Category: Issue Brief

Content

Issue Brief

Oct 26, 2016

Enhancing the US-Swedish defense relationship

By Magnus Nordenman

Security and deterrence in the Baltic Sea region.

NATO Partnerships Northern Europe

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2016

History’s lessons for resolving today’s Middle East conflicts

By Mathew J. Burrows

In the spirit of the adage that “those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it,” History’s Lessons for Resolving Today’s Middle East Conflicts, by Mathew J. Burrows, examines past precedents for resolving highly complex conflicts, by delving into seven historic examples of peacemaking.

Conflict Middle East

Issue Brief

Oct 5, 2016

Odd couple: The future of the Australia-UAE partnership

By John T. Watts

Considering its geographic distance and lack of formal allies, the Middle East has played an outsized role in the history of Australia's global engagement. While Australia's interests in the region are real and increasing, as a middle power with finite resources it must take a smart approach to pursuing them.

Australia Security Partnerships

Issue Brief

Oct 4, 2016

A NATO strategy for security in the Black Sea region

By Steven Horrell

NATO faces a worsening security environment defined by Russia’s growing willingness to challenge the West and a Europe whole, free, and at peace. In this new geo-political context the Black Sea region is one of the central friction zones between Russia and NATO. While the Alliance has recently pledged to protect its eastern flank against […]

Maritime Security NATO

Issue Brief

Oct 3, 2016

Islamic State networks in Turkey

By Aaron Stein

The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the concurrent war in Syria present serious challenges to European and Middle Eastern security. For many in the West, the direct appeal by ISIS for scores of men and women to travel to Syria and Iraq in order to live in a self-declared […]

Turkey

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2016

Sino-Russian strategic energy ties

By Miyeon Oh

A secure energy relationship between China and Russia could have profound geopolitical effects in Asia, as well as in Europe. The ramifications of this relationship could alter the role and influence of the United States in Asia.

China Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Sep 14, 2016

Precision fire: A strategic assessment of Iran’s conventional missile program

By Bilal Y. Saab and Michael Elleman

The pace with which Iran’s conventional missile program has been developing in recent years suggests that the country’s missiles could become much more accurate, and thus deadly, within a few years, potentially providing Tehran with a new set of military options and a higher degree of operational flexibility. This would force (and most probably already […]

Iran Middle East

Issue Brief

Sep 7, 2016

Water dispute escalating between Iran and Afghanistan

By Fatemeh Aman

Iran and Afghanistan have no major territorial disputes, unlike Afghanistan and Pakistan or Pakistan and India. However, a festering disagreement over allocation of water from the Helmand River is threatening their relationship as each side suffers from droughts, climate change, and the lack of proper water management. In “Water Dispute Escalating Between Iran and Afghanistan,” […]

Issue Brief

Sep 6, 2016

Exploring US engagement in the Middle East: A crisis simulation

By Rex Brynen

With the current American election campaign and change in presidential administrations due in January 2017, the debate over appropriate levels of US engagement in an unstable Middle East assumes vital importance. Should a new administration be more proactive in seeking to address threats, resolve conflicts, support allies, and deter foes? Should the new US president […]

Middle East

Issue Brief

Jul 14, 2016

Bahrain’s inconvenient truths

By Bilal Y. Saab

Bahrain has been in the political doghouse in Washington ever since its government crushed Arab Spring-inspired popular protests in February 2011, leading to a political crisis between the government and the opposition that has deepened over the past few weeks. So, it was not surprising when the Bahraini government justified its latest crackdown against Al […]

The Gulf
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