Lint Center for National Security Studies - Latest Blog Entries

CBRN: Discerning the Dark Side of Data Sharing

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:04:00 -0500

In October of 2005, the full-sequenced genome of the 1918 Influenza Virus was published by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The science involved in the research advances to sequence the genome was considered a tremendous undertaking. Even so, there was an outcry by in-the-knows individuals who felt that releasing the full details were a serious mistake.

In 2005, an op-ed article in the New York Times, authored by Bill Joy, the founder and former chief scientist of Sun Microsystems, and Ray Kurzweil, an inventor and author, claimed, “It would be easier to create and release this highly destructive virus from the [known] genetic data than it would be to build and detonate an atomic bomb.”[i] The piece lays out, in no uncertain terms, a stark and profound indictment of the decision to publish the specific details of the 1918 Influenza Virus’s genome sequencing.

Yesterday, the Washington Post ran an article entitled, “Recommendation to Censor Bird Flu Research Driven by Fears of Terrorism.” The article highlights the changing tide within the scientific community concerning the release of potentially harmful sensitive scientific information, specifically the methodological components of the research, deemed potentially harmful published in its purest form.

Moreover, members of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) have officially recommended against releasing full details of recent research conducted by Netherlands-based Erasmus Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin at Madison on vaccine mutations of the H5N1 viruses. In the statement by the NSABB the Board concluded that, “with this [enhanced capability and technological know-how in microbial genomics] has come unprecedented potential for better control of infectious diseases and significant societal benefit. However, there is also a growing risk that the same science will be deliberately misused and that the consequences could be catastrophic.”[ii]

This specific controversy started back in December of 2011, when the NSABB and the US National Institutes of Health made a first of its kind request to leading scientific journals not to publish recent research in question on H5N1.

Is this stand-alone dissension between only scientist and ethicist? Or does this extend beyond the scientific community, consequential also to the public and US national security?

Director of National Intelligence (DNI), James R. Clapper, testified before the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence relating the DNI’s viewpoint on the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community. During his testimony, Clapper indicated “that a mass attack by foreign terrorist groups involving a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) weapons in the United States is unlikely in the next year.”[iii]

Further detailing the DNI’s viewpoints, however, Clapper said that, “lone actors abroad or in the United States including criminals and homegrown violent extremists inspired by terrorist leaders or literature advocating use of CBR materials are capable of conducting at least limited attacks in the next year.”[iv]

A critical question of paramount importance comes to the forefront, then. If the DNI sees the use of CBRN weapons as being a low but potential risk, are the concerns raised about the recent H5N1 being overblown? Is this the case of the “what-ifs” overshadowing the realities?

Perhaps, concerns should not be so quickly dismissed, as Director Clapper later asserts that though traditional ideologies of deterrence and diplomacy limit and mold the actions and acquisitions of taboo weaponry by nation-states, these ideologies are less impactful on the actions of individuals and non-state actors. Further, “the time when only a few states had access to the most dangerous technologies is past. Biological and chemical materials and technologies...move easily in our globalized economy, as do the personnel with scientific expertise to design and use them.”[v]

Consider the proliferation of actionable scientific data in Al-Qaeda’s 2010 edition of Inspire Magazine, which offered a “For Dummies” manual on “How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom.”[vi] While building a weaponized version of H5N1 is not as simplistic as constructing a home-made bomb, concerns about the medium-term implications of releasing the H5N1 scientific data gives one serious pause.

The importance of scientific advancement and research collaboration should also be seen as a national priority, with significant impact on national security. Advances and breakthroughs will be fundamentally important to epidemiology, virology, and microbial genomics progress, ensuring enhanced vaccinations are developed to protect against health calamities of 1918 proportions. Nevertheless, there has to be a line between unfettered information exchange about sensitive and potentially dual-use research, and the consequences of its misuse.

But perhaps there is a middle ground. Is it possible to limit public dissemination of such sensitive research while creating a secure, verifiable forum in which researchers and scientists can exchange relevant data? It becomes a question of balancing the need for open, collaborative scientific research with keeping dual-use technology/research out of the hands of malefactors.

*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the Lint Center Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc. or any employee thereof. The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Lint Center Bloggers.

