FYSA: For Your Situational Awareness l Issue 27

January 29, 2016

Why I Stopped Using the “S” Word…and You Should Too by Todd Harrison
It comes in many forms: sequester, sequestration, and (my personal favorite) sequestrable—as in “sequestrable budgetary resources.” Whether used as a noun, verb, or adjective, the “s” word has in many ways become synonymous with its four-letter counterpart, meaning something vulgar, offensive, and detestable.

Nuclear Option Weighed by ROK Lawmakers by Ian Williams
North Korea’s fourth nuclear test has provoked renewed calls among leading South Korean lawmakers for South Korea is obtain its own nuclear deterrent force. Grabbing headlines most recently was the ruling Saenuri Party’s floor leader, Representative Won Yoo-chul, who reportedly said shortly after the nuclear test that “North Korea has been pointing a gun at our head for years.

Landmark UN Security Council Resolution Shines Light on the Youth Factor in Security by Nicole Goldin
The UN Security Council, under a U.S. presidency, unanimously adopted Resolution 2250, on Youth, Peace, and Security on December 9, 2015. Despite the historic nature of the resolution—the first specific to youth and security—it is not necessarily surprising that this first of its kind resolution should come now, as the world is seeing widespread instability, fragility, and violence.

Operation Inherent Resolve Endgame: Fewer Guns, More Butter by Colin McElhinny
Momentum seems to be turning decisively against ISIS, with the U.S.-led coalition racking up a string of notable wins. At least, that’s what some U.S. headlines would lead one to believe.