Saturday, August 30, 2008

Friday's Miscellany 08-29-2008

Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)
High Frontier Journal, August 2008, v. 4, no. 4

  • National Security Space Collaboration as a National Defense Imperative by Mr. Scott F. Large
  • Mission Assurance—A Key Part of Space Vehicle Launch Mission Success by Maj Gen Ellen M. Pawlikowski
  • Building an Integrated Intelligence Network: Challenges and Opportunities by Dr. Pete Rustan
    Transforming National Space Security: Enabling DoD and Intelligence Community Defensive Space Control Collaboration by BG Jeffrey C. Horne
  • Reflections on the Integration of Black and White Space by Brig Gen Katherine E. Roberts
    National Security Space – A Personal Perspective: An Interview with General Thomas S. Moorman Jr., USAF, Retired by Mr. George W. Bradley III and Dr. Rick Sturdevant
  • National Security Space Collaboration Constructing a National Security Space Plan by Mr. Joseph D. Rouge
  • Assuring Access to Space: The Partnership Continues by Col John G. Stizza
  • Common Language, Common Culture: How the Space Community Must Change Language and Perspective to Achieve Cross-Domain Integration and Dominance by Lt Col Dana Flood
  • Rescuing Apollo: Building Consensus toward a National Strategy for Space by Maj Patrick A. Brown

American Enterprise Institute

BASIC

Brookings Institution

Center for American Progress

Center for Defense Information

Center for Security Studies (CSS)

Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA)

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Department of Energy

Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)

German Development Institute (DIE)

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Heritage Foundation

Human Rights Watch

Institute for Security Studies

International Association of Chiefs of Police

International Crisis Group

International Relations and Security Network

Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS)

Jamestown Foundation

Lexington Institute

Mother Jones

National Academies Press

RAND

Henry L Stimson Center

Strategic Studies Institute

UN Office of Drugs and Crime

US Coast Guard

US Institute of Peace

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Friday, August 22, 2008

Friday's Miscellany 08-22-2008

American Enterprise Institute
· Drill, Don't Redistribute
http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.28506,filter.all/pub_detail.asp
· Why Groups Go to Extremes
http://www.aei.org/books/bookID.959,filter.all/book_detail.asp

American Institute for Contemporary German Studies
· Global Governance and the Role of NGOs in International Peace and Security
http://www.aicgs.org/documents/pubs/polrep33.pdf
· Overcoming the Lethargy: Climate Change, Energy Security, and the Case for a Third Industrial Revolution
http://www.aicgs.org/documents/pubs/polrep34.pdf

Atlantic Council
· Restoring Georgia’s Sovereignty in Abkhazia
http://www.acus.org/docs/Restoring%20Georgia's%20Sovereignty%20in%20Abkhazia.pdf

BASIC
· Afghanistan Update No. 39: 31 July - 14 August 2008
http://www.basicint.org/update/AFG080814.htm

Brookings Institution
· Musharraf’s Departure Is Good for Pakistan but Is It Too Late?
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0818_pakistan_riedel.aspx
· Securing Georgia
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0818_georgia_pascual.aspx

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
· Pakistan after Musharraf
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/0820_transcript_pakistan_grare1.pdf
· Russia-Georgia Crisis
http://carnegieendowment.org/topic/index.cfm?fa=viewTopic&topic=2000129

Center for American Progress
· It’s Easy Being Green: Spare the Air? Share the Road
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/08/share_the_road.html
· Think Again: Return of the Cold War Punditocracy
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/08/cold_war_punditocracy.html
· U.S. Aid to Pakistan by the Numbers
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/08/pakistan_aid_numbers.html

Center for Catastrophe Preparedness and Response (CCPR)
· Predicting Organizational Crisis Readiness: Perspectives and Practices Toward a Pathway to Preparedness
http://www.nyu.edu/ccpr/pubs/OrgPreparedness_Report_NYU_Light_8.18.08.pdf

Center for Security Studies (CSS)
· No. 37: "Switzerland and the EU: The Prospects of Bilateralism"
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/pubs/ph/details.cfm?lng=en&id=90067
· No. 38: "Africa's Growing Strategic Relevance"
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/pubs/ph/details.cfm?lng=en&id=56968

