In the March 2023 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines Japan’s new National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program, all of which were released in December 2022. This paper examines the regional threat environment, the implications of these policies/initiatives for Japan’s defense, as well as implications for the U.S.-Japan alliance.
This paper is designed to provide analysis of relevant, publicly available information regarding the current supply chain
threat landscape and its impact on organizations worldwide. This product provides a foundational perspective on the
evolution of supply chain risk based on the analysis of current trends and analyst expertise and is not intended to provide
a detailed blueprint for establishing a holistic SCRM program.
In the February 2023 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). Though mysterious airborne objections have been observed and recorded for thousands of years, recent technical, logistical, and scientific developments have shed new light on UAP events and their potential sources. Of late, the U.S. government has undertaken a more detailed examination of UAP. New avenues of reporting, task forces, and independent studies aim to systematically record, organize, and identify these events and their sources. Sometime such identification is done retroactively, showing us the many forms a UAP may take. UAP could have a wide array of sources, from benign weather events to foreign adversary surveillance. For this reason, the study of UAP is vital for both national security and scientific advancement.
In the January 2023 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines recent reports suggesting that an ideology-free form of terrorism may be emerging as seen in recent acts of violence. This “ideology-free terrorism” originates from various online communities and forums in which individuals engage in nihilism and misanthropy that lacks a unified political or ideological motivation that is typically seen amongst violent extremists. This paper will examine these online communities and the potential role they play in radicalizing violent individuals in the absence of a defined ideology.
In the December 2022 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines the ongoing famine in Somalia as a case study to highlight the intermingling of man-made threats with naturally occurring hazards as a potent combination often leading to increasingly severe consequences. The UN estimates 3.2 million Somalis need immediate life-saving assistance. In seeking to understand this crisis, there are multiple threats and hazards that must be addressed. Drought, climate change, and land use are all hazards contributing to the current situation. Additionally, the impacts of political, military, and terrorist groups must be considered.
In the November 2022 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines Chinese space ambitions along with recent developments and advancements in China’s space technology, infrastructure, and capabilities. For the last five years China has seen a rapid and innovative progress in space related capabilities and has expanded its space operations into South America and Africa. As seen in the paper’s case studies, China’s space program is rapidly advancing as it seeks to be the main competitor to the U.S. in space capabilities. This rapid advancement in space capabilities by China has contributed to increased security concerns by the U.S. DoD. This paper provides insight into China’s current space capabilities, ambitions, and future goals as it seeks to surpass the U.S. in the space industry.
In the October 2022 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines the roots of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, now commonly know as “Superfund.” The long-term impacts of designated Superfund sites have been apparent for decades and will continue to be seen, even as the clean-up and restoration process is underway. This paper will provide an introduction to what a Superfund site designation means, the subsequent legal requirements, and the effects that may be seen over time or are already observed.
In the September 2022 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines the subject of accidental disruptions affecting critical systems and infrastructure. An accidental disruption is defined as the unintentional failure or loss of technology, systems, and utilities due to aging equipment and infrastructure, harsh environmental conditions coupled with inadequate maintenance, negligence, or other accidental events. As seen in the paper’s case studies, accidental disruptions can have significant impacts to the environment, as well as public health and safety. This paper provides a baseline understanding of accidental disruptions and their effects.
In the August 2022 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines the relationship between social media, protest activity, and foreign adversaries. Adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran have bolstered misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation on social media to create chaos, confusion, and division in the U.S. These social media strategies, which generate a more intense and divisive virtual environment, have sought to make U.S. society more polarized, influence U.S. political decisions, delegitimate democratic institutions, and create confusion. This promotion of divisiveness by foreign adversaries has contributed to the formation of protests, rallies, and other similar gatherings in the U.S.
In the July 2022 edition of the White Paper Series, the Intelligence & Analysis Division examines the subject of meteorological hazard seasonality as it relates to the emergency management process. An understanding of hazard seasons allows planners to predict peak occurrences and drive active risk reduction processes. Additionally, hazard seasonality can be affected by short-term trends such El Niño/ La Niña, as well as the long-term impacts of climate change. This paper provides a brief overview of hazard seasonality (as well as case studies related to flooding and wildfires) in order to enhance stakeholders’ understanding.