About the Authors:

Tim Coleman received his BA from Georgetown, MBA from Barry University, and Master of Public and International Affairs, Security and Intelligence Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and serves as the Center’s Director of Communications.

Brittany Minder received her BA in International Relations from Stanford University and she serves as the Lint Center’s Public & External Affairs Associate.

References:

Grady, Denise and Broad, William J., “Seeing Terror Risk, U.S. Asks Journals to Cut Flu Study Facts”, The New York Times, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/21/health/fearing-terrorism-us-asks-journals-to-censor-articles-on-virus.html?pagewanted=all
Harmon, Katherine, “What Will the Next Influenza Pandemic Look Like?” Scientific America, September 19, 2011, Retrieved on February 1, 2012 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=next-influenza-pandemic
Kurzweil, Ray and Joy, Bill “Recipe for Destruction”, The New York Times, October 17, 2005, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/17/opinion/17kurzweiljoy.html
Council on Foreign Relations, “Backgrounder: al-Qaeda (a.k.a. al-Qaida, al-Qa'ida)”
August 29, 2011, Retrieved on February 1, 2012 http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations/al-qaeda-k-al-qaida-al-qaida/p9126
National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, “Adaptations of Avian Flu Virus Are a Cause for Concern”, January 31, 2012, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2012/01/30/science.1217994.full.pdf
Director of National Intelligence, “Unclassified Statement for the Record on the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence,” Remarks as delivered by James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, January 31, 2012, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20120131_wwta_as_delivered_remarks.pdf

End Notes:

[i] Kurzweil, Ray and Joy, Bill “Recipe for Destruction”, The New York Times, October 17, 2005, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/17/opinion/17kurzweiljoy.html

[ii] National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, “Adaptations of Avian Flu Virus Are a Cause for Concern”, January 31, 2012, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2012/01/30/science.1217994.full.pdf

[iii] Director of National Intelligence, “Unclassified Statement for the Record on the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence,” Remarks as delivered by James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, January 31, 2012, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20120131_wwta_as_delivered_remarks.pdf

[iv] ibid

[v] ibid

[vi] Wikipedia, “Inspire Magazine: Open Source Jihad”, Retrieved on February 1, 2012, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspire_(magazine)

Homeland Security: Google Launches Public Alerts

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:12:00 -0500

Earlier this week, Google’s Crisis Response Project--an initiative to make critical information more accessible around natural disasters and humanitarian crises[i]--unveiled a new project called Google Public Alerts.

Following the release of the new project (via an official blog post from Google) on Wednesday, January 25th, PCMag reports that the Alerts are to provide “timely information about threatening weather conditions through Google Maps.”[ii]

As one probes into this new Google effort, self-reported to “surface emergency information through the online tools you use everyday,”[iii] it is interesting to highlight that Google isn’t actually creating its own data points for these emergencies. Rather, the company is drawing from government-provided data for the Public Alerts project, specifically: the US Geological Survey, National Weather Service, and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The availability of government-provided data for the Alerts project leads one to question what other types of mapping and incident data sources are provided by the US government and accessible free of charge to citizens?

A quick search revealed several interesting and worthwhile sources of data. In particular, the US Agency for International Development maintains a Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) Network. The site contains a near and midterm outlook, as well as satellite imagery and weather hazard information for mapping data. Comprehensive as it may seem, some of the globe is still not available, including North Korea. It does, however, provide an interesting overview and service.

Additionally, the US Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Service maintains an Active Fire Mapping Program based on geographic data provided by the National Interagency Coordination Center. While only updated weekly, it provides near real-time fire locations across the US.

Further, the GlobalIncidentMap, a private sector entity, provides various information-rich data points on terrorism incidents, as well as other subjects, like HAZMAT, Disease, Gang, and Drug Interdiction. It is interesting to note that GIM leverages Google Maps as part of its visualization component.

So, what other information and data rich entities are out there? What does it mean that so many extra-government organizations use US government data to support their services?

About the Authors:

Brittany Minder received her BA in International Relations from Stanford University and she serves as the Lint Center’s Public & External Affairs Associate.

Tim Coleman serves as the Center’s Director of Communications.

