Publications

Benghazi Shows State Department Must Rethink Public Diplomacy

January 7, 2013 U.S News & World Report

Buried deep in the report of the Accountability Review Board convened by outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to examine the tragic events that took place this fall in Benghazi, Libya is the answer to why the U.S. ambassador was there in the first place. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who lost his life in Benghazi, was there "to open an American Corner at a local school and to reconnect with local contacts." Apparently, a friendly local Libyan was opening a school to teach English with an "American Corner" as part of that effort. The ambassador thought it so important that he wanted to participate personally in its opening. It is, thus, not an exaggeration to say that Ambassador Stephens died in the pursuit of "public diplomacy."

Global missile threats and responses

December 31, 2012 E. Wayne Merry Issue 6

Reflections On Missile Defense And Challenges For The Future

The Middle East Missile Environment

Missile Defense Requirements Of The Asia Pivot

Ballistic Missile Defense Through Russian Eyes

Preserving Missile Defense Amid Fiscal Austerity

SYMPOSIUM: The New Cold War?

December 27, 2012 Ilan I. Berman International Economy

In late October, speaking at the Intrepid Museum in New York, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta delivered a stark warning. The United States, Panetta said, could soon face a mass disruption event of catastrophic proportions, a "cyber Pearl Harbor" of sorts.

Why North Korea’s Missile Launch Matters

December 20, 2012 Ilan I. Berman Washington Times

North Korea's successful use last week of a long-range rocket to launch a satellite into orbit has catapulted the Asian rogue state back into the international spotlight. It also has brought back the global danger posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea into sharp focus.

Is John Kerry Obama’s Best Choice for Secretary of State?

December 17, 2012 E. Wayne Merry U.S. News & World Report

The Obama White House is notoriously insular, a quality reflected in its selection process for secretary of state. So far as the country knows, the only two persons that have been seriously considered to be foreign minister of the most important country on earth are Washington insiders who actively campaigned for the job. The qualities desirable—even necessary—to serve the United States well at State have scarcely been mentioned in the controversy over U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice or in the expectation that Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry will be the next secretary.

Banking Without Borders

December 13, 2012 Avi Jorisch IHS Jane's

Money laundering and terrorism financing are global problems that transcend national boundaries, and launderers and terrorists are constantly adapting their techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in the financial system to disguise the movement of funds.

Eurasia Security Watch: No. 274

December 10, 2012

UN Calls for Israel to Joint NPT, Allow Inspectors;

Syria Mixing Chemical Weapons, Drawing U.S. Warning...;

...While Syrian Mouthpiece Defects to United States

Indonesia’s Anti-Terror Arsenal

November 27, 2012 Avi Jorisch Wall Street Journal Asia

The swift and near-simultaneous arrests late last month of 11 individuals allegedly preparing to bomb U.S. and other Western targets throughout Java, Indonesia's most populated island, should serve as a wake-up call to Asia's national security establishment, lawmakers and leaders. The foiled plot would have been just the latest in a flurry of terrorist activity by members of Islamist organizations, all of which are registered and legally sanctioned by the Indonesian government.

U.S. Sanctions Push Iran To Foreign Meddling

November 26, 2012 Ilan I. Berman U.S. News & World Report

There's a tried-and-true rule in politics that, when there's trouble at home, it's time to look abroad. The Iranian regime is proving to be no exception to this axiom; as its economic fortunes have dimmed as a result of widening Western sanctions, the Iranian regime has ramped up its interference throughout the Middle East.

Are We Losing the Race for Rare Earths?

November 19, 2012 U.S. World and News Report

The United States, like most of the industrialized world, is currently engaged in a race to develop viable, non-Chinese sources of the rare earth elements that are so critical to modern technologies. And we better move fast, or we will lose that race.

Empowering Arab Women

November 14, 2012 Lawrence J. Haas International Business Times

“I am with the Uprising of Women in the Arab World,” says a sign that Marwa (from Tunisia) holds in front of her, “because women’s sexuality is considered as a [sic] Taboo, while Sexism, Pedophilia, and Rape are seen as commonsense.”

The Dangers Obama Faces At Home And Abroad

November 12, 2012 James S. Robbins U.S. News and World Report

Foreign policy seemed to go on hiatus during the U.S. presidential election. Economic issues dominated the race, and Americans waited to see which candidate's vision would prevail. But the world kept turning, and in President Barack Obama's second term he will face a number of legacy issues from his previous four years and several emerging strategic challenges.

Eurasia Security Watch: No.271

November 11, 2012

Saudi Arabian Judges Fight Against King Abdullah's Reforms;

U.S., Libya Forming Commando Force to Root Out Jihadists;

Bahrain Cracks Down, Revokes Citizenship of 31 People

U.S.-Russia ‘reset’ hasn’t changed stance

November 7, 2012 Ilan I. Berman The Washington Times

You might not be familiar with Sergei Magnitsky, the 37-year-old Russian lawyer who died of medical complications while languishing in a Moscow prison back in 2009. You should be — Magnitsky’s case is worth knowing, both because of what it says about the nature of the Russian state and because it could soon prompt a substantial shake-up in U.S.-Russian relations.