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Incomplete Intelligence: Is the Information Sharing Environment an Effective Platform?
From the thesis abstract: "Gathering and analyzing suspicious activity is a core element in the prevention of crime and terrorism. The Information Sharing Environment (ISE) and the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) program is an attempt to address this issue, but it creates human and systemic barriers to information access--the same barriers that existed prior to 9/11. The SAR program, through its process-related policies, limits critical information from entering the shared space for analysis. These limitations are two-fold: Information must be specifically prepared for submission by a human being who recognizes that a potential nexus to terrorism might exist and decides to act upon this recognition; and, once submitted, each data element must be individually vetted and approved by more human analysts. Removing the dual limitations of lack of complete operating picture (based upon the limited information made available for vetting) and dependence on human frailty will provide a more effective platform for the identification and mitigation of possible preterrorist incident indicators. This thesis provides an overview of the SAR program and compares and contrasts it with more mature platforms that better meet their objectives, and provides recommendations on how the ISE/SAR enterprise can be improved."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lewin, Jonathan H.
2012-09
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Al Qaeda and Islamic State Affiliates in Afghanistan [Updated January 31, 2020]
From the Document: "Afghanistan's geography, complex ethnic makeup, and recent history of conflict, instability, and decentralized government have created space for the activities of a number of regional armed groups. This product outlines major terrorist groups affiliated and allied with Al Qaeda (AQ) and the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS, ISIL, or by the Arabic acronym Da'esh) and the complex, often shifting relations between them and various other state and non-state actors. These dynamics may inform assessments of U.S. policy in Afghanistan in light of ongoing U.S.-Taliban negotiations focused largely on counterterrorism concerns. The Afghan Taliban is not a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), but it relates to the groups below in varying ways that may have ramifications for those negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2020-01-31
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2015 Paris International Climate Negotiations: Examining the Economic and Environmental Impacts, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress , First Session, October 20, 2015
This is the October 20, 2015 hearing on the "2015 Paris International Climate Negotiations: Examining the Economic and Environmental Impacts," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the Opening Statement of Tom Udall: "We face an urgent task in Paris to bring the international community together, to chart a more sustainable future for our children and our grandchildren. NASA estimates that 2015 is 93 percent likely to be the warmest year on record, and the current record holder last year, 2014. Global warming is one of our greatest challenges. It requires a global effort through a comprehensive international agreement. That is the only way we can truly tackle this problem. It is an environmental challenge. It is an energy challenge. It is a public health challenge. And it is a national security challenge." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of Todd Stern.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019
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Air & Space Power Journal (Vol. 28, Issue 2)
The following titles are featured articles in this edition of Air & Space Power Journal: "Global Vigilance, Global Reach, Global Power for America: The World's Greatest Air Force-Powered by Airmen, Fueled by Innovation" by Mark A. Welsh III; "Joint Force Multipliers: America's Airmen Transition to the Resolute Support Mission" by Jake Polumbo and Wesley Long; "A Different Air Force Tiger" by Buck Elton; "Peeling the Onion: Why Centralized Control/Decentralized Execution Works" by Alan Docauer; "The Joint Strike Fighter/F-35 Program: A Canadian Technology Policy Perspective" by Danny Lam and Brian Paul Cozzarin; "How LeMay Transformed Strategic Air Command" by Phillip S. Meilinger; and "Nuclear Deterrence and Cyber: The Quest for Concept" by Stephen J. Cimbala. There are also eight book reviews in this edition of the journal.
Air University (U.S.). Press
2014-03
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'Islamic State' Crisis and U.S. Policy [September 11, 2014]
"The Islamic State is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group that has expanded its control over areas of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria since 2013, threatening the security of both countries and drawing increased attention from the international community. There is debate over the degree to which the Islamic State [IS] organization might represent a direct terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland or to U.S. facilities and personnel in the region. [...] In September 10, President Obama announced a multifaceted strategy to 'degrade, and ultimately destroy' the Islamic State organization. The announced strategy is for the United States to lead and expand a multilateral coalition that will undertake direct military action, provide support for partner ground forces in Iraq and Syria, gather and share intelligence and use financial measures to try to progressively shrink the geographic and political space, manpower, and financial resources available to the Islamic State. The Administration and its allies all have ruled out deploying combat forces to either Iraq or Syria. Some assert that the U.S. strategy will attract the support of Sunnis in both Syria and Iraq in a broad effort to defeat the Islamic State. Others assess that the strategy might have minimal effect because local anti-IS forces will not have support from U.S. or other western combat troops. For details on Islamic State operations in Iraq and U.S. policy toward Iraq since the 2003 U.S. invasion, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS21968, 'Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights', by Kenneth Katzman. For further information on the Islamic State's operations in Syria, see CRS Report RL33487, 'Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response', coordinated by Christopher M. Blanchard."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth; Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M. . . .
