Brookings: Experts - Daniel L. Byman

Which Path to Persia? : Options for a New American Strategy toward Iran

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Which Path to Persia? objectively presents the most important policy options available to the United States in crafting a new strategy toward Iran.

Counterterrorism: Kill or Be Killed?

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the post-9/11 era, the United States is grappling with many ethical, operational and political questions regarding the targeted killings of terrorists. Dan Byman argues that such strikes are a painful necessity in a time when U.S. foes cannot be found or fought onconventional battlefields.

Do Targeted Killings Work?

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

CIA Director Leon Panetta has cancelled a secret CIA plan to train anti-terrorist assassins, but Daniel Byman notes that strikes by U.S. military drones have had mixed success as a tactic for combating al Qaeda in Pakistan. Given the humanitarian and political risks, each strike needs to be carefully weighed. But equally important is the risk of not striking—and inadvertently allowing al Qaeda leaders free reign to plot terrorist mayhem.

Options for a New American Strategy Toward Iran

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a new Saban Analysis Paper, six Brookings experts analyze the main policy approaches toward Iran. In examining the benefits and drawbacks of the nine options—including engagement, persuasion, airstrikes, and containment—the authors refrain from recommending one policy over the other. Rather, they present the details of the policies in a manner that allows readers to understand the complexity of the challenge that is Iran and decide for themselves which group of policies is best.

Is Iran Ripe for Revolution?

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman explores the massive demonstrations that have swept parts of Iran since the election on June 12 and what they might mean for the clerical regime. He argues that while there is reason to believe there is growing interest in reform in the country, this period of unrest is fairly unlikely to bring it.

A Guide to Talking with Insurgents

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman writes that talking with insurgents is often a necessary first step toward defeating them or reaching an acceptable compromise. Pointing to successes in Iraq and elsewhere, Byman addresses the costs and advantages of talking with insurgents to draw conclusions about how lessons learned may be applied to Afghanistan.

The Surprising Absence of an October Surprise

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Terrorism analysts repeatedly warned that al-Qaeda might strike in the days leading up to the election, but November 4th came and went without incident. Daniel Byman explains why the U.S. did not witness any acts of terrorism in the run-up to this years election.

An Autopsy of the Iraq Debacle: Policy Failure or Bridge Too Far?

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman examines whether the outbreak of an insurgency after the U.S. invasion of Iraq was an avoidable policy failure or whether the structural conditions surrounding the occupation made such an outbreak inevitable.

Terrorism: Rogue Operators

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Think that state sponsors of terror are pulling all the strings? Think again. Daniel Byman details how countries like Iran and Syria may play a big role in the terrorism underworld, but they’re quickly losing control over rogues that bite the hands that once fed them.

Al-Qaida at 20: Is the Movement Destined To Fail?

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman notes that while al-Qaeda remains powerful, "it faces challenges on almost every front." From being denounced by once-friendly preachers to the serious setbacks for al-Qaeda in Iraq, the terror organization finds itself struggling to reach the goals it once believed were close at hand.

Al-Qaida at 20: From Obscurity to Infamy

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman assesses the "bloody successes" of al-Qaeda, from their inception through the present day. Byman argues that much of the credit should go to Osama Bin Laden for his leaderhip skills and also to the group's ability to transform itself to fit changing political and security environments.

Iraq's Long-Term Impact on Jihadist Terrorism

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman and Kenneth Pollack argue that the problems facing Iraq could have tremendous consequences for the broader "war on terror," particularly if problems return to or exceed levels seen at the height of violence in 2006. Byman and Pollack write that Salafi militants may use the country as a base for operations or attacks elsewhere in the region and that refugees from Iraq might spread terrorism, radicalize neighboring populations, and contribute to instability throughout the region.

Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman submitted recommendations to the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism for improving the United States government’s ability to conceptualize, organize for, and counter the threat of terrorists acquiring and using WMD.

The Changing Nature of State Sponsorship of Terrorism

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The current United States approach to state sponsorship of terrorism is flawed, writes Daniel Byman. He suggests that instead of simply managing a list of state sponsors, Washington needs to recognize the complexity of sponsorship, monitor states using a broad definition of what constitutes state sponsorship, and use diplomatic pressure as well as political and economic penalties when needed.

