ISP Brief February 2021

It's my pleasure to send you the February 2021 edition of the ISP Brief, the monthly newsletter of the CSIS International Security Program. The ISP Brief features CSIS reports and analysis written by our scholars and includes externally published articles, media highlights such as video interviews and podcasts, and links to recent and upcoming virtual events.

I welcome your feedback on this newsletter and its contents at ISPOutreach@csis.org . I also invite you to follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram , and Facebook for the very latest on ISP's work.

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Featured

Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space: Protecting Space Systems from Counterspace Weapons

This analysis from the CSIS Aerospace Security Project addresses different methods and technologies that can be used by the United States government, and others, to protect against or deter adversarial attacks via counterspace weapons.

Read here.

Lessons Learned from a Cyberattack: A Conversation with SolarWinds

The Defending Democratic Institutions Project hosted a conversation with SolarWinds CEO Sudhakar Ramakrishna and CSIS Senior Adviser Suzanne Spaulding about the recent hack that led to compromises of government and business networks. This program is the first part of a two-part program looking at the lessons learned, implications of, and the path forward from the recent breach.

Watch Part 1 here.

Watch Part 2 on Friday, February 26 at 12:00 p.m. ET here.

Suzanne Spaulding Joins CBS's 60 Minutes

Suzanne Spaulding joined CBS's 60 Minutes where she discussed the growing threat of violence in the U.S., and how Russia is continuing to sow division in the American democracy. Watch the segment "Federal judges call for increased security after threats jump 400% and one judge's son is killed" here.

The Future of Competition: U.S. Adversaries and the Growth of Irregular Warfare

While conventional warfare—set-piece battles between large military forces—largely defined twentieth-century conflict between major powers, irregular warfare will likely define international politics over the next year and beyond. Unfortunately, the United States is woefully unprepared for this type of competition—both at home and abroad. The United States does not need to choose between conventional, nuclear, or irregular competition. All are important. In a new piece for CSIS's 2021 Global Forecast series, Dr. Seth Jones argues that the challenge for the Biden administration will be to find an equilibrium between preparing for—and deterring—conventional, nuclear, and irregular warfare. Read here.

Defense in the 21st Century with Northrop Grumman Chairman, CEO, an d President Kathy Warden

The Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative hosted Kath y Warden, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Northrop Grumman Corporation. CSIS Senior Associate Nina Easton spoke with Ms. Warden about defense in the 21st century, including the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, and women in STEM and defense. Watch here.

Missile Defense and Defeat: A Conversation with the Vice Chairman

The CSIS Missile Defense Project hosted a conversation on missile defense and defeat with General John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The discussion, hosted by Senior Fellow and Missile Defense Project Director Dr. Tom Karako, addressed the interrelation of active missile defense, non-nuclear missile defeat, and deterrence. Watch here.

Opening Doors: a Conversation with Shaan Shaikh and Seamus Daniels

In the second event of the Opening Doors: Embracing Diversity in National Security Series, young professionals from the Center's International Security Program discussed mentoring, networking, their career paths, educational backgrounds, and how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues impacted them. This webinar featured Shaan Shaikh, Program Manager and Research Associate with the Missile Defense Project in conversation with moderator Seamus Daniels, Associate Fellow and Associate Director for the Defense Budget Analysis program. The Opening Doors conversations are part of the International Security Program’s DEI Action Plan aimed at building on CSIS’s overall DEI efforts. Watch here.

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ISP Spotlight

Defense360's Series: Transition46 As the Biden administration takes office, D360’s Transition46 series provides insights from our scholars on the challenges the new administration faces and recommendations for what should change in U.S. defense strategy, forces, operations, and institutions.

Moving Beyond "China, China, China" in the Indo-Pacific by John Schaus

Covid-19 and the Military: Maintaining Operations While Supporting Civil Society by Adam Saxton and Mark Cancian

Defense Acquisition in the Biden Administration by Rhys McCormick

Nuclear Modernization under Competing Pressures by Rebecca Hersman and Joseph Rodgers

To Infinity and Beyond: Civil and Commercial Space Policy in the Biden Administration by Kaitlyn Johnson

Building Military Forces for the 2020s: Implementing Strategy and Exercising Global Leadership in an Era of Reduced Resources by Mark Cancian

Arms Trade Reform Options for the New Administration and Congress by Gregory Sanders

Nuclear Proliferation Challenges Facing the Biden Administration by Eric Brewer

Arms Control Strategies for a New Administration by Rebecca Hersman and Suzanne Claeys

Rethinking Military Roles and Missions in a New Administration by Todd Harrison

Defense Budget Priorities for the Biden Administration by Seamus P. Daniels

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Publications

On the Horizon Vol. 3: A Collection of Papers from the Next Generation by Reja Younis

Covid-19 Response Update: February 12-February 19 by Mark Cancian and Adam Saxton

What does the history tell us about Iran’s nuclear intentions? by Sina Azodi

The Biden Administration: Strategy and Reshaping the National Security Budget by Anthony H. Cordesman and Grace Hwang

Covid-19 Response Update: February 5-February 12 by Mark Cancian and Adam Saxton

Want to Redefine Readiness? Here's Where to Start by Seamus Daniels

Examining international security at the nuclear nexus by Rebecca Hersman and Maxwell Simon

Covid-19 Response Update: January 29-February 5 by Mark Cancian and Adam Saxton

Indigenous Representation in National Security by Gabriella Gricius

Operation Overwatch by Megan Gemar

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Multimedia

Suzanne Spaulding discussed the importance of the national cyber director and the coordination of this role with others in the government. Watch here.


