Recent Publications

AI: Centaurs Versus Minotaurs—Who Is in Charge?
June 28, 2023 — Who is in charge when it comes to AI? People or machines? In this episode, Paul Scharre, author of the books Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War and the award-winning Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, and Robert Sparrow, coauthor with Adam Henschke of “Minotaurs, Not Centaurs: The Future of Manned-Unmanned Teaming”... MORE

Trusting AI: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Army’s Professional Expert Knowledge
June 22, 2023 — Integrating artificially intelligent technologies for military purposes poses a special challenge. In previous arms races, such as the race to atomic bomb technology during World War II, expertise resided within the Department of Defense. But in the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, expertise dwells mostly within industry and academia. Also, unlike the development of the bomb, effective employment of AI... MORE

The Weaponisation of Everything: A Field Guide to the New Way of War
June 21, 2023 — Technology and War Book Review: The Weaponisation of Everything: A Field Guide to the New Way of War Robert J. Bunker Author: Mark Galeottii | Reviewed by Dr. Robert J. Bunker, director of research and analysis, managing partner, C/O Futures LLC | In this field guide, Galeotti departs from his customary focus on Russia and covers a broad area of... MORE

Technology and War – Book Review: The Weaponisation of Everything: A Field Guide to the New Way of War
Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Military Virtues
June 21, 2023 — Strategic Leadership Book Review: Military Virtues George J. Fust Editors: Michael Skerker, David Whetham, and Don Carrick | Reviewed by Major George J. Fust, active-duty US Army officer | Filling the gap between theoretical and practical application, this collection of essays by leading scholars and practitioners revitalizes the application of... MORE

Military History – Book Review: Managing Sex in the U.S. Military: Gender, Identity, and Behavior
Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

The Age of AI and Our Human Future
June 21, 2023 — Technology and War Book Review: The Age of AI and Our Human Future Russell W. Glenn Authors: Henry A. Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher | Reviewed by Dr. Russell W. Glenn, principal, Innovative Defense Research LLC | Notable for its authoritative arguments and analysis of the nature and potential impact of artificial intelligence... MORE

Brazil and the Illiberal Anti-U.S. Alliance
June 20, 2023 — R. Evan EllisDuring World War II, Brazil contributed to the security of allied trans-Atlantic shipping routes and sent a division-sized expeditionary force to Italy to help liberate Europe from Hitler and Mussolini’s murderous dictatorships. In 1985, Brazilians rallied around Tancredo Neves and José Sarney to end undemocratic military rule... MORE

Brazil and the Illiberal Anti-U.S. Alliance
Jun 20, 2023 | China, R. Evan Ellis, South & Latin America, SSI Worldwide

SSI Live 101 – What’s the Real State of the Russia-China Relationship
June 15, 2023 — What’s the Real State of the Russia-China Relationship? – The debate over the nature of the Russia-China relationship remains unsettled. One side believes the two are strategic partners, while the other believes their ties are merely an “axis of convenience”. Understanding the nature of their relationship is of vital importance to U.S. national security, so how can we gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Russian-Chinese relations?... MORE

The Advance of China and Authoritarian Populism in Honduras
June 9, 2023 — R. Evan EllisIn Latin America, it is strategically important that the United States distinguish between principled left-oriented democratic regimes versus those which seek to manage the alarm of Washington and Western investors as they pursue a fundamentally anti-democratic, anti-market, anti-U.S. course. It is time for Washington to recognize that... MORE

The Advance of China and Authoritarian Populism in Honduras
R. Evan Ellis

“Responding to Future Pandemics: Biosecurity Implications and Defense Considerations”
June 8, 2023 — In an evolving and expanding biothreat landscape caused by emerging biotechnologies, increases in global infectious disease outbreaks, and geopolitical instability, the Department of Defense now faces challenges that alter its traditional approach to biothreats and prompt the need for modernized, improved preparedness for—and response to—potential biothreat scenarios. These challenges further complicate specific weaknesses revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Department’s inability to sustain the military mission while meeting intragovernmental expectations to assist with civilian public health resources and services... MORE

“Taiwan’s Food Resiliency—or Not—in a Conflict with China”
June 2, 2023 — The US military, intelligence, and diplomatic communities have overlooked a key vulnerability in their assessment of a potential military conflict between China and Taiwan—Taiwan’s growing reliance on agricultural imports and its food stocks (except for rice) that could endure trade disruptions for only six months. This podcast assesses Taiwan’s agricultural sector and its ability to feed the country’s population if food imports and production are disrupted; identifies the food products that should be prioritized in resupply operations, based on Taiwan’s nutritional needs and domestic food production; and outlines the required logistical assets. These findings underscore the urgency for US military planners to develop long-term logistical solutions for this complex strategic issue. ... MORE

The Trouble with China’s Global Civilization Initiative (on The Diplomat)
June 1, 2023 — R. Evan EllisHistory is marked by the recurring tragedy of publics rallying around leaders with attractive-sounding rhetoric, from new constitutions to government-led development and social justice, to prosperity through privatization. Whether on the right or the left, the most consistent outcome is to empower and benefit the elites selling the... MORE

Panama’s Popular Discontent Is Still Simmering
May 27, 2023 — R. Evan EllisWith roughly a year to go before Panama’s next general election scheduled for May 2024, Panamanians are broadly frustrated with the country’s current conditions. During a weeklong visit last month, government officials, academics and others I spoke with expressed concerns over insecurity, the economy, corruption and the stalled... MORE

Panama’s Popular Discontent Is Still Simmering
R. Evan Ellis