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1901. Media Operations during SALW Control Interventions

Publication Date:
08-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
Abstract:
In contemporary societies the mass media plays a crucial role in forming public opinion. The ability to reach into homes across great distances gives the media a unique power to communicate. Consequently, mastering the art of media relations is a pre-requisite for reaching large target audiences. Handled well, the mass media, (or at least sections of it), can be an important tool to support the implementation of a well-run project by furthering communication objectives. Alternatively, when neglected or mishandled, the media can severely undermine a project. By dealing with the media in a coordinated and planned manner a SALW Control intervention project can: Raise the project profile. Increase awareness and understanding of the project among target groups. Win support for the project's goals and objectives. Demonstrate its accountability to key stakeholders.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, Civil Society, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe

1902. Are We Headed for a "Cyber-9/11?": The American Failure in Cyberstrategy

Author:
Benoit Gagnon
Publication Date:
12-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Raoul Dandurand Chair of Strategic and Diplomatic Studies, Université du Québec à Montréal
Abstract:
In the wake of September 11, the U.S. Superpower once again became a target. This time, the attack was carried out by means of the Internet. How effective is American cyberstrategy? Examining the hacking scene in the last couple of years, it is clear that it is not an adequate response to present – and future – cyberthreats. Therefore, it is fair to say that the United States has a national security problem rather than a cybersecurity problem and to conclude that as things stand at present the American government is steering the United States toward a cyber-9/11.
Topic:
International Relations, Science and Technology, and Terrorism
Political Geography:
United States and America

1903. Can Long-Run Restrictions Identify Technology Shocks?

Author:
Luca Guerrieri, Christopher Gust, and Christopher J. Erceg
Publication Date:
10-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
Gali's innovative approach of imposing long-run restrictions on a vector autoregression (VAR) to identify the effects of a technology shock has become widely utilized. In this paper, we investigate its reliability through Monte Carlo simulations using calibrated business cycle models. We find it encouraging that the impulse responses derived from applying the Gali methodology to the artificial data generally have the same sign and qualitative pattern as the true responses. However, we find considerable estimation uncertainty about the quantitative impact of a technology shock on macroeconomic variables, and little precision in estimating the contribution of technology shocks to business cycle fluctuations. More generally, our analysis emphasizes that the conditions under which the methodology performs well appear considerably more restrictive than implied by the key identifying assumption, and depend on model structure, the nature of the underlying shocks, and variable selection in the VAR. This cautions against interpreting responses derived from this approach as model-independent stylized.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Science and Technology

1904. Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Integrated Fire Support in the Battlespace

Publication Date:
10-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
In 2001, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT)) directed the Defense Science Board (DSB) to study the precision targeting of air-delivered munitions. The results of the 2001 Task Force were well-received within Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and in June 2003, USD(AT) directed the DSB to study the closely related topic of “integrated fire support in the battlespace.” In this new study the 2003 Task Force applied an approach and methodology similar to the 2001 effort but focused instead on ground-based fires, sea-based fires, and close-air support.
Topic:
Defense Policy and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States

1905. Defense Industrial Base Capabilities Study: Force Application

Publication Date:
10-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
In February 2003, the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, ODUSD(IP), produced Transforming the Defense Industrial Base: A Roadmap. This report identified the need for systematic evaluation of the ability of the defense industrial base to develop and provide functional, operational effects-based warfighting capabilities. The Defense Industrial Base Capabilities Study (DIBCS) series is a systematic assessment of critical technologies needed in the 21st century defense industrial base to meet warfighter capabilities, as framed by the Joint Staff's functional concepts. In addition, the DIBCS series provides the basis for strengthening the industrial base required for 21st century warfighting needs. This report addresses the third of those functional concepts, Force Application.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Industrial Policy, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States

1906. Defense Science Board Report on Corrosion Control

Publication Date:
10-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
Weapons system readiness and safety are among the highest priority challenges for the Department of Defense (DoD). As it continues to receive a large number of mission taskings, it is imperative that DoD equipment be maintained at an acceptable level of material condition so that it may be employed safely and effectively when required, often in harsh and physically demanding environments. However, both the material condition and safety of DoD equipment are routinely being undermined by the effects of corrosion. The dollar cost of corrosion to DoD has been estimated by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to be $10-20 billion per year. Aggressive action is needed at every stage in the life cycle of this equipment — during design, materials selection, construction, operation, and maintenance — to reduce the negative effects of corrosion.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Arms Control and Proliferation, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States

1907. Defense Science Board 2003 Summer Study on DoD Roles and Missions in Homeland Security, Volume B

Publication Date:
09-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
During the Cold War, the United States developed and refined intelligence capabilities upon a number of key factors: Known adversaries, the Soviet Union and the Communist Bloc, including China and North Korea; Known geographic boundaries: that of the communist nation states (We knew where to look); Known conflict of ideology: communism vs. capitalism; Observable (with some degree of confidence over time) military capabilities of adversaries; and Indications (and in some cases, warning - developed over the years) of activity potentially hazardous to the United States and NATO.
Topic:
Defense Policy, National Security, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States, China, and North Korea

1908. The Vertical Lift Industrial Base: Outlook 2004-2014

Publication Date:
07-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
The vertical lift industrial base still is being shaped by government and industry responses to the Nunn-McCurdy cost breaches of 2001 and the unintended consequences of Department-endorsed teaming arrangements that resulted in an interlocked industrial base that restricted Department and industry flexibility. The Department's budget-driven remanufacture strategy in the 1990s produced a series of sole-sourced relationships, leaving few real competitive opportunities among the helicopter prime contractors to force technology refresh cycles. With limited competition, few new platform contracts, and declining government technology investments, industry was left little incentive to invest in independent research.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Industrial Policy, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States

1909. Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Contributions of Space Based Radar to Missile Defense

Publication Date:
06-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2004, the Defense Science Board (DSB) was asked to assess the potential contributions of a Space Based Radar (SBR) to missile defense. In response, the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD (AT), and the Director, Missile Defense Agency (MDA) directed that the DSB Task Force on the Contribution of a Space Based Radar to Missile Defense perform the following tasks: Assess the impact of adding a missile defense mission on the ability of SBR satellites to conduct their primary missions; Assess how different SBR architectures and technical approaches might affect the ability of the satellites to achieve their primary missions and to contribute to missile defense; Assess the value of potential SBR capabilities in the context of the family of sensors being developed by the Missile Defense Agency; and Recommend any future actions that might be desirable related to SBR contributions to missile defense.
Topic:
Defense Policy, National Security, Science and Technology, and Weapons of Mass Destruction

1910. Defense Industrial Base Capabilities Study: Command Control

Publication Date:
06-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Abstract:
In February 2003, the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, ODUSD(IP), produced Transforming the Defense Industrial Base: A Roadmap. This report identified the need for systematic evaluation of the ability of the defense industrial base to develop and provide functional, operational effects-based warfighting capabilities. The Defense Industrial Base Capabilities Study (DIBCS) series is a systematic assessment of critical technologies needed in the 21st century defense industrial base to meet warfighter requirements as framed by the Joint Staff's functional concepts. In addition, the DIBCS series provides the basis for strengthening the industrial base that provides solutions to warfighting needs—and from which the Joint Staff develops its Joint Integrating Concepts and Joint Operating Concepts. This report addresses the second of those functional concepts, Joint Command and Control.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Industrial Policy, and Science and Technology
Political Geography:
United States