Listing our Terror Problems

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman believes the U.S. Department of State’s list of state sponsors of terrorism needs to be overhauled and updated. He notes that many of the most threatening states are those that are passive or nonaggressive, and that the costs of inaction often harm the sponsor as well as other states.

Counterterrorism Trip Report: Israel and Jordan

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman traveled to Israel and Jordan in March—a time of crisis in the Middle East. During Byman’s trip, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets against the Israeli cities of Sderot and Ashkelon, an attack occurred in the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Israel took retaliatory measures in the Gaza Strip. In both Israel and Jordan, Byman found that the predominant mood was one of frustration and gloom. Israelis felt trapped between their sense that inaction would encourage more violence and their recognition that the military and political options looked unpromising. Jordanians fretted that the Israeli reaction to the violence would strengthen the radicals politically.

Iran, Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman assesses Iran’s past and current use of terrorism as well as the threat of proxy groups using weapons of mass destruction at the request of the country's leaders. He concludes by offering recommendations for decreasing Iran’s support of terrorist organizations.

Six Years Later: Innovative Approaches to Defeating Al Qaeda

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Dan Byman states that "to succeed in the long-term, counterterrorism policies must be politically viable for decades." He offers ideas for policy implementations now that can bring consensus and harbor well-informed debate on the issues at hand.

Veterans and Colleges Have a Lot to Offer Each Other

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Dan Byman asserts that current and past U.S. military soldiers deserve more educational support and funding from our government than they currently receive. Byman also discusses the enormous benefits educational funding would have for not only soldiers, but also civilians, adminstrators, and society as a whole.

The Next Phase of the Iraq War

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman argues that preventing the Iraqi refugee crisis from further destabilizing the region is the right thing for Iraq and in the best interest of the U.S. He writes "the United States should accept tens of thousands of refugees and must encourage other major powers to do the same."

Renditions and the Rule of Law

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman discusses the U.S.'s rendition process. Byman asserts that renditions are an effective means of fighting terrorism and possibly in obtaining terrorist information, but that the policy must be modified to ensure fair treatment of apprehended individuals and due process of law.

What is Syrian President Bashar Assad up to?

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel L. Byman states that “unlike his father and predecessor, Hafez, Bashar is a gambler. And he is rolling the dice in Iraq, in Lebanon, with Israel, and most dangerously at home in Syria.”

Studying the Society and Politics of Repressive Regimes

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel L. Byman argues that “Tehran's abuse of Esfandiari and other scholars casts a pall on many people's plans to travel to Iran for research.”

Homeland Insecurities: Six Years after 9/11 We're Still Not Thinking Strategically

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel L. Byman argues that a GAO report and other critiques of the Department of Homeland Security miss the broader problem: The U.S. government has not taken a strategic approach toward homeland security.

Extraordinary Rendition, Extraterritorial Detention, and Treatment of Detainees: Restoring Our Moral Credibility and Strengthening Our Diplomatic Standing

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Daniel L. Byman before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (7/26/07)

A Third Way: Alternatives for Iraq's Future

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Daniel L. Byman before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Armed Services Committee (7/18/07)

Iraq and the Global War on Terrorism

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"Iraq and the Global War on Terrorism," by Daniel Byman discusses current and future U.S. strategies for both the Iraqi War and the War on Terrorism.

Things Fall Apart : Containing the Spillover from an Iraqi Civil War

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Preventing spillover of the Iraqi conflict into neighboring states must be a top priority. In explaining how that can be accomplished, Daniel Byman and Kenneth Pollack draw on their own considerable expertise as well as relevant precedents.

The Rise of Low-Tech Terrorism

Sun, 06 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, The Washington Post (5/6/07)

Keeping the Lid On Iraq's Civil War

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel Byman and Kenneth Pollack, The National Interest (May-June 2007)

Confession as Propaganda: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Displays his Public Relations Skills

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Slate (3/15/07)

The Iranian Nuclear Crisis: Latest Developments and Next Steps

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Daniel L. Byman House Committee on Foreign Affairs | Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade & Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia (3/15/07)

Who Wins in Iraq? Al Qaeda

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Foreign Policy (March-April 2007)

Iran's Iraq Strategy: What Tehran is Really Up To

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, The Washington Post (2/19/07)

Saudi Arabia's Own Iraq Nightmare

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel L. Byman, Salon (2/8/07)

Things Fall Apart: Containing the Spillover from an Iraqi Civil War

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Kenneth M. Pollack and Daniel L. Byman propose a set of policy options that the United States could employ to try to contain the "spill over" effects of a full-scale Iraqi civil war.

