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United States of America

I've Got Your Sovereignty

The Best Part About Think Tank 2.0: Heterogeneousness of Thought

By Michael Tanji
My colleague Steve Schippert asked recently: "Wither Soverignty." My then-private reply at the time went something like this: Steve, I don't want to up the humidity level on this parade, but: INTERPOL's resources (aside from administrative) are drawn from member nations' police forces (contrary to the movies, you can't be an 'INTERPOL agent') who are there to facilitate and liaison, not conduct police operations themselves. While this may be seen as something linked to a path to the ICC, congress...
United States of America

Wither Sovereignty

Executive Order Amended to Immunize INTERPOL In America - Is The ICC Next?

By Steve Schippert
Last Thursday, December 17, 2009, The White House released an Executive Order "Amending Executive Order 12425." It grants INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) a new level of full diplomatic immunity afforded to foreign embassies and select other "International Organizations" as set forth in the United States International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945. By removing language from President Reagan's 1983 Executive Order 12425, this international law enforcement body now operates - now operates - on American soil beyond the reach of...
United States of America

Burying Nitze

Calling for an end to cold-war analogs for info-war situations

By Michael Tanji
Bob Gourley, an old and trusted colleague in the national security arena, asks if we are any closer to achieving a cyber deterrence policy. While it is worth having the discussion as an academic exercise, it couldn't be less practically relevant to keeping our country's resources secure from digital threats. The problem of course is that its a lot easier to attempt to focus on a narrow set of legacy futures rather than to start to develop new ideas. Whether...
Afghanistan

Counterinsurgency Incoherence

A Simple Truth: The Afghan People Have No Exit Strategy

By Steve Schippert
In war, and particularly in an Afghanistan counterinsurgency effort, there are always three sides to the coin: the good, the bad and the ugly. This is especially true in President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy, finally announced to the American public Tuesday from a West Point backdrop. The prescribed influx of much-needed American warriors onto the battlefield is clearly and rightly the good. And the good can withstand the bad, a Taliban enemy in the absence of reliable partners in the...

March 10, 2010

1. While Congress drafts US sanctions on Iran and the Obama administration pushes for UN sanctions, the administration also seeks to carve out "exceptions" for Chinese firms. Reality is that China would fill any void and sanctions impact on Iran minimal as result.

2. After meeting in Kabul with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Afghan President Karzai is headed to Pakistan and is expected to request extradition of top Taliban leader captured by Pakistanis in Kirachi.

3. Pennsylvania woman known as "Jihad Jane" indicted on terrorism charges for online activities to promote and recruit for the Ismalists' jihad.

4. Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is set to launch offensive against Islamist al-Qaeda franchise al-Shabaab, and will reportedly do so with US air support. Also, al-Shabaab's leadership was handed to a man wanted for the simultaneous 1998 al-Qaeda bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

More details available here.

March 10, 2010

The "Jihadist" Next Door

Its becoming harder to differentiate between a "terrorist" or an unstable shooter or an angry anti-government suicidal person. Now we have the case of Colleen R. LaRose of Montgomery Pa. whose arrest in Octber 2009 was kept secret to give...

March 8, 2010

Divine Secrets of the Yahya Sisterhood: It's Not Adam Gadahn

It was widely reported earlier that Pakistan had captured Adam Gadahn in a counterterrorism raid in Kirachi. We all hoped it was true. Once again - as is so often the case with "unnamed Pakistani official(s)" - the first report...

March 6, 2010

Europe De-Militrarizes NATO Military Contingents

If you think General McChrystal's changes to the Rules of Engagement are difficult, you might consider how European governments restrict their NATO forces in Afghanistan. But analysts say NATO commanders are hindered in their fight against insurgents by so-called "caveats"...

The China Dream: Dream With Eyes Open

On the issue of China, my first article at Breitbart's Big Government was published this week: _PLA Senior Colonel: 'The China Dream' Means US Defeat_. It's a warning and a call for vigilance and awareness, inspired by another book published...

Russia, China Waterboard Iran Sanctions

It's not surprising news, but it is news nonetheless. The West has finally drafted Iran sanctions - predictably weakened by its China-Russia protectorate. The UN Security Council veto-wielding Iranian allies have remained true to form. Western countries, under pressure from...

  • AudioFebruary 2, 2010
    [Listen Here]
    What on Earth can Usama bin Laden, the mystical calculus of climate change and US Homeland Security have in common? Does bin Laden really agree with the President of the United States on matters weather? How is it that the...

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