Robert Satloff and David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy describe conceivable contingencies that pose serious threats to Jordan's stability and provide recommendations on how U.S. policymakers can help manage potentially destabilizing economic and political change in the country.
See more in Jordan, Conflict Prevention, Diplomacy
Sheila A. Smith argues that tensions between Japan and China over disputed islands in the East China Sea could seriously harm U.S. interests. She discusses steps the United States could take to de-escalate the crisis.
See more in East Asia, Diplomacy, Peacekeeping
Douglas Dillon Fellow Micah Zenko asserts that shifting lead executive authority for U.S. drone strikes from the CIA to the Pentagon is the essential first step toward greater transparency and oversight.
See more in United States, Defense/Homeland Security, Defense Strategy, Defense Technology, Intelligence, National Security and Defense, Wars and Warfare
A panel of experts discusses U.S. drone policy.
See more in Defense Technology, Wars and Warfare
Micah Zenko argues, "routine and unchallenged assertions highlight what is perhaps the most widely agreed-upon conventional wisdom in U.S. foreign and national security policymaking: the inherent power of signaling."
See more in United States, Northeast Asia, National Security and Defense
North Korea's third successful nuclear test has been widely condemned by the international community. CFR's Paul Stares highlights three things to know about the test and its implications for nuclear nonproliferation.
See more in North Korea, Proliferation
Micah Zenko says, "Military officials increasingly believe that the Obama administration must think through its current practices and policies of targeted killings, and consider how they can be reformed, or risk others following in U.S. footsteps."
See more in United States, Defense Technology
Micah Zenko says, "Most analysts and journalists have focused on President Obama's expanded scope, intensity, and institutionalization of targeted killings against suspected terrorists and militants. However, perhaps the enduring legacy of the Obama administration will be its sustained, rigorous effort to shape and define-down the idea of war."
See more in United States, Wars and Warfare, Presidency
With the recent revelation of a United Nations inquiry into U.S. drone strikes policies and practices, Micah Zenko says the UN has actually been investigating U.S. drones for ten years—but to no effect.
See more in United States, Defense Technology, UN
Micah Zenko says, "The Obama administration's lack of a military response in Algeria reflects how sovereign states routinely constrain U.S. intelligence and military activities."
See more in Algeria, United States, Defense/Homeland Security
Micah Zenko asks why we aren't asking Chuck Hagel about the stuff the secretary of defense actually does.
See more in United States, Defense Strategy, Intelligence, National Security and Defense
Micah Zenko says the nomination of John Brennan to become the next CIA director can be crucial in scrutinizing the U.S. drone program.
See more in United States, Pakistan, Defense Policy and Budget, Defense Technology, Terrorism
In the run-up to Kenya's March 2013 elections, the United States can take measures to prevent a repeat of the electoral violence that broke out across the country in 2007.
Paul B. Stares, David F. Gordon, and Mark L. Schneider discuss conflicts that could break out or escalate in 2013.
See more in Conflict Assessment
Micah Zenko argues that it is time for President Obama to reform U.S. drone policy.
See more in United States, Pakistan, Defense/Homeland Security
Douglas Dillon Fellow Micah Zenko analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.
See more in United States, Wars and Warfare
The Center for Preventive Action's annual Preventive Priorities Survey (PPS) evaluates ongoing and potential violent conflicts based on the impact they could have on U.S. interests and their likelihood of occurring in the coming year. Policymakers have limited time and resources for preventive action and thus have to focus on a select number of potentially harmful contingencies from a myriad of possibilities. The PPS polls experts in the field and aims to help the U.S. policy community prioritize these competing conflict prevention and mitigation demands.
See more in United States, Conflict Prevention
CFR's Paul Stares highlights three of the top conflict prevention priorities for 2013.
See more in Conflict Prevention
Micah Zenko says, "Similar to everyday choices like which brand of cereal to buy, how senior military officials present and characterize military options strongly influences policymakers' decisions."
See more in United States, Defense/Homeland Security, Presidency
Micah Zenko says unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a different kind of weapon, and one that is quickly proliferating
See more in Defense Technology, Wars and Warfare
For more conflict prevention analysis, visit CFR's Center for Preventive Action.
Enhancing U.S. Preventive Action
In this CSR, coauthored by Paul B. Stares and Micah Zenko sponsored by the Center for Preventive Action, evaluates the U.S. system for foreseeing and heading off crises and assesses in detail current U.S. practices with regard to different types of preventive action. More
Somalia: A New Approach
This report, authored by Bronwyn E. Bruton and sponsored by the Center for Preventive Action, argues that the current U.S. policy of supporting the TFG is unlikely to succeed and ineffective foreign meddling threatens to prolong and worsen the conflict. Instead, the United States should pursue a strategy of "constructive disengagement" while still maintaining support for localized development initiatives and humanitarian assistance. More
For more information on the CPA, contact:
