This Week at ISN

17 - 21 Dec 2012 This week we look at particular emerging powers and wonder if they have the financial and technological wherewithal to absorb cutting edge capabilities into their defense-industrial base, their defense policies, and even their geostrategic calculations.

Back to Reality: The State of State Power

Is China Now a Sea Power?
17 Dec 2012

According to the CSS's Prem Mahadevan, China's deployment of its first aircraft carrier does not signify a major shift in its naval capabilities, particularly in the case of distant 'blue water' operations. It will indeed be quite a while before the Chinese navy can rival American sea power. More India's Defense Procurement Policies and the Failure of Autarky
18 Dec 2012

India has long believed that an advanced and self-sufficient defense sector is essential to its status as an emerging power. Yet, as Richard A. Bitzinger writes, the country remains saddled with a bloated and inefficient defense-industrial base that has contributed little to its great power aspirations. More Brazil's Defense Industry: Re-emerging?
19 Dec 2012

Brazil is pushing hard to rebuild a once vibrant defense industry, but will it become a leading military power? Joe Katzman remains unconvinced. He sees potential in their industry, but argues in this podcast that the military is still playing catch-up from years of neglect. More Challenges Facing the Russian Defense Establishment
20 Dec 2012

Efforts to reorganize and modernize the Russian military have generated an increased demand for manpower and modern equipment. The country's widening demographic crisis and procurement challenges, however, threaten to seriously undermine these efforts, or so argues Dmitry Gorenburg. More The State of American Power and Defense Challenges for a New Era
21 Dec 2012

Despite claims of Americas relative decline, it still has no peer in terms of power and influence. According to Janine Davidson, this gives the country a unique opportunity to lead the kind of creative global efforts that will be needed to meet future transnational threats. More

Security Watch
Why the EU Deserves the Nobel Peace Prize
17 Dec 2012

The decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union (EU) was lambasted by critics. Open Democracy's Ulrich Speck is not one of them. He believes the objectives that underpin Europe's post-war unification project make the EU a worthy recipient of the award. More After Obama's Visit: The US-Thailand Alliance and China
18 Dec 2012

While the US's 'pivot' towards Asia has been well-received by most of its allies in Asia, the response from Thailand has been less than enthusiastic. According to Sasiwan Chingchit, the deep political divisions within

Thai society and the success of China's diplomatic efforts are two reasons why. More Caspian Tensions Reveal Turkmenistan's Rising Confidence
19 Dec 2012

According to Joseph Hammond, the recent discovery of oil reserves in disputed portions of the Caspian Sea has heightened regional tensions. He highlights the collision of interests between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, and further charts the latter's growing influence in regional and global energy politics. More An American Iron Dome?
20 Dec 2012

According to Peter Buxbaum, the United States sees Israel's Iron Dome as the ideal platform to defend its own territory from short-range missile threats. However, prospects for US-Israeli co-production remain subject to Tel Aviv's ongoing efforts to deploy more of these assets along its own borders. More Negotiating with a Nuclear North Korea a Failed International Response?
21 Dec 2012

Attempts to curb North Koreas nuclear ambitions remain frustrated by Pyongyangs continued reluctance to negotiate. In our latest CSS-ISN panel discussion, we consider why negotiations have failed and what options might bring Pyongyang back to the table. More

ISN Blog
Catalonia: Independence from Spain to Do What?
17 Dec 2012

Pro-independence parties did well in recent Catalonian elections. While many Catalonians regard this as an opportunity to create a more responsive political system, writes Violeta Camarasa, others believe the establishment parties will stand in the way of real political progress. More The Elusive Quest for Peace with the M23 in the DRC
18 Dec 2012

Brokering an effective and long-lasting peace between M23 rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a challenge. According to Global Voices Lova Rakotomalala, M23s loose operating structure and the vested interests of neighboring states are two reasons why. More Israel Media Ratings War Spills into Conflict Coverage
19 Dec 2012

A growing band of citizen journalists and bloggers continue to accuse Israels cash-strapped media of disproportionately covering the Israel-Palestine conflict. The most recent instance involves the shooting of a Palestinian protestor near the Gaza-Israel border, writes Elizabeth Tsurkov. More Zambian President Orders Killing of "Rebels" No One Can Find
20 Dec 2012

Zambias armed forces have been tasked by the countrys president to track down and kill rebels in the western province of Barotseland. The only problem, as Gershom Ndhlovu points out, is that they have failed to locate any rebels or activists associated with the areas main separatist movement. More The Sinai Peninsula: Egypt's "Wild West"?
21 Dec 2012

Islamist violence in the Sinai Peninsula and cross-border incursions into Israel continue to hamper Egypts already-fragile democratic transition. As a result, our partners at Global Voices consider how Egypt might improve security in the region and benefit the wider Middle East. More

Video
Russian Military Modernization Stratfor's Vice President of Analysis, Scott Stewart, discusses the poor state of Russia's armed forces and President Vladimir Putin's plans to increase defense spending by 25 percent. More Egypt's Power Struggle: Three Things to Know Mass protests have once again erupted in Egypt following President Mohamed Morsi's controversial move to

eliminate judicial oversight over his presidential powers. Ed Husain, CFR's senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, highlights three underlying issues at the core of Egypt's power struggle: the nature of Morsi's motivations, the weak opposition and the Egyptian constitution. More China Lands Jet on First Aircraft Carrier With fighter aircraft now landing on China's new aircraft carrier, Al Jazeera's Khadija Magardie ponders the significance of this improvement in Chinese military capabilities. More

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