The Internet has always been much more than a venue for conflict and competition; it is the backbone of global commerce and communication. That said, cyberspace is not, as is often thought, simply part of the global commons in the way that the air or the sea is. States assert jurisdiction over, and companies claim ownership of, the physical infrastructure that composes the Internet and the data that traverses it. States and companies built the Internet, and both are responsible for maintaining it. Actions taken in the public sector affect the private sector, and vice versa. In this way, the Internet has always been hybrid in nature. 

So, accordingly, is the real cyberwar threat.

Nicholas Burns, the Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard Kennedy School and a career diplomat who served as US ambassador to NATO and undersecretary of state for political affairs, moderates a discussion exploring these issues. The panel features the foreign policy experts Michèle Flournoy '83, David Ignatius '72, Meghan O'Sullivan, and Anne-Marie Slaughter JD '85.

Regarding the inflammable mix in Syria of the Assad regime, Iran, Hezbollah and Russia, Flournoy told  The Jerusalem Post in an interview that Trump has not shown up to counter Iran in Syria.

The bulk of any additional defense investment must focus on maintaining and extending our technological and warfighting edge, including in cyber, electronic and anti-submarine arenas, unmanned systems, automation, long-range striking and protected communications. U.S. military leaders should moderate their appetite for a bigger force today to protect critical investments in cutting-edge capabilities that will determine whether we succeed on the battlefield tomorrow.

Adjusting to the election defeat of Hillary Clinton, defense and foreign policy experts like Michèle Flournoy, who was seen as the favorite to become the first female Defense secretary, and Nicholas Burns, who was thought to be in the running for a senior position at the State Department or White House, offered their recommendations on foreign policy and on what qualities they hope President-elect Donald Trump will look for as he selects a leader for Foggy Bottom.

Belfer Center Senior Fellow and Center for a New American Security (CNAS) CEO Michèle Flournoy has written a new report examining 70 years of U.S. national security policy and processes and making recommendations for the next President as he or she builds the next national security team. The report, “Nine Lessons for Navigating National Security,” is part of CNAS’ Papers for the Next President series, which explore critical regions and issues the next president will have to address early in his or her tenure.

As the country turns its attention to the Democratic and Republican primaries, it is tempting to assume that the United States should postpone any bold national security moves until the next administration takes office. A new president will arrive with a fresh team, new ideas, a political mandate, and allies in Congress.

Yet the world does not abide by American election cycles and to turn this election year into an extended waiting period would be a major mistake.

In Blindspot: America’s Response to Radicalism in the Middle East, authors share their insights and analysis on radical extremism in the Middle East, what it means for Americans, and how the United States should respond. The book is the product of the nonpartisan Aspen Strategy Group’s August 2015 meeting on America’s response to radicalism in the Middle East.  This book helps to decipher extremist ideology, place it in its larger global context, and suggest ways to defend American interests in the Middle East in the years ahead. The book offers a collection of policy proposals for the turbulent future ahead in the Middle East. A video of the book launch featuring Jim Cartwright, Jane Harman, and Richard Fontaine in conversation with Richard Fontaine can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc-8MXOR3ic.

Nicholas Burns, Professor of Practice at the Harvard Kennedy School,  Michele Flournoy, Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center and CEO of the Center for a New American Security, Joseph Nye, Professor and Former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School andJames Walsh, Research Associate with the MIT Security Studies program were among a group of 60 former national security officials and analysts who signed a statement in favor of the nuclear agreement with Iran. The statement, while acknowledging faults with the agreement, supported it and urged the Administration and Congress to work closely to implement the deal.