Post-ISIL Iraq Scenarios
Question (V4): Post-ISIL Iraq Scenarios. What are the most likely post-lSIL Iraq scenarios with regards to Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical Environment, and Time (PMESII-PT)? Where are the main PMESII-PT friction points, which are most acute, and how are they best exploited to accomplish a stable end state favorable to U.S. and coalition […]
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Influence Future of Syria
Question (V5): Factors that Will Influence the Future of Syria. What are the factors that will influence the future of Syria and how can we best affect them? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). Experts varied from pessimistic (chronic warfare) to cautiously optimistic regarding their expectations for the future of Syria, yet mentioned many […]
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Iran Nuclear Deal Implications
Question (V6): Strategic and Operational Implications of the Iran Nuclear Deal. What are the strategic and operational implications of the Iran nuclear deal on the US-led coalition¹s ability to prosecute the war against ISIL in Iraq and Syria and to create the conditions for political, humanitarian and security sector stability? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. […]
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Countering the ISIL Fight
Question (V7): Objectives and Motivations of Indigenous State and Non-State Partners In the Counter-Isil Fight. What are the strategic objectives and motivations of indigenous state and non-state partners in the counter-ISIL fight? Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc). The following are high-level results of a study assessing Middle East regional dynamics based on the […]
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Info OPs in Iraq and Syria
Question (S3): What must the coalition do in the information environment to achieve its objectives in Iraq and Syria and how can it deny adversaries the ability to achieve theirs? Author | Editor: Spitaletta, J. (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory). The following set of responses to Question S3 represent an attempt to distill the […]
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Mosul Coalition Fragmentation
Mosul Coalition Fragmentation: Causes and Effects. Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc) & Krakar, J. (TRADOC G-27). This paper assesses the potential causes and effects of fragmentation on the Counter-ISIL coalition. This coalition consists of three distinct but interrelated subsets: the CJTF-OIR coalition; the regional coalition, de facto allies of convenience, who may provide […]
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Socio-Political Stability in Syria and Iraq
Options to Facilitate Socio-Political Stability in Syria and Iraq. Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. (NSI, Inc) & Cabayan, H. (Joint Staff). This White Paper presents the analytic results from Strategic Multi-layer Assessment (SMA) project touching on the Middle East and North Africa. The objective is to suggest options to manage conflict in the region and […]
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Demystifying the Gray Zone: Colombia, 2002-Present
Demystifying Gray Zone Conflict: A Typology of Conflict Dyads and Instruments of Power in Colombia, 2002-present. Author | Editor: Koven, B. (University of Maryland, START). This case study elucidates the dynamics of Gray Zone conflict with particular emphasis on the role of non- state actors. It does so through a detailed examination of the most […]
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Demystifying the Gray Zone: Libya, 2014‐Present
Demystifying Gray Zone Conflict: A Typology of Conflict Dyads and Instruments of Power in Libya, 2014‐Present. Author | Editor: Gabriel, R. & Johns, M. (University of Maryland, START). This case study is intended to highlight the dynamics of Gray Zone conflict in Libya since 2014. It places specific emphasis on the roles of non‐state actors […]
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Saudi-Iranian Gray Zone Competition in MENA
Examinations of Saudi-Iranian Gray Zone Competition in MENA, and of Potential Outcomes of the Flow of Foreign Fighters to the United States. Author | Editor: Capps, R., Ellis, D. & Wilkenfeld, J. (University of Maryland, START). The United States is regularly challenged by the actions of states and non-state actors in the nebulous, confusing, and […]
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