2014-09-11
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Landsat and the Data Continuity Mission [December 28, 2011]
"The U.S. Landsat Mission has collected remotely sensed imagery of the Earth's surface at moderate resolution for almost 40 years. At present two satellites--Landsat 5, launched in 1984, and Landsat 7, launched in 1999--are in orbit and continuing to supply images and data for the many users of the information. A study organized by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (henceforth called the FLI-IWG study) noted in August 2007 that the two satellites 'are operating beyond their design lifetimes in degraded status and are subject to failure at any time. Because of fuel limitations, neither satellite is expected to operate beyond 2010.' However, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) FY2010 budget request, released in May 2009, said recent analyses 'have estimated the Landsat-7 mission should continue to operate through at least the end of 2012.' In November 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced that it had stopped acquiring data from Landsat 5 because of deteriorating electronic components. […] Landsat has been used in a wide variety of applications, including climate research, natural resources management, commercial and municipal land development, public safety, homeland security and natural disaster management, among others. Landsat stakeholders include (1) investigators in geophysical and atmospheric sciences; (2) decision makers and program managers at NASA, USGS, and other federal agencies, including land management agencies; (3) international government and military decision makers; (4) for-profit enhanced Landsat products distributors; and (5) consumers of commercial land surface imagery and environmental data."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.
2011-12-28
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Joint Planning and Development Office: Targeted NextGen Capabilities for 2025
"Under Vision 100 -- Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176), the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) was charged with creating an integrated plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The focus of the legislative mandate was to leverage existing technologies and align the research and development (R&D) needed to transform our nation's air transportation system. In this context, the JPDO was established to manage the public and private collaborative work related to NextGen. The JPDO coordinates the NextGen efforts of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Departments of Transportation (DOT), Defense (DOD), Commerce (DOC), and Homeland Security (DHS), and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The JPDO also has access to subject matter expertise from industry and academia through the NextGen Institute. The purpose of this document is to focus research and system implementation investment decisions by identifying the NextGen elements that can be achieved by 2025."
United States. Next Generation Air Transportation System Joint Planning & Development Office
2011-11
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Efforts to Transfer America's Leading Edge Science to China, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, November 2, 2011
From the opening statement of Dana Rohrabacher: "Good afternoon, we are here to discuss the activities of NASA and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, OSTP, in regards to international cooperation, particularly in regards to cooperation with communist China. When personnel from either of these organizations travel to the People's Republic of China, collaborate on projects, share data or attend conferences, yes, there is ample reason for concern. The transfer of technology know-how is a serious national security problem. The Chinese communist party is aggressively using its military, economic and political power to extend its influence and diminish ours. Its government is the world's single largest human rights abuser, and its assistance to other countries is well-known, but the countries that it is assisting happened to be those countries which are run by governments who are oppressing their own people. The Chinese also facilitate the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to our enemies, even as they expand their own offensive capabilities. Our conversation here today must be viewed within that context and any effort on our part to reach out to the communist Chinese, to engage them on matters of technology is, quite frankly, not just naive but dangerous." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Frank Wolf, Thomas Armstrong, John Holdren, Charles Bolden, Jr., Rick Fisher, Adam Segal, and Dana Rohrabacher.
