China’s Belt and Road: Myths, Risks, and Responses

August 2019 No Comments

“China’s Belt and Road: Myths, Risks, and Responses“ Speaker: Hillman, J. (Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)) Date: 28 August 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Mr. Jonathan Hillman (Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)) as a part of its Future of Global Competition & Conflict Speaker Series. During his brief, Mr. Hillman discussed what China’s […]

Continue Reading

FMSO Review of Selected Operational Environment Watch (OE Watch) Articles

August 2019 No Comments

“FMSO Review of Selected Operational Environment Watch (OE Watch) Articles” Speaker: Bartles, C. (Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO)); Finch, C. (FMSO); Kaya, K. (FMSO); Wilhelm, T. (FMSO) Date: 27 August 2019 Speaker Session Preview A summary of this speaker session will not be provided, as per the speakers’ request. Speaker Session Audio File This speaker session was not recorded, as per the speakers’ request. Download the Speakers’ […]

Continue Reading

When the Friend of My Friends is Not My Friend: The United States, US Allies, and Russia in the Middle East

August 2019 No Comments

Speaker: Prof Mark Katz (George Mason University) Date: 22 August 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Prof. Mark Katz (George Mason University) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Population Dynamics Speaker Series.  Prof. Katz began by stating that, while the US has steadily withdrawn troops from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria over recent years, Russian engagement […]

Continue Reading

Trained to Kill: Battlefield Participation in Kurdish Fighters

August 2019 No Comments

“Trained to Kill: Battlefield Participation in Kurdish Fighters“ Speaker: Cancian, M. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Date: 16 August 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Mr. Matthew Cancian (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. During his presentation, Mr. Cancian posed the following question: Can US training improve battlefield participation of our partners? He […]

Continue Reading

12th Annual SMA Conference- The Evolving Anatomy of Conflict in a Dynamically Changing World

August 2019 No Comments

12th Annual SMA Conference – The Evolving Anatomy of Conflict in a Dynamically Changing World Author | Editor: Aviles, W. (NSI, Inc.) Conference Theme The 12th Annual SMA Conference, entitled “The Evolving Anatomy of Conflict in a Dynamically Changing World,” was held 21-22 May 2019 at the General Jacob E. Smart Conference Center at Joint […]

Continue Reading

Resisting War: How Communities Protect Themselves

August 2019 No Comments

Speaker: Dr. Oliver Kaplan (University of Denver) Date: 8 August 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Oliver Kaplan (University of Denver) as a part of its SMA Minerva Speaker Series.  His presentation focused on his book, entitled Resisting War: How Communities Protect Themselves. In his book, Dr. Kaplan looks at instances of civilian agency in order […]

Continue Reading

Overcoming “the Silo Effect” in the Department of Defense

August 2019 No Comments

Overcoming “the Silo Effect” in the Department of Defense Author: Lyle, D. (Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and Air University) Executive Summary Different perspectives and operational goals across services allows for specialized expertise, but also creates a vulnerability for silo creation. At times, these silos can inhibit cooperation, limit mission effectiveness, and leave critical decision points inadequately […]

Continue Reading

Learning Lessons from the Ukraine Conflict

July 2019 No Comments

“Learning Lessons from the Ukraine Conflict“ Speakers: Angevine, R. (Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA)); Frye, C. (IDA); Warden, J. (IDA)  Date: 18 July 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Robert Angevine (Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA)), Mr. Clark Frye (IDA), and Mr. John Warden (IDA) as a part of its SMA […]

Continue Reading

An Iran Primer

July 2019 No Comments

“An Iran Primer“ Speaker: Liebl, V. (Center for Advanced Culture Learning (CAOCL)) Date: 12 July 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Mr. Vern Liebl (Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL)) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. Mr. Liebl began by stating that Iran does not present a large military threat to the US. Moreover, Iran’s military capabilities are fairly […]

Continue Reading

Interrogating Tensions in the Persian Gulf: Iran, the US and the GCC

July 2019 No Comments

“Interrogating Tensions in the Persian Gulf: Iran, the US and the GCC“ Speaker: Mabon, S. (University of Leicester) Date: 9 July 2019 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Simon Mabon (Lancaster University) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. During this presentation, Dr. Mabon discussed the complexity of the broader competition in the Persian Gulf, posed a […]

Continue Reading