All Publications & Speaker Series
Below you'll find all publications tagged with the selected "National Security Topic." To jump between SMA Publications, SMA Speaker Series, and Other Publications libraries, use the "Jump to Results" bar.
Emerging Strategic & Geopolitical Challenges: Operational Implications for US Combatant Commands
SMA hosted a panel with Mr. Michael A. Clark (Director for Acquisition and Technology (J9), USCYBERCOM), Ms. Kayse Jansen (Branch Chief, Deterrence Analysis and Outreach, Plans and Policy Directorate, USSTRATCOM/J5), Mr. James “JJ” Jenista (Air Force Civilian, Joint Training, Exercise, and Wargaming Directorate (J7), USNORTHCOM & NORAD), Mr. Robert C. Jones (Senior Strategist, USSOCOM J5-JSOU Donovan Integration Group), Mr. Jimmy Krakar (Academic Coordinator, USEUCOM), Ms. Lesley Kucharski (Analyst, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Dr. Robert M. Toguchi (Chief, Concepts Division, Force Modernization Directorate (FMD), USASOC), Col David W. Walker (Policy Division Chief, USCENTCOM CCJ5), and Ms. Michele K. Wolfe (Senior Operations Research Analyst, USAFRICOM) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.
January 25, 2023
Clark, M. (Director for Acquisition and Technology (J9), USCYBERCOM); Jansen, K. (Branch Chief, Deterrence Analysis and Outreach, Plans and Policy Directorate, USSTRATCOM/J5); Jenista, J. (Air Force Civilian, Joint Training, Exercise, and Wargaming Directorate (J7), USNORTHCOM & NORAD); Jones, R. (Senior Strategist, USSOCOM J5-JSOU Donovan Integration Group); Krakar, J. (Academic Coordinator, USEUCOM); Kucharski, L. (Analyst, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory); Toguchi, R. (Chief, Concepts Division, Force Modernization Directorate (FMD), USASOC); Walker, D. (Policy Division Chief, USCENTCOM CCJ5); Wolfe, M. (Senior Operations Research Analyst, USAFRICOM)
Outcompeting China in Space: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Integrated Deterrence
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. John “Patsy” Klein (Falcon Research, Inc.; George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute) and Mr. Dean Cheng (Potomac Institute for Policy Studies; Users Advisory Group of the National Space Council) as part of its SMA “Strategic Deterrence Frameworks” (SDF) Speaker Series.The US and China are locked in a grand geopolitical competition that includes continuous use of deterrence against each other. Mr. Cheng emphasized that China and the US conceptualize deterrence very differently. The US primarily conceives of deterrence as a dissuasive tool used to preemptively stop an adversary’s aggression, while the primary Chinese conceptualization of deterrence, wēi-shè, also includes coercion. China approaches wēi-shè holistically, using many different leverages of national power, such as economic deals. Sometimes, the US is unprepared to deter adversaries because it prepares to deter actors that mirror itself, commented Dr. Klein.
February 28, 2023
Dean Cheng, (Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies; Senior Adviser, United States Institute of Peace); and Dr. John Klein (Senior Fellow and Strategist, Falcon Research, Inc.)
The Rise of the Chinese Techno-Security State
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Tai Ming Cheung (Director, University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation; Professor, School of Global Policy and Strategy, UC San Diego) as part of its SMA INDOPACOM Speaker Series.China has been strengthening its techno-security state with the ultimate ambition of rivaling the US’ global geopolitical influence and military power by 2049 and fully modernizing its military force by 2035. Dr. Cheung defined the techno-security domain as “where national security, technological innovation, military power, and economic development converge.” He pointed out that this is where the US-China great power competition converges and that the US has already competed in a great power competition using its techno-security domain (i.e., in the 1980s against both Russia and Japan). Chinese president, Xi Jinping, was expected to continue his predecessors’ focus on economic development upon taking office; however, he has increasingly bridged the gap between China’s economic growth and facets of national security. President Xi has continued to conflate China’s national economic and security development during his third term in office, beginning to accelerate the modernization of certain parts of China’s armed forces.
