ISN Publication, December 28, 2009
"This publication analyzes the on-going revaluation process of China's currency. The author argues that this adjustment depends largely on the dynamics of China's labor and financial market. He also states that South Asia is generally not hurt, and in fact may gain, from an undervalued Chinese currency."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110879/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/7CFF2741-B56A-43BB-A74C-24776D7A59EB/en/89.pdf
05 January 2010
Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan
Center for a New American Security, January 2010
"This paper, written by the senior intelligence officer inAfghanistan and by a company-grade officer and a senior executive with the Defense Intelligence Agency, critically examines the relevance of the U.S. intelligence community to the counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan Afghanistan United States
http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/AfghanIntel_Flynn_Jan2010_code507_voices.pdf
"This paper, written by the senior intelligence officer in
http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/AfghanIntel_Flynn_Jan2010_code507_voices.pdf
Middle East Notes and Comment: Waiting for the Deluge
CSIS, December 15, 2009
"In a region that already has enough conflicts, another one is brewing, and it comes from a surprising source: the Nile. The river that witnessed history from the pharaohs through the Bible and on to the nationalist revolution of 1952 seems poised to enter a new phase, and there may not be enough water to go around."
http://csis.org/files/publication/1209_MENC.pdf
"In a region that already has enough conflicts, another one is brewing, and it comes from a surprising source: the Nile. The river that witnessed history from the pharaohs through the Bible and on to the nationalist revolution of 1952 seems poised to enter a new phase, and there may not be enough water to go around."
http://csis.org/files/publication/1209_MENC.pdf
Central Asia: Migrants and the Economic Crisis
Crisis Group, January 5, 2010
"If Central Asian countries want to survive as viable independent states and avoid political and social instability in the region, they need to make urgent reforms in the labour sector. The International Crisis Group examines the impact of the global financial crisis on migration from three Central Asian countries: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The report warns that the lumpenisation of Central Asian societies will continue, as qualified, educated and healthy younger members of the work force leave for Russia and Kazakhstan."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/asia/central_asia/183_central_asia___migrants_and_economic_crisis.pdf
"If Central Asian countries want to survive as viable independent states and avoid political and social instability in the region, they need to make urgent reforms in the labour sector. The International Crisis Group examines the impact of the global financial crisis on migration from three Central Asian countries: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The report warns that the lumpenisation of Central Asian societies will continue, as qualified, educated and healthy younger members of the work force leave for Russia and Kazakhstan."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/asia/central_asia/183_central_asia___migrants_and_economic_crisis.pdf
Mullahs, Guards, and Bonyads: An Exploration of Iranian Leadership Dynamics
RAND Corp., January 2010
"The Islamic Republic of Iran poses serious challenges to U.S. interests in the Middle East, and its nuclear program continues to worry the international community. The presidential election of June 2009 that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power and led to broad protests and a government crackdown presents yet another cause for U.S. concern. Yet the U.S. ability to “read” the Iranian regime and formulate appropriate policies has been handicapped by both a lack of access to the country and the opacity of decisionmaking in Tehran. To help analysts better understand the Iranian political system, the authors describe:
"The Islamic Republic of Iran poses serious challenges to U.S. interests in the Middle East, and its nuclear program continues to worry the international community. The presidential election of June 2009 that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power and led to broad protests and a government crackdown presents yet another cause for U.S. concern. Yet the U.S. ability to “read” the Iranian regime and formulate appropriate policies has been handicapped by both a lack of access to the country and the opacity of decisionmaking in Tehran. To help analysts better understand the Iranian political system, the authors describe:
- Iranian strategic culture, including the perceptions that drive state behavior
- the informal networks, formal government institutions, and personalities that influence decisionmaking in the Islamic Republic
- the impact of elite behavior on Iranian policy formulation and execution
- factionalism, emerging fissures within the current regime, and other key trends."
