ANALYSIS: Space: The Next Realm of Warfare?
A recent change of course in the U.S. military’s space strategy, along with last year’s anti-satellite test by China threaten to signal a new space arms race, explains CDI Director Theresa Hitchens in “Space Wars - Coming to a Sky Near You?” published in the March 2008 issue of Scientific American.

ANALYSIS: The Small Arms Trade in Latin America
Small arms and gun violence present the most dramatic threat to public safety in Latin America and the Caribbean. After decades of uncontrolled proliferation, at least 45 million to 80 million small arms and light weapons are circulating throughout the region. In the article “The Small Arms Trade in Latin America,” published by the NACLA Report on the Americas, CDI Senior Analyst Rachel Stohl and Research Assistant Doug Tuttle explore the scope of Latin America’s small arms trade and its negative consequences for the region.

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OPINION: Missile Defense and Arms Control: 25 Years Later
In the 25 years since President Reagan’s speech calling for renewed efforts on a shield that would theoretically protect the United States against a Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile attack (ICBM), missile defense has failed to improve national security. In this opinion piece, CDI Senior Advisor Philip Coyle and Research Analyst Victoria Samson examine the current status of U.S. missile defense policy.

PULITZER CENTER ON CRISIS REPORTING

The Pulitzer Center’s mission is to promote in-depth coverage of international affairs, focusing on topics that have been under-reported, misreported — or not reported at all.

Travel for the following stories was made possible through a grant from the Pulitzer Center.

“A warming world, overuse drain giant lake in a single generation”
Pulitzer Center-sponsored journalist Sarah Stuteville reports on the effects of climate change and overuse of lakes as water sources in Ethiopia.

“Lebanese struggle with broken economy”
Pulitzer Center grant recipient Don Duncan reports on the economic hardships in Lebanon, where 28 percent of the population currently lives below the poverty line.

“India’s debt-ridden farmers committing suicide”
Farmers in India are committing suicide to escape hard times and debts, reports Pulitzer Center sponsored journalist Jason Motlagh.

“A treacherous trek to the crater’s edge”
Pulitzer Center-funded journalist Sarah Stuteville reports on the hardships faced by Ethiopians to fetch water for themselves and their crops.

“Quenching the thirst: Seattle brings the most precious liquid abroad”
Pulitzer Center-funded journalist Sarah Stuteville reports on the visit to Ethiopia by Seattleites, who are bringing safe, clean drinking water to the country.

“Northern Peru: Jungle Rivers Where the Sweet Water No Longer Flows”
Pulitzer Center-funded journalist Sarah Stuteville reports on the pollution of Peru’s rivers by Occidental Petroleum, a Los Angeles-based oil company.

WSI BRUSSELS BLOG

WSI Brussels Blog aims to continue and expand the efforts of the World Security Institute, Brussels to inform, stimulate, and shape the debate around the security and defense dilemmas facing Europe and the world, with a view to formulating effective and lasting solutions.

THIS WEEK ON WSI BRUSSELS BLOG:
• WSI Brussels News Roundup: March 18-20, 2008 • Defending the Republic: France’s Future Security Orientations

AZIMUTH MEDIA PROJECTS:

This Week on Foreign Exchange with Daljit Dhaliwal

“Foreign Exchange” is a half-hour, weekly, global affairs series on PBS that picks up where the mainstream media leaves off. Produced by Azimuth Media for public television and hosted by Daljit Dhaliwal.

Episode 412: March 25, 2008

• Mohammed Abu-Nimer updates us on violence in Gaza and the region’s best hope for a peace deal

• “Water Wars,” a short film about water scarcity that has fueled tribal conflict in Eastern Africa

• A look at the soaring food prices that have left the poor vulnerable to starvation and caused global economic strain with Joachim von Braun

RECENT PROJECTS AND PUBLICATIONS

China Security Winter 2008: Taiwan Redux
Featuring scholars and experts from China, Taiwan and the United States, the Winter 2008 issue of China Security turns its undivided attention to Taiwan. The island has drawn much scrutiny recently due to a number of key events, and this issue seeks to explore both the domestic and international dynamics of the situation in the Straits.

The Defense Monitor, Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 – January/February 2008
Special Issue: The World At War. Retired U.S. Army Col. Daniel Smith, a senior fellow for the Friends Committee on National Legislation and former CDI director of research, conducts his annual overview of armed conflicts across the globe.

Arab Insight, Winter 2008: Emerging Social & Religious Trends
The new Winter 2008 issue of Arab Insight offers in-depth analysis of a number of trends emerging in the Arab world today and sheds light on new transformations taking place, from the widening use of the Internet and new technology in Islamist activity, to women’s reform movements in the Gulf and arms proliferation in Yemen.

New Book on Military Reform Released
Released by Greenwood Press is a new book, “Military Reform: A Reference Handbook,” co-authored by Winslow T. Wheeler, director of CDI’s Straus Military Reform Project, and Lawrence J. Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a senior adviser to the Center for Defense Information. Together, Wheeler and Korb have over 65 years of experience in Congress, the Pentagon and the private sector. If anyone has seen the flaws in America’s national security apparatus - up close and personal - it is these two. Some will think, even assert, that America’s Armed Forces are the best in the world, even in history. This is empty political rhetoric of the most specious and foolish kind. We present excerpts from the book for those entertaining such delusions, as well as a link to the publisher and information about purchasing.

Center for Defense Information’s 2007 Military Almanac
Prepared by CDI’s Straus Military Reform Project, the 2007 Military Almanac is an up-to-date, fact-filled, comprehensive guide to U.S. military, defense and policy issues. Order it now ($45) by calling the World Security Institute at 202.332.0900.

Policy Brief: Iran, Iraq and Turkey
One year since the release of the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group report, WSI Senior Fellow John Newhouse revisits the Study Group’s recommendations in his latest policy brief, “Iraq, Iran and Turkey: A Regional Approach.”

World Security Institute’s 2006 Annual Report
The World Security Institute’s 2006 annual report is now available online. The report includes information and a yearly review on all WSI divisions, including Center for Defense Information, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Azimuth Media, International Programs, and the International Media Division.

Caucusus Context, Vol. 5, No. 1, Winter/Spring 2008
Caucasus Context is a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary journal focused on regional integration and cooperation among the three South Caucasus republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. This issue focuses on a variety of issues, including possibilities for cooperation in the region and ethnic minorities.

The World Security Institute
The World Security Institute (WSI) is a non-profit organization committed to independent research and journalism on global affairs. Given the extraordinary growth of global interdependence, WSI provides an innovative approach to communication, education, and cooperation on the social, economic, environmental, political and military components of international security.

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