A couple deep dives today as we start off with War Room’s: To Keep Pace With Rivals, Analyze The Competition Space. Understanding the human geography is vitally important in any conflict and some could argue that this lack of understanding was a major US failure in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Tools such as Competition Space Analysis will help in this effort. So, what is it? According to the article, “Competition Space Analysis (CSA) is an event and network-based methodology to map malign actor activities, revealing their foci and connections between seemingly benign organizations and people.” That sounds great and all but this sentence best states it’s importance. “This capability is vital because great power competition is ultimately local and its success or failure is dependent on local demographics, social trends, and cultural characteristics.” If you or someone you know is deploying to a new country, Competition Space Analysis is something that you need to know about.
Not unrelated to CSA, United States Institute of Peace takes a measured and nuanced look at the US exit from Afghanistan in: China and the U.S. Exit from Afghanistan: Not a Zero-Sum Outcome. Their conclusion, yes, a stable Afghanistan is important to China but they are not the only ones trying to influence the Taliban, there are complications. While we are talking about Afghanistan, why don’t we talk about The Afghans that Fought from Small Wars Journal. This is an important article that highlights how good some Afghan troops were and the US really did build a fighting force capable of direct-action missions. However, I had never considered this is the past, is the lack of training in ‘soft power’ that Green Berets are typically celebrated for the element that was lacking? Soft power is defined as the ability to attract and co-op rather than coerce and this is an area where the Taliban clearly defeated us on the battlefield. Speaking of soft power, our next article, The AP Interview: Top Pakistan diplomat details Taliban plan from the AP, should include a Read With Caution reminder that Pakistan has always worked with, and most-likely sponsored the Taliban. Just keep that in mind. For something different, let’s go out of this world with Wired and dream on space: Here’s a Sneak Peek at the Far-Out Future of Space Travel. Admittedly, I am a sucker for sci-fi and a person has not walked on the moon in my lifetime. I’m 45.
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September 23, 2021
TO KEEP PACE WITH RIVALS, ANALYZE THE COMPETITION SPACE – WAR ROOM
Training Day: North Korean Missile Tests Underscore a Diversifying Missile Arsenal – Royal United Service Institute
The E3’s Post-JCPOA Role on Iran – Royal United Service Institute
Speaker Series: National Security in a Digital World – NSI
A Deterrence by Denial Strategy for Addressing Biological Weapons – War on the Rocks
Al-Shabaab and Chinese Trade Practices in Mozambique – War on the Rocks
The Afghans that Fought – Small Wars Journal
Evolution of China’s Cyber Threat – Small Wars Journal
9/22/2021 National Security and Korean News and Commentary – Small Wars Journal
Using MAGE to Facilitate Mission Command in USSOUTHCOM’s Response to Hurricane Eta – The Civil Affairs Association
China Headaches for Iran Deal – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Too early to celebrate a Somalia–Kenya rapprochement – Institute for Security Studies
Event Today: Rethinking the African Union’s approach in the Sahel – Institute for Security Studies
Event 28 September: Africa’s security partnership with China: looking to the future – Institute for Security Studies
CNAS Press Note: The Quad Heads to the White House – Center for a New American Security
Ukrainian lawmakers pass law on oligarchs after assassination attempt – Reuters
After fall of Bashir, Sudan closes door on support for Hamas – Reuters
Australia says will be patient on rebuilding ties with France – Reuters
The AP Interview: Top Pakistan diplomat details Taliban plan – AP
Tensions grow as US, allies deepen Indo-Pacific involvement – AP
UN: In war, 16 million Yemenis ‘marching’ toward starvation – AP
Mideast in shambles, but the world has moved on for now – AP
Taiwan asks to join trade group, says China might interfere – AP
Iraq’s marshes are drying up – DW
Are Iranian threats to escalate in Iraqi Kurdistan more hot air? – Al Monitor
Iran’s membership in Asian security body won’t solve sanctions problem – Al Monitor
France’s loss is not China’s gain in Indo-Pacific – Asia Times
AUKUS sub deal splits ASEAN into pro and anti camps – Asia Times
Photos of an Eruption: Canary Island Volcano Sends Thousands Fleeing – The New York Times
Watch: Afghan Students In Tajikistan Face An Uncertain Future – Radio Free Europe
Navalny App Disappearance Shows Russia’s Strength In The Battle Against Big Tech – Radio Free Europe
When the White House Changed Hands, It Changed Tone but Not Policies – Foreign Policy
The China-Lithuania Rift Is a Wake-Up Call for Europe – Foreign Policy
Don’t Underestimate the AUKUS Rift With France – Foreign Policy
‘God needed an angel’ says gunnery sergeant in moving eulogy for Marine killed in Kabul airport attack – Task and Purpose
U.S. Judge Orders Facebook To Release Records Of Accounts Tied To Anti-Rohingya Violence In Myanmar – Forbes
A Question of Value: The British Army and the UK – Wavell Room
China and the U.S. Exit from Afghanistan: Not a Zero-Sum Outcome – United States Institute of Peace
What Does IS-K’s Resurgence Mean for Afghanistan and Beyond? – United States Institute of Peace
Augmented Reality Dogfight Training For Fighter Pilots Has Made A Major Leap In Capability – The Drive
The Air Force Wants Its Own Flying ‘Jeep.’ Here’s What That Could Look Like. – Popular Mechanics
Here’s a Sneak Peek at the Far-Out Future of Space Travel – Wired
Security audit raises severe warnings on Chinese smartphone models – Ars Technica
New genomic analysis sorts out when Polynesians reached which islands – Ars Technica
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