Health and Medical Research in France
RAND Corp, January 2010
"This documented briefing provides an overview of the health and medical research system in France. The report is supported by the Department of Health (England)."
http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2010/RAND_DB590.pdf
"This documented briefing provides an overview of the health and medical research system in France. The report is supported by the Department of Health (England)."
http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2010/RAND_DB590.pdf
Is There a European Medical Research Area?: Observatory on Health Research Systems
RAND Corp., January 2010
"This documented briefing provides an overview of the European Research Area and explores whether such an integrated research area exists in health and biomedical research. The report is supported by the Department of Health (England)."
http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2010/RAND_DB588.pdf
"This documented briefing provides an overview of the European Research Area and explores whether such an integrated research area exists in health and biomedical research. The report is supported by the Department of Health (England)."
http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2010/RAND_DB588.pdf
Issues in International Political Economy: Situation in Latin America, Year-end 2009
CSIS, January 4, 2009
"The political differences among the countries in Latin America are profound, and this reality is perhaps the most important political commentary to make at year-end 2009. Countries of the region are more apt to learn from each other in the economic field."
http://csis.org/files/publication/issues200912.pdf
"The political differences among the countries in Latin America are profound, and this reality is perhaps the most important political commentary to make at year-end 2009. Countries of the region are more apt to learn from each other in the economic field."
http://csis.org/files/publication/issues200912.pdf
Crisis Watch, Nr. 77
ISN Publication, January 4, 2010
"This issue of CrisisWatch summarizes developments during the month of December 2009 in some 70 situations of ongoing or potential conflict. These are listed alphabetically by region and provide references and links to more detailed information sources. It assesses whether the overall situation in each case has, during the previous month, significantly deteriorated, improved or on balance remained unchanged. Moreover, it alerts readers to situations where there is a particular risk of escalated conflict or, on the other hand, a conflict resolution opportunity."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110912/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/DF8BD9DD-C34B-4907-8A39-4234DD2C0BFD/en/cw77.pdf
"This issue of CrisisWatch summarizes developments during the month of December 2009 in some 70 situations of ongoing or potential conflict. These are listed alphabetically by region and provide references and links to more detailed information sources. It assesses whether the overall situation in each case has, during the previous month, significantly deteriorated, improved or on balance remained unchanged. Moreover, it alerts readers to situations where there is a particular risk of escalated conflict or, on the other hand, a conflict resolution opportunity."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110912/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/DF8BD9DD-C34B-4907-8A39-4234DD2C0BFD/en/cw77.pdf
04 January 2010
The East European Financial Crisis
ISN Publication, December 17, 2009
"This paper discusses the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 in 13 countries: the 10 new EU members that previously were communist and the three countries of western former Soviet Union. The author argues that the dominant cause of the crisis was fixed exchange rates and elaborates on some of the lessons can be drawn from this crisis."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110749/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/11C3322E-C0B5-47FB-8AF6-E4AA4EFC335B/en/395_Dec+17.pdf
"This paper discusses the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 in 13 countries: the 10 new EU members that previously were communist and the three countries of western former Soviet Union. The author argues that the dominant cause of the crisis was fixed exchange rates and elaborates on some of the lessons can be drawn from this crisis."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110749/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/11C3322E-C0B5-47FB-8AF6-E4AA4EFC335B/en/395_Dec+17.pdf
The Afghan War at the End of 2009: Why the War is at a Crisis Stage
CSIS, January 4, 2010
"This report focuses only on the fighting, and not on the full range of issues that must be addressed to win the war. It is essential to win meaningful victories at the tactical level, but there are six additional -- and equally critical -- elements of a successful campaign that still need to be addressed in a meaningful enough public form to provide any confidence that the President’s strategy is being effectively implemented."
http://csis.org/files/publication/100104_afghan_war_at_end_09.pdf
"This report focuses only on the fighting, and not on the full range of issues that must be addressed to win the war. It is essential to win meaningful victories at the tactical level, but there are six additional -- and equally critical -- elements of a successful campaign that still need to be addressed in a meaningful enough public form to provide any confidence that the President’s strategy is being effectively implemented."
http://csis.org/files/publication/100104_afghan_war_at_end_09.pdf
A Delicate Balance: Portfolio Analysis and Management for Intelligence Information Dissemination Programs
RAND Corp, December 2009
"This description of the application of the RAND Corporation's PortMan portfolio analysis and management method for the National Security Agency (NSA) Information Sharing Services (ISS) division demonstrates how PortMan (1) enables the data-driven analysis of project portfolios and (2) provides a means for monitoring the progress of potentially high-value projects and associated risk-mitigation strategies."
