Simons Center News

(Special report by Bob Ulin, Founding CEO) At a CGSC Foundation board of trustees meeting in 2007, Mark “Ranger” Jones told me that he knew Ross Perot and would make an introduction. Thus began a 2-year journey to cultivate a relationship with one of the world’s most interesting individuals. H. Ross Perot, left, and CGSC […]

Featured article: Future Conflict, Open Borders, and the Need for Reform by Robert P. Kozloski As tensions rise in the global political environment and the use of military force remains a realistic possibility in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, national security policymakers, interagency practitioners, and American citizens must carefully consider threats to the U.S. […]

Featured article: Radiological Nuclear Detection Task Force: A Real World Solution for a Real World Problem by Kevin L. Stafford President Barrack Obama’s signing of Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8), National Preparedness, in March 2011 marked an evolutionary step in the development of a “secure and resilient nation.” However, building core preparedness capabilities and establishing capability […]

Featured article: Defining “Surety” Within the Interagency by Punna Khanna Hayes The fundamental differences between nuclear weapons, chemical agents, and biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) and the different ways in which interagency personnel interact with these materials necessitate different variations in protocols for their handling. These differences and handling protocols give rise to differing […]

Last week, the Department of State released the 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The TIP Report provides a comprehensive assessment of global efforts to combat human trafficking, and the report acts as a guide for continued efforts in the U.S. and around the world. In his message introducing the TIP Report, Secretary of State Michael […]

Featured article: The Interagency’s “WMD” Terminology Problem by Alexi Franklin The terms “weapons of mass destruction (WMD),” “chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN),” and “chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE)” are found throughout the interagency, and they are treated essentially as synonyms. In important ways, however, these terms highlight differences with both conceptual and […]

In commencement ceremonies on June 14, 2019, at the Lewis and Clark Center, General Stephen J. Townsend, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, challenged the 1,100 graduates of Command and General Staff Officers Course Class of 2019 to do three things – elevate team play, help commanders to reinvigorate mission command, […]

Featured article: Advancing Bio Detection with Biosensors and Nanotechnology for Rapid Interagency Response by Habi Mojidi Any effective bio surveillance system must be able to detect the presence of biological agents with sufficient speed and adequate attribution to facilitate an effective interagency response and thwart a crisis. The U.S. currently employs a detection system called […]

Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Maranian became the fourth Provost of Army University during an Assumption of Responsibility ceremony Jun. 10, 2019 at the Frontier Conference Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Maranian also serves as Deputy Commanding General – Education, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, and Deputy Commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC). Lt. […]

Featured article: Entomological “Weapons” of Mass Destruction by Thomas F. Moore Although states have used a variety of systems to deliver weapons of mass destruction (WMD), we are, in fact, surrounded by practically ubiquitous delivery vehicles for WMD, insects, for example. States have worked to seize the benefits of these load-bearing bugs in the past, […]