Using Messaging and Communication to Influence and Inform: Insights from the Private Sector – An Integrating Information in Joint Operations (IIJO) Virtual Think Tank Report

February 2021 No Comments

Authors: George Popp (NSI, Inc.); Eric Kuznar (NSI, Inc.); Skylar Stokes (NSI, Inc.); Ali Jafri (NSI, Inc.) Subject Matter Expert Contributors Paul Astorino (Senior Vice President, Global Merchandizing, Clarks), Catherine Chapman (Founder and CEO, Parenthetic), Cyndi Coon (CEO and Founder, Labratory5 Inc.), John DeBello (President and Chief Creative Officer, Loma Media), Bill Heater (Creative Executive, Real Life Creative), Dr. […]

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Masspersonal Social Engineering: Manipulative Communication at the Intersections of Cyber and Information Operations

February 2021 No Comments

Speakers: Dr. Robert Gehl (Louisiana Tech University) and Dr. Sean Lawson (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 […]

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Geoeconomics and Great Power Competition

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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 […]

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Toward an Inclusive & Balanced Regional Order: A New US Strategy in East Asia

February 2021 No Comments

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) […]

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Russian and Chinese Influence in Iran: Sources and Future Trends

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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 […]

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A New US-Iran Nuclear Agreement: What are the Chances?

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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 […]

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The Abraham Accords and Iran’s Unconventional Warfare Activities

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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, […]

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Iran’s Ballistic Missile Launch Criteria: Change or Continuity?

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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 […]

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IRGC-QF Malfeasant Activity Outside of the CENTCOM AOR

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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). […]

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Disinformation and Political Warfare: Historical and Technological Insights (A Conversation with Thomas Rid)

February 2021 No Comments

Speaker: Dr. Thomas Rid (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 […]

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