In this podcast, Dr. Zoli discusses what she believes to be the top five challenges for Afghanistan and Pakistan and their relationship today, with emphasis on U.S. and Chinese security posture and engagement with the Central and South Asian regions. The five most pressing issues for both nations are governance, including corruption, economic development, and in the case of Pakistan, managing human capital; security and post-conflict recovery, including what to do with extremist actors, external assistance, and in the case of Afghanistan, lack of state (province to federal) integration; managing existing conflict actors and pluralism (religious, ethnic, tribal), which involves addressing internal and external actors and insurgents, delinking both nations from “Global Islamist Jihad” and their networks; and revising regional engagement strategies, especially for the United States, India, and China. In the course of this analysis, Dr. Zoli will also define cultural approaches to national and international security challenges in this region, and address how they implicate US homeland security and defense.
Series: The HDIAC Podcast
The HDIAC Podcast features discussions with Subject Matter Experts on emerging topics in the fields of Alternative energy, Biometrics, CBRN Defense, Cultural Studies, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Defense & Security, Medical, and Weapons of Mass Destruction. Training, One-on-one, and round-table discussions are held to provide insight into highly technical topics and increase user awareness.
Socio-Cultural Understanding of the Afghanistan-Pakistan (Af-Pak) Region – Part 2 of 2
In this podcast, Dr. Zoli discusses what she believes to be the top five challenges for Afghanistan and Pakistan and their relationship today, with emphasis on U.S. and Chinese security posture and engagement with the Central and South Asian regions. The five most pressing issues for both nations are governance, including corruption, economic development, and in the case of Pakistan, managing human capital; security and post-conflict recovery, including what to do with extremist actors, external assistance, and in the case of Afghanistan, lack of state (province to federal) integration; managing existing conflict actors and pluralism (religious, ethnic, tribal), which involves addressing internal and external actors and insurgents, delinking both nations from “Global Islamist Jihad” and their networks; and revising regional engagement strategies, especially for the United States, India, and China. In the course of this analysis, Dr. Zoli will also define cultural approaches to national and international security challenges in this region, and address how they implicate US homeland security and defense.
Military Anthropology – Part 2 of 2
Anthropology studies humankind in all its aspects, through archeological, biological, ethnological, and linguistic research – it can trace its roots to ancient Greek historical and philosophical writings about human nature and the organization of human society. However, few people are familiar with the concept of military anthropology, and those who are have widely differing opinions about its role. In these podcasts, Dr. Robert Rubinstein discusses with Steve Redifer both the anthropological study of military organizations, such as militaries of nation states, insurgencies, and guerrilla warfare, as well assistance that may be provided by anthropologists to military organizations, such as teaching at military educational institutions or service in areas of operation. Dr. Rubinstein presents a brief history of military anthropology, including participation by anthropologists in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as covering the role of anthropological science during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Rubinstein discusses the pros and cons of this involvement and presents a list of principles developed from anthropological literature that can serve to inform military interactions with local populaces.
Military Anthropology – Part 1 of 2
Anthropology studies humankind in all its aspects, through archeological, biological, ethnological, and linguistic research – it can trace its roots to ancient Greek historical and philosophical writings about human nature and the organization of human society. However, few people are familiar with the concept of military anthropology, and those who are have widely differing opinions about its role. In these podcasts, Dr. Robert Rubinstein discusses with Steve Redifer both the anthropological study of military organizations, such as militaries of nation states, insurgencies, and guerrilla warfare, as well assistance that may be provided by anthropologists to military organizations, such as teaching at military educational institutions or service in areas of operation. Dr. Rubinstein presents a brief history of military anthropology, including participation by anthropologists in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as covering the role of anthropological science during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Rubinstein discusses the pros and cons of this involvement and presents a list of principles developed from anthropological literature that can serve to inform military interactions with local populaces.
Critical Infrastructure Resilience – Part 2 of 2
Critical infrastructure (CI) is not only essential for the successful functioning of governance and society, it is a critical element to homeland defense and security. A power grid functioning at full capacity, an operational and expansive communication network, a streamlined and efficient transportation system, and water infrastructure delivering clean and affordable water free of pollution are all necessary toward ensuring national security. The United States has identified 16 critical sectors that serve as vital assets, systems, and networks. Instability in these systems could have a debilitating impact upon the economic security and vitality of the nation. Prioritizing the physical, operational, and virtual condition of these systems and ensuring their resilience will foster a sense of confidence and promote a culture of sustainability. This podcast will explore these matters and offer potential suggestions to increase critical infrastructure resiliency.
Critical Infrastructure Resilience – Part 1 of 2
Critical infrastructure (CI) is not only essential for the successful functioning of governance and society, it is a critical element to homeland defense and security. A power grid functioning at full capacity, an operational and expansive communication network, a streamlined and efficient transportation system, and water infrastructure delivering clean and affordable water free of pollution are all necessary toward ensuring national security. The United States has identified 16 critical sectors that serve as vital assets, systems, and networks. Instability in these systems could have a debilitating impact upon the economic security and vitality of the nation. Prioritizing the physical, operational, and virtual condition of these systems and ensuring their resilience will foster a sense of confidence and promote a culture of sustainability. This podcast will explore these matters and offer potential suggestions to increase critical infrastructure resiliency.
Nuclear Arms Control Treaties – Part 1 of 2
This video podcast is part one of a two-part series on the topic of nuclear arms control treaties that the United States has entered in over the past 50+ years. In this podcast, Dirk Plante, Deputy Director of HDIAC, interviews Pranay Vaddi, a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discussing early efforts by the United States and other nations to enter into multi-lateral arms control treaties, including the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, as well as bilateral treaties with the Soviet Union.
Nuclear Arms Control Treaties – Part 2 of 2
This video podcast is part two of a two-part series on the topic of nuclear arms control treaties that the United States has entered in over the past 50+ years. In this podcast, Dirk Plante, Deputy Director of HDIAC, interviews Pranay Vaddi, a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, continue their discussion of bilateral treaties with the then Soviet Union, now Russia, to keep limits on their nuclear arsenals. They look at the current New START Treaty and the future of arms control treaty negotiations.
Leveraging the Law of Armed Conflict in Creating Human Rights Compliant Counterterrorism Policy – Part 2 of 2
Most experts in the U.S. defense and military policy and practitioners’ communities know that the United States is a longstanding global leader in human rights compliant counterterrorism operations. Few make the link between law of war leadership on the part of the United States and international human rights law compliance, particularly in designing and conducting…
Leveraging the Law of Armed Conflict in Creating Human Rights Compliant Counterterrorism Policy – Part 1 of 2
Most experts in the U.S. defense and military policy and practitioners’ communities know that the United States is a longstanding global leader in human rights compliant counterterrorism operations. Few make the link between law of war leadership on the part of the United States and international human rights law compliance, particularly in designing and conducting…
