The Cognitive Crucible

• #217 Janne Riihelainen on the EU Influence Operations Course

  The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Janne Riihelainen discusses the Information Operations Course funded by the European Union, which aims to enhance security by educating individuals on their role in providing security. Janne also expressed concern regarding the current cultural and political climate and risks related to uncertainty. Recording Date: 17 Feb 2025 Research Question: Janne Riihelainen suggests an interested student or researcher study ways to identify good communication signals from the noisy information environment–especially as it relates to dialogue between the United States and the European Union. Resources: EU Influence Operations Course Finnish National Strategy (Comprehensive Security) EU Cyber Citizen Initiative Joensuu, Finland EU vs Disinfo Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Janne Riihelainen is a non-fiction writer, communications expert and security policy columnist who has become known for his down-to-earth and accessible approach to writing about security policy. He is also one of the leading experts on information influence, training various actors to understand the current state of the information environment for their own operations. His book about security policy came out in 2017. Janne’s stories have been published in numerous civil and military papers. I am interviewed regularly in Finnish media and have also been interviewed by Politico, CNN, NPR and Foreign Policy. Jannes is an active and prominent debater on foreign and security policy in social media. I have a rare combination of competence and prestige with freedom of saying out loud things. I am not tied to any political party or other organization. He is a partner in an ad agency and involved in commercial communication. He lives in Joensuu, small town in eastern Finland. The border of Russia is about 50 miles away. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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• #216 John Cappello on the Balkan Security Network

  The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, John Cappello emphasized the importance of collaboration and sharing experiences in the Western United States to combat disinformation and influence social dynamics. He suggested several research areas, including the use of disinformation in the Western Balkans, the impact of disinformation on trust in institutions, and effective strategies for countering disinformation. John also encouraged interested students or researchers to reach out to him for potential collaboration. He recommended the book "Parting the Curtain" by Walter Hickson for a better understanding of the challenges faced in the region. Recording Date: 11 Feb 2025 Research Question: John Cappello suggests an interested student or researcher examine the disinformation tactics actors use within the Balkan region and which strategies have been successful to counter these efforts. Resources: Balkan Security Network Halyard Mission Foundation Parting the Curtain: Propaganda, Culture, and the Cold War, 1945-1961 by Walter L. Hixson Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History by Robert D. Kaplan Tim Judah Noel Malcolm Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: John Cappello, a 25-year veteran of the United States Air Force, is a founding partner and Chief Operations Officer of the Balkan Security Network (BSN). Specializing in defense and security issues, with a focus on hybrid warfare and information operations in the Western Balkans, his experience includes serving as Defense Attaché in Belgrade, Serbia, and U.S. Air Force Attaché in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Balkan Security Network specializes in defense and security information projects and disinformation analysis in the Western Balkans, providing fact-based news and analysis on these issues. BSN’s content is published across the region. John is also the president of the Halyard Mission Foundation. Founded in 2015 the goal of the Foundation is to educate, commemorate, and increase awareness of the Halyard Mission, the rescue of over 500 US airmen during WWII, and the role the Serbs played in the success of the mission. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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• #215 Brian Hamel on the Special Operations Forces, Cyberspace, and Space Triad

