IDA Research Staff participate actively in various professional activities – both within their disciplines and ancillary to them – including publishing in the open literature. Below are some recent citations of IDA Researchers and their work.
Tom Greenwood published an article in The National Interest in which he posits why it is difficult to produce a strategically decisive breakthrough — the kind that could pull the Ukraine War out of stalemate — and notes their historical rarity. He contends that a synchronized tactical approach integrating Ukraine’s limited manpower and legacy machines is crucial to its success.
Paul Fanto presented a paper, which he coauthored with SED’s Cameron Liang and Angelo Signoracci, at the Second International Orbital Debris Conference, in Sugar Land, Texas. Paul presented a model framework for quantifying the risk of debris growth.
Dan Pechkis participated in an executive roundtable event, Utilizing Space for the Benefit of Earth, hosted by the Embassy of Sweden at the House of Sweden on November 30. He spoke on how space-based data, such as Earth observation data, can be used to solve real world problems.
Director, Research Quality and Chief Data Officer Heather Wojton served as a panelist at the 11th Annual Big Data for Intelligence Symposium, November 15-16, 2023. The panel, “AI Applications for Advancing Data-Driven Digital Modernization,” explored how DOD, the intelligence community and the federal government are looking to artificial intelligence to improve big data management to help fight and win wars.
Margaret Zientek presented “Multi-Use Text Analytics” at the Text Analytics Forum ’23. She addressed how machine learning and natural language processing technology can help sort through large quantities of documents and files, providing IDA’s use of text analytics capabilities as an example. The forum was held November 8-9, 2023, at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C.
Aayushi Verma spoke at the R for Government Conference held at Georgetown University on October 20. The conference brought together data scientists and users of the programming language R who work within the government and public sector. Aayushi’s talk, “From Data to Collaboration: Connecting Our Researchers with R and Shiny,” focused on how R and Shiny, an open-source R package, have enabled IDA to gain new research insights and connect researchers.
Ashley Farris presented “COVID-19 Lessons Identified for NATO Bio-responsiveness Capability” at the biennial Medical Biodefense Conference at the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology in Munich, Germany on October 24. Julia Burr and Catherine Scheible, who co-authored the presentation, also attended.
The International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) Journal published its Defense and Aerospace Test and Analysis Workshop (DATAWorks) special issue, which features research in test and evaluation from the workshop hosted by IDA earlier this spring. Contributors include Aayushi Verma; Elizabeth Green, Miriam Armstrong, Carrington Metts and Curtis Miller; and Janna Mantua.
Bob Angevine, Eleanore Douglas, Jessica Huckabey and Peter Kouretsos presented papers at the 2023 McMullen Naval History Symposium held at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on September 21. Each of their well-received papers outlined different perspectives on the Cold War Soviet navy as part of a panel chaired by Steve Wills (Center for Maritime Strategy, Navy League of the United States). The biannual symposium, the world’s largest naval history conference, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Bram Lillard, Director, OED, represented IDA on an FFRDC panel session for the new Analyst Leadership Program. The Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation of the Office of the Secretary of Defense recently initiated the program to aid the development of rising DOD analytic leaders. During the panel, Bram advised on how DOD can improve their use of IDA’s unique tools and expertise.
Chad Sbragia discussed Taiwan-China relations at the China’s Power: Up for Debate 2023 conference, hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Chad and the other discussant focused on Xi Jinping’s goal to reunify Taiwan with China and posit measures that the U.S. can take to deter Chinese aggression.
Gifford Wong wrote a book review for Science magazine on Kelly and Zach Weinersmiths’ new release, “A City on Mars.” In his review, Gifford lauds the co-authors’ use of humor and objectivity to question human readiness for space settlement. Gifford previously published book reviews for Science on Vanessa Heggie’s “Higher and Colder” and Alice Bell’s “Our Biggest Experiment.”
Mark Herrera and DOD Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Nikolas Guertin co-authored an entry for the “Comment and Discussion” section of the U.S. Naval Institute’s journal Proceedings with. In it, they respond to a previous article on the use of temporal metrics in cyberwarfare and emphasize the need for realistic testing to prepare U.S. weapon systems to operate and fight in a cyber-contested environment.
David Tate was featured on a podcast hosted by Arun Seraphin at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies Institute.
Sujeeta Bhatt and Janna Mantua coauthored a chapter in a book that discusses scientifically informed solutions to cybersecurity issues in the intelligence sector. The coauthors’ chapter focuses on the threat of radicalization via online gaming.
Janna Mantua was recently selected to participate in the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Non-Resident Fellows Program. During the fellowship, Janna will develop and publish special operations-relevant work focused on cognitive domain operations.
Akar Bharadvaj wrote “Building a new generation of wargame professionals with intention: From Avalon Hill to Oregon Trail and beyond,” published on the blog PAXsims. Akar presented the paper at the Connections Wargaming Conference in 2022.
