Sep 9, 2014

By Dr. Bin Yu, Ph.D.

Dr. Bin Yu, Ph.D. The first half of 2014 witnessed a notable enhancement of Russian-Chinese relations. Signs of this visible geostrategic shift include high-profile summit meetings, breakthroughs in energy/gas deals, renewed interest in military-technology cooperation,1 more integrated military exercises, and closer diplomatic coordination on

Sep 9, 2014

By Dr John R Deni

Author: Dr John R Deni View the Executive SummaryDramatic political, economic, and social changes across both the Greater Middle East and Latin America over the last several years—in some instances revolutionary, in others evolutionary—have had profound implications for global security generally and U.S. security specifically. Policymakers in

Sep 5, 2014

By LTC John D Colwell, Jr, Dr Michael J Fratantuono, Dr David M Sarcone

Authors: LTC John D Colwell, Jr, Dr Michael J Fratantuono, Dr David M Sarcone View the Executive SummaryIn the current era, initiatives that involve cross-sector collaboration—collaboration among participants representing government, military, for-profit, non-profit, citizen groups, and intergovernmental organizations—to tackle problems that defy

Sep 3, 2014

By Prof Geoffrey Till

Author: Prof Geoffrey Till View the Executive SummaryThe relative economic and military rise of China is likely to lead a major shift in the world’s strategic architecture. The form that China's new role takes will have a decisive impact on the interests of the United States and its allies and partners in the region. For the outcome to be generally

Aug 27, 2014

By Mr. R. Lincoln Hines

Mr. R. Lincoln Hines Key Insights. Domestic, external, and technological drivers of China's military modernization are examined.  Three plausible scenarios for the modernization of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that result from these drivers are explored. Implications of these futures for regional dynamics, the international system,

Aug 26, 2014

By Dr Tracey German

Author: Dr Tracey GermanView the Executive Summary This monograph examines Russia’s policy toward the Caspian Sea region as Moscow attempts to counterbalance growing American involvement within what it perceives to be its zone of privileged interest. It focuses on the recent expansion of the Caspian Flotilla and the rationale behind it. Moscow has

Aug 20, 2014

By LTC Eric K. Shafa

  As international scrutiny remains focused on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program, a capability is developing in the shadows inside Iran that could pose an even greater threat to the United States. The 2010 National Security Strategy discusses Iran in the context of its nuclear program, support of terrorism, its influence in regional activities, and its internal problems. There was no mention of Iran’s cyber capability or of that ability to pose a threat to U.S. interests. This is understandable, considering Iran has not been a major concern in the cyber realm. Furthermore, Russia and China’s cyber activities have justifiably garnered a majority of attention and been widely reported in the media over the past decade. Iran’s cyber capabilities have been considered third-tier at best. That is rapidly changing. This report discusses the growing cyber capability of Iran and why it poses a new threat to U.S. national interests.

Aug 8, 2014

By Dr Peter Feaver

Author: Dr Peter Feaver View the Executive SummaryAt a time of fiscal constraint and global uncertainty, should the United States retrench geopolitically or seek to reinvigorate its international leadership? This collection of essays puts this pressing question in historical and theoretical context. The authors examine past episodes in which U.S.

Aug 6, 2014

By Brigadier General (Ret.) Huba Wass de Czege

Brigadier General (Ret.) Huba Wass de Czege The following is Brigadier General (USA Ret.) Huba Wass de Czege’s Keynote Address given at the “West Point Senior Conference 50: The Army We Need in an Uncertain Strategic Environment,” held on June 2, 2014.       Our current Army Chief of Staff, General Raymond T. Odierno, often reminds his audiences of

Aug 6, 2014

By Dr Andrew Monaghan, Mr Henry Plater-Zyberk

Authors: Dr Andrew Monaghan, Mr Henry Plater-Zyberk View the Executive SummaryThe role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in regional politics and the significance of the organization for U.S. interests are widely misunderstood. The organization is emphatically not a military bloc, and yet engages in joint activities which resemble

Jul 25, 2014

By Dr Cori E Dauber, Dr Carol K Winkler

Authors: Dr Cori E Dauber, Dr Carol K Winkler View the Executive SummaryVisual images have been a central component of propaganda for as long as propaganda has been produced. But recent developments in communication and information technologies have given terrorist and extremist groups options and abilities they never would have been able to come

Jul 21, 2014

By Dr Mohammed El-Katiri

Author: Dr Mohammed El-Katiri View the Executive SummaryRegime change during the Arab Spring allowed Islamist political forces that had long been marginalized to achieve political influence in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Morocco’s first government led by an Islamist party has been in power since January 2012. This trend caused widespread concern