References:

1. Google Crisis Response Project, 2012, http://www.google.org/crisisresponse/

2. Official Google Blog, “Public Alerts now on Google Maps,” January 25, 2012, Retrieved on January 31, 2012, http://blog.google.org/2012/01/public-alerts-now-on-google-maps.html.

3. Horn, Leslie. “Google Public Alerts to Provide Severe Weather Warnings”, PC Mag, January 25, 2012, Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399354,00.asp

4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012, http://www.noaa.gov/

5. The National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012, http://weather.gov/

6. United States Geological Survey, 2012, http://www.usgs.gov/

7. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook: North Korea, January 10, 2012, Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html

8. GlobalIncidentMap, 2012, http://www.globalincidentmap.com/

[i] "Google Crisis Response: Frequently Asked Questions". Google. Retrieved January, 31, 2012, http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/faq.html

[ii] Horn, Leslie. “Google Public Alerts to Provide Severe Weather Warnings”, PC Mag, January 25, 2012, Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399354,00.asp

[iii] Official Google Blog, “Public Alerts now on Google Maps,” January 25, 2012, Retrieved on January 31, 2012. http://blog.google.org/2012/01/public-alerts-now-on-google-maps.html.

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Only 2 Day’s Until Our Scholarship DEADLINE (1/31/12): ($2,000)

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:50:00 -0500

The Lint Center for National Security Studies will be awarding $2,000 in merit-based scholarship awards in less than a week! The time is drawing near so don’t forget or let this opportunity pass you by – so finish up those applications ASAP.

January 31, 2012is the deadline for the following Lint Center for National Security Studies scholarship programs:

Army Staff Sgt. Richard S. Eaton Jr. Scholarship - $1000
Mr. Jack McCoy Scholarship - $500
Lee and Byun International Relations and Cultural Awareness Scholarship - $500

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this information along to friends and by posting the news on Twitter and on Facebook.

About the Lint Center’s 2012 Scholarship Opportunities: http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

Scholarship Application Requirements/Details: http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

About the Lint Center Scholarship Program: Since 2007, the Lint Center has awarded over 18 scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $500 per recipient. The Center provides merit-based scholarships semi-annually in both July and January.

In addition to the scholarship award, talented and promising individuals interested in pursuing careers in national service will receive the opportunity to interact, correspond, and work with real-world practitioners through the Lint Center’s mentoring program. With over 150 mentors, the Lint Center is well positioned to match appropriate emerging leaders with practitioners and other well positioned individuals who can provide the feedback, context, and contacts to expedite the development as well as to streamline the learning curve of mentees. For more information about the Lint Center’s Mentoring Program, please visithttp://www.lintcenter.org/Mentors/MentorMain.htm.

The Lint Center for National Security Studies focuses on awarding merit-based scholarships for National Security Workers, their children and scholars, and to advance the study of National Security, cross-cultural studies, and global understanding. The Lint Center is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity, Veteran and minority operated and managed. It offers scholarships semi-annually (twice a year, in January and July). For additional information, please visit www.LintCenter.orgor follow the Center on Twitter @LintCenter.

Produced by Carla Buckner, Lint Center intern in support of the Public Affairs Office.

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Only 5 Day’s Until Our Scholarship DEADLINE (1/31/12): ($2,000)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:31:00 -0500

January 31, 2012is the deadline for the following Lint Center for National Security Studies scholarship programs:

Army Staff Sgt. Richard S. Eaton Jr. Scholarship - $1000
Mr. Jack McCoy Scholarship - $500
Lee and Byun International Relations and Cultural Awareness Scholarship - $500

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this information along to friends and by posting the news on Twitter and on Facebook.

About the Lint Center’s 2012 Scholarship Opportunities: http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

Scholarship Application Requirements/Details:http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

About the Lint Center Scholarship Program: Since 2007, the Lint Center has awarded over 18 scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $500 per recipient. The Center provides merit-based scholarships semi-annually in both July and January.

