Series: CCC-PASCC Research in Progress Ripsheets
Series Type
Organizations
Publication Search Results
U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue
Objective: The risk of nuclear war in South Asia is among the highest in the world. India perceives its security to be undercut by U.S. support to Pakistan, lack of official recognition of India’s nuclear status, and acceptance of Chinese hegemony in the Indian Ocean. Although vast improvements have been made in the U.S.-Indian relationship since the Cold War, the areas of shared interests and values are not enough to minimize the nuclear and conventional dangers in the new environment. Recent changes to the Indian government, however, provide new opportunities for engagement and the potential for an improved U.S.-Indian relationship
U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue VII
The stakes for nuclear war in South Asia are the highest in the world. Indian security is undercut by U.S. support to Pakistan, dissatisfaction with India_s nuclear status, and acceptance of Chinese hegemony in the Indian Ocean. Although vast improvements have been made in the U.S.-India relationship since the Cold War, the areas of shared interests and values are not enough to minimize the nuclear and conventional dangers in the new environment. Specific topics of dialogue discussion include the state of the U.S.-India strategic relationship; the nuclear arms race; a rising Chinese power; and developments in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The dialogue will help to inform each side of the others_ views, identify joint strategic interests, and embolden participants to serve as resources in their security communities.
Next Steps toward a Middle East Free of Chemical Weapons: Strategic Dialogue, Research, and Report
Objective: Since World War II, there have been a number of chemical attacks in the Middle East by state and non-state actors. Today, there is a significant risk that chemical weapons could be used against the United States or its allies by several regional terrorist groups. This research project aims to develop lessons learned and recommendations from past Middle Eastern experiences with chemical weapons. Researchers will examine regional responses to Libyan and Syrian chemical weapons and Egypt’s and Israel’s behavior in regard to the Chemical Weapons Convention. They will also look at cooperative Middle Eastern efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to chemical attacks by terrorists and how the international community can more effectively encourage Middle Eastern governments and civil societies to deter and constrain chemical weapons acquisition and use by non-state actors. Findings from this research will enable regional analysts and states to better plan for cooperative efforts and share information.
U.S.-Turkey Strategic Dialogue
The primary objectives of this effort are twofold: to better understand and identify solutions to the current and potential challenges to U.S. national security interests in the Middle East, and to enhance understanding of and cooperation with Turkey through a Track II dialogue. The dialogue will provide policymakers with accessible intelligence, informed by on the ground discussions with relevant stakeholders in Turkey.
Discouraging ROK Development of Nuclear Weapons
Ironically, the greatest likelihood for nuclear proliferation in the coming years may come from U.S. allies. The development of nuclear weapons by South Korea (ROK) could result in a regional nuclear arms race and global failure of the Nonproliferation Treaty. As North Korean development of nuclear weapons continues irrespective of the U.S. security umbrella, fewer external options remain to ensure ROK security. To assist both the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the larger U.S. national security community, the project will develop a framework for discouraging ROK development of its own nuclear weapons by meeting ROK security needs. RAND_s framework will seek to explain how ROK possession of nuclear weapons will undermine national security, jeopardize the U.S.-ROK alliance, and damage international security.
A U.S.-Russian Academies of Science Security Dialogue
The NAS Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC) maintains a scientific-technical dialogue with the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) in order to promote better understanding of each other’s plans and actions and to seek opportunities for cooperation. These frank and open discussions and subsequent briefings foster trust and build confidence that aid further engagement and international security. Partnerships, ideas, and concepts developed through the project can be applied by policymakers and scholars of arms control and U.S.- Russian relations to promote future study and new pathways for WMD reductions.
Anatomizing Non-State Chemical and Biological Adversaries
The START research team will explore in detail the potential CB terrorist (or criminal) adversary from a behavioral and organizational standpoint, and develop means of identifying the most likely future CB perpetrators. As a consequence, both strategic and operational risk analysis and net assessment operators can become better informed on the threat.
Assessing the Implications of Advances in Science and Technology for the Biological Weapons Convention
Objective: In recent years, there have been rapid advances in life sciences that promise significant contributions to health, food, and energy policy outcomes. Yet, there are concerns that the science and technology (S&T) that enables these benefits may also be used to develop new bioweapons or facilitate bioterrorism. These advances present fundamental challenges to national and international institutions focused on preventing the misuse of S&T. This project assesses new developments in S&T and their potential biosecurity implications. Through collaboration among several scientific organizations, the project will reach a broad audience of international security and S&T professionals in advance of the Eighth Review of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in 2016 in Geneva.
Baltic States and Poland Track 2 Deterrence and Strategic Stability Dialogue and Study
Objective: New questions arise daily concerning overall NATO alliance cohesion and commitment in the face of Russian aggression. Understanding how deterrence and crisis stability operate within conflict and how crisis actions may affect overall strategic stability is vital to efforts to prevent or de-escalate future tensions, particularly in NATO frontline states. CSIS will examine deterrence challenges that face frontline states on NATO’s eastern border with Russia and the implications of military posture and security matters in that geography for overall strategic stability between the United States/NATO and Russia. This project will bring together U.S., Polish, and Baltic experts to review and discuss topics such as forwarddeployed, non-strategic nuclear weapons, “gray zone” conflicts, and the importance of energy and economic markets to crisis stability. This project will provide scholars with new knowledge on emerging deterrence challenges faced in light of the Ukrainian crisis.
International Biosecurity: Engagement between American and MENA Scientists
CSTSP will provide guidance concerning the development of scientific engagement approaches to MENA countries. This will encourage partnerships on bio-surveillance or infectious disease response between the United States and regional scientific stakeholders and address gaps in scientific engagement initiatives in the region across U.S. agencies.