Even the Wise Men Can't Save Us in Iraq

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, The Washington Post (12/3/06)

Iraqi Refugees: Carriers of Conflict

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman and Kenneth M. Pollack, The Atlantic Monthly (November 2006)

Remaking Alliances for the War on Terrorism

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, The Journal of Strategic Studies (October 2006)

Bridging the Transatlantic Counterterrorism Gap

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Jeremy Shapiro and Daniel L. Byman, The Washington Quarterly (Autumn 2006)

Explosive Affinities: Cross-Border Consequences of Civil Strife in Iraq

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Kenneth M. Pollack and Daniel L. Byman, Berlin Journal (Fall 2006)

Friends Like These: Counterinsurgency and the War on Terrorism

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, International Security (Fall 2006)

Civil War in Iraq?

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Internet Chat with Daniel L. Byman, Washingtonpost.com (8/21/06)

Iraq Runneth Over: What Next?

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Kenneth M. Pollack and Daniel L. Byman, The Washington Post (8/20/06)

Iraq: The March of Folly

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Book Review by Daniel L. Byman, Washington Post (7/30/06)

Proxy Power: Understanding Iran's Use of Terrorism

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel L. Byman, Slate (7/26/06)

Syria and Iran: What's Behind the Enduring Alliance?

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel L. Byman, Slate (7/19/06)

The Decision to Begin Talks with Terrorists: Lessons for Policymakers

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism (July-August 2006)

What Zarqawi's Death Means for the Insurgency

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel L. Byman, Slate (6/8/06)

Do Targeted Killings Work?

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman; Foreign Affairs (March/April 2006)

Israel's Lessons for Fighting Terrorists and Their Implications for the United States

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the United States began its war against terrorism. Suddenly, U.S. policymakers had to confront a daunting and often controversial array of counterterrorism issues. These ranged from the types of defense needed to protect the U.S. homeland from terrorist attacks to the use and scope of targeted killings of terrorist leaders abroad. Many aspects of U.S. counterterrorism policy have attracted strong criticism. Some have challenged the effectiveness of U.S. policy. Other critics have blasted the Bush Administration for failing to protect civil liberties.

Targeted killing, American-style

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel L. Byman, Los Angeles Times (1/20/06)

Going to War with the Allies you have: Allies, Counterinsurgency, and the War on Terrorism

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Daniel L. Byman, Strategic Studies Institute (November 2005)

Confronting Syrian-Backed Terrorism

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel Byman, The Washington Quarterly (Summer 2005)

Understanding Iran's Nuclear Agenda

Fri, 20 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, The Chronicle of Higher Education (5/20/05)

Rendition: Reject the Abuses, Retain the Tactic

Sun, 17 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel Byman, The Washington Post (4/17/05)

Five Bad Options for Iraq

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Survival (Spring 2005)

How To Fight Terrorism

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Book Review by Daniel Byman, The National Interest (3/17/05)

Lebanon's Hidden Dangers

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel Byman, foreignpolicy.com (3/1/05)

Confronting Passive Sponsors of Terrorism

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Analysis by Daniel L. Byman (2/1/05)

Passive Sponsors of Terrorism

Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Survival (Winter 2005/2006)

Homeland Security: We're Safer Than You Think

Mon, 02 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Slate (8/2/04)

Insecuring Iraq

Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, The National Interest (Summer 2004)

Should Hezbollah Be Next?

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs (November/December 2003)

Building the New Iraq: The Role of Intervening Forces

Sun, 01 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman, Survival (Summer 2003)

The War on Terror Requires Subtler Weapons

Tue, 27 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel Byman, The Financial Times (5/27/03)

Are We Winning the War on Terrorism?

Fri, 23 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Daniel Byman, Middle East Memo (5/23/03)

After the Fall of Baghdad

Thu, 10 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinon by Daniel Byman in the San Diego Union-Tribune (April 10, 2003)

Meeting the Threat of Terrorism after September 11

Mon, 31 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Daniel Byman to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (3/31/03)

Terrorism and the War with Iraq

Mon, 03 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Iraq Memo #12 by Daniel Byman (March 3, 2003)