In addition to the scholarship award, talented and promising individuals interested in pursuing careers in national service will receive the opportunity to interact, correspond, and work with real-world practitioners through the Lint Center’s mentoring program. With over 150 mentors, the Lint Center is well positioned to match appropriate emerging leaders with practitioners and other well positioned individuals who can provide the feedback, context, and contacts to expedite the development as well as to streamline the learning curve of mentees. For more information about the Lint Center’s Mentoring Program, please visit http://www.lintcenter.org/Mentors/MentorMain.htm.

The Lint Center for National Security Studies focuses on awarding merit-based scholarships for National Security Workers, their children and scholars, and to advance the study of National Security, cross-cultural studies, and global understanding. The Lint Center is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity, Veteran and minority operated and managed. It offers scholarships semi-annually (twice a year, in January and July). For additional information, please visit www.LintCenter.orgor follow the Center on Twitter @LintCenter.

Produced by Carla Buckner, Lint Center intern in support of the Public Affairs Office.

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What is SOPA and How It Will Affect You

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:43:00 -0500

Have you heard of SOPA? It's one of the latest topics being discussed at the moment. SOPA is an acronym for Stop Online Piracy Act. Its primary purpose is to acknowledge and rectify an ongoing dilemma where foreign sites sell products that are pirated such as music, movies, etc. SOPA is designed to prevent companies in the United States from funding, advertising, or providing assistance to foreign sites. To implement this plan, internet providers are given the authority to restrict their users' access to these sites. The act also grants the U.S. attorney general to obtain a court order against these sites that will give them permission to delete the site, altogether.

The advantage of the Stop Online Piracy Act is that it allows copyright holders to file claims against foreign websites indiscriminately. Its focal point pertains to putting a halt to any financial losses, or potential losses. It is apparent that SOPA was not shaped to harm the users of the internet that use the web legally, but rather those sites who provide housing for stolen and pirated material; however, some may say that this act, if passed, may do more harm than good.

A major concern in regards to the possible implementation of this act is that some feel as though it may prevent U.S. sites from promoting new ideas and products. Another major concern is that there is a strong possibility that many popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, Google, etc, will be harshly affected. This is because they allow users to upload content to their sites as long as such content adheres to their terms and conditions. While SOPA is designed with good intentions, the problem that seems to exist is that many users may not be able to distinguish what is illegal and what is exactly appropriate. For example, there are tons of users that upload copyrighted content on a daily basis. It is quite often that we see users uploading videos of themselves to YouTube and Facebook to share with family and friends that may contain copyrighted material. This can include a user uploading a video of them singing a copyrighted song or sharing an image in which they may find interesting. If the Stop Online Piracy Act is passed, doing the previously mentioned will be illegal.

In response to this possible act, popular sites such as Wikipedia and Google, along with other sites, have protested against it by shutting down their domains, known as a “blackout”, to their every day users. This is in an attempt to raise awareness about an issue that can change the way we behave via the internet. Many have also set up petitions on their sites for users to sign. It has been recently reported that Google has collected over 7 million signatures from the U.S. alone, in regards to this petition.

So, what will it actually mean if SOPA is passed? There is a possibility that there may be less freedom for users of the Internet even though this act is purposely designed for protection of its users. At this point, the House of Congress has yet to pass the bill. Nevertheless, if the bill is passed, the final decision rests with President Obama.

This blog was written by Carla Buckner, Lint Center intern with information cutoff date of 20 January 2012.

Works Cited

Kain, E.D. (2012) No, President Obama Did Not Kill SOPA. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/18/no-president-obama-did-not-kill-sopa

Google. 2012. More About SOPA and PIPA. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/sopa-pipa

Business Insurance. 2012. Who SOPA and Protect IP hurts most. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsurance.org/who-sopa-and-protect-ip-hurts-the-most

Wikipedia. 2012. Stop Online Piracy Act. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act

Editorial Tidbit:

Internet capitalization conventionsare the practices of various publishers regarding the capitalization of "Internet" or "internet", when referring to the Internet/internet, as distinct from generic internets(or internetworks).

