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The shift in Iran's public stance on working within a framework to manage differences with the United Nations and the West seems like a step in the right direction, but caution is warranted based on the history of Iran's inconsistent words and actions, according to Amb. David Smith, Senior Fellow at Potomac Institute and its Cyber Center Director.
Smith co-wrote the opinion piece with Bijan R. Kian, former member of the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a former member of the White House Business Council and a former senior fellow for Global Public Policy at the United States Naval Postgraduate School. Woolsey is a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and chairs the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
The authors point toward a history of tough sanctions that may have resulted in short term reasonable behavior from Iran's past presidents but in reality continued down the path of their stated goal of a nuclear weapons program.
Listing example after example of historical examples of lack of good faith and continuing to walk away from necessary compliance, the authors recommend several steps that Iran must take to show they are serious and will work with the U.N. and others.
No matter what a person -- or a country's leader -- says, the actions will speak louder on intent, as portrayed in a Persian fable the authors use to reinforce their concerns.
Read more: http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/326221-rouhanis-rooster-tail#ixzz2gkfOJs50
Potomac Institute Senior Fellow Amb. David Smith recently co-authored an article titled "Azerbaijan moves toward democracy" with R. James Woolsey, former director of Central Intelligence.
The piece, which ran in August, highlights upcoming elections in Azerbiajan and important steps and ingredients to building a successful, strong democratic society. While recognizing some shortcomings in Azerbaijan, the authors noted important elements there that can help build toward success: "indigenous democratic traditions; a high educational level; devotion to secularism; moderation and mutual respect; remarkable economic development; and a pivotal position in East-West trade."
After providing several examples of continuing investments Azerbaijan has made in the move toward democracy, the authors highlight that country's role as an important security partner and the prominence that area has --the South Caucasus Eas-West Corridor -- in U.S. security interests.
The article can be found on The Hill's website,
Potomac Institute hosted Marine Lt. Gen. William Faulkner to discuss how the Marine Corps is resetting its equipment, as the service faces the challenge of downsizing and becoming a lighter and more agile force.
Afghanistan retrograde moving fast
Marine Corps Times
Speaking at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in April, Lt. Gen. William Faulkner said the reset is a “good news story.” The Corps has reduced the total number of equipment items remaining in Afghanistan by 60 percent in the past 15 months
Potomac Institute's Senior Fellow David Kay featured in AFP story on Syria and chemical weapons:
Securing Syria's chemical arms would carry huge risks
AFP
"It seems obvious but it's not easy," Kay, now a senior fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, told AFP. Syria is believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents such as sarin and VX as well as mustard gas.
Senior Vice President of National Security Policy Jamie Barnett, Jr., RDML USNR (Ret.), is a retired Navy admiral, a cyber security analyst, and a former Chief of the Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. In an interview with Federal News Radio, he offered his observations on the top three challenges facing the Department of Defense in 2013. At the top of the list: critical gaps in oversight of the supply chain for the Pentagon's electronic systems. Click below to listen to the interview. Click here to read more.
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