Recent Publications

Russian Engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean: Return to the “Strategic Game” in a Complex-Interdependent Post-Cold War World?
April 24, 2015 — Dr. R. Evan Ellis The views expressed here are his own. Dr. Ellis thanks his research assistants, Allen Church and Isaac Schlotterbeck, for their help with this article.In February 2015, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Latin America to meet with leaders and defense officials in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Although the visit... MORE

Evolving Army Needs for Space-Based Support
April 21, 2015 — Author: Mr Jeffrey L Caton View the Executive SummaryThe Army has been involved with space-based military operations for well over a half-century. During this time, space operations have changed from a realm exclusive to scientists and engineers, to highly classified activities largely unknown to the general population, to the unveiling of... MORE

Parsing Chinese-Russian Military Exercises
April 15, 2015 — Author: Dr Richard Weitz View the Executive SummaryChina and Russia have engaged in an increasing number of joint exercises in recent years. These drills aim to help them deter and, if necessary, defeat potential threats, such as Islamist terrorists trying to destabilize a Central Asian government, while at the same time reassuring their allies... MORE

Maturing Defense Support of Civil Authorities and the Dual Status Commander Arrangement through the Lens of Process Improvement
April 14, 2015 — Authors: Dr Ryan Burke, Dr Sue McNeilView the Executive SummaryThe authors advocate the integration of process improvement methods into future Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations. They briefly discuss alternative process improvement strategies and their current state of employment in a variety of DoD programs. Methods discussed... MORE

Another Brick in the Wall: The Israeli Experience in Missile Defense
April 13, 2015 — Author: Dr Jean-Loup Samaan View the Executive SummaryFor the last 4 decades, Israel has been challenged by the rise of ballistic arsenals in the Middle East. If, at first, the country kept relying on its traditional offensive doctrines, it eventually developed missile defense programs in the early-1980s through U.S.-Israel cooperation and then in... MORE

The State-Society/Citizen Relationship in Security Analysis: Implications for Planning and Implementation of U.S. Intervention and Peace/State-building Operations
April 10, 2015 — Author: Dr Yannis A Stivachtis View the Executive SummaryThe end of the Cold War, and especially the events of September 11, 2001, have led to the redefinition of the U.S. Army’s role. In this new environment, the purpose of the U.S. Army is not only to win a battle or a war, but also to be involved effectively in peace operations in post-conflict... MORE

Toward a Unified Military Response: Hurricane Sandy and the Dual Status Commander
April 9, 2015 — Authors: Dr Ryan Burke, Dr Sue McNeil View the Executive SummaryThe 2013-14 Army War College Key Strategic Issues List stated: “If Hurricane Sandy is seen as an archetype of a complex catastrophe, then a careful analysis of the effectiveness of the DoD response within the context of dual status commanders [DSCs], lead federal agencies, and state... MORE

A Russian View on Landpower
April 9, 2015 — Authors: Mr Keir Giles, Maj Gen Aleksandr V RogovoyView the Executive SummaryRussia’s seizure of Crimea, and ongoing operations in eastern Ukraine, have refocused attention on the Russian military as a potential cause for concern in Europe. This Letort Paper, by an influential Russian general and military academic, lays out specifically Russian... MORE

Space-Based Solar Power: A Technical, Economic, and Operational Assessment
April 8, 2015 — Author: Mr Jeffrey L Caton View the Executive SummaryWith growing international awareness of energy security challenges, the promise of space-based solar power for clean and unlimited energy for all humankind is certainly appealing. While significant progress continues in the enabling technologies of such systems, is there compelling evidence that... MORE

Thucydides Was Right: Defining the Future Threat
April 3, 2015 — Author: Dr Colin S GrayView the Executive SummaryTo define future threat is, in a sense, an impossible task, yet it is one that must be done. The only sources of empirical evidence accessible are the past and the present; one cannot obtain understanding about the future from the future. The author draws upon the understanding of strategic history... MORE

Mastering the Gray Zone: Understanding a Changing Era of Conflict

Strengthening Statehood Capabilities for Successful Transitions in the Middle East / North Africa Region
April 2, 2015 — Author: Dr Mohammed El-KatiriView the Executive SummaryIn this monograph, Dr. Mohammed El-Katiri focuses on the variety of challenges that face reform attempts in the post-revolution Arab countries. He examines underlying factors that have prevented new political elites and post-revolution institutions from successfully implementing essential... MORE

Confidence Building in Cyberspace: A Comparison of Territorial and Weapons-Based Regimes
April 1, 2015 — Author: Dr Mary Manjikian View the Executive SummaryAn analysis of weapons-based confidence-building measures shows how academics can work together to self-police their research for national security implications, socialize new members of the academic community into the importance of considering security issues, and develop and disseminate norms... MORE