Projections regarding the future of the global order have traditionally relied on two assumptions: 1) rising powers are gradually “rising from within” the existing global governance infrastructure; and, 2) U.S.-led institutions are robust. To effectively plan in a rapidly changing geopolitical climate, it is important to enhance our socio-cultural understanding of rising powers, their effect on the existing global order, and, as needed, reevaluate these historical assumptions. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries are engaging in revisionist coalitions and creating new institutions or, as some argue, creating a parallel system, that challenge historical U.S. global leadership. This new geopolitical dynamic is already affecting U.S. security interests and raising concerns that the United States could be potentially forced to contend with new and broadly legitimate global norms that it had no part in making. While much of the existing debate looks at hypothetical situations (such as a possible new Cold War or discarding rising power alliances as an analytical unit), it is necessary to analyze rising power alliances through a social and cultural lens.
In this webinar, Dr. Papa discusses findings from a Minerva Research Initiative that seeks to study and address this need. Launched by the Secretary of Defense in 2008, the Minerva Research Initiative is a DoD-sponsored, university-based social science research initiative that focuses on areas of strategic importance to the U.S. national security policy. This project, undertaken under the Minerva initiative, focuses on theories that propose a rigorous, multidisciplinary framework for defining and understanding alliances in the contemporary global order; empirically, by collecting extensive data through field research on rising power economic and political processes, interactions, culture, and mobilization in critical areas for U.S. national security; and operationally, by increasing the U.S. government’s geostrategic situational awareness and exploring response options. Additionally, Dr. Papa describes how these countries perceive allied relationships, adopt innovative forms of inter-state collaboration, and cultivate strategic partnerships, seeking to enhance our socio-cultural comprehension of these complex system behaviors and structures that directly affect U.S. homeland security and defense.
Series: HDIAC Webinars
HDIAC offers free webinars on a regular basis with experts in the technical subject areas of Alternative energy, Biometrics, CBRN Defense, Cultural Studies, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Defense & Security, Medical, and Weapons of Mass Destruction.
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The First Responder Vaccine Initiative (FRVI)
In 2001, anthrax was deliberately sent to multiple targets via the U.S. Postal System. In response to the attacks, several emergency responders began a grassroots advocacy program called Project Equal Immunization Policies & Practices (EQUIPP). Coinciding with the Obama administration’s authorization of the First Responder Anthrax Preparedness Act, Project EQUIPP pushed for the deployment of surplus anthrax vaccine doses stored in the Strategic National Stockpile. This idea was met with bipartisan Congressional support, resulting in the First Responder Vaccine Initiative (FRVI). This voluntary pre-event vaccination program was ultimately delegated to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office, including partnerships with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and specific jurisdictions to aid in vaccine distribution. The Saint Louis Metropolitan area was selected as the first jurisdiction for this effort, partnering with the Washington University - St. Louis School of Medicine Emergency Care Research Center (ECRC). The combined educational and vaccination project was aptly named Project to Ready Emergency Personnel for an Anthrax Response Event (PREPARE). By preemptively receiving the anthrax vaccine, emergency response providers can protect themselves against anthrax and ensure they are able to safely respond to an anthrax incident. Since 2019, PREPARE has educated over 1600 emergency services personnel and has more than 1100 participants currently receiving the vaccination series. This webinar discusses the history, implementation, and impact of the FRVI and PREPARE efforts.
Historical Discussion of the Trinity Nuclear Weapons Test (A Two-Part Series)
The Trinity test of July 16, 1945 was arguably history’s greatest scientific experiment. It represented not only the capstone of the Manhattan Project, but the culmination of decades of discovery in physics, chemistry, metallurgy, and other scientific fields. The technology tested at Trinity would later be used to help bring history’s deadliest conflict, World War II, to an abrupt and victorious conclusion. Though the advent of weapons of mass destruction have helped render global wars between the great powers obsolete, it has also made it possible for mankind to destroy itself. In this two-part series, Mr. Carr discusses the scientific discovery, technological innovation, and the potential for unimaginable destruction that are part of Trinity’s legacy.
