Center for Advanced Defense Studies - Innovation for Peace

Deadline for Submission to Defense Concepts Extended

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:23:22 -0500

Washington, D.C. March 9, 2010

The deadline for submission to Defense Concepts has been extended to March 16, 2010. Defense Concepts has been indexed in the International Relations and Security Network and the Russian and Eurasian Security Network. It has received attention from the Stanley Foundation, Defense Industry Daily, the Energy Conversation, the DoD Energy Blog, the Arabic Translation and Intercultural Dialogue Association, the Small Wars Journal, the Association of Old Crows, and numerous other research institutions and foundations.

Defense Concepts includes informative, provocative and comprehensive essays and reports on all aspects of contemporary security issues. Some of articles featured address traditional topics, like military strategy or diplomatic history, but offer innovative perspectives. Others tackle issues of growing importance, such as the environmental and demographic challenges associated with climate change and or the emergence of global terrorist networks, that have not been as salient in the media in previous years.

CADS to sponsor 2010 International Law Enforcement/Military Symposium

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 10:36:29 -0500

Palm Beach Gardens, FL, February 26, 2010

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies is co-sponsoring the upcoming International Law Enforcement/Military Symposium to be held on Friday February 26, 2010 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Two CADS associates are among the five guest speakers who will address post-deployment issues for law enforcement organizations at the event. Dr. Newton Howard, the founder and Chairman of the Board and Dr. Mathieu Guidere, Senior Fellow will discuss ongoing efforts to protect the health and well-being of those returning from combat. Other speakers include Dr. Louis M. French from the Walter Read Army Medical Center, Dr. John Violanti from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo and Barbara O’Reilly who serves as Chief of Deployment Cycle Support and the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program for the Minnesota National Guard.

Winter Issue of Defense Concepts Available

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:14:18 -0500

Washington, DC, January 2010

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (CADS) is pleased to announce the publication of the Winter issue of Defense Concepts, our academic journal, featuring insightful writing on the most significant international trends and events of our times. Through this publication, CADS disseminates research in the fields of information science, cognitive studies, military science, counterterrorism, and other topics pertaining to global security to our partners in academia, government and industry. As an interdisciplinary publication that incorporates articles by authors with diverse backgrounds and experiences, Defense Concepts provides scholars, scientists, executives, and government officials with a forum for a serious discussion of questions of international interest. The articles featured in this journal include analyses of continuously evolving threats, assessments of government policies and programs, and reflections on national strategy. These interpretations contribute to lively debate regarding global security and reflect CADS’ commitment to Innovation for Peace.

LTC (Ret.) David E.A. Johnson Praises Media Effort

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:13:54 -0500

Washington, DC, January 18, 2010

LTC (Ret.) David E.A. Johnson, CADS Executive Director, praised the expanded media effort today at a gathering of Center Fellows and Staff. Colonel Johnson noted the importance of a robust media presence for a non-profit organization like the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (CADS), “The ability of our Fellows and researchers to support the dialogue concerning 21st Century security challenges enables the Center to accomplish its mission.”

Over the past year, the web-site has been revised to include social media and a popular blog, The Global Security Monitor, resulting in a 300% increase in traffic. Fellows and staff have made over 50 appearances on Fox News, MSNBC, BBC, Sky News, and Al Hurrah television networks. The AFRICOM Conference on Capitol Hill was carried on the Federal News Wire. Articles with Center bylines have appeared in print as varied as The Los Angeles Times and Military Review.

Dr. Jerry Post on the Terrorist Mind

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:04:28 -0500

New York City, New York, January 10, 2010

Dr. Jerry Post, a CADS Board Member and Senior Fellow, was cited in The New York Times Week in Review section . The two page special, “The Terrorist Mind: An Update,” highlighted Dr. Post’s recent research into generational transmission of extremist beliefs and the impact of group dynamics on terrorist decision making. Professor of Political Psychology at George Washington University in Washington, DC, Dr. Post is the leading expert in terrorist psychology and has participated in Center projects to refine intent-oriented threat models. In the article, Dr. Post notes that the internet has created “virtual community of hatred”. The Center’s Radicalization Watch Program monitored extremist web-site group dynamics and evolution in 2006. This program resulted in a broad database and a recent Defense Concepts article by Dr. Mathieu Guidere.

Senior Fellow Colonel Robert Cassidy at the Worcester Committee on Foreign Relations

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:13:30 -0500

Worcester Club, Worcester, Massachusetts, December 11th, 2009

Colonel Robert Cassidy, Ph.D., a senior fellow at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (CADS), delivered a speech on “The Long War in Afghanistan: Past Problems and Future Prospects.” The Worcester Committee on Foreign Relations is a Massachusetts chartered non-profit corporation initially formed in 1958 under the auspices of the Council on Foreign Relations. Its purpose is to provide a forum for learning and discussion of current issues and events pertaining to international relations, and to foster dialogue between local civic leaders and invited experts in the field.