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
· Commentary: Ensuring U.S. Access to the International Space Station
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080815_faith_georgia.pdf
· Commentary: Pakistan after Musharraf: Trouble and Opportunity
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080820_schaffer.musharaf.pdf
· Commentary: The Georgia War and the Century of "Real Power"
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080817_cordesman_georgia.pdf
· CSIS Resources on the Conflict in Georgia
http://www.csis.org/georgiaconflict/
· Issues & Insights Vol. 08 - No. 09 - August 20, 2008
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/issuesinsights_v08n09.pdf
o Next Generation Views on Preventive Diplomacy: The Role of the ASEAN Regional Forum
· Issues & Insights Vol. 08 - No. 10 - August 20, 2008
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/issuesinsights_v08n10.pdf
o U.S.-China Strategic Dialogue
· Issues & Insights Vol. 08 - No. 11 - August 20, 2008
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/issuesinsights_v08n11.pdf
o U.S.-Japan-China Relations in the Year 2020
· US Security Interests After Musharraf
http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_pubs/task,view/id,4810/type,1/

Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
· Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst v. 10, no. 16, August 20, 2008
http://www.cacianalyst.org/files/080820Analyst.pdf
o Russia, Georgia and South Ossetia: Notes on a War
o Russia’s Disinformation Campaign Over South Ossetia
o Russia’s Invasion of Georgia: Bleak Prospects for the South Caucasus Guam and the Georgian War

Combating Terrorism Center
CTC Sentinel, v. 1, no. 9, August 2008
http://ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/CTCSentinel_Vol1Iss9.pdf
· “The Sakinah Campaign and Internet Counter-Radicalization in Saudi Arabia” “Pursuing Al-Qa`ida into Diyala Province”
· “Jama`at a-Furqara’: A Domestic Terrorist Threat to the United States?” “Key Factors for the Recent Growth of the Afghan Insurgency”
· “A Preliminary Assessment of Counter-Radicalization in the Netherlands”
· “Curtailing Illicit and Terrorist Activity in Algeria’s Tamanrasset”
· “Countering Terrorism in an Unstable Democracy: Mauritania’s Political Crisis”
· “Saudi Arabia’s Sectarian Ambivalence”
· “After Action Report: Assessing Acceptable Corruption in Iraq”

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
· Foreign Policy and Political Nominating Conventions
http://www.cfr.org/publication/16992/foreign_policy_and_political_nominating_conventions.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Fbackgrounder

Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
· A letter from the Director of National Intelligence & Attorney General to Sen. Reid & Sen. McConnell on S. 2035 - the "Free Flow of Information Act of 2008"
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/mediashield/ag-odni-letter082208.pdf
· related information is available at
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/media-shield.htm

EU Institute for Security Studies
· E Pluribus Unum: Decision-Makers and decision-Making in Iran
http://www.iss.europa.eu/index.php?id=18&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1016&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=638718a3e1
· Russia and Georgia: European Destinies
http://www.iss.europa.eu/index.php?id=214&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1096&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=c22d325738
· Worst case: Escalation of the Unresolved Conflict in Georgia
http://www.iss.europa.eu/index.php?id=214&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1097&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=47264d11f3

Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
· 21st Century Socialism in Latin America
http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200808.radu.21centurysocialismlatinamerica.html
· A Clarifying Act of Violence: Russia, Georgia, and The West
http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200808.sicherman.clarifyingactrussiageorgia.html
· In Havana, Waiting for Obama or for Putin?
http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200808.lee.havanaobamaputin.html

Government Accountability Office (GAO)
· Chemical Safety Board: Improvements in Management and Oversight Are Needed
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08864r.pdf
· PBGC Assets: Implementation of New Investment Policy Will Need Stronger Board Oversight
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08667.pdf
· Supply Chain Security: CBP Works with International Entities to Promote Global Customs Security Standards and Initiatives, but Challenges Remain
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08538.pdf

Heritage Foundation
· Europe's Catalogue of Failures in Georgia
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Europe/wm2033.cfm
· Fighting for Freedom in Rural Peru: "ALBA Houses" Threaten Democracy
http://www.heritage.org/Research/LatinAmerica/bg2173.cfm
· How Do U.S. Foreign Aid Recipients Vote at the U.N.? Against the U.S.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/InternationalOrganizations/bg2171.cfm
· Hugo Chávez's Andean Offensive
http://www.heritage.org/Research/LatinAmerica/wm2027.cfm
· People, Growth, And Reform: China's Uncertain Future
http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/wm2032.cfm
· Russia-Georgia War Highlights Need for Directed-Energy Defenses
http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/wm2030.cfm
· Russian Forces in the Georgian War: Preliminary Assessment and Recommendations
http://www.heritage.org/Research/RussiaandEurasia/wm2031.cfm
· The Sound of Silence: The Decline of the Voice of America in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
http://www.heritage.org/Research/PublicDiplomacy/wm2029.cfm
· Who Serves in the U.S. Military? The Demographics of Enlisted Troops and Officers
http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda08-05.cfm

