{"id":9091,"date":"2013-09-06T14:30:07","date_gmt":"2013-09-06T04:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?p=9091"},"modified":"2013-09-09T08:59:06","modified_gmt":"2013-09-08T22:59:06","slug":"aspi-suggests-31a-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/aspi-suggests-31a-2\/","title":{"rendered":"ASPI suggests"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"President<\/a>The big story this week is still Syria<\/strong>, and expectation has reached a fevered pitch. The Economist<\/i> writes that<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2026The congressional votes and the action to follow [will be] one of those episodes that will define America\u2019s\u2014and the West\u2019s\u2014place in the world. It will signal what is left after the hubris of Iraq and unfathomable complexities of Afghanistan. Amid challenges from Russia and Iran and the growing weight of China, both as an economic power and a champion of authoritarian purpose (as opposed to democratic indecision), it is also a measure of the West\u2019s self-belief. The world is watching.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But it\u2019s not simple for President Obama<\/strong>. Foreign Policy<\/i> has this piece on Obama\u2019s dilemmas in Syria<\/a>, and Gideon Rachman writes<\/a> in the Financial Times<\/i> that:<\/p>\n

For better or worse, Mr Obama drew such a red line over Syria\u2026 The governments of Japan, Israel and Poland \u2013 to name just a few \u2013 will all feel less secure if Congress votes against military action in Syria.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The National Interest<\/i> has an analysis<\/a> of whether Syria could \u2018kill\u2019 the US rebalance to Asia<\/strong>, and the Wall Street Journal<\/em> has this look at who makes up the Syrian Opposition<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0And on a more operational note, here\u2019s a map<\/a> of relevant US (and French) military assets<\/strong> in the region, and a potential target list<\/a> in the Washington Post<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Speaking of targets<\/strong><\/a>,<\/p>\n

Al-Qaeda\u2019s leadership has assigned cells of engineers to find ways to shoot down, jam or remotely hijack U.S. drones, hoping to exploit the technological vulnerabilities of a weapons system that has inflicted huge losses upon the terrorist network, according to top-secret U.S. intelligence documents.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Syria isn\u2019t the only security issue that Britain<\/strong> has been lukewarm on recently. The Commons Public Accounts Committee has released a scathing report<\/a> on the decision-making to determine the type of aircraft to be flown from Britain\u2019s new 65,000 ton Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. The BBC <\/i>looks at the issue here<\/a>\u2014it\u2019s starting to look like the UK\u2019s strategic policy makers should have asked the question posed by ASPI\u2019s Andrew Davies<\/a>:<\/p>\n

If this was to cost twice the number we have before us, be delivered in twice the time estimated and with only 75% of the capability, would we still think it\u2019s a good idea?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The outcome of this weekend\u2019s election<\/strong> will also determine the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence who will play a leading role in helping to formulate Australia\u2019s foreign and security policy. If Labor wins, it\u2019ll probably be Bob Carr<\/a> and Mike Kelly<\/a>, respectively. If it\u2019s the Coalition, then expect Julie Bishop<\/a> and David Johnston<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another coalition parliamentarian with an interest in defence matters (and sometimes contributor to The Strategist<\/em>) is Senator David Fawcett. His recent guest editorial for Australian Aviation magazine<\/a> sets out his views on the pros and cons of buying ADF equipment through the American Foreign Military Sales<\/strong> process.<\/p>\n

The Australian Army Journal<\/em>‘s culture<\/strong> edition<\/a> has also been released<\/p>\n

The Atlantic<\/i> has a moving photoessay of the women of the Afghanistan War<\/strong><\/a>, featuring images of predominantly American and Afghan women as soldiers, civilians, family members of veterans, police officers, injured or deceased, and more. (Warning: includes images of violence)<\/p>\n

Indonesian special forces soldiers<\/strong> accused of killing detained gangsters in a Yogyakarta prison in March have been found guilty<\/a>, with three receiving prison sentences of 11, 8 and 6 years. Their accomplices were given 21 months. Supporters of the soldiers were angered<\/a> by the military tribunal\u2019s decision as they believe the actions of Kopassus were helping to rid the streets of criminal gangs.<\/p>\n

The European Leadership Network\u2019s Kenneth Luongo has a useful overview of the Nuclear Security Summits<\/a> and how they can become more effective in nuclear security governance<\/strong>, especially where nuclear terrorism is concerned. In his view:<\/p>\n

The current nuclear security system is a patchwork of mostly voluntary requirements that allows states to opaquely pick and choose among them. It includes no requirement that the international community be informed of the adequacy or comprehensiveness of a nation\u2019s nuclear security system. A framework agreement on nuclear security can provide a durable forum for regular high-level meetings on this vital subject after the NSS process has ended.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And on the lighter side, Think Progress<\/i>\u2019 Hayes Brown has critiqued the foreign policy record of President Bartlet<\/a> (yes, of The West Wing<\/i>) as an interesting counterpoint to President Obama\u2019s actions over Syria.<\/p>\n

Events<\/b><\/p>\n

Canberra<\/span>: Why Israel\/Palestine peace talks now?<\/a> Princeton University professor emeritus Richard Falk will be presenting at the Crawford School, ANU on Friday 13 September at 11am.<\/p>\n

The Pakistan military\u2019s Brigadier Syed Aamer Raza, Chief Instructor Command & Staff College Quetta, will be talking about leadership in the Pakistan military, hosted by the Kokoda Foundation, Russell Theatrette, Defence, on Wednesday 18 September at 5pm, register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The annual Indonesia Update<\/a> is coming up, featuring leading international authorities with diverse perspectives who will examine Indonesia\u2019s regional diversity and dynamics in the wake of democratic and decentralisation reforms. It\u2019s on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September, Crawford School, ANU. Registration required.<\/p>\n

Sydney<\/span>: What has Australia achieved at the UN<\/a> and how will it handle is top seat? AIIA NSW is hosting a talk by Mike Smith at Glover Cottages on Tuesday 10 September at 6pm.<\/p>\n

Melbourne<\/span>: Are the US and EU pivots to Asia necessary and useful? Professor Dr Giles Scott-Smith will be presenting at Monash University\u2019s Caulfield campus on Thursday 12 September at 5pm. RSVP here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Image courtesy of\u00a0The White House<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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