Since the widespread deployment of the Internet Protocol Suitein the early 1980s, the Internet standards-setting bodies and technical infrastructure organizations, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force(IETF), the Internet Society, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers(ICANN), the World Wide Web Consortium, and others, have consistently spelled the name of the world-wide network, the Internet, with an initial capital letterand treated it as a proper nounin the English language.^{[original research?]}Before the transformation of the ARPANETinto the modern Internet, the term internet in its lower case spelling was a common short form of the term internetwork, and this spelling and use may still be found in discussions of networking.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_capitalization_conventionsRetrieved from Internet 21 January 2012.

Never Forget – Finding Strength In What Remains…

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:58:00 -0400

As we begin to mark the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist’s attacks on Washington, D.C. and New York City, it is important that we reflect on that day. For all of us, it is a day that will never be forgotten.

As we remember the awful moments and recall the unnerving images as well as the accompanying feelings, we grieve for the loss of our loved ones, the innocent victims, and our fellow Americans, who withstood the cowardly attacks.

While we give pause in realizing the solemnity of this anniversary, it is important to recognize what has emerged for this nation as a consequence. There was the impossible valor of New York’s Police Department, the unsurpassed courage of New York’s Fire Department and its Paramedics, and the unfaltering fortitude of New York’s Port Authority which, not knowing what lay ahead, rushed in to save the lives of those in greatest need. They would not be deterred.

Emergency responders, from New York to Shanksville to DC, and all across the country, had faith in the face of terror that something needed to be done. Those brave souls maintained the deepest of desires, resolving to know the moral difference between inaction and action, even if at the expense of their likely peril.

We know by the countless actions of responders and the innumerable selfless acts by ordinary citizens that there was no doubt and no question of a purposeful unity, as everyday individuals and citizens came together through heroic feats.

As we look back ten years ago, it should be impossible to forget that what bounded us then remains very much with us still today. We are indebted to the selfless sacrifice of friends, neighbors, and those bravest amongst us who leapt into action in hopes of saving others.

It is here and now, at this decade mark of remembrance, that the bond of yesterday stares us in the face again. It is the memory of that day and the examples borne in moments of unwarranted hardships, which provide us all the strength and a reservoir of true grit enabling a renewed sense of purpose, determination, and desire to ensure freedom prevails over the tyranny of terror.

The memory of those lost, the legacy of America’s resilience, and the heroism of many are carried by us today, united as one nation, one voice, and one undeterred people.

And to those who serve on the frontlines of the global war on terrorism, the intelligence professional, the national security worker and all members of the United States military, we thank you for your continued service and for keeping us safe.

Stay Informed! Emergency Preparedness: Hurricanes & Earthquakes

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:00:00 -0400

In light of the recent Earthquake and the expected arrival of Hurricane Irene along the Eastern Seaboard in the coming days, the Lint Center wanted to provide some tips on emergency preparedness.

We came across the following information, which we felt would be useful:

A Preparedness Guide by FEMA, NOAA and the Red Cross

http://www.weather.gov/os/hurricane/resources/TropicalCyclones11.pdf

Los Angeles Times Article entitled “How to prepare for Hurricane Irene -- or an earthquake”:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/hurricane-irene-how-to-prepare-for-hurricane-irene.html

Please take the necessary precautions and remain safe.

Celebrating Our 4th Year

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 13:53:00 -0400

Yesterday we were pleased to celebrate another year at the Lint Center! We started 4 years ago on August 4 with a small band of volunteers and a mission to help emerging leaders. We are still going strong.

The Lint Center would like to thank its dedicated team of volunteers who make all of our work possible. Additionally, we wish to thank all of donors for their continued support.

The Lint Center would not be a reality had it not been for all of our friends, supporters and volunteers. Thank you, all – we feel a sense of deep pride for all we have accomplished together and a deeper sense of purpose for that what is to come.

Lint Center Launches Its Own YouTube Channel

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:32:00 -0400

We recently created our very own YouTube Channel. We posted one of our videos highlighting some of our previous winners.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

LC YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LintCenter1

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YxUG34t_Mk

Lint Center Announces July 2011 Scholarship Competition ($2,500)

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:15:00 -0400

The Lint Center for National Security Studies is pleased to announce it will be providing $2,500 in direct merit-based funding for its upcoming July 2011 scholarship competition. The deadline for submission is July 31, 2011.

