Russian Leadership Values and Regional Goals in the Arctic
Author: Dr. Tomas Ries (National Defence College, Stockholm, Sweden) This publication was released as part of the SMA project “21st Century Strategic Deterrence Frameworks.” (SDF) For more information regarding this project, please click here. Publication Preview Table 1 (see next page) outlines seven areas in which the Russian leadership holds key values in the Arctic and […]
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Statelet of Survivors: The Making of a Semi-Autonomous Region in Northeast Syria: US Options in the New Phase of the Syrian Conflict
Speaker: Dr. Amy Austin Holmes (George Washington University) Date: 28 August 2024 Speaker Session Summary The political overtures made by Turkish President Erdogan to normalize relations with the Assad regime are reshaping the dynamics of the Syrian civil war. These overtures have more closely aligned Turkish, Russian, and Iranian interests in the region. As evidence, […]
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A Hotter and Drier Future Ahead – An Assessment of Climate Change in U.S. Central Command
Speakers: Dr. Michelle Miro, Dr. Flannery Dolan, Karen Sudkamp, & Jeffrey Martini (RAND) Date: 9 May 2024 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Michelle Miro, Dr. Flannery Dolan, Karen Sudkamp, & Jeffrey Martini (RAND) as part of its SMA AFOE Phase III Climate Effects Speaker Series. Climate-related stressors present significant risks […]
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China and the Global South: Big Ambitions, Big Challenges
Speaker: Michael Schuman (Atlantic Council) Date: 27 February 2024 Speaker Session Summary China’s economic slowdown coupled with its ambition to continuously compete with the US both economically and politically is compelling Beijing to intensify its efforts to increase political influence in the Global South. Mr. Schuman, who authored an article on why China will struggle […]
Continue ReadingAnsar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) and its Ties to Hamas
Speaker: Dr. Zana Gul (University of Stirling) Date: 7 December 2023 Speaker Session Summary Wilayat Sinai (WS), formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), is an Egyptian-based extremist group that is active in the Sinai Peninsula. The group seeks to influence the region’s politics and establish a state of the Islamic State of Iraq and […]
Continue ReadingThe Minds and Actions of Devoted Actors and the Will to Fight: A Behavioral and Brain Studies Approach to War and Extreme Group Conflict
Speaker: Dr. Scott Atran (University of Michigan) Date: 12 September 2023 Speaker Session Summary What drives warfighters to make costly sacrifices—including their lives—is a long-standing question that military and civilian leaders have tried to answer. Dr. Atran explained that this question can be studied through two different psychological models: 1) rational choice theory and 2) […]
Continue ReadingA New Asian Order is Emerging
Speaker: Mr. Mohammed Soliman (Middle East Institute) Date: 26 July 2023 Speaker Session Summary India’s expanding political influence is altering the current geopolitical order in Asia, with India positioned at its center. India’s growing role in geopolitics will over time take away some of the geopolitical focus on the Asia-Pacific region and place it on […]
Continue ReadingWhen Democracy and Security Interests Clash: Hard Choices for US Policymakers
Speaker(s): Carothers, T. (Co-director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace); Press, B. (Non-resident Research Analyst, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) Date: 1 February 2023 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Mr. Thomas Carothers (Co-director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International […]
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Emerging Strategic & Geopolitical Challenges: Operational Implications for US Combatant Commands
Speaker(s): Clark, M. (Director for Acquisition and Technology (J9), USCYBERCOM); Jansen, K. (Branch Chief, Deterrence Analysis and Outreach, Plans and Policy Directorate, USSTRATCOM/J5); Jenista, J. (Air Force Civilian, Joint Training, Exercise, and Wargaming Directorate (J7), USNORTHCOM & NORAD); Jones, R. (Senior Strategist, USSOCOM J5-JSOU Donovan Integration Group); Krakar, J. (Academic Coordinator, USEUCOM); Kucharski, L. (Analyst, […]
Continue ReadingTranscultural Predictors of Will to Fight
Speaker(s): Atran, S. (Co-founder, Artis International; Emeritus Director of Research, France’s National Centre for Scientific Research) Date: 12 October 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Scott Atran (Co-founder, Artis International; Emeritus Director of Research, France’s National Centre for Scientific Research) as part of its SMA General Speaker Session. Combatants’ willingness to fight and […]
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