Sunday February 12, 2012

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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDavid Petraeus: Knowing the Enemy Up Close

Bruce Riedel, April 28, 2011, The New York Times (Room for Debate blog)

David Petraeus: Knowing the Enemy Up CloseBruce Riedel writes that David Petraeus's military expertise, especially in the Middle East, makes him a well qualified to be the next Director of Central Intelligence. Riedel outlines General Petraeus's strengths and the challenges he will likely face in the position. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioPakistan's Role in the Afghanistan War's Outcome

Bruce Riedel, May 20, 2010, The Economist

Pakistan's Role in the Afghanistan War's OutcomeIn the 1980s, the CIA engineered a covert operation to defeat the Soviet army in Afghanistan working from a safe haven in Pakistan. Today, America is fighting a Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan operating from a safe haven in Pakistan. Bruce Riedel writes that, while there are many fundamental differences between the two wars, it is important to note the one major similarity between them: the key role played by Pakistan. Read More

BOOK

Save to My PortfolioThe Search for al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future
Revised edition

Bruce Riedel, February 25, 2010

Bruce Riedel’s The Search for al Qaeda is more timely now than ever, as Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda leader who eluded United States and allied forces for nearly a decade, was killed in a firefight in Pakistan on May 1, 2011. But as President Obama stated to a U.S. and international audience, the search and the fight against terrorism continues. This widely acclaimed book is a comprehensive analysis of al Qaeda—the origins, leadership, ideology, and strategy of the terrorist network that brought down the Twin Towers and continues to threaten us today. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioA Response to Ken Lieberthal's Report on the Intelligence Community

Matthew Frankel, October 19, 2009, The Brookings Institution

A Response to Ken Lieberthal's Report on the Intelligence CommunityBrookings Federal Executive Fellow Matthew Frankel explores Ken Lieberthal's recent report, "The U.S. Intelligence Community and Foreign Policy: Getting Analysis Right." While Frankel argues the paper makes excellent points throughout, he examines several which he feels deserve rebuttal. Read More

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioExamining the Procedures Used by the U.S. Intelligence Community

Kenneth G. Lieberthal, September 16, 2009

Ken Lieberthal reveals that many of the procedures and processes used by the U.S. Intelligence Community are flawed and often counterproductive. He identifies weaknesses in the intelligence services and recommends actions for strengthening this important tool of U.S. foreign policy.

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe U.S. Intelligence Community and Foreign Policy

Kenneth G. Lieberthal, September 2009, The Brookings Institution

The U.S. Intelligence Community and Foreign PolicyAnalytical products of the U.S. intelligence community (IC) are intended to provide information for policy makers to understand issues and make decisions. Kenneth Lieberthal assesses recent reforms in the IC and looks to where IC analysis still falls short, why those shortcomings exist, what reforms could help and how the IC can better serve policy makers. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioSunni and Shi ’a Terrorism: Differences that Matter

Thomas F. Lynch III, December 29, 2008, Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point

There are significant and little appreciated differences in the trajectory of Sunni extremist terrorism and that of Shi’a extremism. 2007-2008 Federal Executive Fellow Thomas F. Lynch explores the differences that exist across six key areas that impact American policy considerations, especially in light of steadily escalating tensions with Iran. Read More

BOOK

Save to My PortfolioThe Search for al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future

Bruce Riedel, September 30, 2008

This important book provides a comprehensive analysis of al Qaeda—the origins, leadership, ideology, and strategy of the terrorist network that brought down the Twin Towers and continues to threaten us today. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHow 9/11 is Connected to December 13

Bruce Riedel, September 11, 2008, Hindustan Times

Bruce Riedel writes that the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament is connected to the September 11 attacks on the United States. As tensions between India and Pakistan mounted following the December attack, Riedel notes that large numbers of Pakistani forces were sent to the Indian border, which then allowed al-Qaeda members to move more freely in the western border regions while seeking safe haven. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioTerrorist Safe Havens in Pakistan

Bruce Riedel, September 10, 2008, The American Academy of Political and Social Science

Bruce Riedel joined the Philadephia Inquirer's Trudy Rubin to discuss terrorism related to Pakistan and what the United States should do in the region. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioJohn Yoo Interrogation Memo

Benjamin Wittes, April 05, 2008, The New Republic

John Yoo Interrogation MemoThe Justice Department recently released John Yoo's 2003 "torture" memo to Congress.  Questions remain on what to do with the people the military and the CIA interrogated brutally in 2002 and 2003, writes Ben Wittes, and how the CIA should handle such people in the future. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioSix Years Later: Innovative Approaches to Defeating Al Qaeda

Daniel L. Byman, February 14, 2008, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Six Years Later: Innovative Approaches to Defeating Al QaedaIn testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Dan Byman states that "to succeed in the long-term, counterterrorism policies must be politically viable for decades." He offers ideas for policy implementations now that can bring consensus and harbor well-informed debate on the issues at hand.  Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Iranian Nuclear Program after the National Intelligence Estimate

Philip H. Gordon, January 2008, Foresight (Japan)

Philip Gordon offers possible outcomes following a recent U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that downplays the risk of the Iranian nuclear weapon ambitions.  He concludes that the findings will make it harder for the U.S. to gain support for sanctions against the program and that the NIE "will facilitate Iran’s potential development of a nuclear weapon in several ways."  Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWinning the Right War

Philip H. Gordon, Winter 2007-08, Survival

Philip Gordon states that six years after the start of the U.S. led war on terror, America and its allies are less safe.  He discusses how and where the U.S. has failed in its objectives and offers ideas to help move the war in the right direction.    Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCan the War on Terror be Won?

