American Security Project

Josh discusses the strategic issues surrounding humanitarian intervention, the role of Nato and Libya, this leads to a detailed briefing and discusion by Andrew on gas prices – and what America can do to solve the oil-problem; finally linking all of these, Terri updates us on the lastest regarding the Iranian nuclear talks.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Featuring:

Terri Lodge, ASP Director of Nuclear Security

Andrew Holland, ASP Senior Fellow specializing in energy and climate

Joshua Foust, ASP Fellow specializing in Asymmetric Operations

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

PODCAST

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

 

The Growing Research and Development Gap

2012: Look Ahead

The Future of Afghanistan

Central Asia: What’s Happening and How It Impacts US Foreign Policy

Energy and Nuclear Power

Afghanistan: Are We Winning

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report

On Thursday, March 1, the American Security Project hosted a briefing, “Biofuels for National Security: Air Force and Navy Progress on Renewable Fuels”

The event was with Commander James Goudreau, Director in the Navy Energy Coordination Office and Carol Ann Beda, Director of Energy Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy. The briefing was chaired by ASP Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate, Andrew Holland.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST OF THE EVENT 

HERE

Both speakers underlined that the move away from petroleum-based fuels was not at all political or about being “green”. Instead, a move to biofuels was all about increasing mission combat capability. There were two common, and related, reasons cited for moving towards biofuels: budgetary and security.

First, a dependence on single source of energy – oil – without competition leaves each service at the whims of commodity markets. Price spikes can upset budgeting: for example, in the current fiscal year, the price per barrel has been $38 more than budgeted, and this has increased the Navy’s fuel bill by more than $1 billion so far this year.

The second reason cited to move towards biofuels is certainty of supply; i.e. energy security.In a world with growing demand for oil coupled with insecure oil suppliers, it is very important for the services to be foresighted in ensuring that they will always have available sources of fuel, regardless of geopolitical circumstances.

Commander Goudreau said that “The Navy has always led the way” on energy changes, whether to steam, oil, or nuclear. The change to bio-based fuels is another example of how the Navy’s change will help the rest of the country move towards alternative fuels. Ms. Beda agreed that this change will be very important for the rest of the economy, citing the very high pent-up demand from the airlines for a drop-in biofuel replacement.In a world with growing demand for oil coupled with insecure oil suppliers, it is very important for the services to be foresighted in ensuring that they will always have available sources of fuel, regardless of geopolitical circumstances.

ASP was honored to have former Senator John Warner (R-VA), the former Secretary of the Navy and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in attendance. Senator Warner said that the presentations made clear that the technology was developing rapidly, and had proven its importance to national security. However, he expressed concern that Congress’s short termism could undercut the ability of the military to support the biofuel industry.

ASP’s event was successful in showing how quickly the technology on biofuels is advancing. Today, the technology exists for drop-in replacements of traditional oil, though not at a cost competitive rate. As biofuel costs come down – and petroleum costs continue to be high and unpredictable – the military can help lead the way into this new source of fuel.

 

 

 

 

 

A panel of experts discuss the growing U.S. research and development gap and how to grow our way out of recession –  by investing in the long term

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Featuring:

Andrew Holland, ASP Senior Fellow specializing in energy and climate

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

PODCAST

 

Additional Resources

The Research and Development Gap – Briefing by Norm Augustine

REPORT: America’s Energy Choices

 

 

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

2012: Look Ahead

The Future of Afghanistan

Central Asia: What’s Happening and How It Impacts US Foreign Policy

Energy and Nuclear Power

Afghanistan: Are We Winning

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report

A panel of experts discuss the challenges and opportunities in 2012 regarding national security

Issues in the podcast include: Iran, North Korea, defense budget and strategy, Afghanistan, stability operations, Russia and Putin, the Euro and others …

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Featuring:

 

Stephen Cheney, CEO of ASP

Andrew Holland, ASP Senior Fellow specializing in energy and climate

Joshua Foust, ASP Fellow specializing in defense issues, development policy, and terrorism

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

PODCAST

 

Additional Resources

American Security Quarterly

20 Years After the Fall: The U.S. and Russia in the Post-Soviet World

REPORT: America’s Energy Choices

REPORT: US Measure of Success in Afghanistan Is Still Unclear 10 Years Later

Expeditionary Economics: A New Approach to Foreign Aid

 

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

The Future of Afghanistan

Central Asia: What’s Happening and How It Impacts US Foreign Policy

Energy and Nuclear Power

Afghanistan: Are We Winning

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

A panel of experts discuss the recent Bonn Conference and the future of Afghanistan & Pakistan

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Featuring:

Missy Ryan, Reuters, Military Affairs and Afghanistan-Pakistan Correspondent

Joshua Foust, ASP Fellow specializing in defense issues, development policy, and terrorism

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

PODCAST

 

Additional Resources

REPORT: US Measure of Success in Afghanistan Is Still Unclear 10 Years Later

Expeditionary Economics: A New Approach to Foreign Aid

 

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

Central Asia: What’s Happening and How It Impacts US Foreign Policy

Energy and Nuclear Power

Afghanistan: Are We Winning

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report

 

 

 

 

ASP releases TV ad to encourage debate and political action around smart defense spending on nuclear weapons

WASHINGTON D.C., 22 November 2011 – Today, the American Security Project (ASP) released a new, televised advertisement entitled, “Our Troops Deserve Better.” The TV ad aims to promote the debate around responsible, smart, and effective defense spending while calling on elected leaders to not support proposed funding for a Cold War era nuclear strategy.

