Climate Change

Norma Rodriguez, mother of Keyla Martinez, a nursing student who died in police custody early on February 7, cries during a press conference at the headquarters of the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH), in Tegucigalpa, on March 4, 2021. She wears a facemask with her daughter’s face and is comforted by two people wearing identical shirts and the same face masks of her daughter.

Taking Gender Into Account to Better Confront New Security Threats

The US needs to move to the next stage in the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and rethink security policy to be more inclusive and equitable.

Mar. 8, 2021 Anca Agachi and Priya Swyden

People walk down a flooded street as they evacuate their homes after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. A number of people use rowboats and small motorized boats as well. The flooding appears to be up to people’s waists in some areas of the street and to their knees in the more shallow areas.

Is Climate Change a National Emergency?

Declaring a national climate emergency would convey a powerful signal from the White House about the urgency of the climate crisis —while also activating several legal authorities…

Feb. 25, 2021 Mark Nevitt

Demonstrators from several environmental groups including Extinction Rebellion and Sunrise Movement demand broad action at a youth-led climate strike near City Hall on December 6, 2019 in New York City. A large banner reads, “Climate Change” but “Climate” is crossed-out and “System” is written in its place to read “System Change.” Youth carry additional signs reading, “Respect your mama” with an Earth symbol; “We cannot say we did not know;” “Hey Exxon, stop burning my future;” “No more excuses;” and more.

How Domestic Civic Movements Could Reshape US Foreign Policy

Nonviolent and inclusive, they can provide the energy, dynamism, and power-shifting ability needed to address the world’s interconnected crises.

Feb. 25, 2021 Maria J. Stephan

People walk along the streets near the remains of burned homes after Hurricane Sandy on October 31, 2012 in the Breezy Point neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Nearly all the homes in the photo covering three of four blocks have been destroyed, and all that can been seen is the building foundations and debris.

As Biden Seeks Answers on Climate’s Impact on Migration, Sydney Declaration Provides Legal Ground Rules for Action

As the United States embarks on its own analysis of displacement and migration in the context of climate change, the Sydney Declaration provides the legal ground rules for action.

Feb. 19, 2021 Jane McAdam

Tents line up the semi-arid plains outside the official boundaries of Dadaab, which is considered to be the worlds biggest refugee camp in the world, on July 4, 2011.

Climate Change is a Threat the Next Generation Cannot Face Alone

It is hard to be optimistic about the future of security with the crises pummeling the world today. As members of the rising generation in national security policy, we recognize…

Feb. 17, 2021 Kate Guy and Annalise Blum

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks at a youth-led climate strike organized by environmental groups including Extinction Rebellion and Sunrise Movement near City Hall on December 6, 2019 in New York City.

Why President Biden Should Not Declare a Climate Emergency

A national emergency is not an effective way to address the real threats posed by climate change - and it would damage our democracy.

Feb. 10, 2021 Soren Dayton and Kristy Parker

Russian nuclear missile rolls along Red Square during the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat, on June 24, 2020 in Moscow, Russia. The requirement to wear masks and gloves to combat a spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is still in effect in Moscow, but none of the military members lined up wear face masks.

The Demise of Arms Control Extends Far Beyond Nuclear Weapons

Bilateral and multilateral mechanisms are disintegrating amid tech advances, and “grey zones” below military conflict thresholds are ripe for exploitation.

Jan. 22, 2021 Ambassador Thomas Graham Jr. and Elizabeth Turpen

Security Council members hold a videoconference in connection with the Middle East (Syria).

National Security This Week at the United Nations (Dec 11 – Dec 18)

Equitable Distribution of Vaccines an “Acid Test” On Dec. 16, the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Munir Akram said the equitable distribution…

Dec. 18, 2020 Tim Hirschel-Burns and Tess Graham

Ethiopian refugees who fled the Tigray conflict, wait to fill their jerrycans with water at Um Raquba reception camp in Sudan's eastern Gedaref state on December 3, 2020. The jerry cans are lined in an “L” shape and people cluster in groups talking.

National Security Last Week at the United Nations (Dec 4 – Dec 11)

Ethiopia’s Forces Fire On, Detain U.N. Personnel; UNHCR Voices Alarm Ethiopia’s security forces shot at and detained U.N. staffers as they tried to reach part of the embattled…

Dec. 11, 2020 Lyes Jalali and Tess Graham

Secretary-General António Guterres holds a lecture at Columbia University entitled “State of the Planet”. The UN flag is behind him and beside him is a large television screen with the presentation title.

National Security Last Week at the United Nations (Nov 27 – Dec 4)

U.N. Negotiates for Humanitarian Access in Ethiopia Crisis On Dec. 2, United Nations (U.N.) spokesperson Stephane Dujarric announced that the Ethiopian government had agreed to…

Dec. 4, 2020 Tim Hirschel-Burns

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende tour Ny-Alesund Village, the northernmost civilian settlement in the world, before visiting Blomstrand Glacier, on June 16, 2016, in Ny-Alesund, Norway.

Climate Change as a National Security and Foreign Policy Priority: Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Administration

Policy recommendations to enhance the Biden-Harris administration’s ability to play a constructive role in addressing climate change as part of the United States’ defense,…

Dec. 4, 2020 Mayesha Alam

A military police officer walks near a destroyed gate in Tyndall Air Force Base, in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 12, 2018. Rubble from the gate covers the floor. The two guard booths on either side of the former gate appear damaged, but are still standing.

Climate Change, National Security, & the New Commander-in-Chief

What are the president’s authorities as commander-in-chief to “combat” the national security threats posed by the climate crisis?

Dec. 2, 2020 Mark Nevitt