By: Brian Hayes, Columnist Photo Credit: Newsweek In the last quarter century, the United States has twice intervened in Somalia. The first intervention—made famous by the book and film Blackhawk Down—ended in failure in 1995. The second intervention, less well known, is now in its eleventh year. From relatively narrow counterterrorism objectives—hunting down a few … Continue reading Strategic Gridlock in America’s Second Somalia War
Author: GSSR
Sri Lanka: A Story of China’s Consolidation and India’s Haste
By: Husanjot Chahal, Columnist Photo Credit: NewsInAsia On November 21, 2017, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in India for a three-day visit.[i] The visit marked the eighth interaction between Indian and Sri Lankan heads of state since 2015—suggesting vigorous high-level political engagement. Expediting decisions on joint projects and “solving the problems that have … Continue reading Sri Lanka: A Story of China’s Consolidation and India’s Haste
The Case Against Hacking Back
By: Sonny Santistevan, Columnist Photo Credit: Slate (via TASS) Cybersecurity breaches are an all too common theme in headlines across the United States. 2017 alone has seen an inordinate amount of cybersecurity breakdowns, including state-sponsored ransomware, leaks of spy tools from intelligence agencies, electoral campaign hacking, and a myriad of public and private sector breaches, … Continue reading The Case Against Hacking Back
Reliance on China to Solve North Korea is Reasonable, but Unrealistic
By: Theresa Lou, Columnist Photo Credit: Reuters North Korea conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on November 28, the third such test in 2017. Amidst the predictable flurry of discussions surrounding how the United States should respond to Pyongyang’s growing threat, the Trump administration remains fixated on its current approach of pushing China to … Continue reading Reliance on China to Solve North Korea is Reasonable, but Unrealistic
Rethinking American Military Aid to Egypt
By: Stephanie Pillion, Columnist Photo Credit: MEMO On November 22, 2017, more than 235 were killed and 107 injured when four truck bombs exploded and militants opened fire on a Sufi mosque in Sinai, Egypt.[i] This attack is the latest example of the Egyptian government’s failed efforts to counter the threat of the Islamic State … Continue reading Rethinking American Military Aid to Egypt
The Utility of Offensive Nuclear Weapons in the Modern Era
By: Mark Bhaskar, Columnist Photo Credit: MinutemanMissile.com Discussing the potential, or even necessary, use of nuclear weapons by the United States in any reputable forum usually invites near-universal condemnation. Such a strong reaction proves that the “nuclear taboo,” best described in Nina Tannenwald’s 1999 essay, is alive and well. As per this taboo, using nuclear … Continue reading The Utility of Offensive Nuclear Weapons in the Modern Era
Faculty Interview Series: An Interview with Paula Doyle, SSP Adjunct Professor
By: Rebecca Robison, Reporter Photo Credit: George T. Kalaris Intelligence Studies Fund Paula Doyle retired in December 2016 as one of three CIA Associate Deputy Directors of Operations, where she oversaw worldwide HUMINT operations and activities that required the use of air, land, maritime, space-based and cyber technologies. She was the Deputy National Counterintelligence Executive from 2012-2014. She … Continue reading Faculty Interview Series: An Interview with Paula Doyle, SSP Adjunct Professor
Psychologist Discusses ‘Mutual Radicalization’ in Groups and Nation-States
By: Andrew Johnian, Reporter Photo Credit: National Communication Association At Georgetown’s Communication, Culture & Technology Center, Professor Fathali Moghaddam discussed the “mutual radicalization” of groups and nations. The topic is the basis for his forthcoming book, “Mutual Radicalization: The Psychology of How Groups and Nations Drive Each Other to Extremes.” Moghaddam’s work on radicalization was … Continue reading Psychologist Discusses ‘Mutual Radicalization’ in Groups and Nation-States
Jihad After the Caliphate
By: Andrew Swick, Columnist Photo Credit:Al-Sharq al-Awsat (via CIA release) Last month, the US-backed Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) took control of Raqqa from the Islamic State (ISIS), reducing the so-called caliphate’s territorial holdings to a diminished stretch of land on the eastern side of the Euphrates River. While American officials were cautious in their immediate … Continue reading Jihad After the Caliphate
Richard Spencer and White Ethno-Nationalism’s Domestic Terrorism Threat
By: Sara Sirota, Columnist Photo Credit: Newsweek Until this year, many of us have had the privilege of assuming violent white ethno-nationalist groups spout hateful ideologies but lack the organization and appeal to pose a real threat. Charlottesville’s “Unite the Right” rally in August and Richard Spencer’s appearance at the University of Florida shattered that … Continue reading Richard Spencer and White Ethno-Nationalism’s Domestic Terrorism Threat