- Jim & Anna Hyonjoo Lint Scholarship ($1,500)
- John Joseph McGurk III Memorial Scholarship ($500)
- Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship ($500)

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this along, posting the link to Twitter and/or Facebook, or by sending out a message to another LinkedIn Group.

Additional information regarding the July 2011 scholarship competition can be found at http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

Since 2007, the Lint Center has awarded over 18 scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $500 per recipient.

To review the requirements and to submit an application, please visithttp://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

The Center provides merit-based scholarships semi-annually in both July and January.

In addition to the scholarship award, talented and promising individuals interested in pursuing careers in national service will receive the opportunity to interact, correspond, and work with real-world practitioners through the Lint Center’s mentoring program. With over 150 mentors, the Lint Center is well positioned to match appropriate emerging leaders with practitioners and other well positioned individuals who can provide the feedback, context, and contacts to expedite the development as well as to streamline the learning curve of mentees. For more information about the Lint Center’s Mentoring Program, please visithttp://www.lintcenter.org/Mentors/MentorMain.htm.

The Lint Center for National Security Studies focuses on awarding merit-based scholarships for National Security Workers, their children and scholars, and to advance the study of National Security, cross-cultural studies, and global understanding. The Lint Center is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity, which is Veteran and minority operated and managed. It offers scholarships semi-annually (twice a year, in January and July). For additional information, please visit www.LintCenter.org or follow the Center on Twitter @LintCenter.

Contributed Post: Homeland Security & Tornado Preparedness:

Mon, 02 May 2011 17:38:00 -0400

In 1974, I was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. On April 3, 1974 I experienced a tornado first hand. That night we lost three Cobra helicopters, I saw what can happen after experiencing such an awesome display of tornado damage and believe everyone should be prepared in the event of severe weather in their area.

Following the recent tornado outbreaks, which have devastated Alabama, Tuscaloosa specifically, and impacted neighboring states alike, I came across a great article written by Pete Spotts of the Christian Science Monitor and felt that the guidance and information were important to share with any and all individuals.

Preparation, preparedness, and knowledge can save your life. The information below is a solid reference point and the reason I felt it was important reiterate.

Regards,

Gary S., Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc, Mentor

Associated Press Video of the Massive Tornado in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Know where to go, what to bring, and who to tell

Before a storm, make sure you have a place to seek shelter, either in your home or -- especially if you live in a mobile home -- a strong shelter nearby you can move to if a tornado warning is issued. Each person should have a "go kit" ready to grab on the way to shelter. The go kit should include a first-aid kit, flashlight and batteries, identification, matches, copies of important financial documents, an extra set of clothes and other items. Have a relative outside your community serve as an emergency contact so if family members are caught by the storm in different locations, they can call their status in to that relative. Emergency managers say it's often easier to get a call out to a distant community in a disaster than it is to call someone within the same community.

Listen for NOAA tornado watches and warnings

Before a storm, make sure you know the various ways your community receives tornado watches and warnings and make sure you have access to them. A watch is issued when conditions favorable to tornadoes are imminent or present. A warning is issued when the local forecast office sees the signature of a tornado on its radar or storm spotters report a funnel cloud or its precursor. NOAA weather radios are particularly useful if you're indoors or if a storm system arrives overnight, when you're sleeping. The radios' warning tones are loud and annoying for a reason.

What county do you live in?

Before a storm, be sure you know where in your county you are located, learn the names of the surrounding counties and key geographic features in your area. Warnings are being issued at increasingly fine geographic scales and usually use county names. When you know where you are within your county and in relation to surrounding counties, you can more effectively interpret the warnings you receive, says Greg Carbin, a warning-coordination meteorologist at NOAA's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK.

Indoors: Avoid windows and protect yourself from debris

If you receive a warning and you are indoors, move into the basement if you have one, or into a center hallway or windowless room as far from the home's outside walls as possible. Duck under a sturdy piece of furniture and hang on.

Outdoors: Lie flat in the lowest spot you can find

If you receive a warning and you are outdoors, lie flat on the ground in the lowest spot you can find and cover your head with your arms. Even a tornado's winds slow somewhat at ground level, because of friction with the ground, Mr. Carbin explains. If you lie low, you take advantage of that friction while presenting the wind with as little body surface to push against as possible. You also present a much smaller target for debris.

