Publications

Russia Security Update: February 17-24, 2016

February 24, 2016 - Hugo Spaulding

Russia is reshaping the balance of military power in the Middle East and Black Sea region even as it faces potential defense budget cuts. Low oil prices and Western sanctions have caused a prolonged economic crisis in Russia, leading to new proposals for a 5 percent cut in the 2016 military budget. Russia continued efforts to offset the effects of low oil prices and Western sanctions by marketing its military hardware in the Middle East and Asia.

Afghanistan Partial Threat Assessment: February 23, 2016

February 24, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

Security in Afghanistan has been deteriorating since U.S. force levels dropped from a high of 100,000 in 2011 to the current force size of 9,800 they reached in June 2014.  Lt. Gen. John W. “Mick” Nicholson, the incoming commander of Operation Resolute Support and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, agreed with the remark that “the security situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating rather than improving” in a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing on January 28.

Afghanistan Partial Threat Assessment: February 23, 2016

February 23, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

Security in Afghanistan has been deteriorating since U.S. force levels dropped from a high of 100,000 in 2011 to the current force size of 9,800 they reached in June 2014.  Lt. Gen. John W. “Mick” Nicholson, the incoming commander of Operation Resolute Support and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, agreed with the remark that “the security situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating rather than improving” in a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing on January 28.

American security is at risk in Aleppo: Why Syria's second largest city matters to the US

February 23, 2016 - Jennifer Cafarella

The Syrian regime, with Russia’s help, is about to encircle and besiege hundreds of thousands of civilians in Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city. This will be a turning point for American national security, and not for the better.

U.S. Bank Market Update Call with Harleen Gambhir

February 23, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

This is a recording of the U.S. Bank Wealth Management Market Update Call held on February 23, 2016. The discussion featured insights on one of the most complex and dangerous regions in the world: the Middle East.

Iraq Situation report: February 18 - 22, 2016

February 22, 2016 - Patrick Martin

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi made his boldest move against Iranian proxy militias yet. 

ISIS’s Campaign in Libya: January 4-February 19, 2016

February 19, 2016 - Harleen Gambhir

Key Takeaway: ISIS is executing a sophisticated, multi-front campaign against Libya’s oil facilities, demonstrating the organization’s growing capability abroad. President Obama reportedly ruled out significant military intervention against the group as of February 18. The administration opted to continue intermittent strikes against ISIS leaders in Libya instead, such as the strike on an ISIS leader in western Libya on February 19.

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