Weston Sedgwick’s Post

There is a need to institutionalize government initiatives to deter #China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, as assertive transparency has been proven effective in countering the latter's supposed misinformation and activities in the waters, security experts have said. Among those who made the suggestion was retired US Col. Ray Powell, who is also the founder of security think tank Project Sealight, who believed that "maximum transparency brings maximum accountability." During a forum that tackled disinformation in the West Philippine Sea organized by Stratbase Institute, Powell said that "if you turn on the lights in the gray zone, all of a sudden, the 'cockroaches' scatter." Experts have since described China's aggression and incursive activities in the whole of South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, as "gray zone operations," or activities that fall short of being called as war. "The importance of institutionalizing transparency—to write it down and disseminate so that everybody will fully understand it," Powell said. Benjamin Goirigolzarri, team member of Project Myoush of Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, shared the same sentiment. Goirigolzarri said that "assertive transparency shifts the calculus on grey zone aggression" and that "it has the impression to impose really steep international reputational cost to the bad actors." One of the ways the #Philippines could do that is to commit to the use of free press, which he said could offer "a really compelling narrative in the face of Chinese misinformation." And that's what the government is currently doing, he noted. "So, now, Philippine vessels are armed with journalists ready to document run-ins with the Chinese militia to put on display to the world the bullying that Chinese are doing in the South China Sea," Goirigolzarri said. In a paper published by Stratbase Institute, Powell and Gorigolzarri made a comprehensive analysis on the government's assertive transparency initiative, which involves "seeking out and exposing Chinese maritime aggression for the world to see." Both experts noted that the transparency initiative "enables ordinary citizens to viscerally experience the full measure of gray zone aggression, which gives the government increased political latitude to take the hard steps required to push back." https://lnkd.in/eWEHeNsa

There is a need to institutionalize government initiatives to deter #China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, as assertive transparency has been proven effective in countering the latter's supposed misinformation and activities in the waters, security experts have said. Among those who made the suggestion was retired US Col. Raymond Powell, who is also the founder of security think tank Project Sealight, who believed that "maximum transparency brings maximum accountability." During a forum that tackled disinformation in the West Philippine Sea organized by Stratbase Institute, Powell said that "if you turn on the lights in the gray zone, all of a sudden, the 'cockroaches' scatter." Experts have since described China's aggression and incursive activities in the whole of South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, as "gray zone operations," or activities that fall short of being called as war. "The importance of institutionalizing transparency—to write it down and disseminate so that everybody will fully understand it," Powell said. Benjamin Goirigolzarri, team member of Project Myoush of Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, shared the same sentiment. Goirigolzarri said that "assertive transparency shifts the calculus on grey zone aggression" and that "it has the impression to impose really steep international reputational cost to the bad actors." One of the ways the #Philippines could do that is to commit to the use of free press, which he said could offer "a really compelling narrative in the face of Chinese misinformation." And that's what the government is currently doing, he noted. "So, now, Philippine vessels are armed with journalists ready to document run-ins with the Chinese militia to put on display to the world the bullying that Chinese are doing in the South China Sea," Goirigolzarri said. In a paper published by Stratbase Institute, Powell and Gorigolzarri made a comprehensive analysis on the government's assertive transparency initiative, which involves "seeking out and exposing Chinese maritime aggression for the world to see." Both experts noted that the transparency initiative "enables ordinary citizens to viscerally experience the full measure of gray zone aggression, which gives the government increased political latitude to take the hard steps required to push back." Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation Joe Felter Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit Joyce Reyes Krystyna Louise Dy Alynna Carlos

Perhaps the western world is finally realizing the danger of disinformation. I am cautiously optimistic that The #United States, #United Kingdom, and #Canada have taken a step forward in combating disinformation by signing a formal framework agreement. With the aim of safeguarding #nationalsecurity and addressing foreign state manipulation in the digital age. We need a collective response and for like-minded nations to unite in fortifying resilience and response against information manipulation. Through enhanced information-sharing and collaborative data analysis tools, we can effectively identify and counter covert foreign disinformation tactics. I am very proud of my dear friend, Pablo Breuer, Ph.D., co-founder of DISARM Foundation and co-author of the DISARM framework, who pioneered work to address #disinformation and #misinformation, which is world’s biggest problem. U.S. Department of State World Trade Organization (Update: I will remove posts that promote unfounded conspiracy theories, especially those that are purposely designed to be harmful.) #Disinformation #NationalSecurity #GlobalPartnership #Misinformation #propaganda #informationwarfare

