Innovating for National Security
Speaker: Michael Brown (Director, Defense Innovation Unit & Former CEO of Symantec Corporation) Date: 24 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Mr. Michael Brown (Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)), as a part of its SMA NDU/PRISM Speaker Series. Mr. Brown began his presentation by stating that technology has been a leading driver […]
Continue Reading
Masspersonal Social Engineering: Manipulative Communication at the Intersections of Cyber and Information Operations
Speakers: Gehl, R. (Louisiana Tech University); Lawson, S. (University of Utah & Marine Corps University) Date: 18 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Dr. Sean Lawson (University of Utah & Marine Corps University) and Dr. Robert Gehl (Louisiana Tech University), as a part of its SMA IIJO Speaker Series. Dr. […]
Continue Reading
Geoeconomics and Great Power Competition
Speaker: Gen (Ret.) David Petraeus (Partner and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute & Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Commander of the International Security Assistance Force; Commander, US Forces – Afghanistan; Commander, US Central Command; and Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq) Date: 17 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Gen […]
Continue Reading
Toward an Inclusive & Balanced Regional Order: A New US Strategy in East Asia
Speaker: Swaine, M. (Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft); Odell, R. (Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft); Lee, J. (Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft) Date: 10 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Dr. Michael Swaine (Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft), Dr. Rachel Esplin Odell (Quincy Institute), and Ms. Jessica Lee (Quincy Institute) […]
Continue Reading
Regime Stability in Iran: The COVID-19 Effect
Author | Editor: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc.) Questions of Focus [Q4] What, if any, effect will COVID-19 have on regime stability in Iran, both over the short and medium term? Report Preview Iran appears to have been hit hard by the COVID-19 virus, and there has been criticism both within and outside the country over the Iranian […]
Continue Reading
Russian and Chinese Influence in Iran: Sources and Future Trends
Author | Editor: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc.) Questions of Focus [Q3] What is the source of Russian and Chinese influence in Iran, and how have recent events (incl. COVID-19) changed this? Report Preview Among all the experts interviewed for this report, there was a general consensus that relations between Iran and both Russia and China are driven […]
Continue Reading
IRGC’s Role in the Black Economy
Author | Editor: Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.) Questions of Focus [Q1] What is the extent of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involvement in black (criminal) economic activity in Iran and internationally? How significant is the drug abuse problem in Iran currently? What is the population’s knowledge of IRGC involvement in trafficking drugs, including through Iran? How much […]
Continue Reading
A New US-Iran Nuclear Agreement: What are the Chances?
Author | Editor: Popp, G. (NSI, Inc.) Question of Focus [Q1] In the next five years, how likely is it that Iran will be willing to negotiate a new nuclear treaty with the United States? Bottom Line Up Front Microsoft Word – NSI ViTTa_A New US-Iran Nuclear Agreement_CENTCOM Q1_final for posting.docx Most of the expert contributors agree […]
Continue Reading
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 Reading
Iran’s Ballistic Missile Launch Criteria: Change or Continuity?
Author | Editor: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc.) Question of Focus [Q2] Based on recent events (Accords, Soleimani, COVID), how has ballistic missile launch criteria changed? Other impacts on military readiness and response? Report Preview The experts interviewed for this study do not see Iran’s recent operational use of its ballistic missiles as signaling a fundamental change in […]
Continue Reading