Introduction to U.S. Nuclear Testing: 1945 – 1992
The US ended all underground nuclear tests in the early 1990s in the lead-up to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, conducting its last explosive nuclear test in September 1992. That test was the 1054th announced full-scale nuclear test performed by the United States. In this webinar, Los Alamos National Laboratory Senior Historian Alan B. Carr surveys the era of nuclear testing within the historical context of World War II and the Cold War. Attendees will learn why, where, and how the U.S. conducted nuclear tests. Mr. Carr will also discuss how the data collected continues to help ensure the safety and reliability of U.S. nuclear deterrence.
Understanding and Responding to Biological Threats
In recent years, terrorist propaganda campaigns have published materials that extol the merits of attacking the United States and its allies through the use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosive weapons. Further, numerous terrorist groups have attempted to develop CBRN weapons and some have employed them through a variety of means. In order to address the operational implications of such events, it is important to be aware of common threat methodologies, be familiar with potential target locations, and understand the ramifications of such attacks. This webinar focuses primarily on the biological threat, as a biological attack against people could be used to cause illness, death, fear, societal disruption, and economic damage; likewise, an attack on agricultural plants and animals could result in economic damage, loss of confidence in the food supply, and possible loss of life. This webinar provides a "snapshot" of this continuously evolving attack vector and gives an overview and assessment of the threat posed by biothreat agents.
Energy Security
This webinar describes the sophisticated global setting where energy security, national security, and geopolitics intersect. People everywhere want abundant, reliable, clean, and affordable energy. Nation-states have a geopolitical identity and geopolitical aspirations for influence. Energy security is an essential factor in those aspirations. Nation-states can influence developments beyond their borders regarding access to, processing, and transportation of natural resources, such as carbon-based energy and minerals essential for renewable energy development.
This webinar addresses the relationship between energy security/homeland security and unhindered access to energy supplied from domestic or foreign sources, the role of energy transportation at competitive world prices, and the relationship between local and international energy infrastructure.
The Continued Threat of Infectious Diseases to the U.S. Military
The US military is an expeditionary force and constantly engaged in global missions. During deployment, servicemembers are often at risk from infectious diseases which have the potential to make the individual and the unit mission incapable and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Diseases such as malaria, dengue, diarrheal diseases, and many others threaten the force and require medical countermeasures to eliminate or mitigate the risk.
This webinar builds on Dr. Tim Endy's infectious disease webinar in February of 2020 and the HDIAC Infectious Disease State of the Art Report published in April of 2020; in this latest webinar, Dr. Stephen Thomas will explore the historical beginnings of global infectious disease threats. Dr. Thomas will review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and current status of therapeutic and preventive measures for common threats. Additionally, U.S. military contributions to countermeasure development will be discussed.
Biostasis
This webinar will provide an overview of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Biostasis program. The Biostasis program aims to extend the time for lifesaving medical treatment, often referred to as “the Golden Hour,” following traumatic injury or acute infection, thus increasing survivability for military personnel operating in far-forward conditions with limited access to medical professionals or trauma centers. To do so, Biostasis is developing novel chemical biology approaches that reversibly and controllably slow biological systems without cold-chain to stabilize and protect their functional capacity until medical intervention is possible.
DNA as a Molecular Engineering Platform for Defense Applications
In this presentation, Dr. Steven Armentrout will describe how DNA nanotechnology is being used to create molecular devices, some less than 100nm in size, for defense applications ranging from nanosensors for pathogen detection to nanocarriers for delivery of drugs, genetic material, and cognitive boosting compounds. He will also show how computer-aided design (CAD) and virtual reality (VR) software, partially developed with DoD funding, is enabling nanoengineers to create, inspect, and edit nanoscale designs with ease and precision. Participants in this webinar will leave with an appreciation of the potential of DNA nanotechnology, its ability to address a variety of nanoengineering challenges, and an awareness of the many potential defense applications to which it can be applied.
The Political, Economic, and Cultural Effects of the United States’ Overseas Military Presence
This webinar discusses the individual, local, and regional factors that shape attitudes toward U.S. military presence within host states. The project leverages survey responses of host-state populations in 14 countries that host the majority of U.S. forces abroad. These surveys help expand our understanding of the behavioral, attitudinal, and demographic determinants of attitudes toward the U.S. military, the American people, and the U.S. government as a whole among the populations of host states.
