad Accountable for Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
With two no votes from China and Russia, the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution punishing Syrian officials for their roles in chlorine attacks in 2014 and 2015. Leadership from the United States on this issue could show allies that despite a change in government, the U.S. remains committed to holding those who use chemical weapons accountable.
Mar 22, 2017
commentary

Why China Will Not Unify with Taiwan by 2020 — and Beijing Lacks Compelling Military Options
The prospects for peaceful unification of China and Taiwan continue to dim. Nothing Beijing has tried to woo or coerce Taiwan has worked. For those determined to compel Taiwan's unification, military subjugation remains a last option. But it would only worsen China's security environment.
Mar 21, 2017
commentary

Cambridgeshire Is at the Heart of England's Teacher Shortage Problem
Teacher shortages could be a real threat in Cambridgeshire, unless larger numbers of secondary school teachers are attracted and retained. There are simply too few new teachers replacing those who retire, with this gap being even more pronounced in STEM subjects.
Mar 21, 2017
commentary

Thinking Constructively About Overmatch
To regain military superiority the Pentagon has suggested a strategy that focuses on emerging technologies and deterrence. But it will need more than new technologies to deter and respond to aggression; it should also take into account grand strategy and acquisition considerations and keep countering Russia and China a top priority.
Mar 21, 2017
commentary

How Trump Should Manage Afghanistan
While media coverage has focused on Syria and Iraq, Afghanistan remains an important frontline state in the fight against terrorism. The Trump administration should aim to prevent the Taliban from overthrowing the Afghan government, encourage political reconciliation, and pursue terrorists that threaten the United States.
Mar 21, 2017
commentary

Why Strategies Disappoint — and How to Fix Them
Strategies fail because leaders are unwilling to make difficult decisions at the risk of being wrong. Can the new U.S. administration succeed in fixing the strategy process?
Mar 20, 2017

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