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Open Think Tank Articles
Editorial Team: In celebration of the 12th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, atlantic-community.org invites you to participate in our next Q&A session with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. She will be answering questions on “Women, Peace and Security”.
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Daria Wiktoria Dylla: Romney has attacked current US security policy for a missile defense plan unfavorable to NATO allies in Central Europe. Especially Poland may be in a vulnerable position without the external security balance provided by the US, but the removal of troops will be compensated for by the positioning of missiles. Thus, Poland has nothing to worry about.
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Yasmine Ali Mohamed Ibrahim: The talk in Egypt about the “Selmi” constitutional memorandum has stirred public debate over the right of the Egyptian defense institutions to keep information from the public. What should be the limit to how much information security actors are allowed to hide from citizens?
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Brianna Marie MacGillivray: The United States and India need each other considering that both countries have significant stakes in the future of the Asia-Pacific region. However, the two nations have not allowed their relationship to reach its full potential. There is much to be gained from warmer relations.
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Niall Mulchinock: In response to Lord West’s comments branding Denmark and Belgium as second-rate countries while insisting that Britain will continue to remain a major power, despite its defense cuts, it is necessary to signify the important role that Denmark plays in regards to its continued commitment to transatlantic security.
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Andrew Barr: Quantifying state involvement in NATO through the establishment of a “points system” is a necessary step towards quelling the discord from ambiguities in measuring participation. In addition, military, civilian and academic exchanges will augment a sense of community within NATO.
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Samantha Elizabeth Koss: The solution to the continental divisions between NATO members lies in enlarging membership and refocusing the identity and NATO’s mission. NATO should aim for the security and promotion of values of all democracies worldwide, not limited to those within the transatlantic alliance.
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Dave Roddenberry: As Yemen continues its downward trajectory, its strategic position means a multinational intervention must be considered. Though this would be a heavy undertaking, if Western nations learn from previous interventions and peace-keeping operations, they could turn Yemen from a liability into an ally.
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Richard Gowan: It seems all too possible that the US and EU’s contrasting strategic concerns will continue to dilute their military cooperation in the years ahead. The hunt is still on for a convincing vision of how to avoid this outcome.
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Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: The idea of intra-alliance military specialization in Europe is attractive in theory, but problematic in practice. Instead, officials should pursue a two-tiered pan-European defense force, which would facilitate deployment beyond Europe and improve effeciency using economies of scale.
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Arne Schoenbohm: The Internet has become a fifth ‘military battleground’ and poses a grave threat to governments and industries across the world. Some states have spent billions on cyber defense. Now others, notably Germany, must also take bold action to limit the damage of the growing cyber threat.
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Editorial Team: Our latest theme week seeks solutions to Europe’s most pressing security question: in a difficult economic climate, how can European defense ministries get more bang for their buck? We encourage all Atlantic Community members to contribute opinion articles to stimulate this important debate.
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Sam Vanderslott: Despite disinterest of pharmaceutical companies, and thus of the developed world, neglected diseases, widespread infections in the developing regions, should be considered a transatlantic security issue. While not a traditional security issue, health is now accepted in a broadened understanding of security, on an individual rather than state-centred basis.
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Rebecca Gerome: The availability of small arms increases sexual violence against women. Therefore, gender based violence needs to be central to international discussions on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and states must act to end impunity for armed violence against women.
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May-Britt Ulrike Stumbaum: The EU cooperates with China on a wide range of issues, despite having an insufficient understanding of Beijing’s strategic goals. As Chinese influence around the world grows, the EU needs to start thinking about China strategically.
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Makeda Hannah Peter: IR feminists offer alternative conceptions of power. In doing so, feminists attempt to de-construct the power-politics of positivist realism, and focus on individuals and communities. Empirical research conveys gender related issues as central to studies within IR.
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Bernhard Lucke: With no political solution for Afghanistan in reach, NATO is heading towards disaster. The frequent speeches of exhortation rarely consider the risks of the military escalation and the failure of the political process. It is time to re-evaluate the war.
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Jorge Benitez: After excluding the security concerns of NATO’s eastern members as alliance priorities in the past, Secretary General Rasmussen reveals changes at a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Bratislava. Are these real changes in alliance policy or just lip service? The answer will be determined by how NATO settles the issue of contingency planning.
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Sari Kouvo: An increased focus on the technical aspects of rule of law reform will not break the negative spiral of the Afghan public’s declining trust in the state and increased insecurity without a political will to tackle institutionalized impunity.
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Marc Saxer: To use of the window of opportunity for establishing effective global governance, Europeans should accept that not all countries are willing to cede their sovereignty, but should work to increase the representation of emerging powers in multilateral structures.
