Afghanistan Strategy / COIN Dynamics: Strategy Link Chart
PA Consulting Group, December 8, 2009
This chart is a visual representation for the new strategy plan for Afghanistan. I think that the reviews on the chart will be about 50/50 – some, like me (who loves visual representations, and particularly link charts), will think that this chart is genius, while others will think it’s completely FUBAR and pointless. I must add that the chart looks complicated because the situation IS complicated. …just try not to let all the lines and colors get in the way of really looking at the map Also, when feeling lost or overwhelmed with the information, keep these three key strategy goals in mind: 1) Retain supportive individuals on the side of the Coalition, 2) Influence the insurgent-minded to become neutral, and 3) Influence the neutral-minded to support the coalition.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/images/afghanistan-1300.jpg
Managing the Downturn: Collateral Damage Series
The Boston Consulting Group, December 2009
The global financial crisis is no longer just a financial crisis—it is engulfing the wider economy. In our Collateral Damage series, we explain the background to the current troubles, analyze the impact of government actions around the world, explore likely economic scenarios, and examine the challenges facing companies outside the financial sector. We also set out a rapid but comprehensive action plan for senior executives that should take around three to six weeks to formulate and start implementing.
Two key features underpin the Collateral Damage series:
Two key features underpin the Collateral Damage series:
- A comprehensive, big-picture analysis of the global economic downturn as it evolves in different regions, countries, and sectors
- Practical guidance for senior executives on tried and tested steps that should be taken to protect companies from the worst of the crisis and to prepare them for when the economy recovers
http://www.bcg.com/expertise_impact/capabilities/managing_in_the_downturn/collateral_damage.aspx
Death in Camp Delta
Seton Hall – Law, December 8, 2009
Seton Hall University School of Law’s Center for Policy & Research has issued a report, Death in Camp Delta, which finds dramatic flaws in the government’s investigation of three simultaneous deaths of detainees in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The June 2006 deaths raised serious questions about the security of the Camp, and this report highlights the derelictions of duty by officials of multiple defense and intelligence agencies who allowed three detainees to die and elected not to conduct a proper investigation into the cause of the deaths.
http://law.shu.edu/programscenters/publicintgovserv/policyresearch/upload/gtmo_death_camp_delta.pdf
A world Map of Nuclear Explosions
tumblr blog - We Love Data Visualizations, December 2009
This map lists every nuclear explosion, the setting, the year, and the responsible party. Once you’re at the link, click on the image for a larger view.
http://i.imgur.com/Pik5g.jpg
Strategies Against Human Trafficking: The Role of the Security Sector
National Defense Academy and Bureau of for Security Policy, November 2009
“Much has been written about human trafficking over recent years. While this book rehearses the main points, it also fills gaps. The chapters, written by prominent experts in their fields, contribute to counter-trafficking by providing concrete recommendations for how to improve policy implementation, networking among the various counter-trafficking stakeholders, and research and evaluation. Crucially, the authors argue against oversimplified “solutions,” revealing that counter-trafficking is rife with trade-offs and unintended consequences. By problematising common assumptions, the book thus underlines the complexity of trafficking and the trickiness of countertrafficking, while still highlighting how progress can be made.”
http://www.bmlv.gv.at/pdf_pool/publikationen/trafficking_mit_fn-2608.pdf
Kazakhstan at a Crossroads: Human Rights and Democracy
ISN Publication, December 2, 2009
This paper analyzes the state and status of Kazakhstan at the start of a new decade and the country's chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010. The author argues that the country is going to be put under a level of international scrutiny it has not seen since its emergence as an independent state at the collapse of the Soviet Union. The report examines human rights and media and religious freedoms in more detail.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110296/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/59C322BF-F19A-4514-B6AD-BC9B547B34F6/en/1152.pdf
Maritime Terrorism – A Threat to World Trade?