ITSD’s Michael Fischerkeller, U.S. Cyber Command’s Emily Goldman and University of Cincinnati’s Richard Harknett coauthored a letter to the editor in response to a book review and an article that appeared in Joint Force Quarterly.
Marilyn Harbert and Asha Balakrishnan co-authored “Why Space Debris Flies Through Regulatory Gaps,” published in Issues in Science and Technology. The article makes a case for orbital debris regulation.
Asha Balakrishnan spoke on the panel “Space Cowboys: Key Outer Space Policy Questions” at the Technology Policy Institute’s 2023 Aspen Forum on August 21. Forum participants discussed how technology policy and regulation impact daily life.
Chad Sbragia was featured in an interview for The Olive Branch, a blog run by the United States Institute for Peace. In the interview, Chad discusses the unique challenges that U.S. interlocutors face in their attempts to develop crisis communications mechanisms with China.
Gifford Wong was accepted into the 2023 Fall Fellowship at the Clean Energy Leadership Institute. Fellows will examine inequity in energy policy and market structures and develop holistic solutions to current green energy industry challenges.
Chad Sbragia spoke on a panel, Pacific Partnerships: Lessons of NATO, at the Intelligence and National Security Summit. Chad and the other panelists will discuss the implications of NATO’s emerging relationships with Indo-Pacific countries. The panel was held July 14.
Chad Sbragia was cited in Radio Free Asia (RFA) and The Messenger for serving as a panelist at the United States Institute of Peace’s hybrid event, U.S.-China Crisis Communications in Dire Straits. The articles summarize Sbragia’s discussion of the logistical and political challenges the U.S. faces in establishing and restoring channels of communications with China to prevent a military crisis.
Yuna Wong is featured in the Canadian War Museum’s new war games exhibit.
Chad Sbragia spoke on a panel at the United States Institute of Peace’s hybrid event, U.S.-China Crisis Communications in Dire Straits. Chad and the other panelists explored the U.S. and China’s crisis-related assumptions, considered mitigation options, and discussed efforts to improve communications with Beijing.
CCR-P Director Wayne Raskind wrote “Stay in Academe or Try Something New?” recently published in Notices of the American Mathematical Society (AMS). In the article, Wayne discusses his personal experience at IDA and advocates for people in academe to explore opportunities in nonprofit, government or for-profit sectors.
Michael Fischerkeller and University of Cincinnati’s Richard Harknett coauthored a chapter in “Deter, Disrupt, or Deceive,” a book about global cyber competition and conflict. The coauthors’ chapter, “Cyber Persistence, Intelligence Contests, and Strategic Competition,” was published internally as NS D-13230.
Brian K. Chappell was selected as a committee member on an ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). The 14-member committee is titled, “Development of a Plan to Promote Defense Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges & Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, & Other Minority Institutions.” The committee is tasked with examining defense-related STEM activities at minority institutions, with a primary focus on engineering and research and development activities, and providing recommendations.
The Fellows and First Years Field Trip Program provides new IDA researchers firsthand exposure to military hardware systems through a one-day trip organized by one of IDA’s fellows. The first event of this year’s program took place on May 15 at Joint Base Andrews where several first-year researchers toured the Aerospace Physiology Clinic, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the Military Working Dog Program, and the KC-135 flight line for a static display.
John Warden served as a panelist at the Center for a New American Security virtual conversation on April 20. John and the other panelists discussed China's nuclear buildup and the risk of nuclear escalation in a war to defend Taiwan. A video recording is available.
Mark Kaye (project lead), Michael Cummins, Bruce Harmon, Susan Rose and Kevin Wu (formerly with IDA) co-authored the report, “Financing in the Commercial Marketplace: Pre-delivery Payments,” which appeared in the DoD’s Defense Contract Finance Study released April 10. Initiated in late 2019, the study assesses the effect that DoD contract financing and profit policies have on the defense industry.
Michael Fischerkeller coauthored “U.K. National Cyber Force, Responsible Cyber Power, and Cyber Persistence Theory” with Richard Harknett and Emily Goldman. The article, published in Lawfare, discusses the U.K.’s National Cyber Force (NCF) and the national cyber strategies of the U.K. and U.S in the context of cyber persistence theory.
Yuna Wong spoke on wargaming at the Sea Air Space 2023 Conference on two different panels: “Gaming to Win — A Live Wargaming Demonstration,” hosted by the Navy League, and “Diverse Roles & Divergent Paths in National Security Analysis,” hosted by Women in MORS, a community of practice in the Military Operations Research Society (MORS). Yuna was also quoted in Sea Power Magazine, in the article, “Shall We Play a Game? Winning Isn’t the Point, Experts Say.”
Chad Sbragia spoke as a panelist at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft’s virtual event, “Managing U.S.-China Crises: Problems, Pitfalls, and Prospects.”