  The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Brian Hamel discusses his 2023 Army Command and General Staff Theses entitled: Reframing the Special Operations Forces-cyber-space triad: Special Operations' contributions to space warfare. Brian delves into the complex and evolving landscape of modern warfare, focusing on the intersection of Special Operations Forces (SOF), cyberspace, and space. The "Triad" emphasizes the synergistic relationship between these domains to achieve strategic objectives. Those interested in military strategy, national security, and the future of warfare will enjoy this one.  Recording Date: 16 Dec 2024 Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #124 Dean Cheng on China, Space, and Information Operations #130 Teasel Muir-Harmony on Spaceflight, Foreign Policy, and Soft Power Command and General Staff Thesis: Reframing the Special Operations Forces-cyber-space triad: Special Operations' contributions to space warfare by Brian Hamel Army University Press Article: Reframing the Special Operations Forces-Cyber-Space Triad by Brian Hamel Supporting Warfare in the Indo-Pacific Through Space-Based Sustainment by Maj. Brian E. Hamel Bowen, Bleddyn E. War in Space: Strategy, Spacepower, Geopolitics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2020. Carlson, Joshua P. Spacepower Ascendant: Space Development Theory and a New Space Strategy. Independently Published, 2020. Drew, Jerry: The Battle Beyond Gallegos, Frank. “After the Gulf War: Balancing Space Power’s Development.” In Beyond the Paths of Heaven: The Emergence of Space Power Thought, edited by Bruce M. DeBlois, 63–102. Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 1999. Klein, John J. War in Space: Strategy, Spacepower, Geopolitics. New York: Routledge, 2006. Klein, John J. Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space. London: Routledge, 2019. Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space by Namrata Goswami and Peter A. Garretson Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Maj. Brian E. Hamel is a space operations officer assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies, the Information Advantage Scholars Program, and the Red Team Leader course. Brian has multiple rotations to the Middle East and South America with special operations units. He has a Master of Art from Northeastern University, and recently wrote a thesis detailing special operations’ contributions to space warfare as part of the Information Advantage Scholars Program at the Command and General Staff College, Kansas. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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• #214 Jon Roginski and Stephanie Jaros on Insider Threat and Workforce Protection

  The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Jon Roginski and Stephanie Jaros discuss the strategic landscape for insider threat and workforce protection programs, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that considers both technical and human factors. They also explored the importance of balancing the use of analytics with human involvement in decision-making processes, and the need for organizations to be proactive in minimizing risks. Lastly, they discussed "Project Beyonce" and the importance of cultural development within organizations for workforce protection, and recommended groups for private sector involvement in security. Recording Date: 15 Jan 2025 Research Question: Stephanie Jaros suggests an interested student or researcher examine: How do organizations not leak highly sensitive information? (For example: “Project Beyonce”) Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #123 Jonathan Roginski on Insider Threats #73 Ori Brafman on The Starfish, Spider, and Resilient Societies Workforce Protection: The Next Generation of Insider Risk Programs On the Right Track: Worker-on-Worker Violence (“Project Beyonce”) by Stephanie L. Jaros, Katlin J. Rhyner, & Erik R. Gregory INFRAGARD Legacy: What The All Blacks Can Teach Us About The Business Of Life by James Kerr The Premonition: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Dr. Jon Roginski is the Program Manager for the West Point Insider Threat Program, which serves as the "research arm" for the Pentagon-administered Army Insider Threat Program. Stephanie Jaros is an insider risk expert with 15 years of experience in program design, implementation, assessment, and research across government and industry. Currently, she is a Visiting Research Scientist and the Lead Scientist for Personnel Security Research at the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS). About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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• #213 Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi on Countering Authoritarian Influence

  The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi Sviatoslav discusses propaganda and disinformation in society and the challenges of discerning truth in the age of social media. OpenMinds’ specific expertise lies in working with hard-to-reach regions, including occupied territories, closed platforms, and authoritarian or restricted societies. Recording Date: 14 Jan 2025 Research Question: Sviat Hnizdovskyi suggests an interested student or researcher examine: What are the key motivational drivers behind the mobilization of Russian soldiers? How can we establish a link between changes in social media sentiment and real-world behavior? What are some effective approaches to measuring impact and outcomes of counter-influence campaigns? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #62 Jonathan Rauch on the Constitution of Knowledge Openminds website Openminds: Russian Threat Index How to Win an Information War by Peter Pomerantsev Awakening from the Meaning Crisis by John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis by John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro, Filip Miscevic Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi is a CEO and Founder of OpenMinds - a cognitive defence tech company countering authoritarian influence in the battle for free and open societies. Renowned for its ability to access hard-to-reach areas through technology and leveraging deep local expertise, OpenMinds collaborates with Ukrainian and NATO-member governments, leading communication agencies, and think tanks. In the past two years, OpenMinds has executed 380+ counter-disinformation campaigns and conducted over 55 research projects on societal resilience and effects of propaganda, with a particular focus on the Russo-Ukrainian war. The company’s work has been featured in leading global media outlets, such as The Economist, CNN, The Times, The Guardian, and The New York Times. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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