National Security Zone

Russia is Bad, China is Worse

By Daniel Grimes on February 27, 2019 cybersecurity

U.S. efforts to thwart cyberthreats have focused on Russia, but experts say that may come at the expense of ignoring the real long-term threat that China poses.

Conflicts and Terrorism

UNESCO promotes press freedom while condemning reporters’ murders

By Dorothy Mills-Gregg on February 22, 2019 journalist safety, UNESCO

UNESCO has launched a social media campaign promoting unintimidated news reporting worldwide, but it has issued eight statements in 2019 condemning the murders of journalists.

Domestic Politics

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION GROUP DISRUPTS CAPITOL WITH VALENTINE’S DAY PROTEST

By Gabrielle Bienasz on February 15, 2019February 18, 2019 Gun violence, national security

Protestors from the gun regulation advocacy organization, Gays Against Guns, marched to lawmakers’ offices to demand stricter gun laws on the one-year anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

Cybersecurity

EXPERTS: INFO SHARING KEY TO PROTECTING U.S. INFRASTRUCTURE FROM CYBER THREATS

By Brock Hall on February 14, 2019February 18, 2019 china, cybersecurity, national security, russia

Experts and officials told lawmakers Thursday it’s important to share information among government agencies to protect the nation’s infrastructure from cybersecurity threats.

Cybersecurity

ENERGY EXPERTS WARN OF CYBERSECURITY THREATS Facing ELECTRIC GRID SYSTEM

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff on February 14, 2019 cybersecurity

Republican and Democratic senators highlighted the actual cyberattacks that have occurred around the world since 2015, including a December 2015 Russian hack that cut off power to nearly a quarter-million people in Ukraine.

International Relations

Trump administration moves in Latin America go beyond the chaos of Venezuela

By Lucas Robinson on February 8, 2019 Cuba, Jair Bolsonaro, John Bolton, Juan Guaidó, Latin America, Nicaragua, Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela

While Trump’s Central American immigration policies have publicly defined much of his approach to Latin America, his more recent actions toward the rest of the region is a significant development in his foreign policy, particularly since the appointment of John Bolton as national security advisor.

International Relations

INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY RAISES ALARM ON TURKEY

By Lucas Robinson on February 6, 2019February 18, 2019 intel, Turkey

Bolstered by a 2019 yearly threat assessment from the director of national intelligence that warned of the risk posed by Turkey’s fraying relationship with the United States, senators have urged action to prevent a deeper strain with the NATO ally.

Conflicts and Terrorism

COUNTERINTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS CAUTION LAWMAKERS ON ISIS, SYRIA TROOP WITHDRAWAL

By Justin Askenazy on February 6, 2019February 14, 2019 conflict, Department of Defense, foreign policy

U.S. counterterrorism officials warned lawmakers Wednesday that ISIS and Al-Qaeda remain a threat to national security despite efforts to disrupt their networks.

Conflicts and Terrorism

French Yellow Vest Movement is Disorganized, Making it Hard for Macron to Start Talks

By Daniel Grimes on February 5, 2019 France, Paris, Yellow Vest

The lack of recognized leaders in France’s yellow vest movement that has become an uprising against economic inequality offers two problems for French President Emmanuel Macron: there is no obvious negotiating partner and no list of agreed upon demands.

Announcements

MRE Journalism Awards Competition Kicks Off

By nszadmin on February 5, 2019February 5, 2019 announcements, Military Reporters and Editors, MRE

The Military Reporters & Editors association announced Monday it is accepting work for its annual journalism awards competition that recognizes outstanding military reporting in several categories.