RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Matthew Frankel, October 19, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Brookings 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
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
Kenneth G. Lieberthal, September 15, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Analytical 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
Daniel L. Byman, July 17, 2009, The Wall Street Journal
In the post-9/11 era, the United States is grappling with many ethical, operational and political questions regarding the targeted killings of terrorists. Dan Byman argues that such strikes are a painful necessity in a time when U.S. foes cannot be found or fought onconventional battlefields. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, July 14, 2009, ForeignPolicy.com
CIA Director Leon Panetta has cancelled a secret CIA plan to train anti-terrorist assassins, but Daniel Byman notes that strikes by U.S. military drones have had mixed success as a tactic for combating al Qaeda in Pakistan. Given the humanitarian and political risks, each strike needs to be carefully weighed. But equally important is the risk of not striking—and inadvertently allowing al Qaeda leaders free reign to plot terrorist mayhem. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, March 24, 2009, Washington Quarterly
Daniel Byman writes that talking with insurgents is often a necessary first step toward defeating them or reaching an acceptable compromise. Pointing to successes in Iraq and elsewhere, Byman addresses the costs and advantages of talking with insurgents to draw conclusions about how lessons learned may be applied to Afghanistan. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
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
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, November 05, 2008, Slate
Terrorism analysts repeatedly warned that al-Qaeda might strike in the days leading up to the election, but November 4th came and went without incident. Daniel Byman explains why the U.S. did not witness any acts of terrorism in the run-up to this years election. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Benjamin, October 22, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Terrorism is a real and urgent threat to the U.S. and its interests; a threat that could become far more dangerous if terrorists acquire nuclear or biological weapons. Daniel Benjamin explores the drawbacks of using military force in combating terrorism and elaborates on the need for a positive agenda for the Muslim world -- one that deepens U.S. engagement in Muslim nations as they seek to modernize. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen P. Cohen, September 30, 2008, Pakistan Policy Working Group
The bilateral Pakistan Policy Working Group, of which Brookings Senior Fellow Stephen Cohen is a member, issued a new report on the U.S.-Pakistan relationship moving forward. The report recommends commissioning a new National Intelligence Estimate upon which to base U.S. policy. It also advocates greater economic aid, public diplomacy, market access and assistance with counterinsurgency, assuming Pakistan can deliver results against extremism in the tribal areas and adequately oversee its intelligence services. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin Vaïsse, April 25, 2008, Rue89.com
Justin Vaisse discusses initiatives taken by the American Embassy in Paris towards the banlieues (or poor neighborhoods) and the Muslim community. (French) Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin Vaïsse, April 21, 2008, Le Parisien
Justin Vaisse discusses initiatives taken by the American Embassy in Paris towards the banlieues (or poor neighborhoods) and the Muslim community in an interview with Le Parisien. (French) Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Benjamin Wittes, April 05, 2008, The New Republic
The 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
Jeremy Shapiro, March 25, 2008, NPR's The Bryant Park Project
In just under two decades, France has gone from being a hub of terrorist activity to the most effective counter-terrorism practitioner in Europe, according to analyst Jeremy Shapiro. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel, March 21, 2008, Middle East Bulletin
Bruce Riedel addresses the Israeli-Indian relationship in light of increased military and intelligence cooperation among the two nations. Arguing that the United States has played a role in fostering the friendship, he believes that the "connection in commercial military and space intelligence fields is good for both countries and for the United States." Read More