Human Rights Watch
· China: Hosting Olympics a Catalyst for Human Rights Abuses
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/22/china19664.htm
· Georgia: Civilians Killed by Russian Cluster Bomb ‘Duds’
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/20/georgi19660.htm
· Getting Away With Murder: 50 Years of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
http://hrw.org/backgrounder/2008/india0808/india0808webwcover.pdf
· India: Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/18/india19628.htm
· Turkey: Support Justice in Darfur
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/15/sudan19629.htm

Institute for Security Studies
· Lawful and Unlawful Community Involvement In The Fight Against Crime
http://www.issafrica.org/index.php?link_id=5&slink_id=6517&link_type=12&slink_type=12&tmpl_id=3

International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR)
· Seven Years After 9/11: Al-Qaida's Strengths and Vulnerabilities
http://icsr.info/files/ICSR%20Richard%20Barret%20Paper.pdf

International Crisis Group
· Burundi: Restarting Political Dialogue
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5632&l=1
· Russia vs Georgia: The Fallout
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5636&l=1
· War in Georgia website
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5623&l=1

International Relations and Security Network
· Cuba's Emerging Leverage
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19318
· Iraqi Christians: Round trip to Death Street
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19329
· Letters from Georgia: Nationalism and Fear
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19334
· Mauritania Coup a Blow
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19312
· Russian Military, Fighting to Reform
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19313

Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
· Recent Terror blasts in India: How Should We Respond?
http://www.ipcs.org/newIpcsSeminars2.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2665
· Structural Roots of Authoritarianism in Pakistan
http://www.ipcs.org/newIpcsSeminars2.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2669

Jamestown Foundation
· Special Coverage from Tbilisi
http://www.jamestown.org/news_details.php?news_id=345

Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
· The Analyst's Style Manual
http://www.mciis.org/Books/MCIIS%20Style%20Manual%20June%202008.pdf

National Academies Press
· Energy Futures and Urban Air Pollution: Challenges for China and the United States
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12001&utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=National%20Academies%20Press&utm_campaign=Eblast%3a+China+8.13.08&utm_content=Downloader&utm_term=
· U.S. Conventional Prompt Global Strike: Issues for 2008 and Beyond
http://books.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12061&utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=National%20Academies%20Press&utm_campaign=New%20from%20NAP%208.19.08&utm_content=Downloader&utm_term=

National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC)
· Registering the Human Terrain: a Valuation of Cadastre
http://ndic.edu/press/pdf/10279.pdf

National Institute of Standards and Technology
· WTC 7 Investigation Finds Building Fires Caused Collapse
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/wtc082108.html

National Research Council (NCR)
· Emerging Cognitive Neuroscience and Related Technologies
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12177#toc

National Security Archive
· 1998 Missile Strikes on Bin Laden May Have Backfired
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB253/index.htm
· PR Push for Iraq War Preceded Intelligence Findings: "White Paper" Drafted before NIE even Requested
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB254/index.htm

RAND
· Insights on Aircraft Programmed Depot Maintenance: An Analysis of F-15 PDM
http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2008/RAND_TR528.pdf
· The State of U.S. Railroads: A Review of Capacity and Performance Data
http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2008/RAND_TR603.pdf
· The Weighted Airman Promotion System: Standardizing Test Scores
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG678.pdf

Securing America's Future Energy
· $120 Oil and Beyond: An Update
http://www.secureenergy.org/files/files/837_SAF_996_New%20Westcott%20Report_v08_ELEC.pdf

Stanley Foundation
· Actualizing the Responsibility to Protect: 43rd Conference on the United Nations of the Next Decade
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/report/UNND808.pdf
· Great Expectations
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/pdb/GreatExpectationsPDB808.pdf
· The United Nations and the Responsibility to Protect
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/pab/LuckPAB808.pdf
· US Nuclear Weapons, Force Posture, and Infrastructure
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/pdb/Forced_Posture_PDB_808.pdf
· Value Cooperation, Not Antagonism: The Case for Functional-Based Cooperation
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/pdb/FuncBasedCoopPDB_808.pdf

Henry L Stimson Center
· The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004
http://www.stimson.org/eastasia/pdf/Morita-North_Korean_HR_Act_of_2004_Report-Aug%2008.pdf
· The Political Economy of Hydropower Dam Construction in Vietnam
http://www.stimson.org/pub.cfm?ID=663
· Young American China Watchers' Views on China
http://www.stimson.org/eastasia/pdf/Chinawatchers.pdf

