CSIS Bookstore

U.S.-UK Nuclear Cooperation After 50 Years

Jenifer Mackby and Paul Cornish (eds.) — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 11:43:07 -0400

As Britain and the United States commemorate five decades of the special nuclear relationship embodied in the 1958 Mutual Defense Agreement (MDA), two leading research institutes—one on either side of the Atlantic—have collaborated to examine that history. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington, D.C., and the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London, enlisted senior officials, scientists, academics, and members of industry who have been involved in the implementation of the MDA over the years. The contributors were asked to recount how the U.S.-UK nuclear relationship flourished despite such obstacles as the halt in the scientific cooperation that had spurred the Manhattan Project; the Suez crisis; and sharp disagreements over scientific, political, and technical issues. They were also asked to look to the future of this unparalleled transatlantic relationship. Abstracts from 36 oral histories (taken with, among others, Des Browne, UK secretary of state for defence; James Schlesinger, former U.S. secretary of energy; and Harold Brown, former U.S. secretary of defense) add to the historical dimension of this work. The resulting collection of histories, analyses, and anecdotes provides valuable reading for an understanding of how the two nations were drawn together by a common threat during a turbulent era, as well as how they will face future challenges in a radically changed security environment.

The Vital Triangle: China, the United States, and the Middle East

Jon B. Alterman and John W. Garver — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:41:23 -0400

This volume explores the complex interrelationships among China, the United States, and the Middle East—what the authors call the "vital triangle." There is surely much to be gained from continuing the conventional two-dimensional analysis—China and the United States, the United States and the Middle East, and China and the Middle East. Such scholarship has a long history and no doubt a long future. But it is the three-dimensional equation—which seeks to understand the effects of the China–Middle East relationship on the United States, the U.S.–Middle East relationship on China, and the Sino-American relationship on the Middle East—that draws the authors' attention. This approach captures the true dynamics of change in world affairs and the spiraling up and down of national interests. Central to this analysis is a belief that if any one of the three sides of this triangular relationship is unhappy, it has the power to make the other two unhappy as well. The stakes and the intimacy of the interrelationship highlight not only the importance of reaching accommodation, but also the potential payoff of agreement on common purpose.

India and China: An Advanced Technology Race and How the United States Should Respond

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:39:32 -0400

This book analyzes the rapid development of export-oriented advanced technology industry in India and China and projects the course ahead. Specific issues examined include education, research and development (R&D), foreign direct investment, trade, and technological innovation. Over the coming two to five years, the author's net assessment is that India is likely to continue its 8 to 10 percent annual growth, while China is likely to experience a structural shift from export-led to domestically oriented growth, including lower growth of perhaps 5 to 7 percent per year.

A Recast Partnership?: Institutional Dimensions of Transatlantic Relations

Simon Serfaty (ed.) — Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:36:19 -0400

Forty years ago, at the peak of the Cold War, Henry Kissinger noted the “troubled” state of the transatlantic partnership, which he called “the most constructive American foreign policy since the end of World War II.” A few years later, Kissinger called for new initiatives—“a fresh act of creation”—that would respond to “new problems and new opportunities” in ways equal to those undertaken by the postwar generation of leaders of Europe and America after 1945. The essays in this new CSIS volume do just that. Each of the authors—leading authorities on the Euro-Atlantic community—assesses the current state of transatlantic relations, questions where we are heading, and reflects on how best to proceed.

An East Asian Community and the United States

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:35:39 -0400

Seven prominent scholars clarify the roots, background, and theoretical framework of the emerging East Asian community and provide a policy perspective on how the United States should participate in that framework—taking the intents and strategies of Asian countries into particular consideration. The complex issues involved include balancing national interests with global concerns, problems of political reconciliation, and relationships with the region's other multilateral organizations and initiatives.

Iraq's Insurgency and the Road to Civil Conflict (2 vols)

Anthony H. Cordesman — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:34:51 -0400

The war in Iraq has expanded from a struggle between Coalition forces and the remnants of former regime loyalists to a multifaceted conflict involving numerous Sunni groups, Shi'ite militias, Kurdish nationals, and foreign jihadists. Iraq's Insurgency and the Road to Civil Conflict is Anthony Cordesman's latest assessment of the Iraqi conflict and documents its entire evolution, from the history of ethnic tensions through the U.S. "surge." He identifies each actor in the arena, analyzes their motivations, and presents a detailed record of their actions, tactics, and capabilities. Cordesman's exhaustive study, based on meticulous research, is the most thorough account of the war to date.

