Recent Publications

Baloch Nationalism and the Geopolitics of Energy Resources: The Changing Context of Separatism in Pakistan
April 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Robert J Wirsing The author examines the energy context of the simmering Baloch separatist insurgency that has surfaced in recent years in Pakistan’s sprawling Balochistan province. In particular, he looks at how Pakistan’s mounting energy insecurity--a product of rapid increase in demand coupled with rising scarcity and the region’s... MORE

Precision in the Global War on Terror: Inciting Muslims through the War of Ideas
April 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Sherifa D Zuhur Never before have Americans paid so much attention to Islam and Muslim ideology. Although efforts have been made to separate mainsteam views from extremist principles, Muslims feel that many of their basic beliefs are under attack in the ongoing war of ideas. The author explores why, surveying a broad swath of accusations... MORE

The Strategy Deficit
March 20, 2008 — Author: Mr Nathan P Freier Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the April 2008 newsletter.Read Now MORE

After Fidel, The Deluge?
March 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Alex Crowther Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the March 2008 newsletter.Read Now MORE

Drug Intoxicated Irregular Fighters: Complications, Dangers, and Responses
March 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Paul Rexton Kan The presence of drugged fighters is not unknown in the history of warfare. Yet widespread drug use on the battlefield is now part of protracted conflicts largely fought by nonprofessional combatants that take place in an international system characterized by the process of globalization. From marijuana, khat,... MORE

The Political Context Behind Successful Revolutionary Movements, Three Case Studies: Vietnam (1955-63), Algeria (1945-62), and Nicaragua (1967-79)
March 1, 2008 — Author: LTC Raymond A Millen Following the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the new world order did not bring about a closure of revolutionary warfare. In fact, the Soviet-inspired wars of liberation against imperialism have been eclipsed by reactionary, jihadist wars. By all indications in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Somalia, and Iraq, Islamic militants... MORE

Projecting Pyongyang: The Future of North Korea’s Kim Jong Il Regime
March 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Andrew Scobell The author seeks to assist planners and decisionmakers in thinking about and preparing for possible future contingencies concerning North Korea. He does not dwell on war or conflict scenarios involving North Korea because military planners have already focused considerable effort and attention on these. It is entirely... MORE

Opportunities for Engaging Minorities
March 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Dallas D Owens Five aspects of minority community engagement in national security issues were examined: two concerned engagement in specific minority communities (Muslim and Latino), one a “field” of engagement (public health), one a traditional type of engagement (military service), and one a prerequisite for successful community... MORE

Building for the Future: China’s Progress in Space Technology during the Tenth 5-Year Plan and the U.S. Response
March 1, 2008 — Author: Mr Kevin Pollpeter The Chinese government is using space power to increase its influence at home and abroad and hopes to leverage the political, economic, and military benefits of space to become a great power. The ambivalent nature of the U.S.-China relationship, however, assures that over the long term China's rise as a space power will... MORE

Security Sector Reform in Liberia: Mixed Results from Humble Beginnings
March 1, 2008 — Author: Mr Mark Malan The author presents an explanatory overview and analysis of progress made with the process of security sector reform in Liberia--with particular reference to the armed forces and the police. The author begins with a concise review of what the theory of SSR and its application in the Liberian context and follows with a... MORE

The North Korean Ballistic Missile Program
February 25, 2008 — Author: Dr Daniel A Pinkston North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have drawn international attention for years. In the early 1960s, Pyongyang began to pursue the capability to produce advanced weapons systems, including rockets and missiles. However, foreign assistance and technology, particularly from China and the Soviet... MORE

Dissent and Strategic Leadership of the Military Professions
February 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Don M Snider One of the central difficulties to a right understanding of American civil-military relations is the nature of the U.S. military. Are our armed forces just obedient bureaucracies like most of the Executive branch, or are they vocational professions granted significant autonomy and a unique role in these relationships because... MORE