United States. Government Printing Office
2011
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Disposal of Unneeded Federal Buildings: Legislative Proposals in the 112th Congress [August 6, 2012]
"Federal executive branch agencies hold an extensive real property portfolio that includes approximately 399,000 buildings. These assets have been acquired over a period of decades to help agencies fulfill their diverse missions. Agencies hold buildings with a range of uses, including offices, health clinics, warehouses, and laboratories. As agencies' missions change over time, so, too, do their real property needs, thereby rendering some assets less useful or unneeded altogether. Healthcare provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for example, has shifted in recent decades from predominately hospital-based inpatient care to a greater reliance on clinics and outpatient care, with a resulting change in space needs. Similarly, the Department of Defense (DOD) reduced its force structure by 36% after the Cold War ended, and has engaged in several rounds of base realignments and installation closures. Real property disposition is the process by which federal agencies identify and then transfer, donate, or sell real property they no longer need. Disposition is an important asset management function because the costs of maintaining unneeded properties can be substantial, consuming financial resources that might be applied to pressing real property needs, such as repairing existing facilities, or towards other pressing policy issues, such as reducing the national debt."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hatch, Garrett Leigh
2012-08-06
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Estimation of COVID-19 Prevalence from Serology Tests: A Partial Identification Approach
From the Abstract: "We propose a partial identification method to estimate COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] prevalence in the US. Our data are results from antibody tests (serology tests) in a population sample, where the test parameters, such as the true/false positive rates, are unknown. Our method scans the entire parameter space, and rejects parameter values using the joint data density as the test statistic. The key advantage of our method over more standard approaches is that it is valid in finite samples, requiring only independence of serology test results, and does not rely on asymptotic arguments, normality assumptions, or other approximations. We use recent COVID-19 serology studies in the US, and show that the parameter confidence set is generally wide, and cannot yet support definite conclusions. Specifically, recent serology studies from California suggest a prevalence anywhere in the range 0%-6%, and are therefore inconclusive. However, this range could be narrowed down to 0.3%-1.8% if the actual false positive rate of the antibody test was near its empirical estimate (∼0.5%). In a study from New York State, COVID-19 prevalence is confidently estimated in the range 11%-18%, which also suggests significant geographic variation in COVID-19 exposure across the US. Combining all datasets yields a 3%-9% prevalence range. Our results overall suggest that serology testing on a massive scale can give crucial information for future policy design, even when such tests are imperfect and their parameters unknown."
Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics
Toulis, Panos
2020-05-11
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the EU/EEA and the UK -- Ninth Update
From the Summary: "Since 31 December 2019 and as of 22 April 2020, approximately 2.5 million (2 524 812) cases of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] have been reported worldwide and 177 780 deaths. Of these, 988 241 cases were reported by EU/EEA [European Union/European Economic Area] countries and the UK, including 105 064 deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic is posing an unprecedented threat to EU/EEA countries and the UK, which have been experiencing widespread transmission of the virus in the community for several weeks. In addition, there has been an increasing number of reports of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes across Europe with high associated mortality, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of the elderly in this setting. The absence of an effective treatment or a vaccine combined with an exponential growth in infections from late February, led many countries to implement non-pharmaceutical interventions such as 'stay-at-home' policies (recommended or enforced) alongside other community and physical distancing measures such as the cancellation of mass gatherings, closure of educational institutions and public spaces. This approach has collectively reduced transmission and the 14-day incidence in the EU/EEA and the UK overall has declined by 18% since 8 April. In 20 EU/EEA countries, it appears that the initial wave of transmission has passed its peak, with a decline in the number of newly reported cases."
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2020-04-23
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Pandemic Policy in Developing Countries: Recommendations for India
From the Document: "Each country faces unique challenges in addressing the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. India's relatively low healthcare resources, limited state capacity, and large population of poor people, many of whom are already burdened with other health issues, pose challenges on every dimension. Even washing hands, for example, is not easily accomplished when hundreds of millions of people do not have access to piped water or soap. The present policy of a countrywide lockdown has imposed enormous stress on the poorest Indians. Arguably, without severe measures like the lockdown, matters could be even worse, as Indian hospitals were already overcrowded and doctors overworked, and a large number of COVID-19 patients would collapse the healthcare system. Also, testing at a large scale is difficult given current capacity, and social distancing and isolation are difficult given India's low per capita living space and its tradition of intergenerational household units."
