Promoting greater stability in post-ISIL Iraq, Volume 1

March 2018 No Comments

Promoting greater stability in post-ISIL Iraq, Volume 1: Analysis of the drivers of legitimacy, security, and social accord for key Iraqi stakeholders. Author | Editor: Bragg, B. & Pagano, S. (NSI, Inc). Executive Summary United States Central Command (CENTCOM) posed the following question to the Strategic Multi-layer Assessment (SMA) virtual reach back cell: What opportunities […]

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Promoting Greater Stability in Post-ISIL Iraq, Volume 2

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Promoting greater stability in post-ISIL Iraq, Volume 2: Why do groups form and why does it matter for stability in Iraq? When the social becomes political. Author | Editor: Bragg, B. & Pagano, S. (NSI, Inc). Executive Summary United States Central Command (CENTCOM) posed the following question to the Strategic Multi-layer Assessment (SMA) virtual reach […]

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Population’s Positive View of ISIL

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To what extent do populations maintain positive views of ISIL or ISIL’s ideology, particularly in European, N. African, and Arabian Peninsula countries most associated with foreign fighter flows into Syria and Iraq? What are the general perceptions associated with ISIL endorsed themes, to include: 1) desire for re-establishing the Caliphate; 2) imposition of Shariah law; […]

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How to Position USG Against a Long Term ISIL Threat

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What long-term actions and processes should U.S. government (USG) institutions, the Coalition and the international community examine to position ourselves against a long term ISIL threat? How can the private sector be effectively engaged by government institutions to optimize the effects needed for success? Executive Summary Expert contributors agree that terrorism will remain a long-standing […]

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Russian Interests in Syria

December 2016 No Comments

Question (R2 Special): What are indicators of change in Russian strategic interests in Syria? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). This paper found that Russia¹s strategic interests in the Middle East are fairly stable. What could change is how Russia prioritizes its interests in the wake of the US election and change in administration. […]

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Discussion with NPS Experts – Dec 2016

December 2016 No Comments

SMA Reachback Panel Discussion with Experts from Naval Postgraduate School. Author | Editor: Robinson, G. (Naval Postgraduate School) & Canna, S. (NSI, Inc). On 1 November 2016, a team of experts from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) prepared a two-hour panel discussion based loosely on the first round of CENTCOM¹s reach back questions. The team […]

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Reduce Recruiting of ISIL Fighters

December 2016 No Comments

Question (LR3): What actions and polices can regional and coalition nations employ to reduce recruitment of ISIL inspired fighters? Author | Editor: Cragin, K. (National Defense University). This paper addresses the issue of ISIL recruitment from Literature Review Question #3. To do this, it utilizes a quick look format and focuses on two non-standard ideas […]

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Shaping Post-ISIL Iraq and Region

December 2016 No Comments

Question (LR1): What opportunities are there for USCENTCOM to shape a post-ISIL Iraq and regional security environment promoting greater stability? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). The expert contributors to this paper agree on the relationship between regional security and stability in Iraq: A strong and stable Iraqi government is a fundamental component of […]

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ISIL Propaganda Effects

December 2016 No Comments

Question (QL5): What are the predominant and secondary means by which both large (macro-globally outside the CJOA, such as European, North African and Arabian Peninsula) and more targeted (micro- such as ISIL-held Iraq) audiences receive ISIL propaganda? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). The contributors to this Quick Look demonstrate clearly the breadth and […]

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Benefits of Coalition Presence in Iran

December 2016 No Comments

Question (R3 QL4): What are the critical elements of a continued Coalition presence, following the effective military defeat of Da’esh [in Iraq] that Iran may view as beneficial? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). Dr. Omar Al-Shahery of Carnegie Mellon University offers a critical caveat in considering the question posed for this Quick Look. […]

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