Statelet of Survivors: The Making of a Semi-Autonomous Region in Northeast Syria: US Options in the New Phase of the Syrian Conflict
Speaker: Dr. Amy Austin Holmes (George Washington University) Date: 28 August 2024 Speaker Session Summary The political overtures made by Turkish President Erdogan to normalize relations with the Assad regime are reshaping the dynamics of the Syrian civil war. These overtures have more closely aligned Turkish, Russian, and Iranian interests in the region. As evidence, […]
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A Hotter and Drier Future Ahead – An Assessment of Climate Change in U.S. Central Command
Speakers: Dr. Michelle Miro, Dr. Flannery Dolan, Karen Sudkamp, & Jeffrey Martini (RAND) Date: 9 May 2024 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Michelle Miro, Dr. Flannery Dolan, Karen Sudkamp, & Jeffrey Martini (RAND) as part of its SMA AFOE Phase III Climate Effects Speaker Series. Climate-related stressors present significant risks […]
Continue ReadingAnsar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) and its Ties to Hamas
Speaker: Dr. Zana Gul (University of Stirling) Date: 7 December 2023 Speaker Session Summary Wilayat Sinai (WS), formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), is an Egyptian-based extremist group that is active in the Sinai Peninsula. The group seeks to influence the region’s politics and establish a state of the Islamic State of Iraq and […]
Continue ReadingA New Asian Order is Emerging
Speaker: Mr. Mohammed Soliman (Middle East Institute) Date: 26 July 2023 Speaker Session Summary India’s expanding political influence is altering the current geopolitical order in Asia, with India positioned at its center. India’s growing role in geopolitics will over time take away some of the geopolitical focus on the Asia-Pacific region and place it on […]
Continue ReadingIsrael After Netanyahu: Anchored in a One-State Reality
Speaker(s): Lustick, I. (University of Pennsylvania) Date: 22 July 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Ian Lustick (University of Pennsylvania) as a part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series. According to Dr. Lustick, the current dispute over the West Bank and the disputed sovereignty of the Israeli government will not end in an ideal […]
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The Abraham Accords and Iran’s Unconventional Warfare Activities
Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc.) Question of Focus [Q4] How have the Abraham Accords shaped Iranian activity abroad in terms of unconventional warfare (UW)? Report Preview The Abraham Accords normalizing diplomatic and economic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Israel and Bahrain, as well as a less robust agreement with Sudan, […]
Continue ReadingAssessment of Strategic Implications of Population Dynamics in the Central Region—Integration Report: State-Level Instability in the Gulf and Levant
Authors | Editors: Ali Jafri (NSI, Inc.); Weston Aviles (NSI, Inc.); Sarah Canna (NSI, Inc.); and George Popp (NSI, Inc.) This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.” For more information regarding this project, please click here. Report Preview At the request of United States Central Command […]
Continue ReadingPotential Paths to Instability in Jordan
Authors: Nicole (Peterson) Omundson (NSI, Inc.), Dr. Allison Astorino-Courtois (NSI, Inc.), & Tom Rieger (NSI, Inc.) This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.” For more information regarding this project, please click here. Bottom Line What would be the strongest catalyst leading to a civil war/revolt in Jordan? It is […]
Continue ReadingDriven to Death: An Analysis of 30 Years of Vehicle Ramming
“Driven to Death: An Analysis of 30 Years of Vehicle Ramming” Speaker: Veilleux-Lepage (Georgia State University) Date: 28 February 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Yannick Veilleux-Lepage (Georgia State University) as a part of its SMA DHS Speaker Series. Dr. Veilleux-Lepage began by stating that using vehicle ramming attacks (VRAs) is not […]
Continue ReadingPolitical and Security Integration of VCAs: Lessons for the Taliban
“Political and Security Integration of VCAs: Lessons for the Taliban” Speaker: Koren, O. (Indiana University, Bloomington) Date: 6 February 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Ore Koren (Indiana University, Bloomington) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. During his presentation, Dr. Koren focused on a “Victorious, Complementary, Agent” (VCA) approach to […]
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