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2009/RAND_MG939.pdf
"This description of the application of the RAND Corporation's PortMan portfolio analysis and management method for the National Security Agency (NSA) Information Sharing Services (ISS) division demonstrates how PortMan (1) enables the data-driven analysis of project portfolios and (2) provides a means for monitoring the progress of potentially high-value projects and associated risk-mitigation strategies."
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2009/RAND_MG939.pdf
How Terrorist Groups Survive: A Dynamic Network Analysis Approach to the Resilience of Terrorist Organizations
School of Advanced Military Studies, May 21, 2009
"The purpose of this paper is to explore the question of how modern terrorist groups manage to survive in the face of aggressive counterterrorist operations by security forces. Al Qa’ida survives to this day, despite the destruction of their Afghanistan sanctuary, the loss of countless key personnel, and continuous pressure by the United States and their allies. Why has al Qa’ida survived? Since much of the literature on terrorism focuses on how to eliminate them, this research paper focuses on why they still endure. In other words, instead of asking, 'How do we kill them,' this research asks, 'Why don’t they die?''
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA507988&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf
"The purpose of this paper is to explore the question of how modern terrorist groups manage to survive in the face of aggressive counterterrorist operations by security forces. Al Qa’ida survives to this day, despite the destruction of their Afghanistan sanctuary, the loss of countless key personnel, and continuous pressure by the United States and their allies. Why has al Qa’ida survived? Since much of the literature on terrorism focuses on how to eliminate them, this research paper focuses on why they still endure. In other words, instead of asking, 'How do we kill them,' this research asks, 'Why don’t they die?''
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA507988&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf
Felony Sentences in State Courts, 2006 - Statistical Tables
Bureau of Justice Statistics, December 2009
"Presents findings from the 2006 National Judicial Reporting Program (NJRP), which compiles detailed information on the sentences that felons receive in state courts nationwide and on characteristics of the felons. The survey excludes federal courts and state or local courts that do not adjudicate adult felony cases. The tables in this publication provide data on the number of felony offenders in state courts, sentences received, demographic characteristics of convicted felons, and types of convictions. The report also covers comparisons to felony sentences in federal courts, using data from the Federal Justice Statistics Program (FJSP). The 2006 NJRP was based on a sample of state courts in 300 counties selected to be nationally representative. The survey included only offenses that state penal codes defined as felonies. Felonies are widely defined as crimes with the potential of being punished by more than 1 year in prison. NJRP surveys have been conducted every 2 years since 1986."
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/fssc06st.pdf
"Presents findings from the 2006 National Judicial Reporting Program (NJRP), which compiles detailed information on the sentences that felons receive in state courts nationwide and on characteristics of the felons. The survey excludes federal courts and state or local courts that do not adjudicate adult felony cases. The tables in this publication provide data on the number of felony offenders in state courts, sentences received, demographic characteristics of convicted felons, and types of convictions. The report also covers comparisons to felony sentences in federal courts, using data from the Federal Justice Statistics Program (FJSP). The 2006 NJRP was based on a sample of state courts in 300 counties selected to be nationally representative. The survey included only offenses that state penal codes defined as felonies. Felonies are widely defined as crimes with the potential of being punished by more than 1 year in prison. NJRP surveys have been conducted every 2 years since 1986."
