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7131. Is There Time to Prevent an Iranian Nuclear Weapon?

Author:
Greg Thielmann
Publication Date:
09-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Arms Control Association
Abstract:
The Obama administration has identified September as a time for reassessing its approach to negotiation with Tehran over Iran's nuclear program. It is imperative that this reassessment is based on a realistic appraisal of Iran's weaponization capabilities and limitations and not fall prey to politically motivated hyperbole. Iran's nuclear program is undeniably bringing that country closer to an ability to construct nuclear weapons-bad news for the region, the United States, and the world. Yet, a nuclear-armed Iran is years, not months, away, which is ample time for negotiating an outcome that prevents Iran from becoming a nuclear-weapon state while strengthening the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
Topic:
Diplomacy, Nuclear Weapons, Negotiation, and Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

7132. Dealing With Long-Range Missile Threats: It's All About Russia

Author:
Greg Thielmann
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Arms Control Association
Abstract:
The nearly 2,000 nuclear warheads on Russian ICBMs and submarine-launched ballistic missiles constitute the sole near-term existential threat to the United States. The U.S. response to this threat has been to maintain the nuclear war-fighting posture adopted during the Cold War. Yet, this posture does not lead toward an improvement in U.S. security; it merely reinforces Russia’s incentive to persist in its own anachronistic security calculus. The New START and a transformational post-Cold War Nuclear Posture Review would clear the path for major U.S. and Russian arms reductions, laying the foundation for a rejuvenated effort to halt nuclear nonproliferation and for engaging other nuclear-weapon states in arms control.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, National Security, Nuclear Weapons, and Missile Defense
Political Geography:
Russia and United States of America

7133. Patterns of Implementation: Do Listing Practices Impede Compliance with UN Sanctions? A Critical Assessment

Author:
David Cortright
Publication Date:
12-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Fourth Freedom Forum
Abstract:
The salience of the due process issue varies considerably among states. Concerns are highest among European states that are constitutionally and politically bound to the enforcement of rigorous human rights standards. Many of these states also have concerns about broader UN reform issues related to the representativeness of the Security Council and the legitimacy of its working methods. For other states the controversy over due process reinforces a general skepticism about sanctions, and may serve as an excuse for inaction.
Topic:
United Nations, Sanctions, Policy Implementation, and UN Security Council
Political Geography:
Europe and Global Focus

7134. Human Rights and Targeted Sanctions: An Action Agenda for Strengthening Due Process Procedures

Author:
David Cortright, George A. Lopez, Linda Gerber-Stellingwerf, Eliot Fackler, Sarah Persinger, and Joshua Weaver
Publication Date:
11-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Fourth Freedom Forum
Abstract:
International sanctions intended to counter terrorism have been criticized for violating human rights and failing to comply with due process legal standards. Blacklisting practices have impeded the work of certain civil society groups and charities. The resulting controversy has eroded the credibility of UN Security Council counterterrorism sanctions and made it more difficult for some states and regional organizations to comply with these measures. Action is urgently needed to reform current listing and delisting procedures through a strengthening of due process procedures.
Topic:
Human Rights, United Nations, Sanctions, Counter-terrorism, and UN Security Council
Political Geography:
Global Focus

7135. Southeast Asia’s Nuclear Energy Future: Promises and Perils

Author:
Prashanth Parameswaran
Publication Date:
12-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
Southeast Asian nations are embarking on a pursuit for nuclear energy. While this promises to help satisfy the region’s growing energy thirst in a more cost-efficient and climate-friendly way, nuclear power also has its perils. The specter of proliferation looms large and the potential for nuclear accidents remains high in a region prone to natural disasters and averse to strong institutional safeguards and export controls.
Topic:
Energy Policy, Natural Disasters, Risk, Carbon Emissions, and Nuclear Energy
Political Geography:
Southeast Asia

7136. The Assassin Under the Radar: China’s DH-10 Cruise Missile Program

Author:
Ian Easton
Publication Date:
10-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
Of all the asymmetric weapons or “assassin maces”?China has been developing and deploying across the Taiwan Strait, perhaps none has been as poorly understood and as chronically underreported as China’s rapidly emerging DH-10 (DongHai-10), “East Sea-10″? cruise missile program.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Weapons
Political Geography:
China, Taiwan, and Asia

7137. Vietnam’s Port Potential: The Economic and Political Implications of Vietnam’s Port Renovation

Author:
Amanda C. Morrow Jensen
Publication Date:
07-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
Vietnam has an infrastructure problem in almost all sectors. It has an airport problem. It has a road problem. And Vietnam has a port problem. The real potential for Vietnam to benefit from China’s massive economy – or to benefit from any regional economic activity – lies on the water, and in the ports, which are currently too small and too shallow to effectively realize their economic potential.
Topic:
Economics, Politics, and Infrastructure
Political Geography:
China, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia

7138. China’s Commercial Aviation Sector Looks to the Future

Author:
Mark Stokes
Publication Date:
05-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
Gleaming with confidence in the wake of its success in space, China is emerging as a global commercial aviation player. Its ambitions in commercial aviation are one facet of a broader vision to develop a modern, world-class, and integrated national air and surface transportation system.
Topic:
Business, Transportation, Aviation, and Commerce
Political Geography:
China and Asia

7139. Solar Flair: Taiwan’s Photovoltaic Industry Aspires to Lead the Clean Energy Revolution

Author:
Julia Famularo
Publication Date:
04-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
Taiwan’s photovoltaic (solar) industry is rapidly establishing itself as a major international player. Currently ranked fifth in global production, it has tremendous long-term growth prospects.
Topic:
Economic Growth, Renewable Energy, Industry, and Solar Power
Political Geography:
Taiwan and Asia

7140. Patronage, Posturing, Duty, Demographics: Why Afghans Voted in 2009

Author:
Noah Coburn and Anna Larson
Publication Date:
08-2009
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
Abstract:
What explains the levels of both participation and enthusiasm during the 2009 elections in Kabul Province? Although some voters were motivated by a sense of national duty, and a desire to take part in the democratic process, the majority voted for a variety of other, overlapping reasons. This paper argues that to understand voting attitudes in Kabul Province it is necessary to also look at social pressure, material incentives, a desire to demonstrate community strength, and a desire to “back the winning horse.”
Topic:
Elections, Democracy, Voting, Participation, and Community
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Middle East