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ISN
ETH Zurich
International Relations and Security Network www.isn.ethz.ch
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This Week at ISN Our Weekly Editorial Roundup
11 15 August 2014 JUMP TO Security Watch | Blog | Video
/// Security Watch
This week, our hard power-centered Security Watch (SW) series asks how the US military can encourage the long-term
growth and stability of the Asia-Pacific region; whether the conflict in Ukraine could lead to the proliferation of sensitive
military technologies; how the intelligence community can escape the pitfalls of the traditional intelligence cycle; whether
the US will lose its current advantage in autonomous, unmanned warfare; and whether Pakistan has a coherent nuclear
strategy. Then, in our second, more wide-ranging SW series, we look at the importance of geographic intelligence in
military operations; whether the expansion of ISIS could destabilize J ordan; whether cyberspace should be considered a
strategic resource or part of the global commons; whether the United States and Mexico should establish a special
relationship; and whether the Arctic Council needs additional members. More
The Role of U.S. Land Forces in the Asia Pacific
11 August 2014
How can the United States encourage long-term growth and stability in the Asia-Pacific region? By resisting the temptation
to counter only Chinas military capabilities, argue Kimberley Field and Stephan Pikner. The ideal response should be
political, economic and military in nature. More
Know Your Ground: A Look at Military Geographic Intelligence and Planning in the Second World
War
11 August 2014
How important is thorough, accurate geographic intelligence to the outcome of military operations? By using examples
from World War II, Lori Sumner demonstrates that lapses in this type of intelligence consistently compromise combat
operations and must remain an essential part of military planning. More
Saving Ukraine's Defense Industry
12 August 2014
Could the conflict in Ukraine lead to the acquisition of sensitive military technologies by rogue regimes? Absolutely, argue
Alexandra McLees and Eugene Rumer. Moscow and Washington must act swiftly to prevent a breakdown in defense-
industrial cooperation that would place Ukraines nuclear and missile expertise on the international market. More
Jordan: Between Stability and Spillover
12 August 2014
Will the security vacuum from the expansion of the Islamic State destabilize J ordan? Although the Kingdom has strong
institutions, Andrew Spath worries that parochial interests, failed reform initiatives and a reluctance to share power have
strengthened subversive and radical elements of society that could facilitate an ISIS incursion. More
Creatively Disrupting the Intelligence Paradigm
13 August 2014
How can the intelligence community escape the pitfalls of the traditional intelligence cycle which, in recent times, have
contributed to high-profile failures to anticipate events such as the Arab Spring? By fully embracing the non-linear,
correlational and neutral character of activity-based intelligence, argues Greg Treverton. More
The Strategic Significance of the Internet Commons
13 August 2014
Is cyberspace a critical strategic resource, or a global commons? Both, argues Michael Chertoff. Like the high seas and
outer space, it therefore requires a universally supported code of conduct that preserves its freedom and openness while
enhancing its security. More
How to Lose the Robotics Revolution
14 August 2014
Will rapid advances in commercial robotics with dual-use purposes soon erode the US militarys superiority in unmanned warfare? Possibly,
argues Paul Scharre. Thats because the military remains stubbornly attached to an identity built around dominance in traditional warfighting
that may prevent it from figuring out how best to use these technologies. More
The United States and Mexico: Forging a Special Relationship
14 August 2014
Should the United States and Mexico establish a special relationship similar to those the US maintains with Great Britain
and Israel? For Samir Tata, an increasingly self-confident and politically active Mexican American population means that
the historical, geographical, demographic and economic case has never been more compelling. More
Pakistans Battlefield Nuclear Weapons and the Limits of the NATO Analogy
15 August 2014
NATOs perceived military inferiority against Warsaw Pact forces is regularly called upon to justify Pakistans pursuit of
battlefield nuclear weapons. Yet, as Jaganath Sankaran reveals, theres plenty of historical evidence to suggest that
Islamabad should not rely on such weapons to keep Indias military might in check. More
Has The Arctic Council Become Too Big?
15 August 2014
Indeed, following the admission of six non-Arctic observer states to the Arctic Council last year, is a bigger Council
necessarily a better one? For Andrea Charron, as long as the Arctic littoral states retain control over the Councils
decision-making machinery, the number of observers is relatively insignificant. More
/// Blog
Africas Military Superpower?
11 August 2014
Is the South African military capable of playing the expansive continental, regional and national roles that Jacob Zuma and
his cabinet have in mind for it? Only if it gets the cash it needs, argues Helmoed Heitman, and plenty of it. More
Frances Fascination with Israel and Palestine
12 August 2014
After violent clashes in Paris, why do the French seem to insist on importing the otherwise distant Palestinian-Israeli
conflict? For Myriam Benraud, the answer lies in the importance of Israel-Palestine to Frances Middle East diplomacy and
the role that the broader Arab-Israeli question plays in radicalization within the country. More
The BRICS Are Back, With a Bank
13 August 2014
Geethanjali Nataraj and Richa Sekhan believe that the New Development Bank established at the BRICS summit in July
will provide a real counterweight to Western dominated global financial institutions. If the Bank and the BRICS are to
remain relevant, however, they must now deliver economic results while maintaining solidarity with emerging economies.
More
New World Disorder How We Got Here
14 August 2014
Why are we witnessing simultaneous crises in the Middle East, Ukraine, Central America, and East Asia while Europe and
the United States are weak and divided? For Jack Goldstone, the answer lies in our collective failure to appreciate the
dark side of democracy which is fueling a bonfire of extremist nationalism around the world. More
The Hillary Doctrine: Are Womens Rights a National Security Issue?
15 August 2014
Are womens rights really a national security issue, as Hillary Clinton would have us believe? While the Hillary Doctrine
has undeniably advanced the interests of women and girls around the world, it may nevertheless be too broad and
inaccurate to facilitate reliable government policy, argues Rosa Brown. More
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China's Cyber Power: Policy, Capability and Exploitation
In this video-based audio presentation, the IISS' Nigel Inkster 1) highlights recent developments in China's cyberspace
policies, 2) assesses the evolution of these policies (and the capabilities associated with them), and 3) provides examples
of cyber 'activities' that have been attributed to the Chinese state and its proxies. More
WMD: The Nightmare Scenario
In this video, four senior-level practitioners discuss 1) the dangers of terrorists gaining access to chemical, biological or
nuclear weapons of mass destruction, and 2) what currently can be done to prevent such a thing from happening. More
Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova: How Corruption Threatens the Eastern Partnership
In this video, three journalists and an academic gauge the current levels of corruption in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. In
doing so, they also consider how external actors are influencing the reforms that are needed to blunt this problem. More
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