Al-Qa'ida prefers U.S. to stick around

Fascinating article on al Qaeda's strategy in Afghanistan.

Piracy’s Terrorism Nexus Revealed

It seems that al Shabaab is in cahoots with the Somali pirates.

The 83 Year Old Who Toppled Egypt

Article on Gene Sharp of the Albert Einstein Institute, which includes texts translated into many foreign languages.

The uses of aid

CFR's A Soft Power Bargain.

Measuring aid impact

http://www.3ieimpact.org/

http://blogs.cgdev.org/mca-monitor/2011/02/the-new-usaid-evaluation-policy-is-not-getting-nearly-enough-attention.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+cgdev/mca-monitor+(Rethinking+U.S.+Foreign+Assistance+Blog)

What is foreign aid for?

Strategic investment. Foreign aid helps countries whose interests align with our own increase their capacities. The United States gives money to help select countries -- not the entire world -- improve specific abilities, like their ability to provide public security, defend their borders, or buy and sell goods.

The U.S. is not trying to change people's heart or minds, contrary to the bribery view. It is only trying to change their capacity. Additionally, this view helps the U.S. prioritize which countries should get aid, and what kind, contrary to the charity view.

http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/27/what_is_foreign_aid_for

Efficiency of local militias

...how come no one ever mentioned to me Thomas Thayer's War Without Fronts: The American Experience in Vietnam?

...

In terms of productivity per dollar expended, "the most effective" allied military force was the much maligned militias, the "Regional Forces and Provincial Forces," aka "Ruff Puffs." (P. 165)

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/12/the_vietnam_war_explained_as_never_before_in_hard_numbers_and_good_facts?wpisrc=obinsite