Assignment:
400+ Words
Discussion Questions: Compare and contrast the 2017 and 2018 DNI Worldwide Threat Assessment. Why the change? [Assume what's addressed first is first priority and what's addressed last is last].
This week we are reviewing and comparing the 2017 and 2018 Worldwide Threat Assessments. Both assessments seemed to have similar components to discuss. There were a few differences that really stood out to me. Both had Cyber threats listed as a number one priority. The 2017 assessment lists cyber threat actors: Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, terrorists, and other criminals threaten the U.S. public health, safety, and health of cyber technologies. The 2018 assessment specifically states that Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, are the United States greatest threats into 2019.
The second priority in 2017 was Emerging and Disruptive Technologies and the need to improve Artificial Intelligence. The 2018 assessment shifts gears and places what was #4 to the #2 priority... Weapons of Mass Destruction and Proliferation. State actors continue to develop, modernize, and acquire WMD and delivery systems. Russia continues to advance its cruise missiles that violates the INF treaty, China modernizes it nuclear capabilities and forces, and the use of chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria.
Space and Counterspace was a topic in the middle of both assessments. Technologies and space capabilities continue to advance. It is critical that the United States and our allies focus attention on China, who has developed jamming capabilities and Anti Satellite weapons (ASATs) that will deploy to reduce U.S. military effectiveness.
The final priority on both assessments was Human Security. Both discuss warming climate and global pollution. What I found interesting and shocking was the 2017 focused on the Zika virus that caused minor illness but birth defects in 10% of babies that their mother contracted the virus. But in 2018, there was much focus on the manipulation of social media, violent conflict, environmental stresses, and a global health crisis. That global health crisis... a strain of microbe that is easily transmitted from human to human, similar to H5N1 and H7N9 influenza. This virus is called the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus with a potential to lead to a pandemic.
Readings:
Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community
By Daniel R. Coats