US-DiGIA: Mapping the USG Discoverable Information Terrain. Author | Editor: Bragg, B., Polansky (Pagano), S., & Stevenson, J. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary The United States currently faces a complex and dynamic security environment. States are no longer the only critical actors in the international arena; rather, a diverse range of non-state entities also has the […]
Continue ReadingQuestion (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 ReadingThe 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 […]
Continue ReadingDefense Science Board 60th Anniversary. On September 20, 2016, the Defense Science Board celebrated its 60th anniversary with an all-day event in Washington DC focused on a variety of topics from a host of speakers and panelists. Dr. Popp took part on a panel focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI): What’s Real, What’s not and is […]
Continue ReadingExecutive Order — Using Behavioral Science Insights to Better Serve the American People. Where Federal policies have been designed to reflect behavioral science insights, they have substantially improved outcomes for the individuals, families, communities, and businesses those policies serve – President Barack Obama, 2015 By Robert Popp On September 15, 2015 President Barack Obama released […]
Continue ReadingHolistic Engagement Activities Ranking Tool (HEART) — A Multi-criteria decision tool to assist in planning and tracking steady state security assistance and engagement activities. Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc). More than ever, United States Government (USG) activities are planned and implemented in an atmosphere of shrinking budgets, high expectations and intense scrutiny at […]
Continue ReadingSocio-Cultural Analysis with the Reconnaisance, Surveillance, and Intelligence Paradigm. Author | Editor: Ehlschlaeger, C. (ERDC). Socio-Cultural Analysis (SCA) has evolved rapidly over the past decade as conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have forced the DOD to reappraise the techniques used to collect information about the populations in conflict zones. As these two major con- flicts […]
Continue Reading7th Annual SMA Conference: Over a Decade into the 21st Century…What Now? What Next? Author | Editor: Canna, S. & Popp, G. (NSI, Inc). The 7th Annual Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) Conference was held at Joint Base Andrews from 13-14 November 2013. The conference was focused on global megatrends and their implications in all spheres […]
Continue ReadingOver a Decade Later…What Now? What Next? A Multi-Layer Assessment of Terrorism in its Current and Future Manifestation Author | Editor: Cabayan, H. (Joint Staff), Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc), Yandura, M., Sitterle, V. (Georgia Tech), Canna, S. & Popp, G. (NSI, Inc). This report marries contemporary social science theory, applied research, and operational experience to […]
Continue ReadingLooking Back, Looking Forward: Perspectives on Terrorism and Responses to It. Author | Editor: Cabayan, H. (Joint Staff), Sitterle, V. & Yandura, M. (Georgia Tech). This white paper is a follow-on report to a recent publication entitled “Over a Decade Later…What Now? What Next? A Multi-Layer Assessment of Terrorism in its Current and Future Manifestation.” […]
Continue Reading