News + Media

précis

November 1, 2014

précis Interview: Frank Gavin, Frank Stanton Chair in nuclear security policy studies and professor of political science at MIT

Frank Gavin, Frank Stanton Chair in Nuclear Security Policy Studies and professor of political science at MIT, discusses his interest in diplomatic history, nuclear studies at MIT, as well as upcoming projects. He also describes goals and challenges of bridging the gap between students of political science and policymakers.

Restraint: A New Foundation for U.S. Grand Strategy

précis

November 1, 2014

A sustained debate

By Barry Posen

Politically, the United States must do less. It must focus on the most important dangers to its security. The greatest danger to U.S. sovereignty is a hegemon on the Eurasian land mass. This danger is low now, but the United States must always be prepared to counter it should it reemerge. If such a challenge does reemerge, however, the United States ought not manage it like it did the Cold War, shouldering the bulk of the burden, because the U.S. relative power position is unlikely to be as favorable. The United States will need real allies, not the security dependencies it has now.

Fiona Cunningham

précis

November 1, 2014

Exploiting US control of the commons in a US–China conflict

By Fiona Stephanie Cunningham

China's investments in military technology designed to keep great power militaries out of its maritime periphery are viewed with increasing concern by the U.S. foreign policy community. How can the United States maintain its freedom of action in the Western Pacific while minimizing the risk of escalation with China?

précis

November 1, 2014

Briefings

The Center hosted a Starr Forum "Whither U.S. Grand Strategy?" on October 9, Jacqueline Hazelton and Barry Posen were among the panelists; Louisa Reynolds, an independent journalist based in Guatemala City, Guatemala, has been selected as the 2014–15 IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow; 3 Questions: Calestous Juma on african development; Joel Brenner, former inspector general and senior counsel at the NSA, has joined CIS as a 2014–2015 Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow; JoAnn Carmin, an associate professor of environmental policy and planning at MIT, died on Tuesday after an extended illness; 3 Questions: Kenneth Oye on the regulation of genetic engineering.

précis

November 1, 2014

Activities

High-ranking African leaders in science, technology and innovation gathered at MIT on September 23 and 24 to explore areas for mutual cooperation; The Center welcomed Mohamed ElBaradei on December 8 for an off-the-record conversation about Egypt and the Middle East; Tom Wolf, an alumnus of the MIT Department of Political Science, has been elected governor of Pennsylvania; Malachy Sumaila shared his experiences with Boko Haram from the perspective of his university, community and family; The Emile Bustani Middle East Seminar hosted two talks; MISTI presents three types of awards to outstanding students who embody the mission and spirit of MISTI.

précis

November 1, 2014

End Notes

End Notes features the professional achievements of our scholars, students, and staff.  This includes recent awards, speaking engagements, and publications.

In the News

October 29, 2014

Put it in writing

Joshua R. Itzkowitz ShifrinsonForeign Affairs

During negotiations over German reunification in 1990, did the United States promise the Soviet Union that NATO would not expand into eastern Europe? The answer remains subject to heated debate. 

Analysis + Opinion

October 24, 2014

Nations everywhere are exploiting the lack of cybersecurity

Joel BrennerWashington Post

US military and security officials can blow things up with a keyboard and a mouse. They’ve done it. Some even say they were behind the Stuxnet cyberattack that destroyed thousands of centrifuges in an Iranian nuclear enrichment facility. 

Analysis + Opinion

October 22, 2014

It will take more than natural resources for Africa to rise

Calestous JumaAl Jazeera

The rise of 3D printing could do for Africa what semiconductors did for Taiwan in the 1960s.

Joel Brenner

News Release

October 21, 2014

Former NSA Inspector General joins CIS

Joel Brenner, former inspector general and senior counsel at the National Security Agency (NSA), has joined the MIT Center for International Studies (CIS) as a 2014–2015 Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow. Brenner specializes in cyber and physical security, data protection and privacy, intelligence law, the administration of classified information and facilities, and the regulation of sensitive cross-border transactions.

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