March 19, 2023
Dr. Tai Ming Cheung (Director, University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation; Professor, School of Global Policy and Strategy, UC San Diego)
How Mercenary Spyware Threatens Democracy
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Ron Deibert (Professor of Political Science and Founder & Director, The Citizen Lab, University of Toronto) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.Spyware, made by private companies and employed by governments, is a direct threat to digital technology users around the world. Dr. Deibert, founder and director of the Citizen Lab, an interdisciplinary laboratory studying digital espionage and surveillance, online transparency and freedom, and other Internet technologies, suggested that the widespread use of this spyware is even partially responsible for the current global authoritarian backslide. By studying incidents of digital espionage, they’ve helped victims of intrusive spyware by diagnosing the infection and sometimes identifying the offending company and government.
March 8, 2023
Deibert, R. (Professor of Political Science and Founder & Director, The Citizen Lab, University of Toronto)
Sino-Russian Relations: Articulating a World Order
China and Russia are frequently considered to have an alliance against the West; however, their actual relationship is one of convenience. China and Russia’s friendship has only been in place for a short time. Historically, the two countries have been rivals, disputing over territories and boundaries. The intensity of these disputes has weakened since the mid-1990s, however, due to the nations’ new political relationship. Their present-day partnership is based on the desire for a multi-polar world that weakens the US’ status as a superpower. However, their vision differs on how this multi-polar world order is comprised. The difference between China’s and Russia’s world view is the role that each other’s political rivals, other than the US, would play.
March 1, 2023
Garcia, Z. (Associate Professor of Security Studies, Department of National Security and Strategy, US Army War College); Modlin, K. (Instructor, Western Kentucky University)
When Democracy and Security Interests Clash: Hard Choices for US Policymakers
The US government’s objectives of protecting its security interests and promoting democratic ideals abroad sometimes coincide (e.g., Ukraine), while at other times, they appear at odds. The US spends billions of dollars per year on foreign aid to support democratic values and human rights efforts. However, it also gives large amounts of aid and support to countries that have weakening democracies, human rights issues, or full autocracies in the name of national and regional security. The US has encountered this dilemma since the Cold War and the Reagan administration, Mr. Press stated. During this time, the US viewed supporting democratic values as pivotal while also partnering with oppressive autocracies like Chile to combat the USSR. The three major drivers of this dilemma in recent years, according to Mr. Press, include a) the US’s interest in maintaining stability in the MENA region, b) countering violent extremist organizations, and c) managing strategic competition with China.
February 1, 2023
Carothers, T. (Co-director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace); Press, B. (Non-resident Research Analyst, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
Short-circuiting the OODA Loop: Brain-machine and Human-machine Interfaces in Defense
Human-machine learning and technology that cognitively connects operators to technology has strong implications for the future of warfare. Dr. Wright stated that new technologies will not replace workers or warfighters; however, those without the skill sets required to operate the technology will be replaced by those who can. Much of this technology will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI). The capability of AI has grown significantly during the last decade. Twelve years ago, AI was able to successfully to discern dogs from cats, while today it can generate its own images of dogs, cats, and dog-cat hybrids. Artificial intelligence has also demonstrated the ability to answer complex problems in recent years. For example, a professor asked ChatGPT a scientific question and received a correct and highly sophisticated answer that received an A grade. Ultimately, the interface between AI and the user will be imperative to its success in the field. Dr. Wright reminded the audience that poor interface in fighter jets during WWII lead to the death of several pilots because they pressed the incorrect switch instead of the correct switch next to it while landing.
