Central Region Instability Dynamics

February 2020 No Comments

Authors: Lt. Gen (Ret) Robert Elder (George Mason University); and Dr. Alexander Lewis (George Mason University) This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.”  For more information regarding this project, please click here. Report Abstract With support from GTRI, GMU worked with Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to […]

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Reintegrating the Radicalized: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and How to Overcome Barriers

February 2020 No Comments

Authors: Sabrina Polansky (Pagano) (NSI, Inc.), and Weston Aviles (NSI, Inc.) This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.”  For more information regarding this project, please click here. NSI Reachback Report Preview Defining Reintegration and Distinguishing Related Terms We begin by defining reintegration and distinguishing it from […]

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Responsibility for Displaced Civilians and Effective Voices for Preventing Radicalization

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Authors: Tom Rieger (NSI, Inc.); and Aleksandra Goncharova (NSI, Inc.) This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.”  For more information regarding this project, please click here. NSI Reachback Report Preview Host countries, along with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have the […]

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Defying the Cycle of Violence Among Children of War

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Authors: Nicole (Peterson) Omundson (NSI, Inc.), Dr. Allison Astorino-Courtois (NSI, Inc.), and Dr. Lawrence Kuznar (NSI, Inc.) This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.”  For more information regarding this project, please click here. NSI Reachback Report Preview In advance of the Turkish incursion into Syria last October, warnings […]

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Maximum Pressure on Iran: Where Do We Go From Here

January 2020 No Comments

“Maximum Pressure on Iran: Where Do We Go From Here” Speaker: Nephew, R. (Columbia University) Date: 31 January 2020 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Mr. Richard Nephew (Columbia University) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. Mr. Nephew first suggested that the series of tit for tat events between the US and Iran that occurred after […]

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US-Iranian Strategic Competition Post-Soleimani: Buffers and Drivers of Escalation

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“US-Iranian Strategic Competition Post-Soleimani: Buffers and Drivers of Escalation” Speaker: Ben Taleblu, B. (Foundation for Defense of Democracies) Date: 28 January 2020 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Mr. Behnam Ben Taleblu (Foundation for Defense of Democracies) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. Mr. Ben Taleblu began his presentation by stating that those who saw a vector […]

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Iraqi Stability and the Impacts of Recent US-Iranian Tensions

January 2020 No Comments

“Iraqi Stability and the Impacts of Recent US-Iranian Tensions“ Speaker: van den Toorn (Iraq Fund for Higher Education (IFHE)) Date: 14 January 2020 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Ms. Christine van den Toorn (Iraq Fund for Higher Education (IFHE)) as a part of its SMA CENTCOM Speaker Series. Ms. van den Toorn’s presentation focused on Iraqi stability and […]

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Rethinking Communication Influence from a Strategic Communication Approach

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Rethinking Communication Influence from a Strategic Communication Approach Authors | Editors: Lieber, P. (US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Joint Special Operations University (JSOU)); Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.) Executive Summary For over a decade, many within US defense and interagency circles maintain a belief they are ‘losing’ the communication influence battle, one its adversaries are excelling at due to seemingly better strategy […]

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Antecedents of Organizational Sophistication in Violent Non-State Actors in the USCENTCOM AOR

January 2020 No Comments

“Antecedents of Organizational Sophistication in Violent Non-State Actors in the USCENTCOM AOR” Speaker: Logan, M. (University of Nebraska, Omaha) Date: 10 January 2020 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Mr. Michael Logan (University of Nebraska, Omaha) as a part of its SMA DHS CAOE Speaker Series. Mr. Logan’s presentation focused on his dissertation, wherein he measured the organizational sophistication of 280 […]

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Complex Adaptive Systems

January 2020 No Comments

“Complex Adaptive Systems“ Author | Editor: Lawson, S. (University of Utah); Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.) Executive Summary In his interview with Lt Col David Lyle (US Air Force Academy) on 4 June 2019, Dr. Sean Lawson discusses how complexity might inform SMA’s Future of Global Competition & Conflict study. More specifically, Dr. Lawson argues that although it […]

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