US Institute of Peace
· Moving Beyond Relief: The Challenges of Settling Kenya's Internally Displaced
http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2008/0815_kenya.html

Washington Institute for Near East Policy
· 2007-2008 Lecture Series: Senior U.S. Counterterrorism Officials
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC11.php?CID=485
· The Future of U.S. Assistance to Egypt
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2924
· Kirkuk Derails Iraq's Election Law
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2922
· Pakistan after Musharraf: Growing U.S. Challenges
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2923

Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday's Miscellany 08-15-2008

Brookings Institution
· China: A Global Power
http://www.brookings.edu/multimedia/video/2008/0813_china_li.aspx
· China’s Energy Policies and Their Environmental Impacts
http://www.brookings.edu/testimony/2008/0813_china_downs.aspx
· The Conflict in Georgia
http://www.brookings.edu/multimedia/video/2008/0814_georgia.aspx
· Iraq in 2009: How to Give Peace a Chance
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Projects/Opportunity08/PB_Iraq_Pascual.pdf
· Looming Crisis: Displacement and Security in Iraq
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2008/08_iraq_ferris/08_iraq_ferris.pdf
· Preventing the Tragedy of the CO2 Commons:
· Exploring China’s Growth and the International Climate Framework
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2008/07_china_climate_change_woo/07_china_climate_change_woo.pdf
· South Ossetia Conflict Holds Lessons for Kyiv
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0815_ukraine_pifer.aspx
· U.S. Policy in Asia: Meeting Opportunities and Challenges
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2008/0728_asia.aspx?emc=lm&m=217672&l=2&v=738898
· Vietnam's Model for North Korea
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0717_north_korea_ohanlon.aspx?emc=lm&m=217672&l=6&v=738898
· The War in Georgia: Assessing the Aftermath
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2008/0814_georgia.aspx
· War in Georgia—End of an Era, Beginning a New Cold War? http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0812_georgia_linn.aspx?emc=lm&m=217672&l=4&v=738898

Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute
· Georgia: Risk and Opportunity.
http://www.cdfai.org/PDF/Georgia%20Risk%20and%20Opportunity.pdf

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
· Frequently Asked Questions about India and Nuclear Trade
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=20366
· Mauritania’s Coup: Domestic Complexities and International Dilemmas
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/boucek_mauritania.pdf
· Questions Linger about India's Safeguards http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=20390&prog=zgp&proj=znpp
· Text of U.S. NSG Proposal on India
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/npp/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=20388

Center for American Progress
· A Progressive Approach to U.S.-China Relations in the 21st Century.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/08/pdf/china_report.pdf

Center for Defense Information
· Information Warfare and Nuclear Weapons Security
http://www.cdi.org/pdfs/InformationWarfare.pdf

Center for Security Policy
· Back in the USSR
http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/home.aspx?sid=140&categoryid=140&subcategoryid=142

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
· ABANDON SHIPS: The Costly Illusion of Unaffordable Transformation
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080806_naval_equipment_acquisition.pdf
· Georgia: Epicenter of Strategic Confrontation
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080812_bugajski_georgia.pdf
· Southeast Asia Bulletin August 2008
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080813_southeastasia_bulletin.pdf
· South Asia Monitor: Running on Empty: South Asia's Food and Fuel Crisis - August 01, 2008
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/sam121.pdf
· Freeman Report July/August 2008 - vol.6 no.7-8
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/fr08n07-08.pdf

Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
· Kazakhstan and the New International Politics of Eurasia
http://www.silkroadstudies.org/new/docs/Silkroadpapers/0807Weitz.pdf

Century Foundation
· Nation-Building and Counterinsurgency after Iraq
http://www.tcf.org/publications/internationalaffairs/dobbinscopy.pdf

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
· Contractors' Support of U.S. Operations in Iraq
http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9688&type=1

Council on Foreign Relations
· Challenges for Nuclear Power Expansion
http://www.cfr.org/publication/16886/nuclear_bottlenecks.html?breadcrumb=%2F
· U.S. Trade Strategy: Free Versus Fair
http://www.heritage.org/Research/RussiaandEurasia/upload/wm_2021.pdf

Department of Homeland Security Inspector General
· U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Visa Security Program
http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-79_Jul08.pdf

Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
· August 11, 2008: Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 500 Director of National Intelligence, Chief Information Office
http://www.dni.gov/electronic_reading_room/ICD%20500.pdf
· NIO Gistaro Describes Current al-Qaeda Threats in Open Briefing http://www.dni.gov/speeches/20080812_speech.pdf

