Publications

The signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Beijing and Taipei on June 29 was indeed a significant and concrete milestone in cross-Strait relations. It builds on a series of agreements that has rapidly expanded direct links and economic ties since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008.

The North Caucasus experienced another deadly summer (May 1 – August 31, 2010). Although Chechnya and Ingushetia saw comparatively less violence than they did in Summer 2009, we observed a troubling rise in the level of violence in Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria.

Last night, President Barack Obama announced a formal end to the U.S. combat mission in Iraq. With roughly 50,000 Americans remaining behind until next year, it is certain that U.S. service personnel have not seen the end of hostile action.

The shadows of the Beijing Olympics and World Cup loom large over India’s upcoming Commonwealth Games. Disguised as global sporting events, these nationalistic displays are designed to showcase the strength of a country’s culture, economy, and people.

In the midst of two major wars and international counterterrorism operations, it may be difficult to recall that the September 11, 2001, attacks had roots not only in Afghanistan but also in Florida and Minnesota. That is a point stressed by developers of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative, or the NSI.Policymakers have spent the last few years shaping the NSI.

There is near unanimous agreement that Indonesian democracy is one of the most remarkable accomplishments in Southeast Asia in the last two decades. The transition from autocracy under Soeharto to one man or woman-one vote was breathtaking.

The North Caucasus experienced another deadly summer (May 1 – August 31, 2010). Although Chechnya and Ingushetia saw comparatively less violence than they did in Summer 2009, we observed a troubling rise in the level of violence in Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria.

The US may be announcing the “withdrawal” of its combat forces – although six Advisory and Assistance brigade and ~ 50,000 men may remain up to the end of 2011. The fact is, however, that US the withdrawal is far from over, the Iraq War is not over, it is not “won,” and any form of stable end state in Iraq is probably impossible before 2020.

The beginning of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks highlights the uncertainties affecting Israel’s security – both at present and in the future. The Burke Chair has prepared a new analysis of the overall pattern of regional threats that affect Israel’s security interest, of which the peace talks are only part.

The Pacific Forum CSIS brought together a small, select group of South Korean and US security specialists for the second time to discuss threat perceptions and concerns about the changing strategic environment in East Asia and the nature of extended deterrence. The following are the key findings from this off-the-record dialogue:

The US-China relationship continues to mature, and well it should, given the increasing interdependence of the two countries’ interests.

The U.S. alliance system provides security for the Asia Pacific and the framework for US engagement with the region. A changing security environment, along with changes in domestic politics in the US and its allies, have raised questions about the durability and viability of those alliances.

Sidney Weintraub examines the current relationship of Mexico and the United States as one of sustained dependence and dominance. The chapters examine the consequences of this imbalance in six major policy areas: trade; investment and finance; narcotics; energy; migration; and the border.

"The past few years have seen a number of reforms and initiatives within the U.S. government that address the growing challenges of building peace. Dane Smith’s book provides the first comprehensive survey of the range of U.S. agencies involved in peace building. At the same time, he addresses the fundamental concern over the increased power of the military—at the expense of civilian agencies—in stabilization and reconstruction operations. Important decisions are now being made on the future direction of U.S. foreign policy. A central task in arriving at these decisions will be determination of the proper role of both civilian and defense agencies in peace building.”

Saudi Arabia: National Security in a Troubled Region provides a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of Saudi Arabia's strategic security efforts, both within the country and as a stabilizing regional presence.

Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Birth of a Regional Nuclear Arms Race? is an expert, insider’s look at Iran’s current and potential ability to wage both conventional and asymmetrical warfare—and the options available for dealing with a nuclear Iran.

Globalization and the American Worker is a path-breaking work on economic policy in a global age. It debunks the myths that clutter the political debate over globalization, focusing instead on the hard challenges the United States faces in building a stronger economic future.

"There are few more knowledgeable observers of US-India relations than Teresita Schaffer, a former senior US diplomat, who has served in virtually every south Asian capital and is now a doyenne of Washington’s still surprisingly small coterie of India watchers. . . .

In February, at the direction of Congress, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR), which outlined high-level, national strategic priorities for the country’s “homeland security enterprise.” In July, DHS issued a follow-up report, the Bottom-Up R

The nuclear energy industry is fond of saying that an accident at one nuclear power plant anywhere is an accident everywhere. But is an attack on one nuclear power plant anywhere an attack everywhere? Not likely, but there’s a lesson in this.

A political commitment to trade is badly needed in the United States. That point is underlined as the economic and trade ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather in Danang, the largest city in central Vietnam, positioned on the white sand beaches of the coast and nestled next to the ancient city of Hoi An.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ most recent decision to shutter Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) and to cut the Department of Defense (DoD) contract workforce are new examples of his penchant for bold decisionmaking. The centrifugal pressures of ongoing wars, long-term readiness, and looming federal deficits are forcing his hand.

One of the most critical strategic decisions the US will have to make over the next few years is how to reshape its security posture in the Gulf and the Middle East as it fully withdraws from Iraq. There is no possible “end state” to the US presence in the Gulf, or an end to the need for the strongest possible US security ties to friendly states in the region.

Well, he did not wear a flight suit, stand on a carrier deck, or have a “Mission Accomplished” banner behind him. The fact remains, however, that President Obama did issue a second “mission accomplished statement on Iraq on August 18th, and one just as wrong and irresponsible as the one given by President Bush:

The shadows of the Beijing Olympics and World Cup loom large over India’s upcoming Commonwealth Games. Disguised as global sporting events, these nationalistic displays are designed to showcase the strength of a country’s culture, economy, and people.

There is near unanimous agreement that Indonesian democracy is one of the most remarkable accomplishments in Southeast Asia in the last two decades. The transition from autocracy under Soeharto to one man or woman-one vote was breathtaking.

It is a tribute to the newfound prominence and influence of Singapore’s thinking class that its views draw careful attention in Asia and internationally.

In late September or early October, President Barack Obama will take the historic opportunity of hosting the first US-ASEAN Summit on US soil. The summit will be the second of its kind following the inaugural meeting held in Singapore last November.

Saturday’s national election in Australia was a popularity contest for the middle dominated by two parties led by ambitious young usurpers of previous party leaders.

Would someone please provide China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) spokesmen with a map!