Semaine du 07 au 13/04/2007


Liban - Hizbollah stares down UN
Commentary by Dominic Moran in Tel Aviv for ISN Security Watch (10/04/07)

"Hizbollah condemns a UN sponsored court amid signs that Lebanon's political crisis is deepening..."


Lire également, Read also :

Lebanon: Interview with Ziad Baroud, member of the National Council for a New Electoral Law
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace April 2007

"A reform advocate explains how Lebanon's ongoing crisis is rooted in weak institutions..."


Sécurité, Climat - National Security and the Threat of Climate Change
The CNA Corporation 2007

"Global climate change presents a serious national security threat which could impact Americans at home, impact United States military operations and heighten global tensions, according to a new study released by a blue-ribbon panel of retired admirals and generals from all branches of the armed services.

The study, “National Security and the Threat of Climate Change,” explores ways projected climate change is a threat multiplier in already fragile regions, exacerbating conditions that lead to failed states — the breeding grounds for extremism and terrorism..."


Sécurité aérienne - National Strategy for Aviation Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security March 26, 2007

"National Security Presidential Directive-47/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-16 (NSPD-47/HSPD-16) details a strategic vision for aviation security while recognizing ongoing efforts, and directs the production of a National Strategy for Aviation Security and supporting plans. The supporting plans address the following areas: aviation transportation system security; aviation operational threat response; aviation transportation system recovery; air domain surveillance and intelligence integration; domestic outreach; and international outreach..."


Sécurité - Global security: A vision for change
By Paul Rogers for openDemocracy (13/04/07)

"The United States’ global military strategy serves a control paradigm. What the world needs is sustainable security..."


Sécurité - Six Crises in Search of an Author
By Tom Engelhardt, Tomdispatch 09/04/07

"...Back in 2002-2003, officials in the Bush administration and their neocon supporters, retro-think-tank admirers, and allied media pundits, basking in all their Global War on Terror glory, were eager to talk about the region extending from North Africa through the Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the former SSRs of Central Asia right up to the Chinese border as an "arc of instability." That arc coincided with the energy heartlands of the planet and what was needed to "stabilize" it, to keep those energy supplies flowing freely (and in the right directions), was clear enough to them. The "last superpower," the greatest military force in history, would simply have to put its foot down and so bring to heel the "rogue" powers of the region. The geopolitical nerve would have to be mustered to stamp a massive "footprint" -- to use a Pentagon term of the time -- in the middle of that vast, valuable region. (Such a print was to be measured by military bases established.) Also needed was the nerve not just to lob a few cruise missiles in the direction of Baghdad, but to offer such an imposing demonstration of American shock-and-awe power that those "rogues" -- Iraq, Syria, Iran (Hezbollah, Hamas) -- would be cowed into submission, along with uppity U.S. allies like oil-rich Saudi Arabia..."


Environnement, Climat - New Report Shows Increased Flood Risk from Global Warming Despite Billions Spent on Flood-Control Projects
Environmental Defense 04/12/2007

"As Congress considers a massive new water projects bill, a new report released today shows how flood risk is increasing because of poorly designed and managed federal flood-control projects, damage to coastal wetlands and global warming. The report by leading national environmental organizations Environmental Defense and National Wildlife Federation touches on several issues currently under debate in Congress as it considers passage of a $15 billion water projects bill, the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA). The full House and Senate will likely vote on the bill soon after Congress returns from its April recess..."


Bio-terrorisme - Europe's bio-threat readiness questioned
By Brooks Tigner in Brussels for ISN Security Watch (11/04/07)

"Europe discusses how to prepare itself in the face of bio-terrorism threats and "perversions" of science, not to mention naturally occurring bio-threats to human health..."


Bio-terrorisme - Biodefense Research Supporting the DoD: A New Strategic Vision
Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College 10/04/07

"The author examines the productivity of the Department of Defense’s biodefense research program over the course of more than 35 years, coupled with changes in the global research environment since the events of September 11, 2001. Where the deployment of a biologic agent of mass destruction is largely an unpredictable risk, the outcome certainly could be catastrophic for an unprotected population. An urgent moral imperative is cast upon the federal government, then, to objectively assess the application and management of its biodefense research resources..."


Développement - FY 2007-2012 Department of State and USAID Strategic Plan
U.S. Department of State April 9, 2007

"The Department of State and Agency for International Development (USAID) Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2007 to 2012 sets forth the Secretary of State’s direction and priorities for both organizations in the coming years. The Strategic Plan supports the policy positions set forth by President Bush in the 2006 National Security Strategy and presents how the Department and USAID will implement U.S. foreign policy and development assistance..."


Chine - China’s Economic Prospects: 2006-2020
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 04/07

"China’s economic growth during the past twenty-five years has been remarkable, averaging more than 9 percent a year. While there have been earlier episodes of comparable growth rates in countries such as Japan and South Korea, there is no precedent for such rapid growth in a country the size of China, whose population of 1.3 billion is thirteen times that of Japan when that nation began its rapid growth. The impact on the rest of the world of economic dynamism on this scale is already being felt. If China continues its rapid growth in the coming decades, it will take the global economy into uncharted terrain..."


Immigration - The Economic Logic of Illegal Immigration
Council on Foreign Relations April 2007

"In this Council Special Report, Professor Gordon H. Hanson of the University of California, San Diego approaches immigration through the lens of economics. The results are surprising. By focusing on the economic costs and benefits of legal and illegal immigration, Professor Hanson concludes that stemming illegal immigration would likely lead to a net drain on the U.S. economy—a finding that calls into question many of the proposals to increase funding for border protection. Moreover, Hanson argues that guest worker programs now being considered by Congress fail to account for the economic incentives that drive illegal immigration, which benefits both the undocumented workers who desire to work and live in the United States and employers who want flexible, low-cost labor. Hanson makes the case that unless policymakers design a system of legal immigration that reflects the economic advantages of illegal labor, such programs will not significantly reduce illegal immigration. He concludes with guidelines crucial to any such redesign of U.S. laws and policy. In short, Professor Hanson has written a report that will challenge much of the wisdom (conventional and otherwise) on the economics behind a critical and controversial issue..."


Risque, Energie - A New Energy Paradigm: Ensuring Nuclear Fuel Supply and Nonproliferation through International Collaboration with Insurance and Financial Markets
Risk Management and Decision Processes Center, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania 03/07

"Increases in world population and per capita energy demand in the next few decades are expected to cause a substantial rise in world energy use. In addition, growing concern over carbon-based energy’s effect on global warming has revived interest in non-carbon-based energy sources such as nuclear power. Seeking ways to dissuade more states from contemplating launching their own uranium enrichment programs (which could produce not only material for nuclear fuel but also for nuclear weapons), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is considering different mechanisms to assure these states that they can obtain fuel supplies from the market without political interference..."


Brunei, Energie - Country Analysis Brief: Brunei
US Energy Information Administration

"Brunei’s small, wealthy economy is based heavily upon proceeds from exports of crude oil and natural gas. Revenues from the hydrocarbons sector account for nearly half of gross domestic product (GDP), around 90 percent of merchandise exports, and 80 percent of government revenues. Brunei consumes little energy domestically, and is a sizeable net exporter of oil and natural gas. However, the country’s hydrocarbon reserves have declined over the last several decades..."


Canada, Energie - Country Analysis Brief: Canada
US Energy Information Administration

"Canada is a net exporter of oil, natural gas, coal, and electricity. It is one of the most important sources for U.S. energy imports..."