In The News

New Statesman: Mosul Has Fallen, But Islamic State Is Far From Defeated

Shiraz Maher July 20, 2017
The Islamic State held Mosul for only a short period, entering in July 2014. Waging battle since October 2016, a coalition of troops has resumed control of what was once Iraq’s second largest city. “Yet the battleground defeats by the Iraqi army and the US-led Western coalition (which includes the UK, Germany and France), as well as Kurdish forces, have done little to dent the triumphalism of the...

The Washington Post: Ukrainian Separatists Claim to Create New Country

Adam Taylor July 19, 2017
One group of separatists announced that eastern Ukraine is a new country, one that will be close with Russia. A map displayed during the announcement described all of Ukraine, except Crimea, as Malorossiya, or Little Russia. “The move seems to undermine the faltering Minsk peace agreement, a 2015 deal reached between Russian-backed rebels and the government in Kiev that sought to end the violence...

The Diplomat: Why Is Russia Aiming Missiles at China?

Guy Plopsky July 17, 2017
Russia, in developing precision-strike capabilities, replaces old missile systems with road-mobile Iskander-M missile systems. These have a range up to 500 kilometers and can be armed with nuclear warheads. Writing for the Diplomat, Guy Plopsky details the locations: The purpose of systems in western Russia is to deter US and allied forces in the Baltics and Poland while, in the east, missile...

Reuters: Security Firms Warn of New Cyber Threat to Electric Grid

Jim Finkle July 10, 2017
Cybersecurity experts have identified a new form of malicious software that could disrupt large power systems. The malware was used to cut power in Ukraine in December 2016. Dragos has sent an alert to governments and utilities with recommendations on avoiding the malware, reports Jim Finkle for Reuters, adding “Crash Override can be detected if a utility specifically monitors its network for...

Human Rights Watch: Philippine Officials Propose "Muslims Only" ID

Carlos H. Conde July 6, 2017
The Philippines is considering expansion of a program that issues mandatory ID cards for Muslims with the goal of identifying what one official calls “undesirable individuals and terrorists.” Muslims make up about 11 percent of the nation’s population of 10.7 million. The proposal is in response to ongoing fighting with ISIS-affiliated militants taking Christians hostage in Mindanao and forcing...

The Japan Times: North Korea ICBM Poses “Global Threat”

Jesse Johnson July 5, 2017
North Korea claims to have tested an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching up to 6500 kilometers, a range stretching as far as Alaska, Beijing, Hong Kong or even New Delhi. The test was conducted while the United States was celebrating a holiday celebrating the nation’s independence. North Korean leaders view development of such weapons, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, as...

The New York Times: Hacks Raise Fear Over US NSA’s Hold on Cyberweapons

Nicole Perlroth and David E. Sanger June 30, 2017
US National Security Agency cyberweapons have been used against Britain and the Ukraine before spreading to other computers around the globe. The agency – charged with securing US information systems – is the largest of 17 intelligence agencies that combined had a budget of about $70 billion in 2015. The NSA has long declined to answer questions. “But the silence is wearing thin for victims of...