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. (University of Maryland, START). The United States is regularly challenged by the actions of states and non-state actors in the nebulous, confusing, and […]
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 ReadingRisk and Ambiguity in the Gray Zone. Author | Editor: Wright, N. (University of Birmingham & Carnegie Endowment for International Peace). Risk and ambiguity are central to activities in the Gray Zone. Policymakers can manipulate risk, and use it as a tool for deterrence or escalation management. They can also manipulate ambiguity. In the Gray […]
Continue ReadingSpecifying & systematizing how we think about the Gray Zone. Author | Editor: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc). In their continued work on the changing nature of the threat environment General Votel et al forecast that the majority of threats to US security interests in coming years will be found in a ‘gray zone’ between acceptable […]
Continue ReadingGreatest Threat is ISIS Loner. In the June 13, 2016 The Journal Gazette Dr. Kuznar discusses his view of the ISIS threat. In the wake of the tragic mass shooting incident in Orlando, and the reported shooter’s pledge to ISIS immediately before the attack, it is a good time to take stock of how ISIS […]
Continue ReadingCounter-Da’esh Influence Operations: Cognitive Space Narrative Simulation Insights. Author | Editor: Linera, R. LTC, Seese, G. MAJ (USASOC) & Canna, S (NSI, Inc). At the request of Joint Staff/J-39, the SMA program, in coordination with United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), participated in a second Counter-Da’esh Messaging […]
Continue ReadingPart IV: Analysis of the Dynamics of Near East Futures: Assessing Actor Interests, Resolve and Capability in 5 of the 8 Regional Conflicts. Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). This briefing is the final part of a four-part study exploring the dynamics of the central Middle East conflict system. Part II describes the system […]
Continue ReadingUnpacking the Regional Conflict System surrounding Iraq and Syria—Part III: Implications for the Regional Future: Syria Example of Actor Interests, Resolve and Capabilities Analysis. Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). This is Part III of a larger study exploring the dynamics of the central Middle East conflict system. Part I described the system and […]
Continue ReadingUnpacking the Regional Conflict System surrounding Iraq and Syria—Part II: Method for Assessing the Dynamics of the Conflict System, or, There are no sides—only interests. Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). This is Part II of a larger study exploring the dynamics of the central Middle East conflict system. Part I described the system […]
Continue Reading