Institute's Amb. Smith Cautions View of Russia's Intent and Actions Regarding Cyber Capabilities

Cyber operations are integrated into Russia’s military doctrine, and that country is using cyber tools and strategic espionage.  Russia’s capabilities and intent are readily apparent, but it never gets caught – which makes it as big of a cyber threat as countries like China, according to Potomac Institute Cyber Center Director Amb. David Smith (Ret.).

Smith’s article, “Russian Cyber Capabilities, Policy and Practice,” is featured in the Winter 2014 inFocus Quarterly, distributed by the Jewish Policy Center.  It can be read here.

Two attributes of Russia – it’s systemic corruption and it’s broad concept of information warfare – result in a booming cyber-criminal industry, Smith explained.  Russia’s concept of information security has three objectives, the first which is shared by almost every country:  protect strategically important information, protect against harmful foreign information, and instill patriotism in its people.

While it is wise to watch for Moscow’s cyber behavior with the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, it is important to note that Russia still refuses to join any international approach to cyber security challenges.

Whether or not Russia "gets caught" in its cyber activities, the U.S. must realize Russia’s capabilities and intent are a major cyber challenge.

Smith is also a Potomac Institute Senior Fellow and Director of the Georgian Security Analysis Center in Tbilisi.

Consistent, Individual Engagement With Other Countries Is Key To U.S. Success

Setting up a country for economic success with the right support structures is an important part of U.S. global engagement, and although these efforts take time, the United States is a beacon in the world and stands for what is right, said PIPS Vice President of Strategy and Planning Dave Reist in an interview with Russian Television. 

RT America, an English language Russian network, was covering a poll of 65 countries that discussed the U.S. role in peace and war, based on 2013 being a deadly year in Iraq.  Even though the majority of people polled criticized the U.S. for its global actions, the majority also said the United States is the country they would prefer to live in.

Asked if the United States was to blame for the continued violence in Iraq, Reist, a retired U.S. Marine Corp brigadier general who spent 1 1/2 years in Iraq's Anbar province, said that not having the right structures for better economic success caused an issue, and because power brokers inside of Iraq did not have the right oversight from Iraqi or U.S. forces, the situation was likely to deteriorate.  Add to that the fact the Middle East is going through a tumultuous time, and there are many causes for problems in Iraq.  The U.S. engages based on political will, Reist stated.

What the U.S. stands for will manifest itself across time, Reist reinforced, and that bears out by the high numbers of people who want to live in the United States, despite criticism of its foreign policy.  Additionally, the world sees and hears debate about issues  and disagreements in the United States because of free speech, which not every country enjoys.

Despite criticism of its activities, the United States doesn't waiver from policies and issues, and consistency in foreign policy takes time and effort, Reist emphasized.  

The story can be viewed here:  

PIPS ICTS Director Applauds Morocco's Role in Tension Zones in Middle East, Africa, and the Sahel-Saharan Region

The United States and Morocco continue to have a shared vision and common interest in key issues of human rights, civil liberties, and security, Prof. Yonah Alexander said in a recent interview with the Maghreb Arabe Press.  Ensuring a lasting alliance and partnership between the two countries is especially important, given uncertainties Morocco must deal with across the region.

Morocco's king recently visited President Obama, and that helped reinforce 2013 as a strong and productive year between the two countries.  During that visit, the U.S. administration reiterated that Morocco is a regional model for the fight against religious radicalism, Alexander noted in the story that was published in French and Arabic.

As a haven of stability, Alexander emphasized, Morocco demonstrates it gives an important place for security in civil society, so that economy, tourism, and agriculture can develop, because the government is responsive to the people.

Prof. Alexander is the Director of Potomac Institute's International Center for Terrorism Studies.  He is also a member of the Institute's Board of Regents and a Senior Fellow.   Dr. Alexander is founder and editor-in-chief of three academic international journals: Terrorism; Minorities and Group Rights; and Political Communication and Persuasion.  Since 2010, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of Partnership for Peace Review, a new journal under the auspices of NATO.  He recently presented a report on "Terrorism in North Africa and the Sahel: Global Reach and Implications." He also has published over 100 books including al-Qa’ida: Ten Years After 9/11 and Beyond; Terrorists in Our Midst: Combating Foreign Affinity Terrorism in America; Evolution of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy (three volumes); Turkey: Terrorism, Civil Rights, and the European Union; The New Iranian Leadership: Terrorism, Nuclear Ambition, and the Middle East Conflict; and Counterterrorism Strategies: Success and Failures of Six Nations.

PIPS ICTS Director Discusses Chechen History and Context, Impact on Russia and Putin, and Security Lessons Learned

(Jan. 2) PIPS ICTS Director Prof. Yonah Alexander discussed important Chechen history as well as political issues in a radio interview following the bombings in Russia earlier this week.

Alexander noted that the Chechen connection is not a recent phenomenon and actually goes back 200 years, with the Muslim ethnic minority resisting Russia for national reasons (independence) and religious reasons (did not want to be controlled by Christians.  Alexander explained that the location of the bombings - Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad - could symbolize freedom of Chechnya.

The other important issues to consider are the political, security, and propaganda dimensions of the attacks.  Politically, the bombings are a challenge to Putin on the eve of the Sochi Olympics, which are also labeled as Putin's Games.  The security challenge is that Chechens will not miss this opportunity, because terrorism is a great equalizer, and it's hard for Russia to halt these types of attacks.  From a propaganda perspective, the attacks are not just a disgrace on Russia but also bring attention and recognition to the Chechen cause.

Alexander reinforced the vital importance of historical lessons, especially Olympic attacks in the past.  There is a long list from which to learn - what worked and what didn't work, Alexander stated.

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.