Articles

Is Russia Going to War Against the Internet?

March 15, 2019 The National Interest

The Sovereign Internet Bill, which recently passed its first reading in Russia’s parliament, calls for the creation of a Russian Domain Name System (DNS) and would require all web traffic to be routed through state-controlled servers. If passed, the bill would make it much, much easier for the Kremlin to control the dissemination of information entering and leaving the country.

How Rabat Is Coping With ISIS Returnees

March 13, 2019 Ilan I. Berman Al-Hurra Digital

Over the past decade, Morocco's extensive efforts to promote its brand of tolerant Islam as an antidote to the extremism of ISIS and other Islamic radicals has put the kingdom on the intellectual front lines of the "war of ideas" in the Muslim world. Less well known, however, are the country's domestic efforts to mitigate its own internal Islamist problem.

‘Putin’s brain’ an echo of absolute tyrants

March 8, 2019 Herman Pirchner, Jr. The Hill

These days, the progressive Left’s ubiquitous use of the words “fascist” and “imperialist” to describe a multitude of political enemies threatens to render those words meaningless. Yet, for those who retain a fondness for the traditional interpretations of the words, a new exemplar has appeared... 

Humanitarian intervention and information warfare

March 4, 2019 Stephen Blank Global Risk Insights

Russia and its allies are not just targeting government, society, and military targets. They are also attacking key economic targets like electric grids and international logistics firms. They aim to undermine the US, UN, and other governments and effectuate what amounts to a criminal takeover of corporations for profit and political gain.

Netanyahu ignores global opinion at Israel’s peril

February 27, 2019 Lawrence J. Haas The Hill

Few things are more infuriating than to hear Western leaders lecture Israel about how it should behave — whether the issue is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or other matters — while they say little if anything about far more serious matters of regional stability or human rights around the world.

Refocusing On The Foreign Fighter Threat

February 26, 2019 Ilan I. Berman Al-Hurra Digital

What is to be done with ISIS returnees? America's allies and partners have grappled with this question for more than a year now, ever since the Islamic State's self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria began to crumble. But the issue has become more acute in recent days as a result of American policy.

Welcome to the Age of Local Jihad

January 28, 2019 Ilan I. Berman Al-Hurra Digital

President Trump's unexpected December announcement that America would pull its military forces out of Syria has reignited a debate over the future of U.S. counterterrorism policy in Washington.