International Transgressions Magnify Gray Zone Challenges

March 2017 No Comments

Violating normal: How international norms transgressions magnify gray zone challenges. Author | Editor: Stevenson, J., Bragg, B., & Polansky (Pagano), S. (NSI, Inc). The current international system presents multiple potential challenges to US interests. In recent years, state actors, especially but not limited to Russia and China, have taken actions that disrupt regional stability and […]

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Specifying and Systematizing the Gray Zone

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Specifying and systematizing how we think about the Gray Zone. Author | Editor: Bragg, B., Polansky (Pagano), S., & Stevenson, J. (NSI, Inc). In their continued work on the changing nature of the threat environment General Votel et al (2016) forecast that the majority of threats to US security interests in coming years will be […]

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SMA Reachback Feedback | SMA Publication Statistics

March 2017 No Comments

SMA CENTCOM Reach Back Cell Feedback and SMA Publication Website Statistics. Author | Editor: SMA Program Office. Feedback from CENTCOM CENTCOM after receiving the Reach Back Cell Reports distributes them to the staff for their review and the reports ultimately are disseminated throughout the Command and placed on the “Strategic Studies” portal on the CENTCOM […]

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Part 10 Supplemental Transcripts From NPS Event

February 2017 No Comments

SMA CENTCOM Reach-back Reports – Part 10: Supplemental Transcripts. Author | Editor: SMA Program Office. The enclosed reports discuss wide-ranging issues related to the defeat if ISIL and stabilization of Syria and Iraq supplementary to the 9-part series of SMA Reach back responses to questions posed by USCENTCOM grouped by theme. Series reports may be […]

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Strategic Multi-layer Assessment Report Card

February 2017 No Comments

Strategic Multi-layer Assessment (SMA) Report Card. Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc). Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) provides planning support to Commands. SMA projects focus on complex operational imperatives requiring multi-agency, multi- disciplinary solutions that are NOT within core Service/Agency competency. SMA solutions and participants are sought across USG and beyond. SMA is accepted and […]

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Part 9 Coalition Views of SMA Reachback Responses

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SMA CENTCOM Reach-back Reports – Part 9: Coalition Views. Author | Editor: SMA Program Office. This is Part 9 of a 9 part series of SMA Reach back responses to questions posed by USCENTCOM. Each report contains responses to multiple questions grouped by theme. At the request of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), the Joint […]

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Turkish Interests in Syria and Iraq

February 2017 No Comments

Question (R2 QL6): What are near and long term Turkish interests and intentions in Syria and Iraq? What are Turkish interests and intentions with respect to al-Bab? Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc). Despite policy shifts Turkey’s key interests remain the same The SME contributors to this SMA Reach-back write-up argue that the recent […]

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Part 4 Actor Interests and Motivations

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SMA CENTCOM Reach-back Reports – Part 4: Regional Actor Interests and Motivations. Author | Editor: SMA Program Office. This is Part 4 of a 9 part series of SMA Reach back responses to questions posed by USCENTCOM. Each report contains responses to multiple questions grouped by theme. At the request of United States Central Command […]

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Views of Sunni and Shia Extremism

February 2017 No Comments

Question (R2 QL8): How does the U.S./Coalition view Shia extremism? Different from Sunni extremism? How do Sunni communities, Shia communities, MENA countries, and media perceive the U.S./Coalition position on combatting extremists? Author | Editor: Canna, S. (NSI, Inc). How does the U.S./Coalition view Shia extremism? How does the U.S./Coalition view Sunni extremism? Experts who volunteered […]

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SMA Reachback: Part 8 Post ISIL Governance

February 2017 No Comments

SMA CENTCOM Reach-back Reports – Part 8: Post ISIL Governance. Author | Editor: SMA Program Office. This is Part 8 of a 9 part series of SMA Reach back responses to questions posed by USCENTCOM. Each report contains responses to multiple questions grouped by theme. At the request of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), the […]

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