Recent Publications

The Causes of Instability in Nigeria and Implications for the United States
August 19, 2013 — Author: LTC Clarence J Bouchat (USAF, Ret) View the Executive SummaryAn understanding the political economy of Nigeria is needed to reveal the root causes of its many ethnic, religious, economic, and political problems and to address them for the long term. The pressures now weighing on Nigeria could literally fracture the state along deep fault... MORE

Cartel Car Bombings in Mexico
August 16, 2013 — Authors: Dr Robert J Bunker, Mr John P Sullivan View the Executive SummaryContemporary Mexican cartel use of car bombs began in mid-July 2010 and has since escalated. Given the proximity to the United States, some literally within miles of the border, the car bombings, with about 20 incidents identified over the last 2 1/2 years, should be of... MORE

Development of the Baltic Armed Forces in Light of Multinational Deployments
August 13, 2013 — Author: Dr James S Corum View the Executive SummaryDeveloping coalition security strategies within NATO has never been easy. However, it does help to have a thorough understanding of one’s allies and their concerns and perspectives. This monograph provides an in-depth view of how three Baltic nations (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) view current... MORE

AFRICOM at 5 Years: The Maturation of a New U.S. Combatant Command
August 8, 2013 — Author: Mr David E Brown View the Executive SummaryThe U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), newest of the six U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands (CCMDs), was created in 2007 amid great controversy in both Africa and the United States over its location and mission. Over the last 5 years, AFRICOM has matured greatly, overcoming much... MORE

Op-Ed: Reflections on “The China Threat”
August 1, 2013 — Prof. Neil J. DiamantIt seems that not a day passes without dire warnings about China’s rising economic and military power. China, we are told, is a multi-front menace. Due to “rising nationalism” and an insatiable demand for energy, China covets increasingly large areas of the South China Sea, and ominously seeks to establish a robust forward... MORE

Nuclear Weapons Security Crises: What Does History Teach?
July 30, 2013 — Authors: Mr Henry D Sokolski, Dr Bruno Tertrais View the Executive SummaryAt the height of the Cultural Revolution a Chinese long-range nuclear missile is fired within the country, and the nuclear warhead it is carrying detonates. A French nuclear device is exploded in Algeria during a coup there. The Soviet empire has collapsed, and shots are... MORE

A Framework for Restructuring the Military Retirement System
July 24, 2013 — Authors: COL David S Lyle, Dr John Z Smith, Mr Roy A Wallace View the Executive SummaryThe current military retirement system has been integral to sustaining the All Volunteer Force (AVF). Mounting federal budget challenges, however, have raised concern that the program may become fiscally unsustainable. While several restructuring proposals have... MORE

Op-Ed: The Army Should Embrace A2/AD
July 16, 2013 — Dr. Alex CrowtherThe U.S. Army is contemplating mission sets that it will perform in the middle of the second decade of the 21st century. After 10 years of two ground wars, the Army seeks to redefine its activities. While other actors seek to relegate ground forces into irrelevance, the Army seeks to communicate why it remains necessary. At... MORE

Russian Interests in Sub-Saharan Africa
July 12, 2013 — Author: Mr Keir Giles View the Executive SummaryAn apparent lack of interest by Russia in Sub-Saharan Africa over recent years masks persistent key strategic drivers for Moscow to re-establish lost influence in the region. A preoccupation with more immediate foreign policy concerns has temporarily interrupted a process of Russia reclaiming... MORE

The Army’s Campaign Against Sexual Violence: Dealing With The Careerist Bystanders
July 11, 2013 — Dr. Don M. SniderThe Army’s ongoing struggle to win its battle against sexual violence within its ranks can be approached in two ways. The dominant one is to define the issue as one of a perpetrator, a victim, and a crime; the results of the institution’s inability to enforce professional standards of interpersonal respect and behavior. Following... MORE

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Libya: Reviewing Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR
June 28, 2013 — Author: Dr Florence Gaub View the Executive SummaryOn March 17, 2011, a month after the beginning of the Libyan revolution, with up to 2,000 civilians dead, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decided on backing a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized “all necessary measures” to protect civilians. While France, Great Britain, and the United... MORE

Joint Strategic Planning System Insights: Chairmen Joint Chiefs of Staff 1990 to 2012
June 24, 2013 — Author: Dr Richard M Meinhart View the Executive SummaryMilitary leaders at many levels have used strategic planning in various ways to position their organizations to respond to the demands of the current situation while simultaneously preparing to meet future challenges. This Paper will first describe the Chairman’s statutory responsibilities and... MORE