Number of results to display per page
Search Results
2902. Same Ends but Different Means: Change, Continuity and Moscow’s Middle East Policy
- Author:
- Mark N. Katz
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- This chapter is part of an edited volume that gathers analysis on the policy choices pursued by Washington and Moscow in the MENA region and develops case studies of the two powers’ policies in the countries beset by major crises.
- Topic:
- Foreign Policy, Cold War, and Islamism
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Eurasia, Middle East, North America, and United States of America
2903. Iraqi-Russian Relations amidst US Security-Focused Engagement
- Author:
- Abbas Kadhim
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- Iraq has a long and complicated history with the United States, and security and military engagements have been the primary driver of the relationship. Iraq’s relations with Russia, on the other hand, have been more transactional and economically-oriented. At a time when there are signs of US disengagement from the Middle East and North Africa while Russian and Chinese activities in the region are increasing, it is useful to trace the past US and Russian strategies in Iraq and assess how the United States could better tailor its strategy toward Iraq in the future in order to achieve durable outcomes that would bring benefits to both sides such as a responsive government, a thriving economy, and security. This chapter is part of an edited volume that gathers analysis on the policy choices pursued by Washington and Moscow in the MENA region and develops case studies of the two powers’ policies in the countries beset by major crises.
- Topic:
- Security, Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, and Bilateral Relations
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Iraq, Eurasia, Middle East, North America, and United States of America
2904. The value of the US nuclear power complex to US national security
- Author:
- Robert F. Ichford and Bart Oosterveld
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- In this analysis, the Atlantic Council has set out to estimate the value that the civilian nuclear power sector contributes to the United States’ national security apparatus. Based on a series of inputs, this analysis and conservative estimation found that the nuclear power complex contributes an equivalent of more than $42.4 billion to US national security, as broadly defined. In other words, the lack of a civilian nuclear sector would present an immediate and significant economic shock (and impact on the labor force)—which, in turn, would have immediate and longer-term budgetary implications for the US government. The definition of national security can be viewed narrowly or more broadly, in terms of both the scope of the institutional assets and providers of national security services and the types of functions or services they undertake. This analysis includes both nuclear utilities and nuclear generators, as well as US military and defense facilities, as providing critical national security functions. The utilities and generators provide secure and reliable electricity, accounting for 19.3 percent of total US electricity generation in 2018, and they contribute significantly to the diversified energy-generation mix that the United States enjoys. There are three main reasons for public support of the civilian nuclear industry for national security purposes, which are identified in the analysis that follows. The reasons are 1. the civilian nuclear industry generates a vast investment in human capital, which is a necessary condition for all applications of nuclear energy in the national security apparatus; 2. the civilian nuclear industry and its associated supply chain provide critical risk mitigation and procurement safety to the national security apparatus; and 3. the civilian nuclear industry’s value to national security priorities related to climate change.
- Topic:
- Energy Policy, National Security, Nuclear Power, Economy, and Business
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
2905. New risks to global financial stability
- Author:
- Hung Tran
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- The post-2008 financial regulatory reform has strengthened the banking system, bringing the bank-generated liquidity expansion under control. However, central-bank liquidity has been growing significantly for more than a decade, and financial mediation has moved from banks to non-bank financial institutions, and from lending to capital-market transactions. This new system has created new financial imbalances and distortions and pose new areas of vulnerability that require appropriate policy responses. In “New Risks to Global Financial Stability” author Hung Tran, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Business & Economics program, assesses the global financial system weaknesses and outlines steps to promote financial stability. Tran updates a framework, first developed by the Committee on the Global Financial System, to recommend policy responses along three lines of defense: prevention of excess liquidity; strengthening domestic policy measures; and cooperative provision of central-bank liquidity.
- Topic:
- Regulation, Finance, Economy, Business, and Macroeconomics
- Political Geography:
- Canada, North America, and United States of America
2906. Prospects of the Russian protest movement
- Author:
- Ksenia Kirillova
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- Moscow's summer of protest reveals growing societal divisions & frustration with the Kremlin and its policies. Russians are increasingly willing to take to the streets to show their displeasure with their political & economic situation. Non-systemic opposition are gaining political ground but face significant challenges if they are to achieve major future political victories.
