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 […]
Continue ReadingSMA 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 […]
Continue ReadingQuestion (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 […]
Continue ReadingSMA 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 […]
Continue ReadingQuestion (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 […]
Continue ReadingSMA 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 […]
Continue ReadingQuestion (R2 QL7): What significance will small military groups, particularly in Northern Syria, have in a post-ISIL Levant? How should CENTCOM best shape or influence these groups? Author | Editor: Reedy, K. (RAND). The primary theme that all of the experts touched upon is that there will be no single unified situation regarding either the […]
Continue ReadingISIS and Religion and Nation Building in the Middle East. Speaker: Landis, J. (University of Oklahoma’s College of International Studies). Date: January 2017. Joshua Landis is Director of the Center for Middle East Studies and Professor at the University of Oklahoma’s College of International Studies. He writes and manages “SyriaComment.com,” a daily newsletter on Syrian […]
Continue ReadingSMA CENTCOM Reach-back Reports – Part 3: Encouraging Regional Stability. Author | Editor: SMA Program Office. This is Part 3 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 […]
Continue ReadingQuestion (R3 QL6): How will the population in northwest Syria react to future Salafist political institutions? Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc). Similar to points made by other contributors to this SMA Reach-back report, Dr. Kathleen Reedy of Rand includes a caveat in her response to the CENTCOM question. Given international pressure to avoid […]
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