Alan Shawn Feinstein International Center
· Humanitarian Agenda 2015--Nepal Country Case Study
http://fic.tufts.edu/downloads/HA2015NepalCaseStudy.pdf

Foreign Policy Research Institute
· The Beijing Olympics Narrative
http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200808.price.beijingolympics.html
· Russia Resurgent: An Initial Look at Russian Military Performance In Georgia
http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200808.chang.russiaresurgentgeorgia.html

Government Accountability Office (GAO)
· Defense Acquisitions: Department of Defense Needs Framework for Balancing Investments in Tactical Radios
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08877.pdf
· Defense Critical Infrastructure: Adherence to Guidance Would Improve DOD's Approach to Identifying and Assuring the Availability of Critical Transportation Assets. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08851.pdf
· Drug Control: Cooperation with Many Major Drug Transit Countries Has Improved, but Better Performance Reporting and Sustainability Plans Are Needed. GAO-08-784.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08784.pdf
· Military Base Realignments and Closures: Army Is Developing Plans to Transfer Functions from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, but Challenges Remain
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081010r.pdf
· Military Personnel: Improvements Needed to Increase Effectiveness of DOD's Programs to Promote Positive Working Relationships between Reservists and Their Employers.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08981r.pdf
· Review of Transportation Security Administration's Air Cargo Screening Exemptions Report
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081055r.pdf
· Tax Administration: Comparison of the Reported Tax Liabilities of Foreign- and U.S.-Controlled Corporations, 1998-2005.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08957.pdf
· Transportation Security: TSA Has Developed a Risk-Based Covert Testing Program, but Could Better Mitigate Aviation Security Vulnerabilities Identified Through Covert Tests. GAO-08-958.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08958.pdf

Heritage Foundation
· Congressional Commission Should Recommend "Damage Limitation" Strategy
http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/upload/bg_2172.pdf
· Weighing Chinese Manufacturing Strength
http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/upload/wm_2023.pdf
· When Electrons Attack: Cyber-Strikes on Georgia a Wake-Up Call for Congress
http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/upload/wm_2022.pdf
· Saving Georgia
http://www.heritage.org/Research/RussiaandEurasia/upload/wm_2021.pdf

Human Rights Watch
· "They Beat Me like a Dog": Political Persecution of Opposition Activists and Supporters in Zimbabwe.
http://hrw.org/reports/2008/zimbabwe0808/zimbabwe0808web.pdf
· Russia/Georgia: Investigate Civilian Deaths
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/13/russia19620.htm

Humanitarian Accountability Partnership
· The 2007 Humanitarian Accountability Report
http://www.hapinternational.org/pool/files/the-2007-humanitarian-accountability-report.pdf

Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS)
· Can Military Strikes Destroy Iran's Gas Centrifuge Program? Probably Not
http://www.isis-online.org/publications/iran/Centrifuge_Manufacturing_7August2008.pdf

Institute for Security Studies
· Is a Military Coup an Answer to the Political Crisis in Mauritania?
http://www.issafrica.org/index.php?link_id=5&slink_id=6489&link_type=12&slink_type=12&tmpl_id=3

International Crisis Group
· Georgia Conflict Alert: Russia Must Withdraw Its Troops from Georgia
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5625&l=1
· Kyrgyzstan: A Deceptive Calm
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/getfile.cfm?id=3564&tid=5627&l=1

International Relations and Security Network
· Abkhaz Open 'Second Front'
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=19310
· Georgia: Prospects of a New Cold War
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19299
· Hot Issues in the Arctic
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19304
· Mauritania Coup a Blow
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19312
· Oil-addicted World Faces Crude Awakening http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=19309
· The Tactical Nuclear Weapons Game
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19300

Jamestown Foundation
· Terrorism Monitor - Volume VI, Issue 16
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/uploads/TM_006_016.pdf
o PKK Tactics May Reveal Damage Caused by Turkish Military Campaign By Emrullah Uslu
o Terrorism and Piracy: The Dual Threat to Maritime Shipping By John Daly
o Pakistan's Frontier Corps and the War against Terrorism – Part Two By Tariq Mahmud Ashraf
o Sudan's Oil Industry Faces Major Security Challenges By Andrew McGregor
· Terrorism Focus - Volume V, Issue 30
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/uploads/tf_005_030.pdf
o Jihadis React to Indictment of Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir
o Technological Innovation and the Turkish Armed Forces' War on the PKK
o Colombia’s FARC Escalate Operations to Demonstrate Their Will to Continue the Armed Struggle
o India’s Strategic Challenge in Pakistan’s Afghan Hinterland

