Violent Extremism Knowledge Database

Interesting looking new tool.

Crisis State Research Centre

The Crisis State Research Centre at the LSE is funded by the UK Department of International Aid.

Overseas Development Institute

ODI Programmes are responsible for delivering on our mission of "locking together high quality applied research, practical policy advice, and policy-focused dissemination and debate."

Crisis Commons

Interesting-looking bunch: CrisisCommons.

Oceans Beyond Piracy

Oceans Beyond Piracy for info on piracy.

Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence

APCMOE (Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence) is:

a whole-of-government initiative to improve Australia’s effectiveness in civil-military collaboration for conflict and disaster management overseas.

We support best practice approaches to civil-military engagement by those involved in the strategic planning and delivery of conflict and disaster management activities.

We support the development of national civil-military capabilities to prevent, prepare for and respond more effectively to conflicts and disasters overseas.

We develop best practice in civil-military training, education, doctrine, research and implementation.

We support cohesive civil-military effectiveness in disaster and conflict management overseas.

We strengthen national, regional and international engagement in civil-military affairs.

Debate: US Cannot and Will Not Succeed in AfPak

Intelligence Squared debate on AfPak:

To many, this means they are becoming further entrenched in an open-ended quagmire where any military solution will ultimately fail. Others question whether they should care if Afghanistan has a strong central government or a democratic one. While most agree it should not become a terrorist haven, opinions differ on how this should be accomplished: more troops, covert operations, diplomacy?

And what to make of Pakistan? The US cannot allow its nuclear arsenal to fall into the hands of radicals, but President Obama has ruled out putting troops on the ground. The task of rooting out al Qaeda and Taliban militants falls to Pakistan’s army, which has, until recently, supported these groups as a hedge against future conflict with India. How much tolerance does America have for the long road ahead with AfPak? Can they ever “win,” and how would they even define a win in this region?

Latest From Special Warfare

The Small Wars Journal notes the latest edition of Special Warfare has a special on village security (VSO).

H/t: Small Wars Journal

The Wrong War by Bing West

Bing West basically says:

It is best to be both feared and loved. If you must choose however, it is better to be feared, as long as you are not hated.

Afghan Analyst's Bibliography

Here is Ghosts of Alexander's bibliography, including:

4. State-Building: The International Community, Reconstruction, Security,
Economy, Government and Development

...

10. Military: Operations, Civil-Military Relations, PRTs and COIN

11. Security Sector: DDR, Militias, Afghan National Army and Police,
PMCs and Security Contractors

INSS: Institute for National Security Studies

INSS is an Israeli think tank.