Internal Instability in Iran: Drivers and Regime Response
Author | Editor: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc.) Question of Focus [Q1] What are the primary drivers of internal instability for Iran currently, and how are they responding? Report Preview There was consensus among the subject matter experts (SMEs) who responded to this question that the primary driver of internal instability in Iran is the dismal state of […]
Continue Reading
IRGC-QF Malfeasant Activity Outside of the CENTCOM AOR
Author | Editor: Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.) Question of Focus [Q3] Given recent events, what are the trends in Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) malfeasant activity outside of the CENTCOM AOR? Report Preview Experts interviewed state that they could find no evidence of recent changes in IRGC-QF activity outside of the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). […]
Continue Reading
Disinformation and Political Warfare: Historical and Technological Insights (A Conversation with Thomas Rid)
Speaker: Rid, T. (Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies) Date: 11 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Dr. Thomas Rid (Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies) as a part of its SMA IIJO Speaker Series. Dr. Rid began by stating that that there is currently a lack […]
Continue Reading
Analyzing Election Disinformation Efforts by Foreign Actors
Speaker: Helmus, T. (RAND); Marcellino, W. (RAND); Posard, M. (RAND) Date: 9 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Dr. Todd Helmus (RAND), Dr. William Marcellino (RAND), and Dr. Marek Posard (RAND) as a part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series. Dr. Posard began the speaker session by stating that he […]
Continue Reading
How [Culture] Change Happens: A Roadmap of What Works
Authors | Editors: Courtney, A. (Frontier Design); Williams, J. (Frontier Design) SMA Report Preview This report was submitted by Frontier Design in support of SMA’s Integrating Information in Joint Operations (IIJO) effort. Abstract Change is hard; it humbles us all. Yet, it is possible to succeed. This article explores the why, what, who and how […]
Continue Reading
“Standing Under” Stories: Narrative Research Methods for Anticipatory Intelligence
Speaker: Cobb, S. (George Mason University) Date: 2 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session, presented by Dr. Sara Cobb (George Mason University) as a part of its SMA IIJO Speaker Series. Dr. Cobb began her presentation by acknowledging that her own work builds on and heavily references prior communication, conflict, and psychological research, […]
Continue Reading
Transactional Communication Model
Authors | Editors: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc.); Cooley, A. (Oklahoma State University); Cooley, S. (Oklahoma State University); Kitsch, S. (Monmouth College); Hinck, R. (Monmouth College) Quick Look Preview Introduction This report presents a model for understanding the core communication process, and elaborates on mechanisms to strengthen it. We begin with an overview of the core communication […]
Continue Reading
Understanding Mass Self-Communication
Authors | Editors: Cooley, A. (Oklahoma State University); Cooley, S. (Oklahoma State University); Kitsch, S. (Monmouth College); Hinck, R. (Monmouth College) Quick Look Preview This brief discusses a new form of communication within networked societies—Castells’ so-called mass self-communication. The brief highlights how barriers between old and new media are disappearing as increasing technological access creates new […]
Continue Reading
Vulnerabilities to Cognitive Biases in the OODA Loop Process
Authors | Editors: Rieger, T. (NSI, Inc.); Jafri, A. (NSI, Inc.) Invited Perspective Preview A recent Quick Look prepared as part of a Joint Staff and Air Force (A3)-sponsored effort to examine the effectiveness of Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) examines how cognitive biases can affect the communication process (Polansky & Rieger, 2020). During review […]
Continue Reading
Fresh Options to Reinvigorate Defense Innovation for the World as It Is Now
Speakers: Mike Brown (Director, Defense Innovation Unit, Former CEO of Symantec Corporation); Dr. Carl Hunt (US Army, Retired); Dr. Jim Lewis (Senior Vice President and Director, Strategic Technologies Program, CSIS); and Sir Geoff Mulgan (University College, London, [UCL]; Former Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation) Date: 3 February 2021 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted […]
Continue Reading