Students at "Introduction to Defense Wargaming". Photo Credit: Sebastian Bae By: Olivia Letts, Reporter On October 14, 2018, roughly 50 SSP students had their first exposure to wargaming at “Introduction to Defense Wargaming,” a two-part learning seminar presented by Sebastian Bae, who is a defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, as well as a … Continue reading REPORT: Introduction to Defense Wargaming
Category: Military & Defense
Ready for Takeoff: Airshow China and the Future of Chinese Airpower
By: Nick Impson Photo Credit: Associated Press The November 6th opening of China’s biennial airshow, the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, promises – by design – to be a showcase of the country’s newest aircraft, weaponry, and technical achievements.[i] Under the eye of visiting military delegations, previous editions of “Airshow China” have been used … Continue reading Ready for Takeoff: Airshow China and the Future of Chinese Airpower
REPORT: Staying on Course: Security, Coca, Justice, and Accord Implementation in Colombia
By: Emiel Haeghebaert, Reporter Photo Credit: WOLA On October 16, 2018, the Washington Office on Latin America hosted a remarkable selection of leaders, practitioners, and experts from Colombia for an all-day event entitled “Staying on Course: Security, Coca, Justice, and Accord Implementation in Colombia.” Throughout the day, three panel discussions offered a deep-dive into the … Continue reading REPORT: Staying on Course: Security, Coca, Justice, and Accord Implementation in Colombia
The Cost of a Relationship: U.S. Complicity in Saudi’s Controversial War
Tens of thousands of Yemenis have fled their homes as fighting intensifies near Hodeidah city Photo Credit: Nabil Hassan / AFP By: Alexander Yacoubian, Columnist The United States routinely gives Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a carte blanche to do whatever it pleases in the region at the expense of human rights … Continue reading The Cost of a Relationship: U.S. Complicity in Saudi’s Controversial War
Messaging is Key to Bringing Top Talent onto Defense Projects
By: Kathryn Long, Columnist On October 9th, the Government Accountability Office released a report to the Senate Armed Services Committee criticizing the failure of the Department of Defense (DOD) to take seriously cybersecurity concerns relating to weapons systems.[i] The report acknowledged that DOD has taken steps to improve this deficiency but noted “DOD is struggling … Continue reading Messaging is Key to Bringing Top Talent onto Defense Projects
Avoiding a Self-fulfilling Prophecy In Iraq
Members of the Abbas combat squad, a Shiite militia group, carry a picture of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani during a parade in Basra, Iraq, on September 26, 2015. Photo Credit: Nabil Al-Jurani/ AP By: Taylor Clausen, Columnist The Trump administration recently issued a warning to the new government of Iraq, stating that if Iranian-aligned politicians … Continue reading Avoiding a Self-fulfilling Prophecy In Iraq
All Under the Heavens, and More: China’s Increasing Military Presence in Africa
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, left, during the 2018 Beijing Summit Of The Forum On China-Africa Cooperation – Round Table Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. Photo Credit: (Lintao Zhang/Pool photo via AP) By: Nick Impson, Columnist On September 3rd, Chinese … Continue reading All Under the Heavens, and More: China’s Increasing Military Presence in Africa
What is the Public’s Role in National Security?
By: Evan Cooper, Columnist Photo Credit: Jeffery Smith for The Atlantic When the security of the American public is at stake, what role does the constituency have in shaping the response to threats? There is a divide between national security leaders and American society on two related fronts: threat prioritization and public mobilization. In a … Continue reading What is the Public’s Role in National Security?
Ukraine’s Grand Bargain
Russian soldiers on patrol in Crimea in 2014. Photo Credit: Getty Images By: Alexander Begej Universal recognition of a Russian Crimea would benefit both Kyiv and Moscow. Russia would see annexation sanctions lifted from its economy, providing disgruntled Russians with much needed economic relief. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government would be free from the shackles of … Continue reading Ukraine’s Grand Bargain
Circumventing MAD: Nuclear War Without the Nukes?
An artist's impression of a Hyper Glide Vehicle. Photo Credit: Forbes By: Madison Creery, Columnist Since the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the mere suggestion of the offensive use of nuclear weapons has received instant global condemnation. Luckily, the strategy of deterrence, underpinned by the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), has thus … Continue reading Circumventing MAD: Nuclear War Without the Nukes?