The 1756-1763 conflict changed the world balance, but left issues, some of which brought Britain's thirteen American colonies to rebellion and war. Presented by Merle Robinson of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Considered a world war by some historians, the 1756-1763 conflict was a primarily a struggle for global pre-eminence between Great Britain and France involving nearly all major world powers. The French and Indian War, already being waged in North America, became subsumed into the broader conflict. The outcome changed the world balance in many respects, but left substantial issues including a trajectory that would bring Britain's thirteen American colonies to the brink of armed conflict within a decade. Presented by Merle Robinson of the National Security Decision Making Game staff
Boston Massacre as a root of the Revolution. The basis for conflict. What happened that night, and how things evolved from that. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., on NSDM staff.
Description:
Roots of revolution. Observing the 250th anniversary of the 1770 Boston Massacre. This lecture will discuss the context of events leading up to the American and the British discontent with affairs in the colonies, including the outcomes and aftermath of the French and Indian War (the Seven Years' War), Stamp Act and other measures imposed by London on the colonies in arguable violation of the colonists' rights as British citizens, and British moves to restrict westward expansion. Lecture will go on to discuss the deployment of troops to Boston and the conditions that led to the massacre, the massacre itself, and the outcome in terms of the direction that Anglo-American affairs took. By Mark McDonagh of the NSDM staff, a retired Navy captain with 12 years' experience on the Naval War College Staff.
Examines factors and events that transformed the American Colonists from mostly-loyal British citizens to the brink of armed revolt in eleven years. By Merle Robinson of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Lecture covers the sequence of events that took the American Colonists from mostly-loyal British citizens to the brink of armed revolt in eleven years. The French and Indian war was over, the Colonists were looking forward settling new lands west of the Appalachians that had been ceded by the French and they'd been promised. Then they were told London was giving that land to wartime Native allies. Then that London would keep a permanent military presence in North America, which the Colonists to pay for by an illegal tax. In London, MPs offended that the Colonists protested the taxes quickly abolished colonial legislatures and sent troops to Boston in response to the resultant riots. A spiral of increasing Colonial resistance and heavy-handed Parliamentary response ultimately led to combat and revolution. Presented by Merle Robinson of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Framework for grasping cyberwar & issues critical to understanding this new domain of war. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in Security & Defense Policy, NSDM staff.
Description:
Lecture will provide a framework for grasping cyberwar & address current debates & issues that are critical for understanding this new domain of war. Lecture provides definitional clarity & an overview of the types of attacks that have been used within the international system. It will address historical & current examples of cyberwar & the actors that have engaged in its usage. Actors such as the United States, Russia, China, Iran & North Korea will all be discussed to show the impact of this powerful tool within the system. Lecture will also address the attempts to limit cyberwar through international law & the significant issues that have arisen in the attempt to moderate its usage. By Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in the EU, International Relations Theory, and Security and Defense Policy, on the National Security Decision Making (NSDM) Game staff.
Discusses modeling of the state of affairs, events and personalities that incited the American Revolution for RPG play. By Merle Robinson, lead game designer on the NSDM staff.
Description:
Discussing NSDM's new American Revolution Crisis game variant, the lead designer will discuss insights gained in creating a model of the event for roll playing purposes. What historical figures to include, to amalgamate, or to exclude? What historical events to plan as inserts, what to leave out, what counter-factual events to stimulate game play and keep outcomes uncertain? When to begin the simulation, and how far to take it? Lecture will discuss issues of target audience and expectations of their baseline knowledge, background material to present, the balance between politicking and fighting, and how to keep the simulation from going off the rails. Presented by Merle Robinson lead game designer on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
After 80 years, more details are coming to light about this disastrous Allied raid. Did Intelligence interests or personal ambition overrule common sense? By Michael Tucker of the NSDM staff.
Description:
One German observer remarked that the attack on Dieppe was “Too small for an invasion, too big for a raid.” What factors were involved that led to the launching of this raid by British, Canadian and American forces? Inter-Allied politics, personal ambitions, Intelligence operations, and other issues all contributed. What went wrong (a lot), what went right and what lessons were learned from this debacle? Presented by Michael Tucker of the National Security Decision Making Game staff, who will show some of his photos from his own research on the battlefields.
The National Security Decision Making Game staff reviews recent changes and things to watch next year, including hotspots: Russia, Europe, China, Iran, Israel, North Korea. What's CNN missing?
Description:
Overview, analysis and insights on current and near-future world affairs. This panel discussion and seminar, the signature event of the National Security Decision Making (NSDM) Game staff, explores current, and potential future, problem areas around the world. Want to know what to expect in the next year? What might happen and what are its implications? What are drivers, what indicators to watch for, and how might events be affected by the U.S. and the West? What potential catastrophes is CNN missing?
National Security Decision Making Game staff-led discussion of global hotspots, things to watch out for next year, including hotspots: Russia, Europe, China, Iran, Israel, North Korea.
Description:
Continued discussion of current military/political/economic topics of interest/concern, analysis and insights on current/future world affairs. This seminar led by the National Security Decision Making (NSDM) Game staff, explores current, and potential future, problem areas around the world. Want to know what to expect in the next year? What might happen and what are its implications? What are drivers, what indicators to watch for, and how might events be affected by the U.S. and the West? What potential catastrophes is CNN missing?
The JWST is designed to view objects 100x fainter than Hubble. We'll discuss the telescope's planned mission of observing the oldest and most distant objects, and look at images if available.
Description:
The James Webb space telescope (JWST) was launched December 25, 2021 after years of work. Learn about the intricate engineering of the JWST, designed to view objects 100x fainter than Hubble can. We'll discuss the telescope's planned missions including observing the oldest and most distant objects in the universe and of characterizing the atmospheres of exoplanets, and look at the first images if available. Presented by Elizabeth Koprucki, a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador and member of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Mechanics of Secrecy: Military Cipher Machine Demo
Summary:
Learn how historical military cipher machines like the German Enigma work. See historical specimens and replicas from the Civil War to the Cold War. By Ryan of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Militaries throughout history have had a vested interest in keeping their communiques secrets. This lecture will provide an overview of mechanical and electromechanical cipher machines from the Civil War through the Cold War, such as the Vigenère cipher, rotor ciphers based on the German Enigma, and the Hagelin pin and lug machines. The role of the CIA and German BND in sabotaging cryptography will be discussed. Ryan of the National Security Decision Making Game staff is a cryptography collector and nuclear geek. He will display machines from his collection, including a replica Confederate encryption wheel, a modern Enigma simulator, 3D printed Enigma, and historic machines, including a Swiss NEMA, Russian Fialka, a US Army Hagelin M-209, and a Swedish Transvertex HC-9.