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Shakti Prasad Srichandan: The signing of a nuclear deal between India and the US comes as Delhi is emerging as a factor in the global balance of power with a new approach to foreign relations. The task of leading the region towards modernization falls on India and this will have a direct impact on global security.
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Editorial Team: You are in a crowded, run-down basement. Lights are flashing in your eyes and your heart is racing. You’ve broken out in a sweat and it’s running down your back. People are anxious. Someone is screaming. Danger seems imminent.
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Asle Toje & Barbara Kunz: The new culture of collective defense among unarmed countries is not security, it is a suicide pact. Free-loading has left NATO dependent on the US. But as US influence is reduced, Europe will find that “soft power” without hard to back it is impotent. Unless Europe dumps the utopian idealists, there is a danger the continent will be left unprotected.
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The Editorial Team: We are proud to announce the four winners of our student op-ed competition, who will each receive US-$ 200! Thank you for your many articles, that presented solid analyses, new viewpoints, and provocative arguments, on issues ranging from the reorganization of the global financial system to the establishment of an international human rights regime.
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Colette Grace Mazzucelli: The Mumbai attacks have been described as India’s 9/11, but this analogy is not accurate. Terrorism is one dimension of a larger challenge that India must now confront: the erosion of the pluralist and secular traditions of the country’s founders.
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Johannes Gunesch: The lack of a commonly accepted global approach means that alternative regional approaches outside of traditional organizations such as the UN will become more common.
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NATO Channel: Afghanistan’s symbolic Highway 1 is coming under increased attacks from insurgents placing explosives in bridges and culverts. These attempts to disrupt this important route for both commerce and the movement of people can only be countered through coordinated efforts from ISAF and the Afghan people.
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Francisco J. Ruiz: It is time to examine relations between Russia, the US, and the EU. With emerging global threats, there are areas in which these three can cooperate in defense and security. All three actors must change their policies enabling more collaboration on these issues.
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Global Must Read Articles
After returning from Afghanistan, NATO’s Secretary General Rasmussen stated that Afghans are prepared to take the lead in providing their own security by the end of 2014. ++ The process of transferring security responsibility is well underway: Afghani police and troops are leading 80% of the operations and 85% of their own training. ++ ISAF will focus less on combat and more on support. ++ The
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Dr. Arunas Molis has been a member of atlantic-community.org since 2009 and works as an associated professor at Vytautas Magnus University and lector at Vilnius University. His range of expertise includes energy security, international relations, European integration and the Baltic States. Before moving to Lithuania, Dr. Molis was affiliated with the Department of Political and strategic studies
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MP John Hayes recently mentioned “resisting” Chinese influence in the South Pacific in a now leaked email. ++ China will deploy forces within the South Pacific as it is now a major corridor between South American and Australasian resource suppliers. ++ The strengthening of trilateral security ties between the US, NZ and Australia is designed to act as a regional counter-balance. ++ Increasingly
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak has three conditions for war: it must delay Iran’s nuclear program; there must be minimal harm to Israel; and it must receive US and international support. ++ The Netanyahu government has had 20 months to prepare the home front but has not even built a respectable fire service. ++ Netanyahu is seen by Obama as seeking to ruin the Democrats’ reelection bid with an
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In his paper for the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Patrick Keller assesses European defense budgets in the aftermath of the economic crisis.
