Panel Discussion on Iraq and Syria
Panel Discussion on Iraq and Syria. Author | Editor: Popp, G. & Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary This report represents the views and opinions of the participants. The report does not represent official USG policy or position. At the request of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), the Joint Staff (JS), the Deputy Director for […]
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Successful Campaign Against ISIS
Question (R4.4): What does a successfully concluded campaign against ISIS look like? Considering costs, reputation, and balance of influence, how should the U.S./Coalition define success? Is the defeat of ISIS a success if it causes the balance of power in the region to shift towards Iran, Assad, or Russia? Author | Editor: Hayes Ellis, D. […]
Continue ReadingWhat Extent is Iraqi Army Apolitical
Question (R4.3): To what extent is the Iraqi Army apolitical? Do they have a political agenda or another desired end- state within Iraq? Could the Iraqi military be an effective catalyst for reconciliation between different groups in Iraqi society? Could conscription be an accelerant for reconciliation and if so how could it be implemented? Author […]
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Iraqi Nationalism in Countering Iran
Question (R4.1): How Strong is Iraqi Nationalism in Countering Iranian Influence? Author | Editor: Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary History of Iraqi Nationalism As with all newly formed Arab states following the conclusion of WWI, Iraq struggled to establish an inclusive national identity (Abouaoun, Dagher). Rooted in the Hashim monarchy’s attempts to preserve antiquated […]
Continue ReadingImplications of Bad Outcomes in Yemen
Question (R4.11): What are the implications for the U.S. and GCC countries if the Arab coalition does not succeed or achieve an acceptable outcome in Yemen? Author | Editor: Aviles, W. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary Conflict in Yemen is now reaching the third year of its current incarnation, and despite the foreign intervention of GCC […]
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US Benefits to Supporting Afghanistan
Question (R4.10): Is the current U.S. approach to supporting Afghanistan beneficial? Or does it promote a cycle of dependency and counter-productive activities in the region? What strategic and local factors would need to be considered, managed and accepted in any significant change in military and/or other support? Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc.). Executive […]
Continue ReadingUS and Russia Interests in Middle East
Question (R4.7): What are the respective national interests of the US and Russia in the Middle East, and what are the options for alleviating US/Russian tensions to mutual satisfaction and improved regional stability? Author | Editor: Polansky (Pagano), S. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary The geopolitical foundation of the Middle East is undergoing a fundamental shift […]
Continue ReadingUS Foreign Policy as a Global Power
Question (R4.5): Does US foreign policy strike the right balance in supporting US interests and its role as a global power? Or, should the US consider a more isolationist approach to foreign policy? What impact could an isolationist policy have on Middle East security and stability, balance of influence by regional and world actors, and […]
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Role of Human Geography, Culture and Language
The Key Role of Human Geography, Culture and Language in Effective Communication. Author | Editor: Sutherlin, G. (Geographic Services, Inc.). Overview To begin with a truism, people in different places speak different languages; they belong to different cultures. This is not in dispute, but it remains a persistent operational challenge. Understanding other cultures well enough […]
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Discussion with NPS Experts – May 2017
SMA Reachback Panel Discussion with Experts from Naval Postgraduate School – May 2017. Author | Editor: Nicole (Peterson) Omundson (NSI, Inc). On 11 May 2017, NPS convened a panel session and discuss areas related to the 4th round of CENTCOM Reach Back Cell Questions. The speakers are listed below, and their biographies are available in […]
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