Rachel Lindbergh gave a talk at the IEEE Las Vegas Tech Conference and Expo on April 20. The conference and expo featured the latest trends and innovations in electronics, electromagnetics, power and energy, space flight and more. Rachel’s presentation discussed space policy challenges, highlighting IDA’s work across several space topics.
Allison Goodman and Nickolas Guertin; Director, Operational Test and Evaluation; coauthored the article, “OT&E for Rapid Software Development,” in the March 2023 issue of the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) Journal.
Caroline Milne participated in the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) event, “The South Korean Nuclear Armament Debate” on March 16. She spoke on the third panel of the debate, “International Implications,” beginning at 4:13:13 of the video.
IDA President Norty Schwartz greeted distinguished visitors from Japan as part of an allies and partners event for the Joint Staff J4 on February 28. Photo (l-r): IDA VP for Research Laura Baldwin; Director for Logistics, J4 Lt. Gen. Leonard Kosinski; Defense and Air Attaché Maj. Gen. Hiroyuki Sugai; Commander, Maritime Materiel Command VADM Yoshitaka Ozama; IDA President Norty Schwartz; and IDA Joint Advanced Warfighting Director Dan Chiu.
Caroline Milne wrote “Alternative Futures: ROK Nuclear Weapons and the U.S.-ROK Alliance,” published on the Korea Economic Institute’s (KEI’s) blog The Peninsula. Caroline’s piece is one of 12 contributions to KEI’s special project on South Korea’s nuclear armament debate running on the blog.
Anna Konstrorum shared her STEM story on Her Maths Story, a platform dedicated to encouraging and empowering self-identifying women to pursue careers in mathematics and beyond.
IDA hosted the kick-off event announcing the launch of the Defense Management Institute (DMI). Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks (shown) and Pentagon Performance Improvement Officer Michael Donley made the announcement joined by IDA President Norty Schwartz (shown) and IDA Senior Fellow Peter Levine. Levine will serve as director of DMI, a new initiative committed to building a network of expertise and a community of practice in the management, organization, performance improvement and enterprise business operations of the Department of Defense.
Michael Fischerkeller authored “A Cyber Persistence Way to Countermeasures,” published in Lawfare. The article describes ways in which international law could be reinterpreted to make it more relevant in the context of cyberspace.
Linda Bishai and Laura Cleary coauthored “The US Needs a Strategy for (Human) Security Cooperation,” published in Just Security. Based on previous research and an IDA CRP-funded framework for assessing human rights in security cooperation, the article argues that a human security approach, integrated comprehensively into training modules and assessments, would improve security cooperation outcomes.
Jim Thorne authored, “Leveraging Gravitational Complexity for Better Orbits,” for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Astrodynamics Technical Committee. The article appeared in the December 2022 year-in-review issue of Aerospace America, published by AIAA.
Miriam Roday published, “Starting Your Search for a Foreign Policy Internship,” in the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy’s Charged Affairs blog. In the article, she provides advice on how to navigate the wealth of internship options in the national security and foreign policy space. She details the core responsibilities, daily experiences and key takeaways from various internships, including at think tanks and government agencies and on Capitol Hill.
CCR-L Director Skip Garibaldi co-designed a series of posters called "Illustrating the Impact of the Mathematical Sciences” for a project organized by the National Academies’ Board of Mathematical Sciences and Analytics.
John Warden was recognized in the Congressional Record in December for his exceptional work during a year-long fellowship with the House Armed Services Committee. The HASC’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee chairman Jim Cooper commended John for his expertise and contributions in advising the subcommittee on the U.S. nuclear weapons portfolio during the second session of the 117th Congress.
The Senate explanatory statement for the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act cited IDA’s Cost Analysis & Research Division’s independent cost estimate for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. The cost estimate was cited as a source of information for the program’s resource requirements and a guide for updating the program’s Life Cycle Cost Estimate.
Jeff Riemer moderated a Program Executive Officer Panel at the 2022 Air Armament Symposium hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association. The topics discussed included weapons acquisition strategies, weapons integration on current and future platforms, and test resources necessary to test in a Joint All Domain Command and Control environment. Panelists included Maj. Gen. Anthony Genatempo, Brig. Gen. William Rogers, Brig. Gen. Dale White, Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey and Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei.
Michael Fischerkeller wrote “Cyber Signaling: Deeper Case Research Tells a Different Story,” published in the journal Security Studies. In the article, Michael argues that the hypotheses offered by Erica Lonergan and Shawn Lonergan in their article on the role of cyber operations in crisis management are not supported by their case studies.
The Hoover Institution acquired the papers of Stanley Riveles. The collection consists of documents, records, correspondence, printed matter, notes and electronic files related to Stanley’s career in national security and arms control.
Akar Bharadvaj gave a talk, “Players and Users: Wargaming as a User Experience (UX) Design Problem,” at a Georgetown University Wargaming Society event on January 24. A recording is available.