- Topic:
- Politics, Economy, Protests, and Political Movements
- Political Geography:
- Russia and Eurasia
2907. Present at the re-creation: A global strategy for revitalizing, adapting, and defending a rules-based international system
- Author:
- Ash Jain and Matthew Kroenig
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Atlantic Council
- Abstract:
- In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the United States and other leading democracies built an international system that ushered in an almost 70-year period of remarkable peace and prosperity. After three decades of largely uncontested primacy, however, this rules-based system is now under unprecedented challenge, both from within and without. We need a new strategy— one ambitious enough to meet the moment, and one innovative enough to fit the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, and NATO
- Political Geography:
- China, Canada, Asia, North America, and United States of America
2908. Ocean horizons: Strengthening maritime security in Indo-Pacific island states
- Author:
- Anthony Bergin, David Brewster, and Aakriti Bachhawat
- Publication Date:
- 12-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Australian Strategic Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The report examines how Pacific island countries (PICs) and Indian Ocean island states (IO island states) are managing and prioritising their maritime security challenges. These islands, which we call the ‘Indo-Pacific island states’, face an intricate offshore tapestry. In particular, this report suggests that most of the maritime threats and risks facing the Indo-Pacific island states are increasing. That’s in part because of the general lack of effective maritime security identified in this report. The report describes the current geopolitical environment of the Indo-Pacific island states and how we should understand maritime security in the context of island states. It examines the core maritime security concerns of the PICs and IO island states and considers points of commonality and divergence in island state perspectives on maritime security and major-power competition. The report provides key recommendations for Indo-Pacific island states and for countries, such as Australia and its partners, that wish to more effectively engage with the island states on maritime security.
- Topic:
- Security, Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, National Security, and Maritime
- Political Geography:
- Australia, Asia-Pacific, and Indian Ocean
2909. Accelerating autonomy: Autonomous systems and the Tiger helicopter replacement
- Author:
- Marcus Hellyer
- Publication Date:
- 12-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Australian Strategic Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The benefits of autonomous systems on the modern battlefield have been widely recognised, yet Defence has only slowly adopted them. It continues to invest heavily in manned platforms that are increasingly expensive but still expose their crews to constantly proliferating threats. This means that Defence is acquiring small numbers of exquisite manned platforms that could be too valuable and too few to risk losing. Defence has started to explore using autonomous systems on the battlefield, but it’s now time to accelerate their development and adoption by the ADF. A new APSI Special Report, ‘Accelerating autonomy: autonomous systems and the Tiger helicopter replacement’ recommends how Defence can jump start the transition to greater use of autonomous systems. Report author Dr Marcus Hellyer said that ‘Defence has slowly been developing trust in unmanned systems. It’s laid a foundation, now it’s time to do a lot more.’ The report argues that Defence needs to identify areas of capability where autonomous systems can deliver disruptive innovation. Investing in those systems can deliver more capability at less cost than traditional manned systems.
- Topic:
- Defense Policy, National Security, and Military Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Australia and Australia/Pacific
2910. The Bushmaster: From concept to combat
- Author:
- Brendan Nicholson
- Publication Date:
- 12-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Australian Strategic Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- This account of the Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle by Brendan Nicholson is the classic story of the ugly duckling—an ‘armoured Winnebago’—transformed swan-like into the vital lifesaver for Australian and Dutch troops on combat operations in Afghanistan. It was never designed to play that role. Based on South African and Rhodesian experiments with landmine-blast-deflecting V-shaped hulls, the Bushmaster was first conceived as a lightly armoured truck. In 1980s ‘Defence of Australia’ planning, the Bushmaster would move troops around the vastness of northern Australia pursuing ‘thugs in thongs’ bent on harassing locals. As with earlier ASPI case studies on defence projects, The Bushmaster: From concept to combat is designed to help those in Defence, industry and parliament and other interested observers to better understand the complexities of the business, all with the aim of improving how Australia equips its defence force.
- Topic:
- Defense Policy, Economics, National Security, Armed Forces, and Defense Industry
- Political Geography:
- Australia and Australia/Pacific