The recent arrest of Jian Guo, an EU parliament staffer, on charges of spying for China, marks another alarming example of the ongoing security breaches troubling Europe. This incident highlights a disturbing trend of geopolitical espionage within European political spheres. Such revelations underscore the urgent need for robust security measures and thorough background checks, particularly for organizations dealing with international entities. For businesses engaged with Chinese companies, the Protective Intelligence Network offers crucial services to ensure safety and transparency. By conducting detailed security due diligences, we help unveil the operational and financial backgrounds of potential partners, ensuring your ventures in China are secure and informed. #GeopoliticalRisk #BusinessSecurity #DueDiligence Discover more about our security services and enhance your business safety.

Something that should be taught in schools maybe? National security is a matter for all to be concerned with👍🏻. Also, #publicsector and #private industry info-sharing is a must. #allhandsondeck #nationalsecurity #information #informationsecurity #informationwarfare #hybridwarfare #publicsafety #security

If the US is going to fight #informationwarfare with #China, overt will work better than covert. Covert activities give PRC dis-information purveyors opportunities to spread false conspiracy narratives about the US domestically and abroad. Overt activities--i.e. publishing verifiable evidence of PRC corruption and malign actions alongside radical transparency about ourselves and our actions--favor the US more over time. The battle will grind slowly but will reveal US imperfection bolted onto a basically attractive foundation. This is juxtaposed against a PRC system that looks tough at first glance, but upon deeper examination is an AI-powered totalitarian controlocracy now bad enough that an increasing number of its citizens are literally willing to walk across the Darien Gap to escape. #greatpowercompetition #nationalsecurity Andrew Erickson Christopher Sharman Craig Singleton Isaac Harris Justin Clark Kit Conklin https://lnkd.in/eMXyiDvt

"Authoritarian governments use information manipulation to shred the fabric of free and democratic societies. They manipulate social discourse, skew national and international debates on subjects of critical importance, and undermine democratic institutions. This transnational threat requires a coordinated international response. The Framework serves as a tool for diplomatic engagement on the threat of foreign information manipulation. It will deepen cooperation between like-minded partners, establish a common operating picture, and support the development of resilient, fact-based information ecosystems. The Framework is based on five Key Action Areas: (1) national strategies and policies; (2) governance structures and institutions; (3) human and technical capacity; (4) civil society, independent media, and academia; and (5) multilateral engagement."

This article is a "must read" regardless of how you feel on the matters in controversy. It shows how the Russian government has been exploiting and weaponizing our differences for years. https://lnkd.in/euHYyY62

Russia plotting sabotage across Europe - The Financial Times European intelligence agencies warn that Russia is planning violent sabotage acts across the continent, committing to perpetual conflict with the West. They have started actively preparing covert bombings, arson, and infrastructure damage on European soil, showing little concern for civilian casualties, intelligence officials believe. "Russia now seems comfortable carrying out operations on European soil “[with] a high potential for damage,” said Thomas Haldenwang, head of German domestic intelligence. Acts or attempts at sabotage are already taking place: ◾️two German-Russian nationals were arrested in Bayreuth, Bavaria, for allegedly plotting to attack military and logistics sites in Germany on behalf of Russia; ◾️two men were charged in the UK in late April with having started a fire at a warehouse containing aid shipments for Ukraine and accused of working for Russian government; ◾️In Sweden, security services are investigating a series of recent railway derailments; ◾️Russia has attempted to destroy the signalling systems on Czech railways, the country’s transport minister told last month; ◾️In Estonia, an attack on the interior minister’s car in February and those of journalists were perpetrated by Russian intelligence operatives, the country’s Internal Security Service has said. “These pinprick attacks we’ve seen so far are of course to create disruption, but they can also be used for disinformation. And then there is what Russia learns from these attacks if they want to immobilise Europe for real... They’re practice runs,” said Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, the think-tank.

Foreign interference is a cornerstone of #hybridwarfare. The federal government has a critical accountability to act on the information available here. However, we are past the era where they can keep us safe from foreign interference on their own. Leaders in civil society also have an important responsibility. This information becomes critical to us defending our democracy. The question is how to make it safely available.