SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Krista Langeland (RAND) as a part of its SMA STRATCOM Academic Alliance Speaker Series.

SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita (University of Chicago) as a part of its SMA STRATCOM Speaker Series. Dr. Bueno de Mesquita began by stating that although the US and its allies have tremendous cyber capacity, practitioners tend to believe that their strategic thinking is lagging behind.

SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Dr. Yannick Veilleux-Lepage (Georgia State University) as a part of its SMA DHS Speaker Series. Dr. Veilleux-Lepage began by stating that using vehicle ramming attacks (VRAs) is not a new tactic, nor is it limited to individuals of a single ideology.

SMA hosted a panel discussion as a part of its Future of Global Competition & Conflict Speaker Series. The panelists included Mr. Dean Cheng (Heritage Foundation), Mr. Michael Mazarr (RAND), Dr. Robert Spalding III, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret.), and Lt. Col. Christopher D. Forrest (US Air Force HQ AF/A3K (CHECKMATE)). The moderator was Dr. Joseph G. D. Babb (US Army Command and General Staff College).

SMA hosted a speaker session presented by COL Montgomery Erfourth (USSOCOM J51) and Mr. Ryan Oliver (USSOCOM J51) as a part of its Future of Great Power Competition & Conflict Speaker Series.

This SMA CENTCOM (Afghanistan) panel reviewed findings from research examining stability, reconciliation, and reintegration in Afghanistan. Dr. Cooley analyzed Chinese, Russian, and Iranian media to gauge their orientation toward potential reconciliation scenarios.

Dr. Beckley began by discussing China’s slowing economic growth and how it is driving China to become more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad. He stated that China’s “economic miracle” is fading away rapidly. For example, though some economists state that China’s GDP is growing by around 6% annually, Dr. Beckley argued that it is realistically growing by about 3%. Furthermore, even if China was achieving 6% annual growth, GDP growth isn’t necessarily a direct indicator of economic growth. Productivity also factors into economic success, and over the past decade, China’s change in productivity has been negative. Dr. Beckley stated that China has been burning capital in order to achieve its rapid economic growth and starting infrastructure projects that are ultimately unprofitable, which is unsustainable. Next, Dr. Beckley explained that when fast-growing great powers slow down, they tend to crack down on domestic dissent while expanding and becoming more mercantilist abroad. China is indeed tightening its control at home, and it is expanding its economic and military footprint abroad as well. Though this trend makes China appear confident, Dr. Beckley argued that China is becoming more insecure at home, which will eventually lead to the use of more advanced forms of repression. The growth deceleration that usually proceeds is dangerous also, as these countries will search for ways to keep internal opposition at bay. Dr. Beckley cautioned US strategists to watch out for this. Next. Dr. Wright discussed China’s construction of a digital authoritarian regime and questioned its durability. He stated that authoritarian societies in the past have not been able to successfully become rich (and industrialized) and remain authoritarian societies. China, consequently, needs to find a way to distinguish itself from these authoritarian regimes of the past. Dr. Wright then explained what a digital authoritarian regime is. A digital authoritarian regime is a regime that uses AI surveillance tools and sensors in order to monitor and control its population. Self-automated surveillance tools makes authoritarianism cheaper, allowing nations like China to retain its wealth. To conclude, Dr. Wright argued that the Chinese digital authoritarian regime must remain flexible and adaptable in order to survive. It must overcome slowing economic growth and social challenges, namely an urbanizing population and an aging population.

During his presentation, LTCOL Zaborowski focused on Russia’s history and traditions. He argued that “comprehending how Russians see themselves and their place in the world is vital for understanding the sources and legitimacy of Russian leaders and their actions.”

SMA hosted a panel discussion as a part of its SMA Future of Great Power Competition & Conflict Speaker Series. Presenters included Ms. Shazeda Ahmed (University of California, Berkeley), Mr. Samuel Bendett (CNA), Dr. Rogier Creemers (Leiden University), Ms. Rachel Esplin Odell (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Mr. Robert Morgus (New America), and Mr. Valentin Weber (Oxford University). The moderator of this panel discussion was Dr. Nicholas Wright (Intelligent Biology).

SMA hosted a panel discussion as a part of its SMA CENTCOM (Afghanistan) Speaker Series. Presenters included Mr. James Krakar (US Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) G27 Models and Simulations Branch), Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler (University of Akron and Case Western Reserve University), Mr. Vern Liebl (US Marine Corps University, Center for Advanced Operational and Culture Learning), Mr. Michael Logan (University of Nebraska at Omaha), and Dr. Craig Whiteside (Naval War College at the Naval Postgraduate School).