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/fssc06st.pdf
Central Asia: Islamists in Prison
ISN Publication, December 15, 2009
"This brief assesses the problem of Islamists in prison in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It argues that Islamist proselytizers are consolidating their position within the informal structures of power behind prison walls. Incarcerating determined activists is providing them with the opportunity to extend their influence among convicts, at first inside prison and then on their release. It also argues that for over a decade, muddle-through has been the strategy of choice for Central Asia’s rulers and that with the increasing armed threats coming from Afghanistan and deepening economic problems, time may no longer be on their side."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110693/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/10DCCC52-D39E-4055-8FAB-4A983568E2E7/en/b97_central_asia_islamists_in_prison.pdf
"This brief assesses the problem of Islamists in prison in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It argues that Islamist proselytizers are consolidating their position within the informal structures of power behind prison walls. Incarcerating determined activists is providing them with the opportunity to extend their influence among convicts, at first inside prison and then on their release. It also argues that for over a decade, muddle-through has been the strategy of choice for Central Asia’s rulers and that with the increasing armed threats coming from Afghanistan and deepening economic problems, time may no longer be on their side."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110693/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/10DCCC52-D39E-4055-8FAB-4A983568E2E7/en/b97_central_asia_islamists_in_prison.pdf
Reshuffling the Cards?: Syria's New Hand
ISN Publication, December 16, 2009
"This publication concentrates on the new assets of Syria’s foreign policy. Taking into account Syria's decision to accelerate economic reforms and resume peace talks with Israel in 2009, this paper assesses the consequences of such moves on Syria’s foreign policy goals. It argues that while Syria's policy moves have traditionally been driven by short-term objectives, the US administration’s vision for the region will have a decisive impact on Syria's future policy."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110736/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/C1714B2D-7AB3-49D4-BEF0-351EFD6D3BF0/en/93_syrias_new_hand.pdf
"This publication concentrates on the new assets of Syria’s foreign policy. Taking into account Syria's decision to accelerate economic reforms and resume peace talks with Israel in 2009, this paper assesses the consequences of such moves on Syria’s foreign policy goals. It argues that while Syria's policy moves have traditionally been driven by short-term objectives, the US administration’s vision for the region will have a decisive impact on Syria's future policy."
http://kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/110736/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/C1714B2D-7AB3-49D4-BEF0-351EFD6D3BF0/en/93_syrias_new_hand.pdf
New Year, New Style (maybe)
With new years, come new things.
Now that the new year is finally here, I've decided try something different with the blog postings. Well, technically it's not really anything different, just a different posting style that I have been debating since the inception of this blog. From here on out, I plan on posting the resources individually as I get them rather than as one weekly post. The positives of doing my posts this way include the ability to individually share posted resources with anyone else who my find it useful (by using the share button at the end of each post), better tagging and therefore better searching of my blog posts, and a higher likelihood of others finding these resources through search engines (as the post titles will now read the title of the resource instead of a date range).
However, there are a few downsides to this. The biggest downside is that you will no longer have the consistent routine of a Thursday post. Furthermore, the posts will not really have any schedule consistency and will reflect my sporadic internet usage, resulting in a purging of posts followed by droughts. Lastly, because of some good changes with my employer, I will likely be updating this less often and possibly getting rid of this blog all-together (but this is still yet to be decided depending on my work schedule).
Hopefully the changes to the blog will be beneficial for you, and hopefully I'll still be able to keep up with keeping you updated!
Let the individual posts begin!
Now that the new year is finally here, I've decided try something different with the blog postings. Well, technically it's not really anything different, just a different posting style that I have been debating since the inception of this blog. From here on out, I plan on posting the resources individually as I get them rather than as one weekly post. The positives of doing my posts this way include the ability to individually share posted resources with anyone else who my find it useful (by using the share button at the end of each post), better tagging and therefore better searching of my blog posts, and a higher likelihood of others finding these resources through search engines (as the post titles will now read the title of the resource instead of a date range).
However, there are a few downsides to this. The biggest downside is that you will no longer have the consistent routine of a Thursday post. Furthermore, the posts will not really have any schedule consistency and will reflect my sporadic internet usage, resulting in a purging of posts followed by droughts. Lastly, because of some good changes with my employer, I will likely be updating this less often and possibly getting rid of this blog all-together (but this is still yet to be decided depending on my work schedule).
Hopefully the changes to the blog will be beneficial for you, and hopefully I'll still be able to keep up with keeping you updated!
Let the individual posts begin!
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