2010 Army Weapon Systems Handbook
US Army, November 18, 2009
The U.S. Army has published the latest edition of its Army Weapon Systems handbook, cataloging dozens of Army weapons with descriptive information, status updates, contractor relationships, and images. “The systems listed in this book are not isolated, individual products,” the introduction says. “Rather, they are part of an integrated investment approach to make the Army of the future able to deal successfully with the challenges it will face.”
US Navy Arctic Roadmap
US Navy Task Force Climate Change (TFCC), October 2009
The dwindling Arctic ice cap has launched an international race for control of northern waters: Russia, Canada, Denmark, and even China are hustling to expand their military presence, plant flags and eye those 90 billion barrels of natural gas under the cap. Now the U.S. Navy’s getting ready for the thaw, with a strategic plan to maximize the U.S. stake up north.
The Navy’s Arctic Roadmap opens with an acknowledgment that worldwide temperatures are on the rise — especially up north. “The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe. While significant uncertainty exists in projections for Arctic ice extent, the current scientific consensus indicates the Arctic may experience nearly ice-free summers sometime in the 2030s,” the document notes.
Bangladesh – India Relations: some recent trends
ISN Publication, November 12, 2009
This paper explores the critical facets of contemporary Bangladesh-India relations and deal with the broad issues that directly impinge on this relationship. In assessing the challenges between the two countries and the need to overcome them, the author examines trends and explores a possible framework for the future direction of India-Bangladesh relations. He stresses the need for greater understanding, dialogue, diplomacy, regional cooperation and less interference in each other’s internal affairs.
The Democratic Party of Japan and North Korea Policy
ISN Publication, November 16, 2009
This brief analyzes the Democratic Party of Japan's North Korea policy and its alignment with US policy. The author argues that despite divergence on other issues, the new Japanese government and the US will stay closely aligned on North Korea.
Turkey, Russia and the Caucasus: Common and Diverging Interests
Chatham House Briefing Papers, November 2009
The Russo-Georgian conflict in August 2008 compelled decision-makers in Ankara to reassess their policies towards Russia and the Caucasus. Turkey had developed burgeoning economic and political ties with Russia and maintained close links with neighboring Georgia. The conflict raised questions over whether Turkey would become a key energy transit state given the deteriorating security situation in the South Caucasus. Relations between Ankara and Moscow were challenged as both had previously stressed their common interests in preserving regional stability. However, the conflict opened up possibilities for Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia, although this could upset Ankara’s close ties with Baku.
The Political Situation in Russia’s Regions
Center for Security Studies (CSS), November 09, 2009
This paper provides insights into Russia's regional politics, presenting four case studies. It addresses the general trends and special features of Russia's subnational authoritarianism, examines the political transformation of local government regimes through an analysis of elites and comments on the governor of St Petersburg. Furthermore, it assesses the implications of plans to redirect regional rents from oil and gas production from Tyumen Oblast to the federal center in Moscow.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/109380/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/C0EED8B5-88F0-4475-ACF7-8B8A7BD9B1DE/en/Russian_Analytical_Digest_67.pdf
APEC at 20
ISN Publication, November 11, 2009
This paper comments on the achievements of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in its 20 years of existence. The author examines whether the consensual, inclusive norm that has propelled APEC can be the driving force to bind regional groups together.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/109530/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/9652D759-5997-4AD2-89E1-4B7AEB9E48E0/en/RSIS1112009.pdf
The Armed Forces of Southeast Asia in 2020
ISN Publication, November 10, 2009
This paper argues that the future shape and structure of the armed forces of Southeast Asia is a fundamental question for the region's military. According to the author, the way in which the regional armed forces answer this question will be shaped by three considerations: technologies of the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), escaping the US' technological universe, and how to afford the RMA.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/109524/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/364867E5-DE4D-4AE5-95C5-E9A3C336C471/en/RSIS1102009.pdf
Different Lenses on the Future: US and Singaporean approaches to strategic planning
ISN Publication, November 04, 2009
This paper compares government strategic planning in Singapore with that of the US, and examines the contextual differences that give rise to their divergent approaches. While Singapore does not enjoy the US' size advantage, the author argues that its approach is enabled as much by cultural, historical and geographical factors as it is by government willingness to invest in organizational innovation. He concludes with an assessment of what the two countries can learn from each other.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/109532/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/AD7F7189-E642-4620-BE7F-1418C280B087/en/WP186.pdf
Capability of the People’s Republic of China to Conduct Cyber Warfare and Computer Network Exploitation
Northrop Grumman, for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, October 9, 2009
This paper presents a comprehensive open source assessment of China’s capability to conduct computer network operations (CNO) both during peacetime and periods of conflict. The result will hopefully serve as useful reference to policymakers, China specialists, and information operations professionals. The research for this project encompassed five broad categories to show how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is pursuing computer network operations (CNO) and the extent to which it is being implemented.
SAUDI ARABIA: Ideological and Financial Center of Jihad?
South Asia Analysis Group, paper #3499, November 11, 2009
With fusion of religion and political control, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia derived religious legitimacy from being the custodian of the two holiest shrines and controller of annual Haj pilgrimage and positioned itself to be the authoritative voice of Islamic world. However, when it faced the challenge of the Jihadi terrorists in its own land in late seventies of last century, it started spending billions of dollars for spreading Wahhabism in different countries with the objective to developing a clout in Islamic establishments. Due to this persistent and ruthless endeavour Wahhabi thought and customs are not only taking root among sizeable section of world Muslims but are also making inroads even among the peace loving faithfuls.
India’s Strategic Defense Transformation: expanding global relationships
Strategic Studies Institute – US Army War College, November 11, 2009
India’s transformation to modernize its military, obtain “strategic partnerships” with the United States and other nations, and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond includes a shift from an emphasis on the former Soviet Union as the primary supplier of defense articles to a western base of supply and an increasing emphasis on bilateral exercises and training with many of the global powers. The author explores the nature of this transformation, offers insights into the history of Indian defense relations, and suggests implications to U.S. foreign and defense policy. Much has been written regarding India’s relations with its neighbors, especially Pakistan and China. The author adds a new perspective by taking a global view of India’s rise as a regional and future global military power through its bilateral defense relations and the potential conflict this creates with India’s legacy as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement.
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