Understanding Islamic Charities

Karin von Hippel — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:26:46 -0400

Since 9/11, intelligence agencies, independent commissions, and private-sector analyses have repeatedly asserted that terrorist organizations rely heavily on funding from Islamic charities. This alleged support for acts of violence and terrorism in the Islamic charitable sector—and a seeming toleration of such activities—raises serious questions. Is a significant portion of this charitable sector a front for terrorist activities? Or is a small minority tainting the good deeds of the majority? How do legitimate charities relate to their illegitimate peers, if at all, and how can one distinguish between the two? How do organizations that have both bona fide charitable operations and armed wings blend their charity with acts of violence? How much are the charitable and social service arms of such blended organizations intended as recruitment mechanisms for a fundamentally violent set of goals?

Lessons of the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War

Anthony H. Cordesman — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:12:21 -0500

The 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War marked the third time in less than a quarter century that Israel conducted major military actions in Lebanon. As this study points out, however, it also marked the third time that Israel miscalculated the strategic consequences of intervention in Lebanon. This book assesses all aspects of Israel's goals in the war, from crippling the Iranian influence in Lebanon, to ending Hezbollah's status as a "state within a state," to liberating two captured Israeli soldiers. The tactics used to achieve those goals, explain the authors, did not serve a plausible grand strategy, and the result was to generate forces in the Arab world that would thrust Israel into a broader, four-cornered struggle with radical Arab elements.

Russia Watch

Eugene B. Rumer and Celeste A. Wallander (eds.) — Tue, 6 Nov 2007 09:11:02 -0500

The essays in this volume, which spotlight critical trends in Russian political and economic development, are dedicated to the memory of George Kolt, who for many years served in key U.S. intelligence positions dealing with Europe and the former Soviet Union. As one of the few public faces of the U.S. intelligence community, Kolt linked the policy world of Washington and the academic community in the United States and abroad. As a long-time distinguished senior intelligence official, he left a lasting imprint on the intelligence community as a mentor to numerous younger analysts, many of whom have reached positions of prominence in their service.

Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting Capabilities

Anthony H. Cordesman and Martin Kleiber — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:10:09 -0500

Nations around the world are uncertain and anxious about Iran's intentions in the Middle East and the wider global arena. Its current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has made no secret of his opposition to the West, particularly Israel, and his desire to acquire nuclear weapons. However, as Anthony Cordesman and Martin Kleiber point out, Ahmadinejad does not necessarily speak for the Iranian clerical regime, which operates in a cloud of secrecy and also directly controls Iran's military. Given the ambiguous nature of Iran's global objectives, this new study focuses on the tangible aspects of Iran's military forces and takes an objective look at the threats Iran poses to the region and the world. The authors systematically assess each aspect of Iranian military forces from their conventional armies to their asymmetric threat via proxy wars in the region.

Second Chance

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:31:48 -0500

"Mr. Brzezinski not only assesses the short- and long-term fallout of the Iraq war, but also puts that grim situation in perspective..." — Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

America's most distinguished commentator on foreign policy, CSIS counselor and former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, offers a reasoned but unsparing assessment of the last three presidential administrations' foreign policy. This is a tale of decline: from the competent but conventional thinking of the first Bush administration, to the well-intentioned self-indulgence of the Clinton administration, to the mortgaging of America’s future by the "suicidal statecraft" of the second Bush administration.

Atlantic Bridges (HB)

Janusz Bugajski and Ilona Teleki — Fri, 1 Dec 2006 12:57:14 -0500

In the post-9/11 era of heightened security awareness, conflicting strategies for containing and combating security risks have strained relations between the United States and the European Union despite common goals. These U.S.-EU disagreements do not signal that the alliance should be discarded, as many fundamental U.S. and European interests are reconcilable, and an uncertain and disunited Europe, distracted and alienated by its internal differences, could become even more problematic for Washington. Instead, to maintain dependable partners within the EU, the United States should focus greater attention on its new allies in central and eastern Europe (CEE), who will be a guiding force in the continuing development of U.S.-EU relations and have generally exhibited a more pro-U.S. approach than many of their western European neighbors.