Colonel Cassidy discussed insights at the strategic and operational levels of the war in Afghanistan. He framed his address within the context of a long irregular war. Colonel Cassidy provided a short historical overview, an analysis of the insurgency, a review of lessons from the Soviet war there, and his observations on the much improved current effort.

Dr. Newton Howard Leads MIT Mind Machine Project

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:36:10 -0500

Cambridge, MA, December 10, 2009

Dr. Newton Howard, Chairman of the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, is leading a project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Artificial Intelligence. This work flows directly from work done at the Center in the field of Cognitive Informatics as part the Intention Awareness initiative since 2000. In conjunction with the Centre de Recherche en Informatique at the University of Paris 1- Sorbonne, Dr. Howard’s program at CADS resulted in better modeling of intentionality in complex systems, with applications in intent-oriented process design and adaptive rationality. This work continues to be an essential part of the Center’s approach to the global challenge of persistent conflict and clashes of perspective.

With an initial $5 million seed and a five-year timetable, the Mind Machine Project , or MMP, is a loosely bound collaboration of about two dozen professors, researchers, students and postdocs. Neil Gershenfeld, one of the leaders of MMP and director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms , notes that the project will revisit 30 years of fundamental assumptions that may have limited the ability of the field of Artificial Intelligence to achieve its early promise.

CADS Senior Fellow Chris Mason Published in Military Review

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:45:22 -0500

Washington, DC, November 19, 2009

Chris Mason, Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (CADS), was published in the November-December issue of Military Review. His article, “ Refighting the Last War: Afghanistan and the Vietnam Template ”, presents an analysis of the parallels between the two wars and suggests a revaluation of United States operations in Afghanistan. Mason describes the critical pitfalls of the United States military in the Vietnam War and points to the similarities between our tactics then and in Afghanistan now. Establishing “legitimacy of governance” as the fundamental catalyst to any measurable change, Mason shows that forcing a democratic system on a people with no tradition of western-style democracy is unlikely to yield productive results.

Drawing on historical precedents from the Soviet and British campaigns in Afghanistan as well as the United States experience in Vietnam, Mason discredits the possibility that Afghanistan can be won through a war of attrition. Instead, he advises a bottom up approach that replaces conventional United States troops with small, locally based district teams who could assist with immediate development needs and work within tribal power structures. This method would offset the need to deploy large contingents of soldiers, restore legitimacy to local leaders and prevent unnecessary loss of life- hallmark of a haphazard and outdated United States war model.

AFRICOM Conference Bears Fruit in FOX News Interview

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:44:10 -0500

Washington, DC, November 13, 2009

Lt. Col. David Johnson, Executive Director of CADS, appeared in a segment discussing Somali Maritime Piracy on Fox News yesterday, 12 November. The opportunity arose as a result of the conference hosted by CADS with support from the National Security Sub-Committee of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee last month. The conference was held on Capitol Hill in the Budget Committee Conference Room. The team of experts and stakeholders gathered by the Center highlighted the need for a dedicated Combatant Command to coordinate complex and important issues like Maritime Piracy.

Johnson echoed these experts, particularly the work of Lauren Ploch with the Congressional Research Service, when he responded to questions about the range and changes in pirate strategy, why using naval and airpower would not be sufficient, and why withholding ransom would not be effective. Johnson described pirate tactics and noted “Piracy must be solved ashore” with the coordination of up to 75 different bureaus and offices. Further, failure to pay ransom would make it hard to man merchant vessels, especially when there is little history of Somali pirates harming hostages.

Research and Communications Internship Positions Available

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:22:26 -0500

Washington, DC, November 13, 2009

We are looking for high-energy, self-motivated graduate or undergraduate students who are seeking to solve real, challenging global security problems. If you have the academic qualifications listed below as well as exceptional communication skills, please submit your resume to the internship coordinator

Research internship: The internship is for motivated and inquisitive undergraduate students with an interest in public policy, globalization, business and technology, but more importantly, an open mind, and a desire to learn. Interns actively contribute to ongoing research agendas and may have opportunities to craft their own projects in line with the Center's mission. Interns write new briefs and editorials for our web resource, Global Security Monitor (which can be accessed at gsm.c4ads.org), attend conferences and events at other think tanks and policy institutes of relevance to their focus areas, and interact with fellows through informal lectures and discussions

CADS Brings Together Experts and Stakeholders for Lively Discussion on U.S. Africa Command

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:04:26 -0500

Washington, DC, October 28, 2009

Preliminary Transcript Now Available

In the House Budget Committee Hearing Room on Capitol Hill, CADS held its conference, AFRICOM: An Independent Review for the New Administration, in cooperation with Representative John Tierney, Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Chairman Tierney offered the keynote address outlining ongoing issues for oversight of the U.S. Africa Command, followed by a half-day of expert remarks on the remaining challenges and opportunities for the Command moving forward.

