Sunday February 12, 2012

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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Evolution of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Peter W. Singer, February 2012, Armed Forces Journal

In response to the proliferation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by counterinsurgents, Peter Singer discusses the evolution, history, and future of these weapons on the battlefield, and examines their possible use by domestic terrorists. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioRobot Ethics Won’t Clean Up Combat

Peter W. Singer, February 05, 2012, The Boston Globe

Peter Singer discusses the concept of morality and robotics, and whether drones can or should be programmed to follow the rulings of the Geneva Convention. Singer argues that while increasing the study of the ethics of war and new technology is beneficial, combining war with technology will not make war any less messy. Read More

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioCombat Stress in Remotely Piloted/Unmanned Aircraft System Operations

Friday, February 03, 2012
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC

Iraq war veteran Troy Yocum walks across the George Washington Bridge to New York On Friday, February 3, the 21st Century Defense Initiative hosted Colonel Hernando Ortega, the Surgeon for the Air Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, for a discussion on new Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations and their effects on those serving in them. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDo Drones Undermine Democracy?

Peter W. Singer, January 22, 2012, The New York Times

Peter Singer discusses the use of unmanned warfare tactics, from combat drones to software like the Stuxnet Virus, and how they are setting a new precedent on the use of force. Singer argues using drones removes the link between cause and effect in combat, allowing an easier, but not necessarily right, decision for politicians and leadership. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioMilitary Networks "Not Defensible," Says General Who Defends Them

Noah Shachtman, January 12, 2012, Wired Magazine (Danger Room blog)

Noah Shachtman writes on a recent statement by the head of U.S. Cyber Command, General Keith Alexander, that the Department of Defense’s online networks currently are "not defensible." Shachtman outlines what this means for national security and discusses steps the department plans to take. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDrones Are a Challenge — and an Opportunity

Benjamin Wittes and Ritika Singh, January 11, 2012, The Cato Institute

Drones Are a Challenge — and an OpportunityBenjamin Wittes examines the challenges and opportunities that drones present. Wittes argues that drone warfare permits a highly calibrated military response to situations which otherwise may require far greater uses of violence, and allows militaries to contemplate humanitarian interventions. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioRobotic Military Technology Changes Rules of War

Peter W. Singer, January 08, 2012, Canadian International Council

In an interview with the Canadian International Council, Peter Singer discusses the future of robotic warfare and how this tech-focused shift will affect rules and moral considerations on the battlefield. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWhat Does the Downed U.S. Drone in Iran Mean for U.S. Security?

Peter W. Singer, December 09, 2011, The Brookings Institution

a U.S. drone captured in IranPeter Singer discusses the implications of Iran's apparent capture of a U.S. RQ-170 Sentinel spy drone, which was reportedly monitoring Iran's nuclear program. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioJoystick Warfare: The Drone Dilemma for the U.S. Military

Peter W. Singer, December 08, 2011, Around the World

In an interview on Around the World with Christiane Amanpour, Peter Singer discusses the increase of unmanned military systems and the future of drone warfare for the United States. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Future of Naval Aviation: This Century’s Naval Aviation Pioneers Flying Unmanned Aircraft

Peter W. Singer, December 06, 2011, The Washington Post

Peter Singer examines technological advances in naval aviation and the impact new unmanned aircraft may have on the U.S. military. Singer writes that while optimal roles and doctrine have not yet been defined, technology will not end the central role of humans in war and at sea. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Future of Land Wars: Intense, High-Tech, Urban, Coastal

Peter W. Singer, November 30, 2011, AOL Defense

The Future of Land Wars: Intense, High-Tech, Urban, CoastalPeter Singer examines recent changes in U.S. military systems, arguing that while the military has adapted traditional structures for rural wars due to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, future battles are likely to be focused on cities, as more of the world’s population moves to urban areas. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWar By Remote Control: Drones Make It Easy

Peter W. Singer, November 26, 2011, NPR

Drones have been a key tool in the U.S. counterterrorism fight in Pakistan, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In an interview with NPR's All Thing Considered, Peter Singer discusses the evolution of remote-controlled warfare, and the political complications inherent with this type of warfare. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioEgypt: The Military, Elections, and the Hope for Reform

Shadi Hamid, November 21, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Egypt: The Military, Elections, and the Hope for ReformAs new clashes erupt in Egypt, and Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood prepare for the November 28 elections, Shadi Hamid reflects on two of his chapters from The Arab Awakening to make sense of the country's current state and the importance of “getting Egypt right.” Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioGet Hacked, Don’t Tell: Drone Base Didn’t Report Virus

Noah Shachtman, October 11, 2011, Wired Magazine (Danger Room blog)

Noah Shachtman discusses the implications of the fact that a computer virus infecting drones at a Nevada Air Force base went unreported for two weeks. Shachtman writes that infection highlights a flaw in the way the U.S. military secures its information infrastructure. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioArmchair Kamikaze: What the Latest Generation of Small Armed Drones Means for Antiterrorism

John Villasenor, October 06, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Armchair Kamikaze: What the Latest Generation of Small Armed Drones Means for AntiterrorismJohn Villasenor discusses the security concerns raised by the creation and likely proliferation of new small drones equipped with both a video camera and a warhead that can be flown, kamikaze style, into a target. Read More

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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