Recent Publications

Turkey’s New Regional Security Role: Implications for the United States
September 1, 2014 — Author: Dr Richard Weitz View the Executive SummaryUntil a few years ago, the relationship between Washington and Ankara was perennially troubled and occasionally terrible. Turkey opposed the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and complained that the Pentagon was allowing Iraqi Kurds too much autonomy, leading to deteriorating security along the... MORE

A New Type of Great Power Relationship between the United States and China: The Military Dimension
September 1, 2014 — Author: Prof Geoffrey Till View the Executive SummaryThe relative economic and military rise of China is likely to lead a major shift in the world’s strategic architecture. The form that China's new role takes will have a decisive impact on the interests of the United States and its allies and partners in the region. For the outcome to be generally... MORE

After the Spring: Reforming Arab Armies
September 1, 2014 — Author: Dr Florence Gaub View the Executive SummaryAs the Arab Spring has renewed Western interest in the political, as well as military, role of Arab armed forces, reform—rather than mere assistance—is crucial. In this monograph, the author focuses on the structural aspects of reform from which the Arab Spring forces would benefit. Seven features... MORE

Colloquium Brief: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army in 2025
August 27, 2014 — Mr. R. Lincoln Hines Key Insights. Domestic, external, and technological drivers of China's military modernization are examined. Three plausible scenarios for the modernization of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that result from these drivers are explored. Implications of these futures for regional dynamics, the international system,... MORE

Iran’s Emergence as a Cyber Power
August 20, 2014 — As international scrutiny remains focused on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program, a capability is developing in the shadows inside Iran that could pose an even greater threat to the United States. The 2010 National Security Strategy discusses Iran in the context of its nuclear program, support of terrorism, its influence in regional activities, and its internal problems. There was no mention of Iran’s cyber capability or of that ability to pose a threat to U.S. interests. This is understandable, considering Iran has not been a major concern in the cyber realm. Furthermore, Russia and China’s cyber activities have justifiably garnered a majority of attention and been widely reported in the media over the past decade. Iran’s cyber capabilities have been considered third-tier at best. That is rapidly changing. This report discusses the growing cyber capability of Iran and why it poses a new threat to U.S. national interests... MORE

Military Power, The Core Tasks Of A Prudent Strategy, And The Army We Need
August 6, 2014 — Brigadier General (Ret.) Huba Wass de Czege The following is Brigadier General (USA Ret.) Huba Wass de Czege’s Keynote Address given at the “West Point Senior Conference 50: The Army We Need in an Uncertain Strategic Environment,” held on June 2, 2014. Our current Army Chief of Staff, General Raymond T. Odierno, often reminds his audiences of... MORE

Russia and the Caspian Sea: Projecting Power or Competing for Influence?
August 1, 2014 — Author: Dr Tracey GermanView the Executive Summary This monograph examines Russia’s policy toward the Caspian Sea region as Moscow attempts to counterbalance growing American involvement within what it perceives to be its zone of privileged interest. It focuses on the recent expansion of the Caspian Flotilla and the rationale behind it. Moscow has... MORE

Strategic Implications of the Evolving Shanghai Cooperation Organization
August 1, 2014 — Authors: Dr Andrew Monaghan, Mr Henry Plater-Zyberk View the Executive SummaryThe role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in regional politics and the significance of the organization for U.S. interests are widely misunderstood. The organization is emphatically not a military bloc, and yet engages in joint activities which resemble... MORE

Strategic Retrenchment and Renewal in the American Experience
August 1, 2014 — Author: Dr Peter Feaver View the Executive SummaryAt a time of fiscal constraint and global uncertainty, should the United States retrench geopolitically or seek to reinvigorate its international leadership? This collection of essays puts this pressing question in historical and theoretical context. The authors examine past episodes in which U.S... MORE

Cover for Strategic Retrenchment and Renewal in the American Experience

Op-Ed: Global Leadership — Learning From History
July 15, 2014 — Professor John F. Troxell We are in the season of discontent concerning the position of the United States in the world. Following the financial crisis, it was the declinist narrative, and now it appears to be verging on a competency, or weariness, narrative. We recognize our fundamental strengths and lean away from global responsibilities. Pundits... MORE

Op-Ed: Syria and the Great Middle Eastern War
July 8, 2014 — Dr. Larry P. GoodsonThe Syrian Civil War is shaping up to do something disastrous to the Middle East—something that has not occurred in modern history. A regional conflagration is coming; indeed, it may already be here. The meltdown currently underway in Iraq is only the first manifestation of the regional war—or perhaps region-wide violence—that... MORE

Revival of Political Islam in the Aftermath of Arab Uprisings: Implications for the Region and Beyond
July 1, 2014 — Author: Dr Mohammed El-Katiri View the Executive SummaryRegime change during the Arab Spring allowed Islamist political forces that had long been marginalized to achieve political influence in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Morocco’s first government led by an Islamist party has been in power since January 2012. This trend caused widespread concern... MORE