The day’s speakers delivered insightful and varied remarks to an audience of African Embassy representatives, U.S. Civilian Government personnel, U.S. Military personnel, Congressional Staff, and representatives from Non-governmental Organizations, think-tanks and Universities.

CADS Program Director, Daniel Lawner, Attends 50th Strategy for Peace Conference

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:12:20 -0500

Warrenton, Virginia, October 18, 2009

From October 16- October 18, 2009, CADS Program Director Dan Lawner participated in the 50th Annual Strategy for Peace Conference organized by the Stanley Foundation. The conference convened expert participants in three roundtable discussions: “Forging a US Strategy for Strenghtening Fragile States”; “Stabilizing States in Crisis: Leveraging International Capacity”; and “African Security and the Future of AFRICOM”. Due to his exceptional work assessing U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dan was invited to join the latter discussion and his article “The Trust Imperative: Challenges and Recommendations for USAFRICOM African Partnerships, which recently appeared in Defense Concepts” was included among the featured readings.

AFRICOM was created in February 2007 when the Department of Defense (DoD) formally acknowledged the emerging strategic importance of Africa and the need for the US regional command structure to account for Africa in a comprehensive manner. Participants in this event discussed both practical issues for AFRICOM and its other US government counterparts as well as systemic issues that continue to plague the African continent. The talks resulted in a number of recommendations to AFRICOM, Department of Defense, the State Department, and USAID while also acknowledging that given the unique and experimental structure and mission of AFRICOM, several questions will remain. Conference proceedings can be found at here.

Book Promotion: Computational Methods for Counterterrorism

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:48:25 -0500

Washington, DC, October 23, 2009

In order to undermine the strength and resilience of modern terrorist networks, new approaches are desperately needed.

Edited by the Center’s Chairman and a Senior Fellow, Computational Methods for Counterterrorism is the first comprehensive compilation of current computational research addressing critical issues for counterterrorism. This work is the result of a gathering of multi-disciplinary thought leaders in a conference run by CADS in 2006 in Washington, DC and the continuing dialogue it inspired. In order to approach the task of confronting Al Qa’ida, a flexible and adaptive foe, the authors tackle challenges such as:

• Finding, summarizing, and evaluating relevant information from large and dynamic data stores;

Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer Supervises the Activation Ceremony of the 94th Division

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:49:48 -0400

Fort Lee, Virginia, October 17, 2009

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, CADS Fellow and Director of External Relations, Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer supervised the Activation Ceremony of the 94th Division (Force Sustainment) at Fort Lee, Virginia, as the Officer in Charge. Lt. Col. Shaffer is in his Army reserve assignment as the Assistant Chief of Staff G6 (Technology Officer) for the 94th Division.

After entering “carrier status” on September 16, 2008, the Division, presently located at the General Gerow U.S. Army Reserve Center, was formally activated. The 94th Division mission is to conduct the largest training and force generation mission within the U.S. Army Reserve with its five subordinate brigades spanning the Continental United States and Puerto Rico. The 94th Division was originally organized as an Infantry Division in the Territory of Puerto Rico in 1918. However, it was not activated during World War I since hostilities concluded.

First Minister of the Environment in Iraq, Dr. Mishkat Al-Moumin, Authors New Blog

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:23:29 -0400

Washington, DC, September 28, 2009

CADS Fellow, Mishkat Al-Moumin has fought for human rights under Saddam Hussein and survived assassination attempts as the first Minister of the Environment . Her activism angered Al Qa’ida Commander in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi so much that he described her as the “leader of the infidels.” Now, she is sharing her experiences through her blog, entitled “True Stories about Security.” Through this blog, Dr. Al-Moumin recounts her campaigns to support Iraqi people, her efforts initiating awareness and cleaning projects, as well as her experiences as a scholar and professor at Harvard's John F Kennedy School of Government and George Mason University. Dr. Al-Moumin describes herself as a storyteller, eager to share her experiences with a wider audience in order to promote the strong connection between basic environmental needs, such as access to safe drinking water, and security and as part of her movement to ensure that all Iraqis can have basic services. Dr. Al-Moumin published her first story on September 27, 2009.