Why Extremist Insurgencies Spread: Insights from the Sahel
Speaker: Dr. Anouar Boukhars (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University; McDaniel College) Date: 10 January 2023 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Anouar Boukhars (Professor of Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University; Associate Professor of Political Science, McDaniel College) as part of […]
Continue ReadingUS-China Technological “Decoupling”: Strategy, Policy, and Military Implications
Speaker: Jon Bateman (Senior Fellow, Technology and International Affairs Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) Date: 20 December 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Mr. Jon Bateman (Senior Fellow, Technology and International Affairs Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) as part of its SMA “Anticipating the Future Operational Environment” (AFOE) Speaker Series. The […]
Continue ReadingThe 2022 NDS in Its Historical and Strategic Big Picture: Expert Q&A
Speakers: Dr. Barry Posen (Ford International Professor of Political Science, MIT; Director Emeritus, Security Studies Program, MIT); and Prof. Christopher Coker (Director, London School of Economics [LSE] IDEAS) Date: 15 December 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Barry Posen (Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)) and Prof. Christopher Coker (London School of […]
Continue ReadingDo National Security Communication Campaigns Work? Taking a Lesson from the Public Health Sector
Speaker(s): Helmus, T. (Senior Behavioral Scientist, RAND) Date: 14 December 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Todd Helmus (RAND) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series. The sample size of communication campaigns in support of military objectives—like the deradicalization of a population—is small. However, there is a large sample of case […]
Continue Reading
Modeling Exploitable Conditions in the 21st Century Strategic Environment
SMA Anticipating the Future Operational Environment (AFOE) Computational Modeling Update Speaker: Dr. Lawrence Kuznar (Chief Cultural Sciences Officer, NSI) Date: 30 November 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Lawrence A. Kuznar (NSI) as part of its SMA “Anticipating the Future Operational Environment” (AFOE) Speaker Series. The creation of a computational model that […]
Continue ReadingSlaughtering Sacred Cows? German Energy Security, Nuclear Sharing, and the War in Ukraine
Speaker(s): Dorondo, D. (Western Carolina University) Date: 21 November 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. David Dorondo (Western Carolina University) as part of its SMA STRATCOM Academic Alliance Speaker Series. After the Cold War, despite many warning symbols from Russia (e.g., President Vladimir Putin’s election in 1999, the war against Georgia in […]
Continue ReadingArtificial Intelligence, Deepfakes, and Disinformation: A Primer
Speaker(s): Helmus, T. (RAND) Date: 16 November 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Todd Helmus (Senior Behavioral Scientist, RAND) as part of its SMA General Speaker Series. Deepfakes are becoming a more frequent feature in today’s modern information environment. Their increasing prevalence and quality are becoming a threat to society. Dr. […]
Continue ReadingRussia’s New Approach to Influence During the Special Military Operation (SVO) in Ukraine
Speaker(s): Vartanova, O. (US Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC)) Date: 15 November 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Olga Vartanova (Visiting Scholar & Consultant, US Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC)) as part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series. Russia’s information operations (IO) are playing a pivotal role in its ongoing […]
Continue ReadingSemiconductors, China, Taiwan, and the US Policy Debate: Intersecting Technological, Economic Security, and Geopolitical Realities
Speaker(s): Cronin, R. (The Stimson Center) Date: 9 November 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Richard Cronin (Distinguished Fellow, The Stimson Center) as part of its SMA INDOPACOM Speaker Series. China and Taiwan’s political relationship is highly confrontational; however, China’s dependence on advanced semi-conductors produced in Taiwan acts as a defensive shield for […]
Continue ReadingThreat Inflation and the Taiwan Issue: The Need for an Active Denial Strategy, Plus Assurances
Speakers: Swaine, M. (East Asia Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft); Heginbotham, E. (Center for International Studies, MIT) Date: 10 November 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Michael Swaine (Director, East Asia Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft) and Dr. Eric Heginbotham (Principal Research Scientist, Center for International Studies, MIT) as part […]
Continue Reading