Lexington Institute
· Helicopter Troubles Traceable to Government Mistakes
http://lexingtoninstitute.org/1305.shtml

Lowy Institute for International Policy
· Into Africa: How the Resource Boom is Making Sub-Saharan Africa More Important to Australia
http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=870

RAND
· Department of Defense Training for Operations with Interagency, Multinational, and Coalition Partners.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG707.pdf
· Why Has the Cost of Fixed-Wing Aircraft Risen?: A Macroscopic Examination of the Trends in U.S. Military Aircraft Costs over the Past Several Decades.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG696.pdf

Reform Institute
· The Smart Alternative: Securing and Strengthening Our Nation’s Vulnerable Electric Grid
http://www.reforminstitute.org/uploads/publications/Smart_Grid_Final.pdf

Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College
· The American Military Advisor: Dealing with Senior Foreign Officials in the Islamic World.
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB869.pdf

Washington Institute for Near East Policy
· Kirkuk Derails Iraq's Election Law.
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2922

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

REPORT -- Contractors' Support of U.S. Operations in Iraq

A newly released Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report is likely to be of particular interest and has been in the news today.

The report - Contractors' Support of U.S. Operations in Iraq is available directly at http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9688&type=1

The CBO Director's blog with information about the report can be found at http://cboblog.cbo.gov/?p=156 Some of the findings as listed on the blog site include:

CBO found:

  • From 2003 through 2007, and converting the funding into 2008 dollars, U.S. agencies awarded $85 billion in contracts for work to be principally performed in the Iraq theater, accounting for almost 20 percent of funding for operations in Iraq. Including funding for 2008 itself, the U.S. has likely awarded $100 billion or more for contractors in the Iraq theater.
  • More than 70 percent of those obligations were for contracts performed in Iraq itself. The Department of Defense awarded contracts totaling $76 billion, and the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State obligated roughly $5 billion and $4 billion, respectively, over the same period.
  • Contractors provide a wide range of products and services in theater. Most contract obligations were for logistics support, construction, petroleum products, or food.
  • Although personnel counts are rough approximations, CBO estimates that at least 190,000 contractor personnel, including subcontractors, work on U.S.-funded contracts in the Iraq theater. About 20 percent are U.S. citizens.
  • The United States has used contractors during previous military operations, although not to the current extent. According to rough historical data, the ratio of about one contractor employee for every member of the U.S. armed forces in the Iraq theater is at least 2.5 times higher than the ratio during any other major U.S. conflict, although it is roughly comparable with the ratio during operations in the Balkans in the 1990s.

Private security contractors have been a particular focus of attention. Our analysis shows:

  • Total spending by the U.S. government and other contractors for security provided by contractors in Iraq from 2003 through 2007 was between $6 billion and $10 billion.
  • About 10,000 employees of private security contractors work directly for the U.S. government. Another 15,000 to 20,000 work for the Iraqi government, other contractors, and other customers, bringing the total to approximately 25,000 to 30,000 employees of private security contractors operating in Iraq.
  • The costs of a private security contract are similar to those of a U.S. military unit performing similar functions. During peacetime, however, the private security contract would not have to be renewed, whereas the military unit would remain in the force structure.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Friday's Miscellany 08-08-2008

American Enterprise Institute

· Beijing 2008: AEI Scholars on China and Its Olympic Moment. http://www.aei.org/research/contentID.20080729163935307/default.asp

· Iraq: Why We Are Winning. http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.28434/pub_detail.asp

· What Does China's Growth Portend for Latin America? http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.28366/pub_detail.asp

· Legacy or Complacency? Lula's Unfinished Business in Brazil. http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.28435/pub_detail.asp

American Prospect

· A Glossary of Iraq Euphemisms http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=a_glossary_of_iraq_euphemisms

Asian Centre for Human Rights

· South Asia Human Rights Index 2008 http://www.achrweb.org/reports/SAARC-2008.pdf

BASIC

· Iran Update http://www.basicint.org/update/iran080807.htm

Brookings Institution

· Afghanistan Index - Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-9/11 Afghanistan http://www.brookings.edu/foreign-policy/afghanistan-index.aspx

· Crime in Latin America: Democracy Losing this Fight http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0805_latin_america_casaszamora.aspx

· The Looming Crisis: Displacement and Security in Iraq http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2008/08_iraq_ferris/08_iraq_ferris.pdf

· Standing Down as Iraq Stands Up http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2008/09_iraq_ohanlon.aspx

