Recent Publications

Strategic Insights: Guyana-Venezuela: The Essequibo Region Dispute
December 14, 2015 — Dr. José de Arimatéia da CruzWhile the rest of the world is concerned about the refugee crisis in Europe, the conflict in Syria, and the potential contenders in the U.S. presidential elections of 2016, there is a brewing dispute between Guyana and Venezuela in Latin America. As a result of this diverted attention, there are few reports regarding... MORE

Strategic Insights: Thinking About Catastrophe: The Army in a Nuclear Armed World
December 14, 2015 — Dr. Steven MetzNothing is more important to American security than nuclear weapons. Despite all the fretting over terrorism, hybrid threats, and conventional aggression, only nuclear weapons can threaten the existence of the United States and destroy the global economy. This is certainly not news to American policymakers and military strategists:... MORE

The Human Terrain System: Operationally Relevant Social Science Research in Iraq and Afghanistan
December 11, 2015 — Author: Dr Christopher SimsView the Executive Summary The Human Terrain System embedded civilians primarily in brigade combat teams (BCTs) in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2007 and 2014 to act as a collection and dispersal mechanism for sociocultural comprehension. Set against the backdrop of the program’s evolution, the experiences of these social... MORE

Mastering the Gray Zone: Understanding a Changing Era of Conflict
December 2, 2015 — Author: Dr Michael J MazarrView the Executive Summary Discussions of an emerging practice of “gray zone” conflict have become increasingly common throughout the U.S. Army and the wider national security community, but the concept remains ill-defined and poorly understood. This monograph aims to contribute to the emerging dialogue about competition... MORE

What’s Old is New — Kennan, Putin, and the Russian Competitive Viewpoint
November 30, 2015 — Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. AdelbergU.S. foreign policy experts in 1948 would be familiar with modern Russia. George F. Kennan or President Harry Truman would immediately recognize modern Russian behavior. Nationalist rhetoric, economic brinksmanship, the cult of personality, and aggressive shows of force? All old. Therefore, it is worth... MORE

The New Arab Regional Order: Opportunities and Challenges for U.S. Policy
November 30, 2015 — Author: Mr Gregory AftandilianView the Executive SummaryThis monograph examines the new Arab regional order that has emerged over the past few years and analyzes opportunities and challenges for U.S. strategic interests. The regional order encompasses: 1) an anti-Islamist grouping of countries that came about largely in reaction to Muslim... MORE

The Hour of Truth: The Conflict in Ukraine–Implications for Europe’s Energy Security and the Lessons for the U.S. Army
November 25, 2015 — Authors: Mr Ivan Benovic, Dr Ariel CohenView the Executive Summary Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, a number of gas disputes between Russia and Central and Eastern European countries have unveiled the strategic dependence of Europe on Russian piped gas. The recent Ukrainian crisis demonstrated that Europe has a desperate need to improve the... MORE

From Assistance to Partnership: Morocco and its Foreign Policy in West Africa
November 17, 2015 — Author: Dr Mohammed El-Katiri View the Executive Summary This monograph focuses on the geopolitical and economic drivers for the renewed Moroccan interest in West Africa and examines how Morocco is conducting its foreign and security policy in a variety of Western African countries. It highlights Morocco’s contribution to counterextremism in West... MORE

Strategic Insights: Will the Russians Escalate in Syria?
November 6, 2015 — Dr. W. Andrew TerrillIn an unexpected effort to protect a key Middle Eastern ally, the Kremlin intervened in Syria with military forces in late September 2015. This effort was undertaken to protect the Bashar Assad regime from Islamist and secular rebels now threatening his regime. Moscow initiated this action with a limited force that may be... MORE

Training Humans for the Human Domain
November 2, 2015 — Authors: Mr Keir Giles, Dr Steve TathamView the Executive Summary Experience from Afghanistan and Iraq has demonstrated the vital nature of understanding human terrain, with conclusions relevant far beyond counterinsurgency operations in the Islamic world. Any situation where adversary actions are described as “irrational” demonstrates a... MORE

Strategic Insights: A New Era in Civ-Mil Relations: Rendering Advice to Those Who Do Not Want It
November 2, 2015 — Dr. Don M. SniderRecently, one of the most respected voices of those who work and teach in the field of American civil-military (civ-mil) relations, Professor Peter Feaver, provocatively offered the following question:When it comes to national security, should one advise President Barack Obama on the best course of action or just the best course of... MORE

Unlocking India’s Strategic Potential in Central Asia
October 29, 2015 — Author: Mr Roman MuzalevskyView the Executive Summary India’s impressive economic growth over the last two and a half decades has brought India’s role and interests to the forefront of global politics and statecraft. Importantly, it has put India into a comparative perspective with China, another aspiring Asian great power poised to stiffen... MORE