Ian Williams spoke on Arirang Korea where he had a discussion on U.S. policy toward North Korea. Watch here.


Todd Harrison testified before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces where the hearing explored advancements being made by Russia and China regarding space and nuclear weapons. Watch here.


Suzanne Spaulding described how prepared social media networks and other institutions were to combat misinformation related to the election in 2020, and how that compared to 2016 on WNYC Studio's The Takeaway. Listen here.


Kaitlyn Johnson joined Government Matters to discuss the announcement of the Biden administration’s support for the Space Force, and how it can ensure the branch’s success. Watch here.


Wes Rumbaugh joined Resonance FM's PassWOrd. Listen here.


Todd Harrison testified before the House Committee on Appropriations on future defense spending. Watch here.


Todd Harrison joined WBUR's On Point for a discussion on the Space Force one year after it began. Listen here .

Beverly Kirk joined Army Matters, an Association of the United States Army (AUSA) podcast, where she spoke with Nzinga Curry, Director of Education & Programs at AUSA and LTC Brittany Lloyd, AUSA's Army fellow. This episode was a special "crossover" between the two podcasts. Listen here.


Suzanne Spaulding joined Defense & Aerospace Report's Cyber Report where she discussed cyber priorities for the Biden administration, Russia’s SolarWinds attack, and more. Listen here.


Seamus Daniels joined Government Matters where he discussed implementation of a balanced approach to readiness and preparation for Great Power Competition. Watch here.


Suzanne Spaulding joined Fortune's Brainstorm podcast where she speaks on how protecting our country from sophisticated cyber espionage will require some big changes. Listen here.


Brian Katz discussed the CSIS Technology and Intelligence Task Force's final report, "Maintaining the Intelligence Edge" in a new PreView video. Watch here.


The Hill featured a special article spotlighting Suzanne Spaulding discussing her desire for more to be done to combat disinformation and promote civics education. Read here.

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ISP Podcasts

Defense in the 21st Century with Northrop Grumman Chairman, CEO, and President Kathy Warden

CSIS Senior Associate, Nina Easton spoke with Kathy Warden, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Northrop Grumman for a Smart Women, Smart Power event. The pair discussed defense in the 21st century, including the impact of Covid-19 on business and women in STEM and defense. This event was sponsored by Citi.
Listen on Apple and Spotify.

The 2021 Defense and Security Outlook
The next-gen women scholars of the CSIS International Security Program take over the podcast to discuss the national and international security challenges ahead for the new Biden administration. This conversation is hosted by Christine Brazeau and features Emma Bates, Suzanne Claeys, Catrina Doxsee, Grace Hwang, Devi Nair, Simone Williams, and Makena Young.
Listen on Apple and Spotify.

Inside Army Matter's ArmyRealTalk
Beverly Kirk is joined by fellow podcast hosts Nzinga Curry, AUSA’s Director of Education & Programs and LTC Brittany Lloyd, AUSA’s Army fellow, for a discussion of Army Matter’s ArmyRealTalk podcast which focuses on issues of interest to next-gen soldiers, leaders, and their families.
Listen on Apple and Spotify.

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Upcoming Online Events

Lessons Learned from a Cyberattack: A Conversation with SolarWinds
Part 2: The Path Forward
Featuring: Lieutenant General (Retired) Edward Cardon, Jeanette Manfra, and Congressman Michael McCaul
Hosted by: Glenn Gersell Fri., February 26, 2021
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

The Women Who Took on ISIS: A Conversation with Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, Author, The Daughters of Kobani
Featuring: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Hosted by: Beverly Kirk Mon., March 8, 2021
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

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Past Online Events

Is "Freeze for Freeze” A Viable Pathway to Re-engage with Iran?
Featuring: Eric Brewer, Hannah Kaviani, and Henry Rome
Hosted by: Jon B. Alterman
Wednesday. February 24, 2021

Reorganizing Defense Acquisition
Featuring: Wesley Hallman, Moshe Schwartz, Samantha Clark, Sam Gray
Hosted by: Andrew Phillip Hunter
Friday, February 19, 2021

Online Event: Maritime Security Dialogue - USN: Setting the Theater in the Arctic
Featuring: Admiral Robert P. Burke
Hosted by: Heather A. Conley
Tuesday, February 2, 2021

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Media Highlights

“Especially in this very politicized environment, and with the increasingly politicized nature of terrorism analysis, it would be very easy for a U.S. administration to potentially invite partisan abuse of this kind of designation,” Catrina Doxsee said in Vox on February 19, 2021. “Any response to domestic terrorism really needs to be data-driven and based on as objective of standards as possible to ensure domestic security and safety and to avoid increased politicization.”

On the potential high cost of a new cruise missile defense, Dr. Tom Karako said, “We’re not going to be able to defend every acre of North America," in Breaking Defense on February 16, 2021.

On February 5, 2021, Suzanne Spaulding in Fortune "says one of the biggest problems for companies is that 'CEOs and boards can quickly become intimidated or bored with the technical aspects of cyber. And so they cede the whole risk management [problem] to their technical folks.' It’s time, Spaulding says, to stop doing that."

"The last thing Congress intended when creating the Space Force was to end up with four different space forces," says CSIS's Todd Harrison in Breaking Defense on February 3, 2021.