· Surge in the Number of Iraqi Refugees: Causes and Implications http://www.brookings.edu/multimedia/video/2008/0703_iraq_refugees_koser.aspx?emc=lm&m=217424&l=21&v=658612

CACI International Inc (CACI) and the National Defense University (NDU)

· Dealing With Today’s Asymmetric Threat to U.S. and Global Security: The Need for an Integrated National Asymmetric Threat Strategy http://www.caci.com/announcement/CACI_Asymmetric_Threat_paper.pdf

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

· India - IAEA Reports http://www.carnegieendowment.org/static/npp/reports/gov2008-30.pdf

Center for American Progress

· Climate War Games http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/08/climate.html

· How to Deal with Jerusalem http://www.middleeastprogress.org/2008/08/how-to-deal-with-jerusalem/

Center for Security Policy

· Enola Gay: Dangerous Disarmers http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/home.aspx?sid=140&categoryid=140&subcategoryid=141

· Taiwan Arms Freeze. http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/home.aspx?sid=140&categoryid=140&subcategoryid=142

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

· Issues & Insights Vol. 08 - No. 07 - August 5, 2008U.S.-Japan Strategic Dialogue: Next Generation Views of the U.S.-Japan Alliance http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/issuesinsights_v08n07.pdf

· Sadr and the Mahdi Army: Evolution, Capabilities, and a New Direction http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080804_jam.pdf

· Transnational Threats Update July 2008 - Vol. 6, No. 7 http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/ttu_0607.pdf

· U.S.-Japan Strategic Dialogue: Next Generation Views of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/issuesinsights_v08n07.pdf

· US Casualties: The Trends in Iraq and Afghanistan http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/080808_war_casualties.pdf

Council on Foreign Relations

· Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) http://www.cfr.org/publication/12717/alqaeda_in_the_islamic_maghreb_aqim_or_lorganisation_alqada_au_maghreb_islamique_formerly_salafist_group_for_preaching_and_combat_or_groupe_salafiste_pour_la_prdication_et_le_combat.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Fbackgrounder

· Avoiding Transfers to Torture http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Assurances_CSR35.pdf

· China’s Environmental Crisis http://www.cfr.org/publication/12608/chinas_environmental_crisis.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Fbackgrounder

· Confronting Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Foreign Policy http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Climate_ChangeTF.pdf

· Eritrea's Border Troubles http://www.cfr.org/publication/16884/eritreas_border_troubles.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Fdaily_analysis

· Food Price Inflation: Explanation and Policy Implications http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/CGS_WorkingPaper_3.pdf

· Gaming the China Model http://www.cfr.org/publication/16912/gaming_the_china_model.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Fdaily_analysis

· Securing Pakistan's Tribal Belt http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Pakistan_CSR36.pdf

· Trade Liberalization: Cordell Hull and the Case for Optimism http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/CGS_WorkingPaper_4.pdf

· Trouble on the Ballot in Iraq http://www.cfr.org/publication/16895/trouble_on_the_ballot_in_iraq.html?breadcrumb=%2F

Department of Defense

· Tenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation

o V. 2 - http://www.defenselink.mil/news/QRMCreport.pdf

o V. 1 - http://www.defenselink.mil/prhome/docs/Tenth_QRMC_Feb2008_Vol%20I.pdf

Department of Defense Inspector General

§ D-2008-115 Status of Training Vehicles for U.S. Ground Forces Deploying in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom http://www.dodig.mil/Audit/reports/fy08/08-115.pdf

Department of Homeland Security Inspector General

Foreign Policy Research Institute

§ The History and Future of Suicide Terrorism http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200808.horowitz.suicideterrorism.html

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

§ Amerithrax (Anthrax) Court Documents http://www.usdoj.gov/amerithrax/

Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior

§ Afghanistan, the Limits of Counter-Insurgency and the Prospects for Negotiations http://www.humansecuritygateway.info/documents/FRIDE_Afghanistan_limitsofcounterinsurgency.pdf

Government Accountability Office

§ DOD Business Transformation: Air Force's Current Approach Increases Risk That Asset Visibility Goals and Transformation Priorities Will Not Be Achieved http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08866.pdf

§ DOD Business Systems Modernization: Key Navy Programs' Compliance with DOD's Federated Business Enterprise Architecture Needs to Be Adequately Demonstrated http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08972.pdf

§ Stabilizing and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Revenues, Expenditures, and Surplus http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081031.pdf

Heritage Foundation

§ Alexander Solzhenitsyn: The Passing of a Titan http://www.heritage.org/Research/RussiaandEurasia/upload/wm_2010.pdf

