Publications

A Much Needed Post-Obama Course Correction On Iran

December 14, 2015 Lawrence J. Haas U.S. News & World Report

With most Americans focused on the Islamic State terrorist group, Washington is poised to greatly expand the dangers to U.S. national security on another front - by proceeding to execute the Iran nuclear accord while Tehran ignores its obligations under it and related United Nations Security Council resolutions.

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Eurasia Security Watch: No. 354

December 8, 2015

Turkey troops to Baghdad after protests;

Yemen factions agree to peace talks;

Governor killed;

U.S. intel reports ISIS not contained;

Saudi Arabia to host Syrian opposition talks;

Libyan Parliaments reach tentative agreement

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Eurasia Security Watch: No. 353

December 2, 2015

Turkey: No apology for downed Russian plane;

EU and Turkey come to migrant agreement;

IAF attacks Syrian army, Hezbollah;

Four Egyptian police killed in ISIS attack;

U.S. Senators call for 20,000 troops in Iraq and Syria

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An Innocent Mistake

December 2, 2015 Foreign Affairs

Before year's end, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is reportedly planning to conduct a second freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) around one of China's new artificial islands in the South China Sea. Designed to show that the United States will not recognize any Chinese attempt to establish expansive maritime rights around its man-made outposts, the operation will mark the second mission in as many months, after an October 27 FONOP around China's Subi Reef.

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U.S. Must Lead War Against ISIS

November 28, 2015 Ilan I. Berman Inside Sources

On November 12, in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, President Obama waxed optimistic about the current state of U.S. counterterrorism strategy. His administration’s efforts over the past year had successfully “contained” the Islamic State, Obama said. “I don’t think they’re gaining strength.”

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Iranian Devolution: Tehran Fights The Digital Future

November 22, 2015 Ilan I. Berman World Affairs Journal

As we contemplate the complex diplomacy that created the recent agreement between the international community and Iran regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear future, it is worth remembering Thomas Friedman's momentarily famous remark of a few years ago that, whatever else it may be, Iran is also a country ripe for catalytic political change. In passing this judgment, the New York Times columnist took special note of Iran's youthful and vibrant population, the deep knowledge base of Iranian society as a whole, and its interconnectedness with the outside world.

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South Asia Security Monitor: No. 382

November 18, 2015

Kabul to buy Helos from Delhi, despite Pak concerns;

China's top brass to tour Pakistan and India;

Islamic State joins Taliban splinter group in Afghanistan;

India calls for South China Sea code of conduct

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A Role For China To Rein In Iran

November 17, 2015 Ilan I. Berman Wall Street Journal Asia

Beijing is bullish on Iran. In meetings there earlier this month, we heard senior government and party officials express uniform support and optimism in their assessment of the nuclear agreement struck this summer between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 powers, terming it "good for Iran and good for the world."

The first part is certainly true. Iran has emerged as the undisputed winner of the long-running negotiations with the West over its nuclear ambitions.

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Global Islamism Monitor: No. 13

November 15, 2015

Al-Qaeda pushes back;

Hezbollah's growing arsenal...and why Israel worries;

The Islamic State sets its sights on the Kremlin...;

...as Moscow takes stock

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Understanding Cybersecurity - Part 5 | Military Cyber Operations

November 9, 2015 Richard M. Harrison

What is the role of cybersecurity in the conduct of war and ongoing security operations? Policymakers, academics, and journalists often think of cybersecurity as a single domain problem. That is to say, they view cyber operations as taking place solely within its own domain—one that is separate from land, sea, air or space. This perspective, however, overlooks the fact that computer systems and networks pervade society and the physical environment, and are present to some degree in all physical environs and across the three levels of war (strategic, operational, and tactical). Modern militaries employ forces in a “joint” manner, combining the specific platforms and technologies of different services to achieve a more effective force. National security policymakers should similarly see both kinetic and cyber capabilities as part of a broad set of tools available to achieve their objectives. Thinking of cybersecurity as a limited or separate space, wholly distinct from the other domains of conflict, limits the potential for understanding its strategic utility...

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South Asia Security Monitor: No. 380

November 4, 2015

PAK PM Sharif visits Washington;

India wants to double defense exports;

India eyes S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems;

Sri Lanka attempts to repair relations with China;

UN: Taliban at its strongest in Afghanistan in 2001

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Obama’s Iran Gamble Flops

November 4, 2015 Lawrence J. Haas U.S. News and World Report

Like the optimistic boy in Ronald Reagan's charming quip who searches through pile-high manure in hopes of finding a pony, the Obama administration continues trying to entice the cooperation of Iran on regional issues even in the face of its growing hostility toward the United States.

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It’s your country, not mine: China’s new language of discontent

November 3, 2015 Joshua Eisenman South China Morning Post

Over the past few months, a new and divisive word has begun provoking debate across China. That word is niguo, translated as "your country", and it is the most prominent of a new lexicon of words that both mainland and overseas Chinese are using online to distance themselves from the injustice, bigotry and bad behaviour that have become commonplace in China. Lacking an open arena within which to freely express their opinions on important matters that affect their lives, a new generation of tech-savvy Chinese is using niguo to rhetorically opt out of the system and distance themselves from the Communist Party.

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Eurasia Security Watch: No. 351

October 29, 2015

U.S. raid frees 70 ISIS prisoners;

FSA rebels reject Russian support;

Turkish clash with ISIS leaves police and suspects dead;

South Sudan makes progress toward peace;

U.S. approves $11B warship sale to Saudi

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Eurasia Security Watch: No. 350

October 27, 2015

Sundanese ground troops boost Saudi-led coalition;

Assad forces begin advance on Aleppo;

UAE may seek to enrich Uranium;

Turkey shoots down drone near border;

Yemen to attend UN-sponsored talks with the Houthis

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South Asia Security Monitor: No. 379

October 27, 2015

Russian troops could be deployed to Afghan border;

Pakistan, Russia sign gas pipeline agreement;

India backs Philippines on South China Sea row;

Sri Lanka will welcome ships from all countries

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Needed: A Strategy For Containing Iran

October 26, 2015 Ilan I. Berman National Review Online

Last Sunday, Iran and the P5+1 countries (the U.S., U.K., France, China, Russia, and Germany) formally adopted the new nuclear agreement concluded this summer. In coming days, under the terms of the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Islamic Republic is obliged to begin implementing a series of curbs on its nuclear program.

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