On Point
What the 9/11 Commission missed
One of the main conclusions of the 9/11 Commission is that in order for the U.S. to prevail in
the war on terror it must develop a multidisciplinary, comprehensive, and balanced strategy, which
integrates diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law-enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, homeland defense, and military strength.
IAGS' Gal Luft argues that a key component is missing.
The increasing dependence on
foreign oil coming from the very same countries that export terror and proliferate a radical
ideology on which terror flourishes undermines America’s national security.
If the same type of leadership required to overhaul America's defense and intelligence bodies
were to be applied to the sphere of energy policy the U.S. would finally be able to break the
yoke of its energy dependence and hence stop fueling the terror machine.
Under the Radar
The Connection: Water and Energy Security
The energy security of the United States is closely linked to the state of its water resources. No longer can water resources be taken for granted if the U.S. is to achieve energy security in the years and decades ahead. At the same time, U.S. water security cannot be guaranteed without careful attention to related energy issues.
Allan Hoffman, former associate and acting deputy assistant secretary for Utility Technologies in the Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the DOE and IAGS Advisor, explains why the two
issues are inextricably linked.
Watch
Saudi Arabia in Crisis
IAGS' Anne Korin presented a strategy for reducing U.S. dependence on Saudi oil as part of
a conference hosted by the Hudson Institute on July 9, 2004. Watch the event (Anne's presentation
starts at 02:38:35.)
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Spotlight
Energy Security in East Asia
A convergence of new factors, ranging from the threats posed by Al Qaeda to the sweeping engagement of the U.S. military throughout the region, has endowed the Asia Pacific
region with a significantly enhanced strategic importance.
The outlook for energy security in the Asia-Pacific looks particularly troubling, with rising levels of oil consumption and an even stronger rise in demand.
IAGS Research Associate Richard Giragosian analyzes the energy security risks faced by the region
and the agreements and strategies adopted by Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines in response.
On the technology front
Major improvement in fuel economy and range of Honda's fuel cell vehicles
The 2005 model Honda fuel cell vehicle achieves a nearly 20 percent improvement in its EPA fuel
economy rating and a 33 percent gain in peak power (107 hp vs. 80 hp) compared to the 2004
model, and feature a number of important technological achievements on the road to commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.
Biodiesel fueled ships to cruise in Canada
A Canadian project will test the use of pure biodiesel (B100) as a fuel supply on a fleet of 12 boats of various types and sizes,
11 boats on pure biodiesel (B100) and one on a 5-percent blend (B5).
Out of the Box
How utilities can save America from its oil addiction
As the global oil market approaches its peak, and at a time when increases in global demand require that an additional Saudi Arabia worth of oil be brought into the market every five years, utility companies which have traditionally viewed themselves as providers of "power" for lighting homes or powering computers, can now break the dominance of Big Oil in the transportation energy sector and introduce much needed competition in the
transportation fuel market. Gal Luft explains how.
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Energy Security
Prepared by the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security