Gulf Cooperation Council Stability & Influence
Question (R5.5): How stable is the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and to what extent can the United States rely on the GCC to influence foreign policy objectives in the region? What are the implications of the changing dynamics between GCC members? Author | Editor: W. Aviles (NSI, Inc,). Executive Summary The Qatari crisis that is […]
Continue ReadingEvolution of US Foreign Policy in Middle East
Question R5.4: How should United States foreign policy evolve in the region post-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria? What are the dynamics in the region and what will be the implications of this for the USG? Author | Editor: P. DeGennaro (TRADOC G-27) & S. Canna (NSI, Inc,). Executive Summary US foreign policy makers struggle […]
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Risks of Security Outpacing Diplomacy in Syria & Iraq
Question (R5.2): What are the risks associated with the security situation in Syria/Iraq outpacing diplomatic progress and policy in the region? What should be done about it? Author | Editor: S. Canna (NSI, Inc,). Executive Summary Our experts noted that we cannot say with certainty what the future security environment will look like in the […]
Continue ReadingOpportunities & Threats from POTUS Middle East Visit
Question (R5.1): What opportunities and threats should United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) be postured for as the result of a President of the United States (POTUS) visit to the Area of Responsibility (AOR)? What is the impact on stakeholders’ willingness to counter Iran along with the likelihood of partnering with the United States/coalition? Author | […]
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Influence in an Age of Rising Connectedness
Influence in an Age of Rising Connectedness. Author | Editor: W. Aviles & S. Canna (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary A strong argument can be made that we are moving toward a pluralized, multipolar world, in which military and economic sources of power are widely distributed. Technologies (e.g., the Internet and rapid means of mass migration) […]
Continue ReadingFuture of ISIS: What Experts Think Will Happen Next?
Future of ISIS: What Do Experts Think Will Happen Next? Author | Editor: Nicole (Peterson) Omundson (NSI, Inc.). At its zenith in 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) controlled more than 100,000 square kilometers of territory. ISIS seized control over major cities, notably Mosul and Raqqa, which contributed to increasing disorder in […]
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Trajectory of U.S./North Korean Nuclear War
The Trajectory of U.S./North Korean Nuclear War: Insights from Kim Jong Un’s Rhetoric. Author | Editor: Kuznar, L. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary Hours after the Washington Post broke the story that North Korea may have miniaturized a nuclear warhead, enabling its ICBM to deliver a nuclear blow to U.S. soil, President Trump announced that if […]
Continue ReadingGCC Nations: Impediments to Cooperation
Question (R4.8): Are there impediments to cooperation amongst GCC nations that reduce their effectiveness towards undesirable or adverse regional issues? If so, how could impediments be overcome? Author | Editor: Aviles, W. (NSI, Inc.). Executive Summary At the time of the writing of this executive summary, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) has experienced a diplomatic […]
Continue ReadingImpact of Kurdish Independence in the Region
1. How have regional governments responded to Ma’soud Barzani’s announcement of a referendum on Iraqi Kurdish independence to be held in September? 2. How have different sub-state groups responded, to include different Kurdish factions in Iraq and across borders? 3. How are the Kurds using the independence referendum to leverage their interests? Author | Editor: […]
Continue ReadingChina’s Expansion into South Asia, Middle East and Africa
Question (R4.9): What are the medium to long term implications to US interests and posture of China’s economic, diplomatic and military expansion into South Asia, Middle East and Africa? Author | Editor: Hayes Ellis, D. (University of Maryland). Executive Summary “It’s the Economy Stupid!” Perhaps unsurprisingly, all the contributors to this question devoted attention to […]
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