Philip H. Gordon, November/December 2007, Foreign Affairs

Phil Gordon discusses U.S. strategies for combating the War on Terrorism.  Ultimately, Gordon believes the War on Terror can only be won through a dramatic change in idealogy that embraces mulilaterialism, and promotes political, economic, and educational changes in the Middle East. Read More

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An independent U.S. agency, the CIA provides national security intelligence to senior U.S. policy-makers. The CIA collects and analyzes information to warn the president and government agencies of threats to national security, and conducts covert action deemed necessary by the president as a preemptive measure to these threats.

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John L. Thornton China CenterPolicy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

Isabel V. SawhillExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families and the Budgeting for National Priorities Project at Brookings.

William G. GaleExpertWilliam G. Gale

Bill Gale, the Arjay and Frances Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy in the Economic Studies Program at Brookings, is an expert on tax policy, fiscal issues, pensions, and saving behavior. He is also co-director of the Tax Policy Center and director of the Retirement Security Project.

Budgeting for National PrioritiesResearch ProjectBudgeting for National Priorities

The Budgeting for National Priorities project promotes greater fiscal responsibility by developing new ideas, educating the public and finding common ground among experts and policy-makers.

Darrell M. WestExpertDarrell M. West

Darrell M. West is vice president and director of Governance Studies and founding director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings. His studies include technology policy, electronic government, and mass media.

Energy and ClimateTopicEnergy and Climate

What will it take to mitigate severe climate disruption? What should our priorities be in the relationship between fresh water and climate change? What will it take to help vulnerable countries and regions adapt to change already taking place?

Alice M. RivlinExpertAlice M. Rivlin

In February 1975, the Congressional Budget Office was established with Alice Rivlin as its first director. Rivlin is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy and directs the Greater Washington Research project at Brookings.

Global ChangeTopicGlobal Change

How do we develop more realistic approaches and more effective means of ending intractable old conflicts and preventing new ones? How do we enhance measures to thwart nonstate actors—especially terrorists and illicit traffickers—and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?

Growth through InnovationTopicGrowth through Innovation

What new practices and mechanisms will help prevent another economic downturn from turning into a financial panic that could become a truly global meltdown? What changes in the public and private sectors will build the workforce and infrastructure required for a global information-based economy?

Opportunity and Well-beingTopicOpportunity and Well-being

As they weather the current economic storm, will our governments and societies address the basic needs and aspirations of the least well-off? How can we better use education to raise individual aspirations? How should governments around the world accelerate preparations to provide social services for the billions moving from poverty into the middle class?

Center for Technology InnovationPolicy CenterCenter for Technology Innovation

The Center for Technology Innovation is at the forefront of shaping public debate on technology innovation and developing data-driven scholarship to enhance understanding of technology’s legal, economic, social, and governance ramifications.

Robert KaganExpertRobert Kagan

Robert Kagan is an expert and frequent commentator on Egypt, the Middle East, U.S. national security, and U.S.-European relations. He writes a monthly column on world affairs for the Washington Post and is a contributing editor at the Weekly Standard and the New Republic.

Africa Growth InitiativeResearch ProjectAfrica Growth Initiative

The Africa Growth Initiative conducts high-quality policy research and analysis focused on attaining sustainable economic development and prosperity in Africa, while amplifying the voice of African researchers in policy-making and planning.

Daniel KaufmannExpertDaniel Kaufmann

Daniel Kaufmann was previously the director at the World Bank Institute, leading the work on governance and anti-corruption. His areas of expertise are public sector and regulatory reform, development, governance and anti-corruption.

Mwangi S. KimenyiExpertMwangi S. Kimenyi

Mwangi S. Kimenyi is senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative. The founding executive director of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (1999-2005), he focuses on Africa's development including institutions for economic growth, political economy, and private sector development.

Donald KohnExpertDonald Kohn

Donald Kohn is a 40-year veteran of the Federal Reserve System and served as vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from 2006 to 2010. He was recently appointed by the government of the United Kingdom and the Bank of England to serve on its interim Financial Policy Committee. Kohn focuses on issues of monetary policy, financial regulation and macroeconomics.

Brookings Mobile ApplicationsNEW FEATUREBrookings Mobile Applications

Stay up-to-date with our independent, high-quality research, learn about Brookings events and search our directory of experts all from your BlackBerry, iPad, iPhone or Android device.

Shadi HamidExpertShadi Hamid

Shadi Hamid focuses on Islamist political parties and democratic reform in the Middle East. Prior to joining Brookings, he was Director of Research at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and a Hewlett Fellow at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.

Suzanne MaloneyExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

Katherine SierraExpertKatherine Sierra

Katherine Sierra is a senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program. A former vice president for sustainable development at the World Bank, she focuses on climate change and energy.

State of Metropolitan AmericaMetropolitan Policy ProgramState of Metropolitan America

Foreshadowing 2010 Census results, this new Brookings report and interactive map defines who Americans are—and who they are becoming—in the face of continued growth, population aging and diversification, uneven educational attainment and income polarization.

Center on Children and FamiliesPolicy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

Vanda Felbab-BrownExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is the author of Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs (Brookings Institution Press, 2009).