January 31, 2023
Lt Gen (Ret) Michael Groen (US Marine Corps, Ret.); Dr. Amy Kruse (Prime Movers Lab); and Dr. Nicholas Wright (Intelligent Biology, University College London, New America, and Georgetown University)
The Belt and Road Initiative at 10 Years Old and the Future of China-Africa Relations
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has two avenues of focus—its land route, which connects China to Western Europe, and its maritime silk road, which traverses the Indo-Pacific and the eastern coast of Africa. China’s total foreign direct investment (FDI) associated with the BRI totals $1 trillion USD globally, and the value of China’s BRI investments in Africa currently makes it the largest single-state investor on the continent. However, it is worth noting that China’s global FDI has shrunk dramatically since it peaked in 2016. Its shrinking FDI is sometimes blamed on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this trend predates the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Benbdallah explained. These spending trends are occurring in Africa as well, even though most African countries officially joined the BRI during 2018 and 2019—after China began slowing down its FDI.The
March 22, 2023
Dr. Lina Benabdallah (Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Wake Forest University)
US-China Technological "Decoupling": Strategy, Policy, and Military Implications
The techno-globalist world that we once lived in is now being pulled back. What we are witnessing is not a technological divorce, but rather a reduction in the technological interdependence between the US and China. There are two primary ways in which the US government has reduced its technological interdependence with China. One method is the use of defensive controls (e.g., export controls, visa limits, investment screenings), and the other is the use of offensive controls (e.g., Chips Act, Inflation Reduction Act). In 2022, the US government has taken much more of an offensive approach than ever before. Traditional defensive tools used by the US have also been greatly intensified and implemented in new ways against China, and a series of new defensive tools have been developed as well.
December 20, 2022
Jon Bateman (Senior Fellow, Technology and International Affairs Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
The 2022 NDS in Its Historical and Strategic Big Picture: Expert Q&A
The 2022 release of the US National Defense Strategy (NDS) gives an in-depth look into the prioritization of US national security concerns and capabilities. Dr. Posen argued that it is where the military meets politics. He wishes that the NDS was more descriptive in some areas, including who the US’s partners and allies are and clearer definitions of deterrence by punishment and denial. The initial statements in the new NDS emphasize the need for prioritizing operations, threats, and resource allocation. However, Dr. Posen believes that the paper loses its focus on prioritization quickly. This prioritization needed to be further emphasized because the document discusses the importance of assisting US allies and partners with the resources they need for deterrence.
December 15, 2022
Dr. Barry Posen (Ford International Professor of Political Science, MIT; Director Emeritus, Security Studies Program, MIT); and Prof. Christopher Coker (Director, London School of Economics [LSE] IDEAS)
Lost Seoul? Assessing Pyongyang's Other Deterrent
North Korea poses many military threats to its neighbor, South Korea, including a massive artillery barrage on its capital city, Seoul. A conventional artillery barrage would destroy infrastructure and threaten the lives of civilians living in the metropolitan area. Dr. Press and Dr. Anderson built a model, mapping the loss of civilian life during three specific scenarios: a) a surprise attack by North Korea during peacetime, b) a North Korean attack during a military crisis, and c) a preemptive US and South Korean attack. To determine the total loss of civilian casualties, the model considers the known number of North Korean artillery batteries, their predicted rate of fire, and their predicted overall effectiveness among other variables. Dr. Press estimated that North Korea has around 300 artillery batteries that can currently bombard Seoul.
November 29, 2022
Anderson, N. (Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University); Press, D. (Dartmouth College)
Threat Inflation and the Taiwan Issue: The Need for an Active Denial Strategy, Plus Assurances
The US faces many tough dilemmas on how to build military deterrence measures against China in the Asia-Pacific, protect Taiwan’s sovereignty, and not place Japan or other allies in politically compromising positions. Dr. Swaine commented that building deterrence through overall US military capabilities and the individual armed forces is a multi-faceted issue, involving both military deterrence and credible reassurance measures to avoid inadvertent conflict. Three ideal types of military deterrence approaches identified were: a) punishment, b) control, and c) denial. Dr. Heginbotham mentioned that the DoD’s military strategy has been slowly and consistently shifting toward active denial, but that more remains to be done. Active denial relies on phased operations and divisions of labor with allies among other principles. Effectively utilizing active denial’s principles will include some restructuring and aligning of the armed forces.