Mercatus Center
Rajagopalan, Shruti; Tabarrok, Alexander
2020-04-09
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Healthcare System Considerations for Resumption of Services During COVID-19
From the Document: "As COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] emerged, healthcare facilities and providers across the nation began preparing for a surge of patients. To make space available for COVID-19 patients, preserve supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), and comply with community mitigation guidelines, the healthcare system deferred elective procedures, postponed non-emergent and preventive care or shifted to telehealth, furloughed administrative and other staff, and modified infrastructure and policies and procedures. Healthcare facilities and providers now need to adapt to a 'new normal' to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency, recover from the first wave, and prepare for subsequent waves of illness, while supporting the current health needs of their communities. This quick sheet, along with the ASPR [Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response] TRACIE [Technical Resources, Assistance Center and Information Exchange] Healthcare System Considerations for Resumption of Services resource, provides considerations for healthcare system emergency planners and executives and individual facility or practice managers tasked with any aspect of re-opening, resumption of services, recovery, and ongoing operations during this COVID-19 pandemic."
United States. Technical Resources, Assistance Center and Information Exchange
2020-06-22?
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Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Self-Protecting Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Abstract: "Disease spread is in part a function of individual behavior. We examine the factors predicting individual behavior during the Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic in the United States using novel data collected by Belot et al. (2020). Among other factors, we show that people with lower income, less flexible work arrangements (e.g., an inability to tele-work) and lack of outside space at home are less likely to engage in behaviors, such as social distancing, that limit the spread of disease. We also find evidence that region, gender and beliefs predict behavior. Broadly, our findings align with typical relationships between health and socio-economic status. Moreover, they suggest that the burden of measures designed to stem the pandemic are unevenly distributed across socio-demographic groups in ways that affect behavior and thus potentially the spread of illness. Policies that assume otherwise are unlikely to be effective or sustainable."
IZA Institute of Labor Economics
Papageorge, Nicholas W.; Zahn, Matthew V.; Belot, Michèle . . .
2020-06
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Racial Discrimination in the Context of the COVID-19 Crisis
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] crisis and its impacts are disproportionately affecting certain marginalised racial, national or ethnic communities and population groups. The pandemic has highlighted and exposed underlying structural inequalities and fundamental problems in various areas of social, economic, civil and political life, and exacerbating racism and racial discrimination, which exist in many parts of the world. In addition to the devastating health consequences of COVID-19 for people of African descent and certain national or ethnic minorities, there has been a significant increase in racial verbal abuse, harassment and violence in public spaces, particularly targeting people of Asian descent in the context of the current crisis. [...] As governments around the world begin to re-open public life and ease restrictions and quarantines, a broad range of human rights issues and concerns are arising, which could lead to further racial discrimination or adverse impacts on racial or ethnic communities and groups. These frontier issues include vaccination development, testing access and protocols; data collection and retention; 'immunity passports'; surveillance and tracking tools; discriminatory treatment of survivors of the virus; and immigration policy and border control management. There are also growing concerns about economic livelihood and continued marginalisation of persons belonging to racial and ethnic groups and communities in the spheres of employment, health, education, and housing. In order to effectively document and address manifestations of racial discrimination, there is an urgent need to ensure disaggregated data collection, in accordance with human rights norms, both during and after the COVID-19 crisis"
United Nations. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
2020-06-22
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Al Qaeda and Islamic State Affiliates in Afghanistan [Updated June 24, 2020]
From the Document: "Afghanistan's geography, complex ethnic composition, and recent history of conflict and instability have created space for numerous regional armed groups. This product outlines major terrorist groups affiliated and allied with Al Qaeda (AQ) and the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS, ISIL, or by the Arabic acronym 'Da'esh') and the convoluted, often shifting relations between them and various other state and non-state actors. These dynamics may inform assessments of U.S. policy in Afghanistan in light of the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement, which commits the Taliban to undertake counterterrorism efforts and commits the United States to a full military withdrawal by April 2021. The Taliban is not a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), but it relates to the groups below in varying ways that may have ramifications for that withdrawal, which U.S. officials describe as 'conditions-based.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs)
2020-06-24
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the EU/EEA and the UK - Tenth Update
From the Document: "Since 31 December 2019 and as of 9 June 2020, 7 069 278 cases of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] have been reported worldwide, including 405 587 deaths. EU/EEA [European Union/European Economic Area] countries and the UK reported 1 444 710 cases (20% of all cases), including 169 207 deaths (42% of all deaths). The COVID-19 pandemic is posing an unprecedented threat to EU/EEA countries and the UK and to countries worldwide, many of which have been experiencing widespread transmission of the virus in the community for several months. While decreasing trends in disease incidence are being observed in the EU/EEA and the UK overall, some Member States are still reporting community transmission. In addition, the information available from sero-epidemiological studies suggests that the adaptive immunity of populations remains low. The absence of an effective treatment or vaccine, combined with an exponential growth in infections from late February, led many countries to implement non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as 'stay-at-home' policies, alongside other community and physical distancing measures, such as the cancellation of mass gatherings, and the closure of educational institutions, work places and public spaces."
