I struggled to find a theme in today’s headlines so I decided to take a broad look at Great Power Competition (GPC) or Strategic Competition if you are into the latest buzz words. An often used military component of GPC is Security Force Assistance (SFA), or strengthening a partner force’s army via advising and training and The Modern War Institute asks: Does Security Assistance Work? Why It May Not Be the Answer for Fragile States. Overall, it is a good article but the tell is in the headline with ‘fragile states,’ they are fragile for a reason. The Strategy Bridge looks at SFA and other aspects of Special Operations through a different lens in: Past as Prelude? Envisioning the Future of Special Operations. There is no doubt the Special Operations and SFA will be vital in GPC, but looking at the problem from different aspects will be critical for success. For that, we first turn to, Lukashenko’s Manufactured Migrant Crisis: A Classic Case of Hybrid Warfare? from the Modern War Institute. This is important in understanding that there are almost no limits in competition and anything can be leveraged for your advantage. (Just because you can, doesn’t necessarily mean you should.) For the economic aspects of GPC, there are three headlines and subsequent articles that you should check out: Germany must reduce its dependence on China – health minister – Reuters, EXPLAINER: Europe lacks natural gas. Is it Russia’s fault? – AP and China’s Belt and Road chugging along in Central Asia – Asia Times. So how does a Nation begin to address GPC on the domestic front? First you need to identify the problem as Reuters reports: Australia says 63 areas of technology are critical to national security. Then one should look for leverage, China In Eurasia Briefing: Is The World Giving Beijing A Pass Over Xinjiang? – Radio Free Europe. And, what I believe will be key for long-term success, Don’t Be Evil: America Needs Its Mantra Back – The Strategy Bridge. For good measure, not that it really fits but I liked the article, you should also check out, China Is Building A Massive Helicopter Base On The Tibetan Plateau from The Drive. There are so many aspects to competition, I prefer thinking about it more as ‘unrestricted warfare’ because a state is only limited by its imagination. Hopefully one of these articles interests you, and if not, there are plenty of other articles in Today’s Daily Dump that you should definitely check out.
Inspired by the Cognitive Raider Initiative, The Cognitive Warrior Project has put together a daily list of diverse articles that can easily be chosen from to play a part in developing a more mentally agile warfighter that embraces the adaptation required for tomorrow’s battlefield. Our intent is to create a space where you can choose one or two articles a day (about 10 minutes) instead of mindlessly scrolling social media.
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November 17, 2021
Lukashenko’s Manufactured Migrant Crisis: A Classic Case of Hybrid Warfare? – Modern War Institute
Does Security Assistance Work? Why It May Not Be the Answer for Fragile States – Modern War Institute
To Succeed at “Strategic Competition,” Invest in Strategic Communications – Georgetown Security Studies Review
Why The Biden Administration Should Take a Tougher Stance Towards Yemen – Georgetown Security Studies Review
Podcast: ENTERPRISE READINESS: PREPARING FOR CRISIS – A Better Peace
The First (and Only) Law of Robotic Warfare – The Strategy Bridge
Past as Prelude? Envisioning the Future of Special Operations – The Strategy Bridge
Don’t Be Evil: America Needs Its Mantra Back – The Strategy Bridge
Speaker Series: Deterring Iran in the Gray Zone: Insights from Four Decades of Conflict – NSI
Is Russia About to Make a ‘Serious Mistake’ in Ukraine? – RAND
Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades Praises IRGC and Hezbollah for Arming Group – Long War Journal
PFLP Boasts About its Ties to Iran – Long War Journal
Why Cyber War Is Subversive, and How that Limits its Strategic Value – War on the Rocks
More Deferential but Also More Political: How Americans’ Views of the Military Have Changed Over 20 Years – War on the Rocks
Grenada, the Evacuation of Afghanistan, and the Future of War – War on the Rocks
The Other Insurgency: Northwest Nigeria’s Worsening Bandit Crisis – War on the Rocks
Assistive AI – The Forge
11/16/2021 National Security and Korean News and Commentary – Small Wars Journal
After the AUKUS Crisis, Are France-U.S. Relations Back on Track? – Center for Strategic and International Studies
China: The Civil-Military Challenge: Volume One of a Graphic Net Assessment – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Podcast: Cary Funk, Pew Research Center: “It Can Be Confusing” – The Truth of the Matter
Supporting Democratic Transitions Deserves a Prominent Role in Upcoming Summit for Democracy – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Climate, energy and the African dilemma – Institute for Security Studies
Event – November 17: Bold action needed for a turnaround in The Horn’s prospects – Institute for Security Studies
The U.S. Military and the Coming Great-Power Challenge – Foreign Affairs
The New Economics: How the U.S. and Its Allies Are Rewriting the Rules on Spending and Trade – Foreign Affairs
Improving Joint Operational Concept Development within the U.S. Department of Defense – Center for a New American Security
Australia says 63 areas of technology are critical to national security – Reuters
Germany must reduce its dependence on China – health minister – Reuters
Azerbaijan loses 7 troops in border clashes with Armenia – AP
Hundreds go missing in Burkina Faso amid extremist violence – AP
EXPLAINER: Europe lacks natural gas. Is it Russia’s fault? – AP
Divisive Libyan commander announces candidacy for president – AP
Uzbek traders learn to do business with the Taliban – DW
Ethiopia: UN warns of ‘disturbing’ mass arrests of Tigrayans – DW
Military tightens grip on Sudan – Al Monitor
Erdogan woos Armenia with regional cooperation proposal – Al Monitor
Attack on Syrian prison holding Iraqi Islamic State captives raises concerns – Al Monitor
Pakistan: ‘Find a solution,’ say Lahore residents choking in smog – Al Jazeera
Infographic: The world nuclear club – Al Jazeera
A contest of three kingdoms – Asia Times
China’s Belt and Road chugging along in Central Asia – Asia Times
Biden, Xi agree to disagree on Taiwan – Asia Times
China’s History Is Revised, to the Glory of Xi Jinping – The New York Times
Russia Acknowledges Antisatellite Missile Test That Created a Mess in Space – The New York Times
China In Eurasia Briefing: Is The World Giving Beijing A Pass Over Xinjiang? – Radio Free Europe
Exclusive: Hacktivist Group Aims To ‘Expose The True Face Of The Regime’ In Iran – Radio Free Europe
Despite Lack Of Progress In Talks, Kosovo’s Kurti Sees ‘Shift For Good’ With Serbia – Radio Free Europe
Uganda: At least three deaths, 33 persons injured in blasts – Africa News
Mozambique: 14 tons of gems Illegally exported since January- Ministry of Mineral Resources – Africa News
Germany Can Learn From Japan’s China Strategy – Foreign Policy
A-10 pilot gets Distinguished Flying Cross for Rip-It-fueled gun-run in Afghanistan – Task and Purpose
Agile Multilateralism Is Needed to Address Cybercrime Safe Havens – Lawfare
Tiny Leadership Tales: ‘Elegantly Simple Words’ – Grounded Curiosity
Should “Jack” Be Allowed to Lead All Trades – Wavell Room
Stirring Trouble at the Border: Is Belarus in Violation of International Law? – Just Security
China Is Building A Massive Helicopter Base On The Tibetan Plateau – The Drive
Here’s the Truly Beastly Helicopter That Might Replace the Black Hawk – Popular Mechanics
The US Space Force Wants to Clean Up Junk in Orbit – Wired
Podcast: S2E5 Maj Carly Costello and CPT Julia Pleasants – Women in SOF – SOFCAST
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