US Action and Inaction in Lebanon: Charting the Best Course for US Interests in Great Power Competition
Authors: Dr. Sabrina Polansky (Pagano) (NSI, Inc.); and Weston Aviles, W. (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. Report Abstract Despite significant challenges to its stability, Lebanon has long survived politically and economically. Nonetheless, poor governance and a severe economic […]
Continue ReadingCentral Region Instability Dynamics
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 […]
Continue ReadingAnalysis and Artificial Intelligence in Integrated Campaigning
“Analysis and Artificial Intelligence in Integrated Campaigning” Authors | Editor: Pike, T. (US Army); Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.) Executive Summary Integrated Campaigning requires the development and execution of US foreign policy across the whole of the US Government (USG). Such coherent policy development and implementation necessitates a common perspective to analyze the situation that provides (1) an accurate description […]
Continue ReadingHybrid War, the Gray Zone, and the Failure of American Strategic Thinking
“Hybrid War, the Gray Zone, and the Failure of American Strategic Thinking” Speakers: Stoker, D. (Atlas Organization); Whiteside, C. (Naval Postgraduate School) Date: 24 January 2020 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Donald Stoker (Atlas Organization) and Dr. Craig Whiteside (Naval Postgraduate School) as a part of its SMA General Speaker Series. During their brief, Dr. Stoker and Dr. Whiteside argued that US strategists and […]
Continue ReadingMaximum Pressure on Iran: Where Do We Go From Here
“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 […]
Continue ReadingUS-Iranian Strategic Competition Post-Soleimani: Buffers and Drivers of Escalation
“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 […]
Continue ReadingHypersonic Weapons and Strategic Stability
“Hypersonic Weapons and Strategic Stability” Speaker: Wilkening, D. (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Date: 15 January 2020 Speaker Session Preview SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Dean Wilkening (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) as a part of its SMA STRATCOM Academic Alliance Speaker Series. During his brief, Dr. Wilkening spoke about hypersonic weapons, crisis instability, and arms race instability. He began […]
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Iraqi Stability and the Impacts of Recent US-Iranian Tensions
“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 […]
Continue ReadingRethinking Communication Influence from a Strategic Communication Approach
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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Complex Adaptive Systems
“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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