What’s New
In this edition of The Philadelphia Papers Michael J. Mazarr and the NDU Strategy Study Group offer a provocative strategy for the United States based on the concept of discriminate power. Their study concludes that the current debate over U.S. national security policy suffers from a false dichotomy: that the United States can be “either” strong “or” discriminate and selective. A basic... 
FPRI is proud to announce that General James Mattis, USMC (Ret.) will receive the 9th Annual Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Service at the organization’s 2013 Annual Dinner. General Mattis will also deliver the keynote address at the event, which will be held in Philadelphia – the birthplace of the Marine Corps – on Monday, November 18, 2013. His topic: Reflections of a... Featured Items
Important Change to FPRI Calendar for Tuesday, May 21
Toshi Yoshihara had to postpone his talk on Coping with the Rise of China; in his place, we are delighted to announce that Timothy Hoyt of the Naval War College will speak on Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: What are the Risks? Details here.
FootNotes
· May 2013
It is a pleasure to speak at the conference on “The Great Captains in American History,” and to talk about General Grant. Let me begin, however, by offering a word of caution. War is a terrible thing, and it should not be romanticized. One cannot talk about great military commanders out of context. This is not the Super Bowl, or the World Series, or an NCAA... Read more...
“Let Us Have Peace”: Remembering General Ulysses S. Grant
Jean Edward SmithIt is a pleasure to speak at the conference on “The Great Captains in American History,” and to talk about General Grant. Let me begin, however, by offering a word of caution. War is a terrible thing, and it should not be romanticized. One cannot talk about great military commanders out of context. This is not the Super Bowl, or the World Series, or an NCAA... Read more...
E-Notes
· May 2013
The identification of two young Chechen males as the alleged perpetrators of bombing of the Boston Marathon has caused Americans to ask a great many questions about the alleged perpetrators. Those questions range from the ineffable—what could drive the brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to commit such willful acts of violence?—to the seemingly straightforward—where is Chechnya? For... Read more...
The Northern Caucasus, the Tsarnaevs, and Us
Michael A. ReynoldsThe identification of two young Chechen males as the alleged perpetrators of bombing of the Boston Marathon has caused Americans to ask a great many questions about the alleged perpetrators. Those questions range from the ineffable—what could drive the brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to commit such willful acts of violence?—to the seemingly straightforward—where is Chechnya? For... Read more...
E-Notes
· May 2013
As observers struggle to predict the future of East Asia, they face a familiar choice among three schools of thought -- realist theorists, who foresee the danger of conflict over the balance of power; liberal theorists, who have argued for economic integration resulting in shared values; and constructivist theorists, who focus on national identities and how they shape... Read more...
The Sino-Japanese Clash: What is behind it?
Gilbert RozmanAs observers struggle to predict the future of East Asia, they face a familiar choice among three schools of thought -- realist theorists, who foresee the danger of conflict over the balance of power; liberal theorists, who have argued for economic integration resulting in shared values; and constructivist theorists, who focus on national identities and how they shape... Read more...
Middle East Media Monitor
· May 2013
The prospect of yet another U.S. intervention in the Islamic world spurs a range of views not only in the U.S. but also in the Arab world. When it comes to the Syrian uprising, now clearly a bloodbath, opinions on U.S. involvement reflect a broad spectrum. The long-standing authoritarian regime in Syria, currently led by Bashar Al-Assad, consistently portrays the... Read more...
Syrian Perceptions of U.S. Intervention in Syria
Layla SalehThe prospect of yet another U.S. intervention in the Islamic world spurs a range of views not only in the U.S. but also in the Arab world. When it comes to the Syrian uprising, now clearly a bloodbath, opinions on U.S. involvement reflect a broad spectrum. The long-standing authoritarian regime in Syria, currently led by Bashar Al-Assad, consistently portrays the... Read more...