November 10, 2022
Swaine, M. (East Asia Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft); Heginbotham, E. (Center for International Studies, MIT)
Russian Integration of Humans and Technologies for Future War—Strengths and Vulnerabilities
Technology advancement has always affected how war is fought, including the psychology of warfighters. Many military and political leaders believe the next evolution of weaponry systems will include machines replacing human soldiers on the front line. While this includes artificial intelligence (AI), it also includes many more technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Mr. Bendett commented that Russia has been experimenting with many different types of AI, unmanned machinery, and technologies that connect directly to soldiers’ neural pathways. Historically, Russia’s government has funded the majority of Russia’s military research and development. Recently, the war in Ukraine has diverted much of Russia’s government resources; however, its partnerships with commercial companies that specialize in quantum physics and advanced robotics are allowing it to continue to work on artificial intelligence.
November 3, 2022
Sam Bendett (Center for Naval Analyses); Dr. Rita Konaev (Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University); and Dr. Chris Meserole (Brookings Institution)
Success and the Ethics of Harnessing Minds Plus Technology
SMA hosted a speaker session with Sir David Omand (Kings College London; Former Director, GCHQ; First UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator), Dr. Jonathan Moreno (University of Pennsylvania), and Dr. Jim Giordano (Georgetown University Medical Center) as part of its SMA Mind-Tech Nexus Speaker Series. The Panel was moderated by Dr. Nicholas Wright (Intelligent Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, University College London, and Center for Strategic and International Studies).
October 26, 2022
Sir David Omand (Kings College London; Former Director, GCHQ; First UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator); Dr. Jim Giordano (Georgetown University Medical Center); and Dr. Jonathan Moreno (University of Pennsylvania)
Analyzing the Gray Zone
The Gray Zone is defined differently by many organizations, academics, and think tanks. Dr. Potter commented that despite Gray Zone being used mostly as a trendy term relating to strategic competition, its concepts were created from real life obstacles facing decision makers. However, because it has many different definitions, the Gray Zone is difficult to encapsulate using analytical tools. Inconsistencies among the multiple definitions of “Gray Zone” inhibit effective conversations and the term Gray Zone can be used too frequently as a political talking point. Additionally, the academic literature discussing the Gray Zone is lacking. There are many reports from think tanks, but few academic articles that discuss what the Gray Zone is and its implications for modern strategic competition.
October 19, 2022
Potter, P. (Associate Professor of Politics and Founding Director of the National Security Policy Center, University of Virginia)
Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace
Wars throughout history have skewed peoples’ beliefs on the likelihood of states going to war with each other. The number and frequencies of wars in the past have made it a commonly held belief that states are likely to go to war. However, state leaders are more likely to avoid military conflict, using it as only a last resort. For example, India accidentally fired a missile into its generational rival, Pakistan, earlier this year, but managed to avoid war. Dr. Blattman emphasized that countries avoid military conflict because war is costly and ruinous; especially between two nuclear powers such as India and Pakistan. He identified five reasons why states sometimes ignore war’s costly nature: 1) unaccountable leaders, 2) ideological leaders, 3) leaders’ and their advisors’ biases, 4) uncertainty of a war’s costliness, and 5) the lack of trust between states to commit to a diplomatic deal.
