Review of current capabilities and uses (primarily on land) of small and mid-sized drones on today's battlefields. Merle Robinson, retired DoD analyst, lead simulation designer on NSDMG staff.
Doomsday Scenario NSDM: National Security Decision Making Game
Summary:
Fast-paced 2-hour version of NSDMG's geopolitical-military RPG in a simple, intense, "friendly" game of international thuggery, intrigue, tricks and mayhem.
Description:
Find out how a near future World War Three situation can become fast and deadly. Bring your imagination for a freewheeling game of international war/peace where you vie for power as decision-maker within your nation and the world in a near-future scenario. Political, Military, Nuclear, Biological and Cyber capabilities all are part of the fun. We promise opportunities for unlimited mischief, unparalleled carnage, and a final result where the living might envy the dead. Presented by the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Even with the Ukraine War, the European security environment was stable. Panel explores chaos that has emerged in 2025. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science, on NSDM staff.
Description:
Even with the Ukraine War, Europe had been relatively stable, a known balance of power producing a level of confidence that nations within & beyond Europe could gauge how their actions would fit. Now there is a level of chaos that has not been seen in 75 years. The uncertainty of the US commitment to its historic European leadership role has uprooted confidence in the European security environment. This may result in an effective threat for most of Central & Western Europe. The potential loss of the most important post-WW II security alliance creates a potential for a new, European pole to be established within the international system. Panel moderated 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 Game staff.
What happened in 1970 that pushed Canada to declare martial law? How did a Marxist independence terrorist group provoke a response that saw troops in the streets? By Mike Tucker of the NSDM staff.
Description:
After a 7-year campaign of bombings, robberies and murder, the Marxist-Leninist pro-independence terrorist organization Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ) kidnapped both the British Trade Commissioner and the Deputy Premier of the Province of Quebec. These crimes prompted both the Mayor of Montreal and Premier of Quebec to ask the Federal Government to give them additional powers and support to resolve this state of "apprehended insurrection." The Canadian government invoked the War Measures Act, which allowed the police to ignore various civil rights protections and detain people for extended periods of time without due process. The military was activated to protect Federal installations in Ottawa and Montreal. This lecture will discuss the events that led to this crisis and to its resolution. Presented by Mike Tucker of the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
The National Security Decision Making Game staff reviews recent changes and things to watch next year, including hotspots: Israel, Russia, China, Europe, Iran, 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 with a focus on domestic/international areas they feel may not have gotten the attention from the media, and possibly even from Western national security agencies, that they warrant. 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?
A front-page topic, but much reporting is biased. Objective discussion, tariffs' history & use. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science specializing in International Relations Theory.
Description:
Tariffs have become a front-page topic, but much reporting is biased politically in one direction or another. What is the objective, academic truth? This defines tariffs, their historic impact & their effect on the domestic economy, and how tariffs are used in economic statecraft to affect imports into a country & to protect domestic industries. Historically, tariffs have been used aggressively to undercut other states' economies & to force consumers to buy domestic goods, and their effectiveness is mixed with some successes & numerous failures. Examples discussed include the British Empire & its Corn Law, the US Smoot Hawley Act, and post-war free trade & tariff policies. Presented 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 Game staff.
Mercenaries, Non-State Actors, Hybrid and Grey-Zone Warfare
Summary:
Modern war evolving. Examines hybrid & grey-zone war, mercs & non-state para-military units, and the reasons for these choices. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor of Political Science, of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Warfare has traditionally been between clear & defined armies used within some level of intensity. Modern combat has seen the emergence of new types of conflict. Modern "war" is evolving with states & other actors within the system engaging in different types of conflict, either below the level of war or using combatants which may not be nationals of the state. This lecture will examine what hybrid & grey-zone warfare is, and why actions are being taking below the level war. It examines the modern usage of mercenaries & non-state-actor para-military units to engage in conflict which can provide a State with plausibility deniability, and the reasons for these choices. Presented 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 Game staff.
Logistics, fall of Rome through 1300s. How armies & navies moved, ate, sustained operations. Primer on military history, source of RPG ideas. Panel by Merle Robinson & Mike Tucker of the NSDM staff.
Description:
Panel examines military logistics from the end of the Roman Empire through the 1300s. It describes how armies and navies moved, ate, and sustained operations. A great primer on the history of war and a source of ideas for various RPG fantasy campaigns. Panel with Merle Robinson, lead simulation designer and retired DoD analyst, & Mike Tucker, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff
Examines approaches to sustainable lunar presence, proposed projects, their requirements, & what humanity's future on the moon could hold. Panel by NSDM staff moderated by Maj. Scott Macmann, USA/ret
Description:
Several nations, including the US, have big plans for the moon. This panel examines possible approaches to sustainable lunar presence, specific proposed projects, their requirements, and what humanity's future on the moon could hold. Panel by NSDM staff moderated by Maj. Scott Macmann, USA/ret
Space Combat in Movies, Books and Games: Getting It Not Wrong
Summary:
Movies usually get things wrong when depicting space combat. Realistic ship movement, zero-G hand-to-hand combat, & unique aspects of space warfare for writers & game devs. Izaac Falken, NSDM staff.
Description:
Movies and novels often get things wrong when depicting combat in space. Zero-G & vacuum conditions produce effects that run contrary to human instincts & experiences, including those of the potential audience. This seminar examines how to write & simulate realistic space combat for storywriters & game developers. Well discuss the complexities of vessel movement in zero-gravity environments, where traditional concepts of speed & maneuverability are fundamentally different. Hand-to-hand combat in low-G & vacuum conditions will also be explored, highlighting unique challenges & outcomes. The session will cover both the benefits & pitfalls of incorporating these realistic elements into narratives, helping to create more immersive & believable space warfare scenarios. Presented by Izaac Falken, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.