Dr. Keller’s analysis shows how the current economic climate has led to sharp cuts in European defense spending, resulting in diminished capabilities. A credible defense system now requires greater cooperation and pooling of
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Tiny Israel has long depended on the United States for military aid and security. But Israel is also vital to the economic interests of the United States. ++ Despite being smaller than the state of New Jersey, Israel is a global leader in microchip design, military technology and water recycling, and many US companies depend on Israel for critical parts and services. ++ Now, in a time of acute
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The international community is falling “woefully short” of financing Afghanistan’s needs. ++ Security is better funded than any other sector including economic and social development. ++ If this continues, “the suffering of a very poor population will get worse, fuelling support for the fundamentalist insurgency that threatens the entire region”. ++ Aid must be increased and managed by the
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On April 4 the Atlantic Alliance will celebrate its 60th birthday. ++ An apt occasion to review its tasks and raison d’etre with a changed décor and security challenges. ++ There are several issues to tackle. ++ It is clear is that Article 5 should remain at the core of NATO and new tasks and memberships should only take place if accompanied by an effective increase in the security
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Berlusconi and Sarkozy have signed an agreement to increase cooperation over nuclear energy and enhance collaboration in related sectors. ++ Yet the get-together turned out to be a compliment race more than an energy agreement. ++ The two leaders extensively commented on their respective successes in dealing with domestic and foreign policy issues, albeit with poor empirical evidence. ++
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Improving relations with Iran might not be as smooth as expected for Obama. ++ Under Russia’s new security strategy, to be adopted end of February, Russia is on the way to making Iran its new strategic partner. ++ An increase in the number of nuclear engineers being sent to Tehran to work with Iranians is one of several indicators of the rapprochement. ++ This may well remove any incentive for
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China’s behavior towards Pakistan is the first big pointer as to whether it will become a responsible stakeholder on the international stage. ++ Both the US and China have for too long engaged in a hands-off approach in Pakistan because of strategic considerations. ++ A coordinated effort from both countries to “bring multilateral pressure to bear on Pakistan” is needed. ++ To
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For months Iraqi interpreters were not allowed to wear masks to conceal their identities, although insurgent groups put enormous effort into identifying and killing them. ++ However, the security of US troops as well as American strategy depends on their knowledge. ++ They bridge the language gap but also “serve as cultural advisers, and make crucial introductions.” ++ The US must
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One of Obama’s most trying tasks as president will be to redefine NATO, which lacks “a clear mission” and has “outlived its original purpose.” ++ The thorny issue of Ukrainian and Georgian accession will need to be negotiated with other NATO members. ++ NATO’s mission in Afghanistan is an “out-of-area conflict,” allowing members to decide what role,
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Climate change “is not a traditional problem of national security, but one related to our collective security in a fragile and increasingly interdependent world.” ++ The European Commission recently released a report saying that climate change is indeed an international security issue. ++ The growing scarcity of water will increase migration, and the struggle for resources will breed conflict. ++
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The conflict in South Ossetia is one of many explosive ethnic disputes in the region. ++ These are especially dangerous because of the absence of a superior security pact. ++ Therefore, the best way to enhance the security situation would be if the European Union, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the US agreed on a pact which would create a nonaligned and neutral Caucasus. ++ This would
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Hunger Riots like in Egypt have potential to destabilize weak governments. Prices of all staple food have risen 80% in three years, and 33 countries are facing unrest because of the price rises. ++ The US, Europe, Japan and other rich countries will need to provide funds. ++ To prevent worsening of climate change agriculture industry needs to double its food production, using less water than
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To remain a relevant alliance, NATO needs to adapt to both changes in the international order and evolving threats. ++ NATO requires a comprehensive approach, enhanced coordination with other civilian actors, and cooperation with the UN and the EU. ++ Jaap de Hoop Scheffer speaking at the German Marshall Fund Brussels Forum expects NATO to provide real results by accurately scanning the strategic
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War in Iraq might decrease US ability to preserve peace in East Asia - a serious concern for Japan. ++ Japan relies on the Middle East for 90 percent of its oil - stability in the region is vital. ++ North Korea will never dismantle nuclear weapons without US influence. ++ Japan should maintain close relationship with US - decline in US power is not in Japan’s national interest.
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Improved cooperation between NATO and other organizations is necessary in view of new security requirements, says David Yost, professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School.
A more productive joint performance is needed to work towards common goals such as preventing failed states becoming safe havens for terrorists. Yost therefore welcomes the comprehensive civil-military approach endorsed by
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When its Reform Treaty is finally ratified, the EU should consider installing a permanent European Security Council, suggests James Roger, Director of Operations for the Henry Jackson Society in Cambridge. Writing for ISN Security Watch, Roger suggests that a council comprised of civil as well as military experts should update the European Security Strategy annually or bi-annually, act as a
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Mark Bent, a former foreign service officer and Texas oilman, joined forces with international organisations, NGOs and corporate benefactors to develop and distribute over 30,000 solar-powered flashlights to villages and refugee camps in Africa. The flashlights — which provide up to 7 hours of light on a daily solar charge and last about 3 years — serve a multitude of purposes ranging from
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America has a “profound misunderstanding of the nature of power in world politics,” says Harvard professor Joseph S. Nye. Power is distributed at three levels: unipolar military relations among states, multipolar economic relations, and transnational issues outside the control of governments. The most urgent challenges faced by the US today, such as the Iraq war, global climate change, pandemics,
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A comprehensive “all-hazard” approach, incorporating all involved international agencies, is necessary to protect the world’s population from biological harm, argue Andreas Wenger and Sergio Bonin of the Center for Security Studies in Zurich. Their ETH security policy analysis examines the rising risk of biohazards resulting from increased global mobility, rapid advancement in scientific
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