Atlantic Bridges (PB)

Janusz Bugajski and Ilona Teleki — Fri, 1 Dec 2006 12:46:01 -0500

Arab Reform and Foreign Aid: Lessons from Morocco

Haim Malka and Jon B. Alterman — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:30:19 -0500

Haim Malka and Jon B. Alterman

In the years since Mohammed VI ascended the throne, Morocco has taken many steps toward social, economic, and political transformation. A vigorous public debate over concepts such as democracy and power is visible. Citizen participation has increased, and individual and women's rights have expanded. Journalists press the limits of free speech, and a vibrant and growing Islamist political party is challenging the parliament to play a more active role in public policy and governance. Indeed, a broad consensus favoring political reform and social change can be seen across a wide spectrum of Moroccan society. Yet, uncertainty lingers. Morocco faces serious socioeconomic ills and unemployment. The unresolved dispute in the Western Sahara persists, sapping both resources and energy. And the risk of terror after the 2003 Casablanca bombings remains.

$16.95

The Changing Dynamics of Energy in the Middle East (2 vols.)

Anthony H. Cordesman and Khalid R. Al-Rodhan — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:11:43 -0500

Anthony H. Cordesman and Khalid R. Al-Rodhan

The recent rise in global demand for energy and the resulting spike in energy prices have illustrated just how important Middle Eastern energy exports are. This book, the first on the subject since the hike in energy prices impacted the global energy market, outlines current facts that shape the ability of Middle Eastern producers to supply energy exports. It explores the possible future causes of major interruptions in supply and failures to maintain and expand export capacity, and though it does not predict a major energy crisis, it does describe factors that could produce one.

$150.00

Arab-Israeli Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 14:03:56 -0400

Anthony H. Cordesman

The reality of the Arab-Israeli balance now consists of two subordinate balances: Israel versus Syria and Israel versus the Palestinians. This book analyzes these two balances in detail, as well as their impact on defense planning in each country and on the overall strategic risk to the region as a whole.

$89.95

Five Years After 9/11: An Assessment of America's War on Terror

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 14:56:00 -0400

Edited by Julianne Smith and Thomas Sanderson

The short essays in this volume offer evaluations by CSIS scholars of the progress and the setbacks to date in America's war on terror. They aspire to be both timely and balanced. Five years after the attacks, we have a basis for an initial consideration of how the nation has fared with the challenges that were set on that fateful day. It is the authors' hope that the judgments presented here cast a light on this period that is both helpful and fair.

$10.00

Engaging Youth to Build Safer Communities

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 16:23:43 -0400

Engaging Youth to Build Safer Communities

The CSIS Post-Conflict Reconstruction (PCR) Project posits that youth can play a constructive role in building safer communities. From taking part in foot and bicycle patrols, neighborhood watches, and early warning systems to providing crime reduction education, prevention strategies, and escort services, youth have the capacity to contribute to safety and security when official mechanisms are absent, ineffective, or in need of extra support.

In addition to reviewing methodologies and specific programs, the report highlights core principles that have led to long-term success with youth in helping build safer communities.

$16.95

Iran's Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Real and Potential Threat

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 16:28:12 -0400

Iran's Weapons of Mass Destruction

This latest work by Anthony Cordesman and Khalid Al-Rodhan covers all facets of Iran's weapons of mass destruction. The authors analyze Iran's motivation for acquiring WMD capabilities; the history of its WMD program; its chemical, biological, and nuclear capabilities; and its delivery options, including its missile program, air force, and Revolutionary Guards.

Up to date through May 2006, this is the most current and comprehensive reference available on Iran's weapons of mass destruction.

$26.95

China: The Balance Sheet

Mon, 1 May 2006 15:33:56 -0500

China: The Balance Sheet
What the World Needs to Know Now about the Emerging Superpower

China's emergence as a major international power is perhaps the most important development in world affairs of the 21st century. This book provides a comprehensive survey of that country, the world’s largest—a vast land with 1.4 billion people and the world's most dynamic economy.

$25.00