Jan. 1, 2009

From Sputnik to Minerva: Education and American National Security

This paper examines how external challenges have prompted national investments in education to enhance American national security. Rather than focusing primarily on traditional professional military education, this analysis examines how education has been used as a tool of American power. Four major moments of transformation in the international system are surveyed to illustrate a link between strategic educational capacity, defined as the application of attained knowledge and skills, and national power. The study then assesses how education is used as a power asset in the contemporary security environment. Today, an important educational capacity is emerging in the new Minerva program in the Department of Defense and other transformational educational concepts with security applications. Education is gaining an increasing interest among American decisionmakers as a strategic component of American power and an essential asset for successful military operations in the new global security environment.

Jan. 1, 2009

DTP-057: Army Science and Technology Investment In Interoperability

This paper discusses the elements of assessing ‘bang for bucks’ with regard to S&T investment in interoperability. It intends to point to where interoperability investment offers the greatest return and to open our thinking to the possibility that universal interoperability of all systems is not a desirable or attainable goal, especially when allocating investments and accepting reasonable risk.

Dec. 1, 2008

Transforming NATO: An NDU Anthology

Since September 11, 2001, the National Defense University has undertaken a series of studies on the Transformation of NATO for 21st Century missions. These studies focused on needed military capabilities, political transformation, new operational requirements, new missions, and NATO science and technology. Some of these studies made recommendations that were adopted as NATO policy while others may be ahead of their time. The purpose of this volume is to collect these studies under one cover and to stimulate further transformation.

Nov. 1, 2008

Lessons of Abu Ghraib: Understanding and Preventing Prisoner Abuse in Military Operations

The abuse of prisoners by U.S. Soldiers at Abu Ghraib had broad strategic consequences, leading many people around the world to question the legitimacy of U.S. goals and activities in Iraq. This paper draws on extensive unclassified reports from multiple investigations that followed Abu Ghraib, and applies key psychological as well as social-situational perspectives to develop a better grasp of the causative factors. From a psychological standpoint, most young adults are powerfully inclined to behave in accord with the social conventions and pressures around them. Especially in ambiguous circumstances, then, it is important that standards of behavior be clear and explicit throughout all phases of an operation and that leaders at all levels represent and reinforce those standards.

Oct. 1, 2008

DTP-056: Reform of the National Security Science and Technology Enterprise

This paper addresses three major topics requiring new thinking in the National Security Science and Technology Enterprise. The first topic is how overarching priorities can be better determined and implemented to direct the vast national security enterprise toward conducting S&T that will address both traditional and new national security challenges. The second deals with the integration of the Congressional committees that oversee and fund S&T. And the third focuses on the competence, role, and impact of the Government’s national security S&E workforce.

Sept. 1, 2008

DTP-054: Good Bugs, Bad Bugs: A Modern Approach for Detecting Offensive Biological Weapons Research

This report outlines a new framework to monitor countries in terms of their potential to engage in covert biological weapons research. This is an effort to develop an indirect approach to measuring a nation’s capability to conduct offensive weapons research in both civilian and government or military settings.

Sept. 1, 2008

DTP-055: A Methodology for Assessing the Military Benefits of Science and Technology Investments

This paper discusses approaches developed at CTNSP, at the request of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, for measuring the benefits of today’s science and technology (S&T) investments on the future military.

Aug. 15, 2008

DTP-053: Programming Development Funds to Support a Counterinsurgency: Nangarhar, Afghanistan

This paper describes one method of programming development funds at a sub-national level to positively affect a counterinsurgency, in this case, in Eastern Afghanistan. It explores how one interagency group, the Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), developed and implemented a strategy for increasing stability in its area of operations by maximizing the resources each agency brought to the table and creating “unity of effort.”

Aug. 1, 2008

DTP-052: Toward a New Transatlantic Compact

This paper calls for a new NATO strategic concept and a new transatlantic compact, and envisions crafting them in tandem.

July 7, 2008

Bird Flu & You: A Quick Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Pandemic Flu

In anticipation of a possible flu pandemic, the Life Sciences group at CTNSP has started a number of initiatives to address both civilian and military implications. This poster is based on the November 2006 Defense & Technology Paper, “Weathering the Storm: Leading Your Organization Through a Pandemic”.