Potomac Institute Mike Swetnam was featured in a recent article highlighting the discussions and tensions between the United States and China regarding the growing threat of cyberintrusions.
The Stars & Stripes newspaper article focused on U.S. concerns about the compromise from security and economic perspectives, protecting global economy infrastructure, and how to develop an agreement for cyber security measures.
Excerpt:
The United States has enough leverage to move China toward a more neighborly approach to cyber security, said a member of the task force that produced the DOD Defense Science Board report that tallied the U.S. systems compromised by cyber intruders.
“I think there is great potential to strike a norms agreement with China — something that says this is acceptable behavior, this is unacceptable behavior,” said Michael Swetnam, chairman and CEO of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, a think tank based in Arlington, Va.
China, which frequently complains of cyberattacks coming from the United States, respects U.S. offensive cyberabilities, and might welcome an agreement limiting U.S action. Even if China doesn’t immediately abide by the rules, he said, getting it to agree to a set of standards that forbids stealing secrets is a first step that puts the United States in position to push the Chinese government to rein in cyberspies.
Read the entire article here.
Experts in cyber issues discussed and explored a range of topics to frame the discussion of what could happen in cyber fields along the spectrum from disruptive to positive. The panel discussed several cyber security issues, including the threat to physical infrastructure, the logical structure of the internet, the ways in which the public and private sectors must work together to improve security, and the lack of a U.S. Strategic doctrine on cyber security.
Dr. Ben Sheppard, Adjunct Fellow at the Potomac Institute and Senior Associate, Institute for Alternative Futures, led the discussion and provided four different scenarios - ranging from aspirational to desperation - to fuel discussion. Other experts providing comment and further challenges or ways to consider the future were Dr. Fred Wright, Deputy Director, Cyber Technologies and Information Security Laboratory, Georgia Tech Research Institute; and Ronald A. Marks, President, Intelligence Enterprises, LLC. Amb Dave Smith, Potomac Institute Senior fellow and Cyber Center Director, moderated the discussion.
Attendees at the "Cyber Scenarios" event talk with panelists after the program ended.
Potomac Institute CEO Mike Swetnam opens the panel discussion and assessment on the Boston Attack and the "Russian Connection." A panel of experts discussed the "connection" of the Boston bombings to Russia's Chechnya and the North Caucasus region, as well as the outlook for future Russian-U.S. partnerships in combating terrorism.
The important relationship between the U.S. and Azerbaijan was the focus of a strategic dialogue held at The Potomac Institute Friday. The Hon. R. James Woolsey, Former Director, Central Intelligence headed the panel that included Mr. David Satter, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute and Amb. David Smith, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. The dialogue included more than 20 participants from academia, Department of State, embassies of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, and many other organizations. BGen Dave Reist, USMC (Ret.) moderated the discussion. Opportunities Development Group co-hosted the strategic dialogue.
The commanders of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, CAPT Shawn Lobree and Col Scott Campbell, briefed at the Potomac Institute on the mission and capability of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and its critical value to national security.
The commanders led the Navy-Marine Corps team, composed of the 15th MEU and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3, as it transited more than 43,000 nautical miles, conducting several theater security cooperation exercises with partners in the Western Pacific and Middle East. These exercises were discussed during the 60-minute briefing, in addition to other mission essential tasks and capabilities carried out during the 8-month deployment.
This deployment marked the final one for the CH-46, a 50-year-old helicopter that has been around the world in multiple operations and exercises. Four major exercises during this deployment included CROCODILLO with East Timor, Eager Mace 12 with Kuwait, Iron Magic 12 with United Arab Emirates, and Red Reef 15 with Saudi Arabia.
Col Campbell and CAPT Lobree also discussed the future of forward deployed naval forces, the ARG-MEU's current strengths and weaknesses, and a growing command relationship with Special Operations Forces (SOF). A Q&A with audience members followed the brief. Gen. Al Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chairman of the Institute's Board of Regents, provided closing comments.