The TV ad will air on CNN at 8 p.m. during the Republican GOP debate on Tuesday, November 22,, 2011.

The ad can be viewed at the following link: www.AmericanSecurityProject.org.

BGen Steve A. Cheney, USMC (Ret.), CEO of ASP, commented: “ASP is a nonpartisan organization. We do not subscribe to the ‘left’ or the ‘right’ – but rather, we are focused on promoting a thorough debate around smart and effective national security spending. Discussions around spending on dated weapons systems must be on the table, especially at a time when our resources are limited.” 

BGen Cheney went on to say: “The modern threat is not the ‘Soviets.’ Today, we live in a world where rogue nations and terrorists desire to acquire nuclear weapons. We have to adapt our national security and nuclear security strategies to the needs of our changing world.”

The TV ad released by ASP will air in the midst of a continued domestic debate around defense spending and ongoing assessments of responsible spending on nuclear weapons. Proposed funding for Cold War era nuclear weapons does not reflect responsible, smart and effective spending in today’s economy, nor does it help allocate more resources toward more effective national security measures and resources for American troops. 

LtGen John “Glad” Castellaw, USMC (Ret.), a member of the Consensus for American Security, said: “Strengthening and updating our approach to national security in the 21st century is a vital element to protecting America. We must not chain ourselves to the security issues of a bygone, Cold War era. Instead, we must align our weapons, forces and capabilities around modern security challenges and threats because a failure to do so is just too risky.  Our present nuclear posture is suited to face the Soviet Union – a state that dissolved in 1991 – thus, it is outdated.”

Gen Castellaw added: “We can no longer afford to look back. We need to continue to ask: What does 21st century deterrence look like today and for the future? Still, we need a strong national defense strategy matched with the smartest elements of American power. Effective defense spending must be included in this debate. We hope our elected leaders hear the call for leadership on this at such a crucial time in our nation and economy.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE AD

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE 22 NOV PRESS CALL

Following Josh Foust’s recent visit to Central Asia, the ASP discuss what he found, some surprising discoveries – and how these impact on US Foreign Policy in the region 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Featuring:

Joshua Foust, ASP Fellow specializing in defense issues, development policy, and terrorism

Nick Lockwood, expert on stabilization operations, population engagement and strategic communications

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

PODCAST

 

 

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

ASP Podcast – Energy and Nuclear Power

Afghanistan: Are We Winning

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report

After the meltdown at Fukushima, Japan and Germany announced plans to phase out nuclear power, while Italy also stopped its plans to return to nuclear… so did Fukushima mark the end of a global nuclear renaissance? 

A panel of experts discuss America’s energy choices and in particular nuclear power –  the actions the industry is taking on safety issues, carbon free power generation, next generation reactors, waste management and using Russian nuclear weapon as US fuel and the future of nuclear power here in America. 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Featuring:

Andrew Holland, ASP Senior Fellow specializing in Energy and Climate

Veronique Lee, ASP intern working on climate and energy issues

Special Guest:

Scott Peterson, Senior Vice President at the Nuclear Energy Institute

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

PODCAST

 

Additional Resources

REPORT: America’s Energy Choices

NEI – Industry Actions: Incorporating Lessons from Japan

 

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

Afghanistan: Are We Winning

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report

A panel of experts discuss Afghanistan, measuring success and conflict in the 21st Century

Featuring:

Michael Cohen, ASP Senior Fellow specializing in foreign assistance, insurgencies, and author of a number of books on political speechmaking

Joshua Foust, ASP Fellow specializing in defense issues, development policy, and terrorism

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

PODCAST

 

Additional Resources

REPORT: US Measure of Success in Afghanistan Is Still Unclear 10 Years Later

Expeditionary Economics: A New Approach to Foreign Aid

 

 

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

Covering Conflict as a Journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report

A panel of experts discuss covering conflict as a journalist, Libya and Afghanistan

Featuring:

Missy Ryan, Reuters, Military Affairs and Afghanistan-Pakistan Correspondent

Joshua Foust, ASP Fellow specializing in defense issues, development policy, and terrorism

Moderated by:

Paul Hamill, ASP Director of External Relations

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

PODCAST

 

Additional Resources

Expeditionary Economics: A New Approach to Foreign Aid

Listen to other podcasts in our series:

Afghanistan, Central & South Asia – energy, mining and private sector development

Energy Choices, Climate Change and CAFE Fuel Standards

A Farewell from Dr. Jim Ludes and a Discussion on National Security

Rare Earth Metals and Development in Afghanistan

Nuclear Security and the Future of the Marine Corp

Expeditionary Economics and Libya

“Are We Winning?” 2010 Report