Publications

This report examines the pre-history, birth, expansion, consolidation and dispersal of ISIS in Libya. It concludes that 1) the group’s brutality in the country was a huge mistake on its part; 2) the Libyan State’s collapse did indeed lead to ISIS’ rise; and 3) the group...chevron_right

This collection of essays looks at 1) whether Sunni Islam provides theological grounds for democratic self-governance; 2) what constitutes blasphemy in Islam and how Islamic legal traditions have been recently manipulated; 3) how Sunni and Shia scholarly thought has...chevron_right

Where are Turkey’s energy relationships with Russia, Iran and Iraq heading, and what impact might they have on US-Turkish relations and American interests? To help answer these questions, this report looks at Ankara’s past foreign and energy policies towards...chevron_right

This JOBS issue explores the strategic doctrines and defense ideologies of countries and other actors in the Baltic region. The specific articles focus on 1) what lessons the Baltic States can learn from the gaps in Ukraine’s deterrence capabilities; 2) the question...chevron_right

This report analyzes the US’ civil-military divide, the negative impact it’s had on veteran employment and social reintegration, and what can be done to highlight the value of veterans as “lucrative sources of talent.”chevron_right

The US’ monopoly over armed and unarmed drones has ended, argue Elisa Catalano Ewers, et al. In response, America should 1) adapt its export and counter-proliferation policies to keep pace with shifting technology; 2) prepare for the use of weaponized drones against...chevron_right

A framework to de-escalate and settle the Syrian conflict has eluded stakeholders for years, but the authors of this report believe the time could be ripe to move toward a workable and sustainable solution. Given that Syria has fragmented into several distinct...chevron_right

Is the networked security architecture that’s materializing in the Asia-Pacific region a positive development? Absolutely, say the American authors of this text. Moving beyond isolated hub-and-spoke ties towards a more densely connected security network will...chevron_right

Does China have the ability to carry out a successful preemptive missile strike against US and allied defenses in Asia? This article analyzes China’s ballistic missile capabilities to answer this question and contends that its findings are deeply concerning.chevron_right

This report assesses 1) the economic impact of transatlantic sanctions on Russia and, to a lesser extent, the predominately Western countries that have imposed them; 2) the future trajectories the sanctions might take; and 3) how they might be adapted to minimize...chevron_right

This report examines the hack of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) computer network during the 2016 US Presidential elections, as well as related attacks that have been attributed to Russian actors. While exploring this topic, the authors specifically address 1) the background and...chevron_right

With the military setbacks the so-called Islamic State is now experiencing, the number of jihadist foreign fighters returning to Europe will most likely rise. Switzerland, too, must be prepared to deal with these individuals. According to this analysis, there is much the Swiss can learn from...chevron_right

According to this text, “American Affairs” is a nascent Trump-era journal that provides a compelling critique of the Republican Party’s foreign policies. The periodical argues, for example, that 1) conservative internationalism is indeed losing its appeal among...chevron_right

In this report, Robert Dewar does indeed focus on cyber defenses which rely on offensive measures to counter cyber-attacks. Among other things, Dewar 1) defines the concept of Active Cyber Defense (ACD); 2) highlights the prevalence of ACD in the strategies of...chevron_right

In this report, Marie Baezner and Patrice Robin examine the cyber and information warfare that’s been conducted on behalf of separatist fighters in Eastern Ukraine. Our authors specifically look at 1) the historical background and chronology of the struggle; 2) the victims of...chevron_right