October 18, 2022
Dr. Christopher Blattman (Ramalee E. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies, Pearson Institute and Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago)
Transcultural Predictors of Will to Fight
Combatants’ willingness to fight and sacrifice their lives, family, or personal property has altered the expected outcome of military conflicts throughout history. An opponent’s unexpected will to fight has affected the US in many of its regional conflicts, such as Vietnam and Korea. Recent conflicts in Iraq and Ukraine have further demonstrated that leaders in the US and other countries have a poor understanding of what constitutes a combatant’s will to fight and its effects on the battlefield. Most research to understand populations utilize mass survey data collection, which lacks the scientific rigor that analytical study of this topic requires. The research by Artis International uses online tools and social media, brain scans, and in-person interviews to understand what affects individuals’ will to fight. The studies focus on right-wing nationalists in Spain, jihadist fighters, and Ukrainian soldiers defending their homeland.
October 12, 2022
Atran, S. (Co-founder, Artis International; Emeritus Director of Research, France’s National Centre for Scientific Research)
A World Emerging from Pandemic: Implications for Intelligence and National Security (Part 1 of 2)
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Kacper Gradon (Associate Professor, Department of Cybersecurity, Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, Warsaw University of Technology (Poland)), Dr. Layla M. Hashemi (Researcher & Data Analyst, Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), George Mason University), Ms. Sarah Meo (PhD Candidate, Public Policy, Schar School of Policy of Government, George Mason University), and Dr. Michael Vlahos (Senior Fellow, The Institute for Peace and Diplomacy) as part of its SMA NIU Panel Discussion.
October 5, 2022
Gradon, K. (Associate Professor, Department of Cybersecurity, Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, Warsaw University of Technology (Poland)); Hashemi, L. (Researcher & Data Analyst, Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), George Mason University); Meo, S. (PhD Candidate, Public Policy, Schar School of Policy of Government, George Mason University); Vlahos, M. (Senior Fellow, The Institute for Peace and Diplomacy)
A World Emerging from Pandemic: Implications for Intelligence and National Security (Part 2 of 2)
The COVID-19 pandemic occurred at a time when the global community was more physically and digitally connected than ever before. Mr. Kerbel reflected that those working in the information community (IC) believed that the pandemic would alter their collective worldview and modus operandi. However, he believes that while a larger portion of the IC works from home than ever before, the pandemic did not actually change the IC’s worldview. Instead, while global COVID-19 rates have started to decrease, members of the IC have already started to shift their mindset back to Cold War-era thinking. This is partly because the IC is built to handle complicated issues well, but it is not currently structured to achieve its objectives in a modern world comprised of complex systems. For example, the cyber domain and digital realm did not exist during the Cold War. These developments have led to the addition of an entirely new theatre of asymmetric warfare since the Cold War. Mr. Kerbel also argued that even though some members in the IC believe that countries are going through a phase of deglobalization and that the US is decoupling from China, neither of these hypotheses are true.
October 6, 2022
Kerbel, J. (Professor of Practice, National Intelligence University); Schenker, J. (Chairman, The Futurist Institute; President, Prestige Economics); Brown, Z. (Founder, Consilient Strategies)
Implications of a Coercive Quarantine of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China
Escalation between China and Taiwan over Taiwan’s sovereignty is increasing, leaving the US and its allies with few options if China blockades Taiwan. While Taiwan nearly monopolizes the production of advanced semiconductor chips, this monopoly does not shield it from Chinese aggression. Dr. Martin argued that its control of advanced semi-conductor production may give it a reason to bargain with China. This reason is partly because Taiwan relies heavily on China for both its exports and imports. Furthermore, China is significantly better positioned economically to outlast Taiwan if it becomes sanctioned for overt aggression.
September 21, 2022
Martin, B. (Senior Policy Researcher & Director of the Institute for Supply Chain Security, RAND); Gunness, K. (Senior Policy Researcher, RAND)
National Will to Fight Amid 2020s/30s Technologies
Military and state leaders have tried to understand and predict nations’ will to preserve and fight through adversity. Mr. McNerney argued that it is possible to predict a nation’s will to fight an invading force; however, conflicts throughout history—such as Vietnam and Afghanistan—demonstrate that the understanding of individual nation’s will at a national level is poor. The question of will itself is large and difficult to scope, commented Maj Gen (Rtd) Sharpe. The speakers all mentioned areas of focus, factors, mechanisms, and contextual information that they believed influence a nation’s will to fight. Several factors include, but are not limited to, civilian-military relations, popular support, governmental cohesion, and economic leverage. Technology is a tool that can help explain a country’s will to fight.
