The Minds and Actions of Devoted Actors and the Will to Fight: A Behavioral and Brain Studies Approach to War and Extreme Group Conflict

The Minds and Actions of Devoted Actors and the Will to Fight: A Behavioral and Brain Studies Approach to War and Extreme Group Conflict

Speaker: Dr. Scott Atran (University of Michigan) Date: 12 September 2023 Speaker Session Summary What drives warfighters to make costly sacrifices—including their lives—is a long-standing question that military and civilian leaders have tried to answer. Dr. Atran...
A New Asian Order is Emerging

A New Asian Order is Emerging

Speaker: Mr. Mohammed Soliman (Middle East Institute) Date: 26 July 2023 Speaker Session Summary India’s expanding political influence is altering the current geopolitical order in Asia, with India positioned at its center. India’s growing role in geopolitics will...
Transcultural Predictors of Will to Fight

Transcultural Predictors of Will to Fight

Speaker(s): Atran, S. (Co-founder, Artis International; Emeritus Director of Research, France’s National Centre for Scientific Research) Date: 12 October 2022 Speaker Session Summary SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Scott Atran (Co-founder, Artis...
Assessment of Strategic Implications of Population Dynamics in the Central Region—Integration Report: State-Level Instability in the Gulf and Levant

Assessment of Strategic Implications of Population Dynamics in the Central Region—Integration Report: State-Level Instability in the Gulf and Levant

Authors | Editors: Jafri, A. (NSI, Inc.); Canna, S. (NSI, Inc.); Popp, G. (NSI, Inc.) Report Preview At the request of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), SMA initiated a study to understand the strategic implications of destabilizing population dynamics within...
US Action and Inaction in Lebanon: Charting the Best Course for US Interests in Great Power Competition

US Action and Inaction in Lebanon: Charting the Best Course for US Interests in Great Power Competition

Authors | Editors: Polansky, S. (NSI, Inc.); Aviles, W. (NSI, Inc.) Report Abstract Despite significant challenges to its stability, Lebanon has long survived politically and economically. Nonetheless, poor governance and a severe...