Issues

Carter’s Dilemma – New Secretary Must Balance Force Size, Cost
Carter’s Dilemma – New Secretary Must Balance Force Size, Cost

America, Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

Carter’s Dilemma – New Secretary Must Balance Force Size, Cost

When Ashton Carter takes the oath of office as the US secretary of defense, he will be caught on the horns of an excruciating dilemma. If unresolved, the long-term consequence will be a 21st century replay of the “hollow force” that arose after the Vietnam War ended. That force was unready and largely incapable of carrying out all its duties to defend the nation. The first and very visible horn of this dilemma is White House guidance. One of many reasons why Carter was chosen for the post is that he is highly experienced, hence a “safe pair of hands” who is unlikely to do “stupid stuff.” One [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:27:57+02:00January 31st, 2015|America, Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

Countering domestic terrorism
Countering domestic terrorism

America, Blogs, Economics, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

Countering domestic terrorism

Normally, when Washington-based policy institutions issue major reports, unless the study reflects strongly held ideological preferences of its constituents or is a stunning condemnation of whichever administration is in power, the half-life is at best a day or two. Last week, Business Executives for National Security (BENS---and I am on the advisory board but did not participate in this study) issued its findings on countering domestic terrorism. This report is a must read for the White House, state houses, mayors’ offices and the public. This report is a critical follow-on to the Commission on September 11th co-chaired by former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean and Representative Lee Hamilton who [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:27:57+02:00January 31st, 2015|America, Blogs, Economics, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

A hundred’s year war in and with Islam ?
A hundred’s year war in and with Islam ?

Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, Democracy & Human Rights, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Terrorism

A hundred’s year war in and with Islam ?

Are we, meaning the billions of citizens on earth today, faced with an enduring war in and with Islam and Islamists? Or have seemingly exploding and spreading conflicts in what has been properly called the crescent of crisis extending from the Bay of Bengal in the east to the Levant and Mediterranean in the west a temporal phenomena that in due course will topple of its own weight? The answers to these questions obviously will have profound consequence on the future geostrategic landscape. The emergence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, al Qaeda, the Islamist State and other Islamist groups has put these questions in sharp perspective. The persistence [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:27:57+02:00January 27th, 2015|Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, Democracy & Human Rights, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Terrorism|0 Comments

Ménage à trois
Ménage à trois

Alexandru Grumaz, Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, International Peace, & Security, Issues, Studies and Analysis

Ménage à trois

Relațiile între marile puteri se reorganizează. SUA, China și Rusia caută noi legături între ele, dar și în exteriorul cercului de forță care-l constituie pentru a controla zonele de insecuritate globală sau pentru a-și îndeplini propriile strategii de securitate națională. Cine a câștigat în războiul dintre Occident și Federația Rusă, război purtat în Ucraina? Răspunsul este simplu: China. În primul rând, SUA au diminuat resursele din Asia-Pacific și au mutat trupe în estul Europei. Deși timidă, această mișcare va continua sub auspciile Comandamentului NATO și în conformitate cu deciziile agreate la Summitul NATO din Țara Galilor. Consolidarea flancului estic al NATO a devenit imperioasă în condițiile în care Kremlinul desfășoară [...]

By Alexandru Grumaz|2017-11-14T21:27:58+02:00January 26th, 2015|Alexandru Grumaz, Blogs, Defense / Homeland Security, International Peace, & Security, Issues, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

Jocurile barilului de petrol
Jocurile barilului de petrol

Alexandru Grumaz, Blogs, Energy/Environment, Global Governance, Issues, Studies and Analysis

Jocurile barilului de petrol

Cu cinci ani în urmă, predicțiile privind prețul petrolului erau îngrijorătoare, prețul crescând la peste 115 USD/baril. O altă paradigmă a apărut acum: producția de petrol s-a schimbat, de la producătorii tradiționali din Orientul Mijlociu la producători precum Australia, Brazilia, Mexic, Africa și cei din Marea Mediterană. O nouă revoluție în domeniul extracției a venit de la utilizarea unor noi tehnologii, precum sistemul de fracturare hidraulică pentru scoaterea petrolului și gazului natural din șisturile bituminoase, dar și datorită utilizării tehnologiei de forare orizontală, cea care permite penetrarea în resursele de petrol înguste din sol. Fracturarea hidraulică a făcut ca producția de gaz să crească, în SUA, între 2007 și 2012, [...]