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2020-06-11
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Return to Business and Post-Pandemic Planning Checklist: Developing a Return to Business Action Plan
From the Document: "The foundation of a successful plan contemplates the people involved, the place of work, and elements of business. We have created our complimentary 'Return to Business and Post-Pandemic Planning Checklist' to help you get started. This planning checklist covers the following topics: [1] Selecting Employees to Return to Work; [2] Finding Your Workplace's New Normal; [3] What Logistical Concerns Must Be Addressed Before Bringing Your People Back?; [4] When an Employee says 'No': Refusals to Return to Work and Requests to Continue Telework; [5] Benefits and Executive Compensation; [6] Customers, Vendors, and Visitors; [7] Planning for Future Outbreaks; [8] Physical Space Coordination; [9] Social Distancing At Work; [10] Business Travel; [11] Keeping Clean and Safe: OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] and Beyond; [12] Covering Up: PPE [personal protective equipment]; [13] What to Do When OSHA, the Police, or a Public Health Official Pays a Visit; [14] Economic Stimulus Loan and Forgiveness Programs; [15] Taxes, Including Credits and Deferrals; [16] Insurance Policies and Claims; [17] Contracts, Including Supply Chain and Vendor Commitments; [18] Credit and Liquidity; [19] Corporate Governance; [and 20] Workouts and Distressed Situations[.]"
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
2020
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What's the Cure? Misinformation and Platform Responses in the Era of COVID-19
From the Executive Summary: "Social media companies have occupied particularly critical roles in the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Whether in disseminating information or providing new entertainment options while billions of individuals are social distancing, the largest platforms have been stepping up in both predictable and novel ways. There are dozens of technology companies that could be analyzed in the scope of this report. However, because resource constraints inform the range of content moderation options available to smaller companies, this report instead focuses primarily on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube and their steps to combat coronavirus-related abuse on their platforms. As the pandemic pushes more users to online spaces, a concurrent infodemic is pushing waves of false content to those same platforms. The dramatic rise in posts about miracle cures, virus conspiracy theories, and fake reports of draconian government action have led platforms to adopt new products and policies to combat misinformation. These interventions represent a substantial new assumption of responsibility for the accuracy of the content on their sites."
Harvard University. Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society
2020?
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Mitigating COVID-19 Effects with Conventional Monetary Policy
From the Document: "The Federal Reserve slashed the federal funds rate in response to the effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The full impact of the pandemic on the economy is still uncertain and depends on many factors. Analysis suggests that allowing the federal funds rate to fall fast will help the economy cope with the aftermath of COVID-19. In particular, the limited policy space due to the effective lower bound of the federal funds rate before the pandemic reinforces rather than offsets the need for a rapid funds rate decline."
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Cúrdia, Vasco
2020-04-13
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Path to Zero and Schools: Achieving Pandemic Resilient Teaching and Learning Spaces
From the Document: "Facing the reality, however, that this cannot be achieved before the start of the new school year and that the mounting costs to children of school shutdowns are significant, the second best policy, and path we should pursue, is to re-open in-person Grades K-5 (1st priority) and Grades 6-8 (second priority) in lower risk level jurisdictions, provided there is a sufficient supply of pandemic resilient teaching and learning spaces in the district to do so equitably."
Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics; Harvard Global Health Institute
2020?
