In The News

Modern Diplomacy: Advanced Persistent Cyber Threats

Al Lewis January 31, 2019
Global online connectivity presents and exposes many vulnerabilities. Writing for Modern Diplomacy, Al Lewis explains that advanced persistent cyber threats share six characteristics with terrorism: “asymmetry, cost effectiveness, contributions of loose associations, will to succeed, impossibility to completely defend, and contagion.” However, those waging cyber-attacks, unlike terrorists, are...

RAND: Russia and China as Challenges

James Dobbins, Howard J. Shatz and Ali Wyne January 30, 2019
Russia is intent on subverting the international order while China wants to compete in shaping that order. “Both countries seek to alter the status quo, but only Russia has attacked neighboring states, annexed conquered territory, and supported insurgent forces seeking to detach yet more territory,” suggests a RAND report. “In contrast, China's growing influence is based largely on more-...

NBC News: Jared Kushner’s Security Clearance

Laura Strickler, Ken Dilanian and Peter Alexander January 25, 2019
Jared Kushner is the president’s son-in-law whose work experience was in his family’s real estate development firm. Financial difficulties, complicated personal relationships and unexplained foreign contacts can present obstacles for obtaining a top-secret security clearance, and Kushner had to revise his application numerous times. Two career specialists raised concerns about potential foreign...

Stratfor: Wall No Help on US-Mexico Border Dilemma

Scott Stewart January 23, 2019
The US government shutdown continues as the Donald Trump demands $5 billion to construct a wall along the US-Mexican border. Most analysts suggest a wall is unnecessary. Countries have reason to control borders, including crime control, but a wall will not end the greed behind delivery of illegal drugs and low-wage workers. Terrorists do not enter the United States from the southern border,...

Japan Times: How Will AI Change Global Politics?

Kuni Miyake January 15, 2019
Japan is a leader in developing artificial intelligence and robots. While other countries explore military applications for artificial intelligence, Japan does not. High-tech innovations can determine dominance and allow less developed countries like China to leapfrog over more advanced nations, including the United States and Japan. Due to AI technology, China is catching up and even surpassing...

Foreign Affairs: The Crisis of Peacekeeping

Séverine Autesserre January 14, 2019
More than 100,000 UN blue-helmeted soldiers and civilians are based in 14 nations as peacekeepers to maintain security. “Peacekeepers set out to protect civilians, train police forces, disarm militias, monitor human rights abuses, organize elections, provide emergency relief, rebuild court systems, inspect prisons, and promote gender equality,” explains Séverine Autesserre for Foreign Affairs....

Washington Post: Trump-Putin Revelations

Anne Applebaum January 14, 2019
News reports increasingly suggest that Donald Trump is serving Russian interests – an assertion that follows reports of Russian meddling during the 2016 presidential election including a social media campaign. “Trump’s connection to Putin has been out in the open for years, long before he decided to run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination,” explains Washington Post columnist Anne...