§ Don't Let the Good Die Young: Strengthening Homeland Security's Policy Office http://www.heritage.org/Research/HomelandSecurity/upload/wm_2012.pdf

§ The Turkish Constitutional Crisis: Resolved—for Now http://www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/upload/wm_2013.pdf

Institute for National Security Studies

§ Israel and a Nuclear Iran: Implications for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Defense http://www.inss.org.il/upload/(FILE)1216203568.pdf

Institute for Security Studies

§ Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa: A Need for a New Continental Approach http://www.issafrica.org/index.php?link_id=3&slink_id=6413&link_type=12&slink_type=12&tmpl_id=3

§ Peace in the Kivu's? An analysis of the Nairobi and Goma Agreements http://www.issafrica.org/dynamic/administration/file_manager/file_links/SITREPDRC310708.PDF?link_id=3&slink_id=6411&link_type=12&slink_type=13&tmpl_id=3

International Relations and Security Network

§ Assessing Stability in Syria http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19281

§ The History, Future of Suicide Terrorism http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=19277

§ Indian Presence Essential in Afghanistan http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19271

§ The Olympic Countdown: Beijing to Shanghai http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19276

§ Sarkozy's New Priorities http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19266

§ Uzbekistan: Losing Control http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=19272

Jamestown Foundation

§ Terrorism Focus - August 5, 2008 – Volume 5, Issue 29 http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?issue_id=4581

o Lebanese Jihadis Accuse Sunni Shaykhs of Acting as Agents for Shiite Hezbollah

o Restructuring al-Qaeda’s Algerian Insurgency

o India’s Security Agencies Struggle with Probe into Serial Bombings in Gujarat and Karnataka

o Istanbul Bombings Suggest PKK Insurgency May Be Entering a More Ruthless Phase

Lexington Institute

§ Rapid, Reliable Warning is the Key to Homeland Biodefense http://lexingtoninstitute.org/1304.shtml

§ Low-Cost Solution to Missile Defense has Many Advantages http://lexingtoninstitute.org/1302.shtml

Lowy Institute for International Policy

§ Foreign Investment in Australia and China http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=855

§ Hizbullah: Walking the Lebanese Tightrope http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=854

§ So what? Matching policy to Australian interests in West Asiahttp://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=863

National Defense University

§ The Need for an Integrated National Asymmetric Threat Strategy http://www.caci.com/announcement/CACI_Asymmetric_Threat_paper.pdf

§ Choosing War: The Decision to Invade Iraq and Its Aftermath http://www.ndu.edu/inss/Occasional_Papers/OP5.pdf

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

§ Trafficking in Persons Especially on Women and Children in Nepalhttp://www.humansecuritygateway.info/documents/NHRCNepal_traffickinginpersons2006-07.pdf

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

§ Human Rights, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism, Fact Sheet No. 32 http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/Factsheet32EN.pdf

Pew Global Attitudes Project

§ An Enthusiastic China Welcomes the Olympics http://pewresearch.org/pubs/918/china-olympics

Pew Internet & American Life Project

§ Search Soars, Challenging Email as a Favorite Internet Activity http://pewresearch.org/pubs/921/internet-search

Proteus [Army War College]

§ Iran-Syria-Hizballah-Hamas: A Coalition Against Nature, Why Does it Work? by Dr. Ely Karmon, Volume 1, Issue 5, May 2008. http://www.carlisle.army.mil/proteus/docs/karmon-iran-syria-hizbollah.pdf

RAND

§ Future U.S. Security Relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan: U.S. Air Force Roles http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG681.pdf

Refugees International

§ Colombia: Forced Internal Displacement Overwhelming Capacity to Respond http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/10791/

§ Northern Uganda: International Support for Sudanese Refugees Still Required http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/10810/

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

§ Why Have We Not Been Attacked Again? Competing and Complementary Hypotheses for Homeland Attack Frequency http://www.heritage.org/Research/Features/NationalSecurity/upload/WeHaveNotBeenAttackedAgain.pdf

Strategic Studies Institute

§ China-Russia Security Relations: Strategic Parallelism without Partnership or Passion? http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB868.pdf

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

§ Increasing Pressure on Iranian Opposition in Iraq http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2919

§ Coping with the Challenge of Iran http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2918

§ The Future of the Iraqi Kurds http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/pubPDFs/PolicyFocus85.pdf

World Health Organization

§ Preventing Violence and Reducing Its Impact: How Development Agencies can Help http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241596589_eng.pdf