As we start 2014, we reflect on the past year and the challenges we have ahead of us.

2013 was a tornado of activity that included so much good:  new offices, new faces, and new opportunities.  It was a year of growth and positive change.  Our work informed and influenced vital debates, and we provided input into policy discussions at high levels.  We were also able to observe and learn from science and technology changes throughout the world that directly impact us as an Institute - and all humanity.  By any measure, we have much for which to be thankful last year.

We are starting 2014 in full stride, and we are confident our future is bright with many high level opportunities and challenges. 

We are fortunate to be able to address the hardest issues of our time, and every day we are challenged to contribute ideas and policy for the good of mankind.  In doing so, we are only limited by our reach and creativity. Progress and lofty achievements are most often the result of the boldness and courage of a few who dare to believe that they can make the vital difference.  We are privileged to work in an organization replete with such people, as well as with equally talented partners across the government, the United States and the world who share our vision of developing meaningful policy options while identifying and aggressively shepherding discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society.

Thanks to our partners and friends for a great 2013, and we look forward to a greater 2014 together.

- Mike Swetnam, Chairman and CEO

Dec. 17 Discussion Focused on Threats, Capabilities, Attacks

The Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) is allegedly a group of hackers supporting the Syrian government of Bashar al Assad. Its tactics include denial of service attacks, defacements and spamming campaigns.  Observers debate whether it is directly supported by the Damascus government; however, Assad has publicly praised the group.  It targets Syrian rebels and other perceived enemies of the Assad regime, particularly news outlets.  Apparent targets have included the BBC, AP, NPR, Financial Times, Washington Post and al-Jazeera.

Dr. Gabi Siboni, Director of the Military and Strategic Affairs Program at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, shared his analysis of the SEA background and structure, capabilities, political motivations and discussed why America should take the SEA seriously.

Potomac Institute CEO Mike Swetnam opened the discussion.  Closing remarks were provided by Amb. David J. Smith, Potomac Institute Senior Fellow and Cyber Center Director; and Mr. Paul DeSouza, founder and Director, Cyber Security Forum Initiative.

Video from the event can be viewed here

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/41818354

Russia Suicide Bombings Impact Regional Security, World Events

Another bombing in the Russian city of Volgograd has resulted in tightened security at railway stations, airports and other transportation centers across Russia, and the attacks are raising security concerns as February's winter Olympics in Sochi get closer.  Unrest from the North Caucasus is also spreading, and there is apprehension about more attacks as experts work to determine the links.

Experts from various Academic Centers at The Potomac Institute are available for comment on the situation.

Experts:

Prof. Yonah Alexander, PhD, Member, Board of Regents, Senior Fellow, and Director, International Center for Terrorism Studies
Professor Alexander previously served as Professor of International Affairs and Director of Terrorism Studies at the George Washington University as well as Professor of International Studies and Director of the Institute for Studies in International Terrorism at the State University of New York.  He has served as academic advisor to governments and international organizations (UN, NATO, OSCE, and the EU) and was consultant to various Olympic Games and to the International Academy of the Media in Moscow.  He is founder and editor-in-chief of five academic international journals:  Terrorism; Minorities and Group Rights; Political Communication and Persuasions; NATO's Partnership for Peace Review; and Terrorism: An Electronic Journal & Knowledge Base. He has published over 100 books including "Al-Qa'ida:  Ten Years after 9/11 and Beyond," and others on terrorism and the Russian connection.

Amb. David Smith, (Ret.), Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
Ambassador David Smith joined the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies as a Senior Fellow in 2005. In 2012, he became Director of the Potomac Institute Cyber Center. Amb. Smith has in-depth expertise and experience in building stability and security in the South Caucasus region. Ambassador Smith is currently involved in a major project to assist the Republic of Georgia in reforming its national security institutions, and serves as Director of the Georgian Security Analysis Center in Tbilisi.  He also has had a distinguished career in defense and foreign affairs, is an expert on international security issues, and in recent years has focused on the emerging field of cybersecurity. His other areas of expertise include U.S. strategic missile defense, arms control, European security policy, and security relationships with China, Russia, and Korea.

Khatuna Mshvidobadze, PhD, Associate Academic Fellow
Ms. Khatuna Mshvidobadze, PhD, is an Associate Academic Fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Ms. Mshvidobadze is affiliated with the Potomac Institute Cyber Center. She is also a Senior Associate at the Georgian Security Analysis Center, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, Tbilisi, Georgia.  In 2009, she was an Advisor to the Office of the Minister of Defense of Georgia.  Ms. Mshvidobadze is a member of the Academy of Political Science of Georgia.  She can speak about the cyber threat to Sochi, as well as the cultural implications of the Olympics, based on some of the venues.

Implications for U.S. Environmental and Human Security Explored

Accurate and consistent data collection on climate change is critical to helping develop effective disaster preparedness plans, and it impacts national security, food and water security, as well as immigration, according to Dr. Victoria Keener, Research Fellow at the East-West Center in Honolulu.

The report and transcript of the discussion about the wide-ranging impacts of climate change in the Pacific are highlighted in the report, now available.

Speaking at the Potomac Institute during a seminar titled “Effects of Climate Change in the Pacific Region,” Dr. Keener said that underinvestment in the systems that gather data on climate in the Pacific weakens research.  This in turn impacts the predictability profiles that affect food and water security, which can result in increased numbers of climate migrants.  The cycle also makes it more difficult to get policymakers the information needed to make decisions on how to address the effects of climate change.  Partnerships between scientists and decision makers are crucial to understand the impacts of climate change, she reinforced.

U.S. and world leaders are increasingly focused on climate change challenges.  Recently, the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific identified climate change as the greatest security threat to the future of the Asia-Pacific region. President Obama introduced a new national climate action plan in June, prioritizing federal-level coordination to address the multidimensional problems raised by a warming planet.

Dr. Keener highlighted Pacific regional challenges and adaptations, along with a number of innovative ways islanders are addressing these issues, and the broader importance of the region with respect to such issues as climate security, environmental sustainability, public health, coastal adaptations, and immigration.