September 13, 2022
Mike McNerney (Senior Researcher, RAND); Maj Gen (Rtd) Andrew Sharpe (Director, Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research); and Alyssa Demus (Associate International/Defense Researcher, RAND)
Towards a Third Nuclear Age?
The world is undergoing an era of nuclear transition while the mechanisms normally used to control these transitions are being placed under stress. Moreover, technological, geopolitical, and normative changes can influence the nuclear ecosystem and how actors handle nuclear threats and understand nuclear technology. Mr. Futter argued that this nuclear transition is a global and multifaceted phenomenon. He separated nuclear transitions into three-time frames: a) the first nuclear age (1945-1990), b) the second nuclear age (1990s-2014), and c) the third nuclear age (2018-present). These ages are defined by actors’ policy choices and the number of actors acquiring nuclear power.
September 8, 2022
Futter, A. (Professor of International Politics, University of Leicester, UK)
Misinformation in Africa: An Overview of Current and Future Research
There is an increasing global concern relating to information disorder, including its effects on the Global South. Information disorder, as defined by the speakers, includes misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Much of the conversation surrounding information disorder focuses on social media; however, it is not a new phenomenon and has been historically prevalent in newspapers, television, and other forms of legacy media. Prof. Wasserman added that popular cultural forms of communication, like music and satire, have even fulfilled the journalistic function for some people, undermining the power of traditional journalism media even further.
October 11, 2022
Professor Herman Wasserman (University of Cape Town, South Africa) and Dr. Dani Madrid-Morales (University of Sheffield)
The Berkeley Protocol as a New Guide for Strengthening Digital Investigation Methods
The increasing proliferation of smart phones and internet availability is changing the way that digital investigations are occurring, especially in remote areas. While the digital realm has existed since the invention of radio, video and satellite imagery have given digital investigators new tools within the past few decades. New tools and the creation of social media have also resulted in the need for new global standards regarding the collection and handling of digital information for legal purposes. These new standards are encapsulated in the Berkley Protocol. Dr. Koenig explained that the Berkley Protocol—the first international standard used in digital investigation and prosecution—is used to give investigators a starting point regarding the quality standards of information being collected and how to legally go undercover on social media.
August 24, 2022
Koenig, A. (Executive Director, Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley School of Law; Lecturer, UC Berkeley School of Law; Co-founder, UC Berkeley Investigations Lab); Freeman, L. (Director of Technology, Law, and Policy, Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley School of Law)
Russia’s Revolution in Intelligence Affairs
Decision makers and military strategists expect artificial intelligence (AI) to change how war is fought. AI is a blanket term for several technologies and their capabilities. Many people believe AI’s defining feature is its level of autonomy; however, AI’s main function is actually as a decision-making tool.
August 16, 2022
Jonsson, O. (Director, Phronesis Analysis; Researcher, Swedish Defence University)
The New Character of the “Fog of War”—Seeing to Know and Seeing to Strike
The advancement of technology—including artificial intelligence (AI)—is unavoidable. New technology will inevitably change how military campaigns are conducted and how individual military units engage in combat.
August 10, 2022
Lt Gen Jack Shanahan (Former Director of the US Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Artificial Center (JAIC); Member of the Board of Advisors, Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP)); and Dr. Dave Kilcullen (President & CEO, Cordillera Applications Group, Inc.)
China in Sri Lanka and the Political Economic Crisis
Mr. Abeyagoonasekera began the presentation by stating that China’s loans and investments in Sri Lanka are ultimately creating a debt trap.
