Saudi-Iranian Gray Zone Competition in MENA
Examinations of Saudi-Iranian Gray Zone Competition in MENA, and of Potential Outcomes of the Flow of Foreign Fighters to the United States. Author | Editor: Capps, R., Ellis, D. & Wilkenfeld, J. (ICONS). Executive Summary The United States is regularly challenged by the actions of states and non-state actors in the nebulous, confusing, and ambiguous […]
Continue Reading10th Annual SMA Conference – From Control to Influence
10th Annual SMA Conference – From Control to Influence? A View of—and Vision for—the Future. Author | Editor: George Popp, Sarah Canna, & Nicole (Peterson) Omundson (NSI, Inc.). Conference Background The Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) office hosted the 10th Annual SMA Conference on 25-26 April 2017 at Joint Base Andrews. This year’s conference, formally titled […]
Continue ReadingPanel 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 […]
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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 […]
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Panel Discussion on the Gray Zone
Panel Discussion on the Gray Zone. Author | Editor: Popp, G., Canna, C., Bragg, B., Stevenson, J. & Kuznar, L. (NSI, Inc.). Overview At the request of the Commander, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) team initiated an effort, titled Gray Zone Conflicts-Challenges and Opportunities-A Multi-Agency Deep Dive Assessment, focused […]
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SMA Project Noor Programmatic Overview
Author | Editor: Popp, G. (NSI, Inc). This video is a brief overview of the Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) team’s Project Noor effort in support of USCENTCOM. Over the past year, the SMA Reach Back Cell has produced a vast corpus of knowledge and insight in support of key USCENTCOM questions regarding Syria and […]
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