ISN Publication, December 7, 2009
This speech explores the threat of maritime terrorism, its impact on trade and public opinion, as well as the issue of maritime security. The author argues that maritime terrorism is a reality and that in particular choke points and mega harbors are in the focus of terrorists. He stresses that fighting potential maritime terrorism and piracy cooperation between state institutions and the private sector is crucial.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110282/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/A68C9B03-98F6-4CD1-8CAC-AC0A390CFF0B/en/MaritimeTerrorism.pdf
Radiological Survey of Downtown Washington DC
National Nuclear Security Administration, March 2009
In mid-January 2009, in advance of the inauguration of President Obama, a radiological survey of downtown Washington, DC was conducted at the request of the Secret Service.
No statistically significant man-made radiological activity was detected in the survey. Typical variations in natural background radiation were found, along with slightly elevated readings at the National World War II Memorial and elsewhere “caused by the building materials containing naturally occurring radioisotopes.”
http://www.fas.org/sgp/eprint/dc-rad.pdf
Handing Back Responsibility to Timor-Leste's Police
ISN Publication, December 3, 2009
This report outlines the need for a new partnership between the Timor-Leste government and the UN mission addressing the status of the country's police force. A new framework is needed in order to salvage the UN-Timor-Leste relationship and to give the local police the autonomy and official legitimacy it already has on the ground. The report provides recommendations to the Timor-Leste government, the UN mission and bilateral donors.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110294/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/370EAF06-158B-42AE-9BE1-91ACD683AFEC/en/180_timor_lestes_police.pdf
Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law: Lessons From Colombia
ISN Publication, December 2009
This paper explores the impact of revolutionary changes in the administration of law on governance in Colombia. The author argues that the country has become much safer through the imposition of the rule of law. He describes how, while fighting a war against terrorists and narcotics traffickers, Colombia began converting its judicial system from the Roman law-based inquisitorial system to an accusatory system. He underlines the role of the US in assisting with money and advice as part of its overall support program under Plan Colombia.
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110219/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/FEAA79A0-EE24-42B1-9224-72AD129FE444/en/2009-12_DemocraticGovernance.pdf
Implementing the Obama Cyber Security Strategy via the ISA Social Contract Model
beSpecific, December 6, 2009
"The Internet Security Alliance (ISA) report aimed at taking the Obama Administration’s Cyberspace Policy Review document to the next level. The report emphasizes the need to focus on the economics of cyber security."
http://www.isalliance.org/images/stories/downloads_pdf/Implementing_the_Obama_Cyber_Security_Strategy.pdf
Understanding the Role of Deterrence in Counterterrorism Security
RAND Corp., December 2009
Deterrence -- a central feature of counterterrorism security systems -- is not well understood or measured. This paper offers a conceptual model for understanding how security systems may deter (or merely displace) attacks and a measurement framework for establishing the relative deterrent value of alternative security systems. Because deterrence may be the most important effect of some counterterrorism security programs, this framework may be useful to security policymakers who are trying to increase the security benefits they can achieve with limited resources.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/2009/RAND_OP281.pdf
A Compendium of Sexual Assault Research
RAND Corp., December 2009
Recognition of the prevalence and pernicious effects of sexual assault, and especially of acquaintance rape, has increased dramatically since the early 1990s. During this time, a large volume of research has enhanced understanding of the problem. This volume summarizes recent studies on sexual assault that the authors deem useful and relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and other policymakers interested in sexual assault issues. The authors provide a brief overview of the prevalence and effects of sexual assault, and of important events and laws pertaining to sexual assault in both the civilian and military sectors. They then discuss the research that has been conducted on ten aspects of sexual assault, including its prevalence, victim and perpetrator characteristics and risk factors, prevention, recovery and coping, and the responses of the health care, law enforcement, and criminal justice systems. Finally, in this compendium's annotated bibliography, the authors summarize more than 450 studies of sexual assault, tailoring their descriptions of research from a variety of fields for an audience of policymakers and informed lay readers.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf
Country Analysis Brief: Saudi Arabia
Energy Information Administration (EIA), December, 2009
Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producer of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). With approximately one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves and some of the lowest production costs, Saudi Arabia is expected to remain the world’s largest net oil exporter in the near and long-term.
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