August 2, 2022
Abeyagoonasekera, A. (The Millennium Project)
Long Shadows: Deterrence in a Multipolar Nuclear Age
Dr. Pettyjohn explained that nuclear deterrence is frequently examined in the context of a bilateral competition rather than a multipolar competition between three or more nuclear capable states.
July 26, 2022
Pettyjohn, S. (Senior Fellow & Director of the Defense Program, Center for a New American Security [CNAS])
Ukrainian Lessons
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine was preceded by nearly a decade of Russian propaganda, claiming that Ukraine is Russian and that Ukraine is run by Nazis, and overall, perpetuating the dehumanization of Ukrainians. Journalists—especially Ukraine’s war-time journalists—are playing a crucial role in combating these Russian narratives and setting the groundwork for future legal trials relating to war crimes and sanctions.
July 14, 2022
Pomerantsev, P. (Senior Fellow, Johns Hopkins University); Butusov, Y. (Chief Editor, Censor.NET); Rybak, V. (Analyst & Project Coordinator, Internews Ukraine); Makaruk, M. (Speaker of the International Volunteer Intelligence Community, InformNapalm)
Technology and the Soldier’s Will to Fight—How Can We Foster Courage in Our New Era?
Military leaders have long sought to understand what enables soldiers to willingly engage in combat and other dangerous activities. New technologies relating to the mind-tech nexus may allow scholars and leaders to understand why soldiers decide to place themselves in harm’s way, and even encourage it.
June 28, 2022
Dr. Reuven Gal, Dr. Ben Connable, Dr. Aaron Frank
Ukraine, Connectivity, and the Future of War
The war in Ukraine is one of the most visible conflicts in history, partly because of the prevalence of smartphones in Ukraine (61%). Moreover, 85% of Ukrainians possess an active mobile-broadband subscription, allowing them to share images and photos of the war instantaneously.
June 29, 2020
Matthew Ford and Andrew Hoskins
How Can They (and We) Wield the Green Energy Transition for Geostrategic Power?
Western countries shifting from fossil fuels to new forms of clean energy is causing the first energy revolution in more than 100 years.
June 15, 2022
Lieutenant General (Ret) Richard Nugee and David Livingston
The Perfect Imbalance of the Sino-Russian Relationship
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova (Head of the Political Science Doctoral Programme & Director of the China Studies Centre, Riga Stradins University, Latvia) as part of its SMA EUCOM / INDOPACOM Speaker Series.
June 7, 2022
Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova
The Exploitable Conditions Framework: Anticipating Exploitation of the Operational Environment
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Nicole M. Laster (Lead Social Scientist, US Army TRADOC G-2, Global Cultural Knowledge Network (GCKN)) and LTC (Ret) Andrew M. Johnson (Senior Sociocultural Analyst, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2, GCKN) as part of its SMA Anticipating the Future Operational Environment (AFOE) Speaker Series.
May 5, 2022
Nicole M. Laster and LTC (Ret) Andrew (Andy) M. Johnson
The Evolving Requirements for Extended Deterrence and Allied Assurance in the Indo-Pacific
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Shane Smith (Director, Air Force Institute for National Security Studies, US Air Force Academy) and Dr. Justin Anderson (Senior Policy Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University) as part of its SMA INDOPACOM Speaker Series.
April 27, 2022
Dr. Justin Anderson and Dr. Shane Smith
Secret Innovation
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Michael Joseph (Assistant Professor of Political Science, UC San Diego) and Dr. Michael Poznansky (Associate Professor, Strategic & Operational Research Department, US Naval War College) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.
April 13, 2022
Dr. Michael Poznansky and Dr. Michael Joseph
The Surprisingly Unsurprising Russo-Ukraine War: Learning and Teaching the Right Lessons for Integrated Deterrence
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Spencer Meredith (National Defense University), Dr. Peter Eltsov (National Defense University), Prof. Carolyne Davidson (National Defense University), and Maj. Gen. Patrick B. Roberson (Commander and Commandant, US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg) as part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series.
