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

February 2021 No Comments

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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Internal Instability in Iran: Drivers and Regime Response

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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 […]

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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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How [Culture] Change Happens: A Roadmap of What Works

February 2021 No Comments

Authors: Alexa Courtney (Frontier Design); Jess Williams (Frontier Design) SMA Report Preview This report supported SMA’s Integrating Information in Joint Operations (IIJO) project. For additional speaker sessions and project publications, please visit the IIJO project page. Abstract Change is hard; it humbles us all. Yet, it is possible to succeed. This article explores the why, what, […]

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Transactional Communication Model

January 2021 No Comments

Authors: Dr. Belina Bragg (NSI, Inc.); Dr. Asya Cooley (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Skye Cooley (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Sara Kitsch (Monmouth College); Dr. Robert Hinck (Monmouth College) Quick Look Preview Introduction This report supported SMA’s Integrating Information in Joint Operations (IIJO) project. For additional speaker sessions and project publications, please visit the IIJO project page. This […]

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Understanding Mass Self-Communication

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Authors: Dr. Asya Cooley (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Skye Cooley (Oklahoma State University); Dr. Sara Kitsch (Monmouth College); Dr. Robert Hinck (Monmouth College) Quick Look Preview This report supported SMA’s Integrating Information in Joint Operations (IIJO) project. For additional speaker sessions and project publications, please visit the IIJO project page. This brief discusses a new form of […]

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Vulnerabilities to Cognitive Biases in the OODA Loop Process

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Authors: Tom Rieger and Ali Jafri (NSI, Inc.) Invited Perspective Preview This report supported SMA’s Integrating Information in Joint Operations (IIJO) project. For additional speaker sessions and project publications, please visit the IIJO project page. A recent Quick Look prepared as part of a Joint Staff and Air Force (A3)-sponsored effort to examine the effectiveness of Operations […]

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Fresh Options to Reinvigorate Defense Innovation for the World as It Is Now

January 2021 No Comments

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 […]

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