James P. Danly

James P. Danly is the managing director of the Institute for the Study of War, a military policy think tank based in Washington, DC. A former U.S. Army officer, James served two tours in Iraq, during which he received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. During his first tour, serving with an infantry company in the Dora district of Baghdad, he distinguished himself by authoring and executing Operation Close Encounters, a tactical counterinsurgency program widely employed to great effect during the Surge.

In his second tour, he served under General David Petraeus at Multi-National Force—Iraq where he conducted research and undertook projects related to the rule of law. His project, “On Close Encounters: Examining Operational and Tactical Counterinsurgency Doctrine,” explores the fundamentals of counterinsurgency operations in Iraq at the level of battalion and below, and attempts to identify the applicability of that template to other theaters of war. James holds a BA from Yale University where he studied classics and English.

Lebanon

What Is Hezbollah?

Military experience gained from fighting in Syria’s civil war and decades of clashes with Israel have strengthened the Iran-backed group, but politically, its clout among Lebanon’s populace may be waning.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson July 2, 2024

Energy and Environment

Global Energy Tracker

As the effects of climate change mount, high-carbon energy sources continue to provide most of the world’s power. On average, 84 percent of tracker countries’ energy comes from high-carbon sources such as oil, whereas 16 percent comes from solar and other renewables. Low-carbon sources, however, are on the rise, particularly in developed countries.

Tracker by Benn Steil July 1, 2024 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Iran

The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers

Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

Article by CFR.org Editors June 26, 2024

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