April 8, 2022
Dr. Spencer Meredith, Dr. Peter Eltsov, and Professor Carolyne Davidson
Degrees of Separation: Targeted Decoupling and the US-China Relationship
SMA hosted a speaker session with Ms. Stephanie Segal(Non-resident Senior Associate, Economics Program, CSIS) and Mr. Matthew Reynolds (Research Associate, Economics Program, CSIS) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.
March 30, 2022
Stephanie Segal and Matthew Reynolds
Escalation Management in Gray Zone Crises: A Proposed Toolkit
SMA hosted a speaker session with Mr. Devin Hayes Ellis (University of Maryland), Lt Gen (Ret) Robert Elder, PhD (George Mason University), and Dr. Allison Astorino-Courtois (NSI) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.
March 22, 2022
Dr. Allison Astorino-Courtois and Lieutenant General Robert Elder (USAF, retired)
Russian Information Operations and War in Ukraine—What Can We Expect and Do?
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Thomas Rid (Professor of Strategic Studies, Johns Hopkins University) and Mr. Peter Pomerantsev (Senior Fellow, Johns Hopkins University) as part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series.
March 17, 2022
Dr. Thomas Rid and Mr. Peter Pomerantsev
Stabilizing Great Power Rivalries
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Michael Mazarr (RAND) and Dr. Samuel Charap (RAND) as part of its SMA EUCOM/INDOPACOM Speaker Series.
March 3, 2022
Dr. Michael Mazarr and Dr. Samuel Charap
How Can the US Department of Defense Catch Up With the CCP Within 6 Months?
SMA hosted a speaker session with Mr. Nicolas Chaillan (Chief Technology Officer, Prevent Breach & Former Air Force and Space Force Chief Software Officer) as part of its SMA NDU (INSS/PRISM) Speaker Series.
February 3, 2022
Mr. Nicolas Chaillan
Integrating Deterrence Across the Gray—Making It More Than Words
SMA hosted a speaker session with Mr. Robert Jones (USSOCOM), LTC Catherine Crombe (USSOCOM SOCCENT), and LTC Steven Ferenzi (USSOCOM SOCCENT) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series.
December 8, 2021
Lt. Col. Katie Crombe, Lt.Col. Steve Ferenzi, and Mr. Robert C. Jones
Information Warfare and the New Threat Environment
SMA hosted a panel discussion with Dr. Christopher Paul (RAND), Mr. James P. Farwell (The Farwell Group), and Ms. Elisabeth Braw (American Enterprise Institute (AEI)) as part of its SMA INSS/PRISM Speaker Series.
December 10, 2021
James P. Farwell, Elisabeth Braw, and Christopher Paul
Challenges to 21st Century Deterrence (Part II)
SMA hosted a panel discussion with Lt Gen (Ret) Robert Elder, PhD (George Mason University), Mr. James A. Siebens (Defense Strategy & Planning Program, Stimson Center), and Dr. Christopher Yeaw (National Strategic Research Institute, University of Nebraska) as part of its SMA STRATCOM Risk of Strategic Deterrence Failure Speaker Series.
December 10, 2021
Lieutenant General Robert Elder, James A. Siebens, and Dr. Christopher Yeaw
Chinese Illicit Activities Conducted Through Myanmar
Speaker(s): Tower, J. (Country Director, Burma Program, United States Institute of Peace [USIP]); Rotberg, R. (Founding Director, Program on Intrastate Conflict, Harvard Kennedy School; President Emeritus, World Peace Foundation); Cooper, S. (National Investigations Journalist, Global News); Gaines, J. (Communication and Policy Advisor, Public Affairs).
December 7, 2021
Jason Tower, Prof. Robert I. Rotberg, Sam Cooper, and MAJ Jack Gaines