After the twister passes...

...don’t enter damaged buildings, and stay alert for downed power lines or leaky gas mains. Keep tuned in to weather reports, since the storm may be part of a system spawning several tornados.

Myth: If a tornado comes, it will inflict less damage if you open your windows to equalize the air pressure inside and outside the structure

Fact: Tornados hurl enough debris that few if any windows will remain intact in a building in its path. Wind and debris damage destroy homes – not differences in air pressure inside and outside the affected building, specialists say.

Myth: If you're caught outside when a tornado approaches, head for a highway underpass. It will shelter you.

Fact: No, it won't. If a tornado approaches an underpass, its intense winds will still hurl debris beneath the structure. Laying down in a ditch or culvert will provide more protection from flying debris, according to emergency response specialists.

Myth: A tornado can't happen here.

Fact: It may seem that way because tornadoes in a particular part of the country are rare. "But they can occur anywhere," Carbin says, including Hawaii and Alaska. So-called tornado alley, which runs from Texas north through the central and upper Great Plains, tends to see more activity each year than any other region. But Florida also posts a large number of tornadoes compared with other states because of its frequent, intense summer thunderstorms as well as land-falling hurricanes, which can spawn tornadoes.

Myth: This region of the country is dangerous, because tornadoes seem to drop out of the sky each spring and summer.

Fact: Although they can be highly destructive, tornadoes everywhere are extremely rare compared with other weather hazards a location can face, Carbin says. And they occur on small geographic scales. Even in Oklahoma or Nebraska, "you can go a lifetime without seeing a tornado," even if one struck a few miles away, he says. They may be more common in some parts of the country than others, "but the probability of an event in any one location is very small," he says.

Source Material:

CS Monitor Article: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0428/Tornadoes-take-staggering-toll-in-Alabama-and-Deep-South-video
CS Monitor Article – Tornado Checklist: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0418/Tornado-checklist-What-to-do-and-what-myths-to-ignore/Know-where-to-go-what-to-bring-and-who-to-tell
Associated Press: http://www.youtube.com/user/AssociatedPress

*Disclaimer*: The opinions expressed by the Lint Center Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc. or any employee thereof. The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Lint Center Bloggers.

Press Coverage: Vice Chairwoman Receives Doctorate

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:12:00 -0500

The Lint Center's Communications team is pleased to provide the following media links which posted and covered the press release announcement regarding Dr Lint's PhD.

LC COMMS will continue to track coverage and update the blog accordingly.

CBS News (BNET): http://finance.bnet.com/bnet/news/read?GUID=17681857
Charlotte Observer: http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.charlotte/news/read?GUID=17681857
World Market Media: http://www.worldmarketmedia.com/1876/section.aspx/5863923/lint-center-vice-chairwoman-receives-doctorate-in-educational-leadership
One News Page: http://www.onenewspage.com/news/Press+Releases/20110311/20404047/Lint-Center-Vice-Chairwoman-Receives-Doctorate-in-Educational.htm
Topix: (Cypress, California) http://www.topix.com/city/cypress-ca/2011/03/lint-center-vice-chairwoman-receives-doctorate-in-educational-leadership
Financial Content: http://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/news/read?GUID=17681857

Regards,

LC COMMS

Center’s Vice Chairwoman Receives Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:57:00 -0500

All:

On behalf of the Lint Center team, I am delighted to share some outstanding news with you - Anna Hyonjoo Lint was awarded her PhD this week!

Gary Scher said it best, “We are enormously proud of the hard work and dedication Anna has demonstrated by completing her Doctoral studies. Doctor Lint’s accomplishment of achieving the highest academic recognition in her field is an impressive standalone triumph. However, her achievement is even greater when one realizes it was attained in a second language. Dr. Lint’s success clearly demonstrates that language need not be a barrier and her example further illustrates the character of persistence as well as steadfast commitment to education that we all share.”

A hearty congratulation for a job well done is duly in order for Dr. Lint!

To view the full press release, please visit: http://www.lintcenter.org/2011/DR_Lint.htm.

Regards,
LC Team

Lint Center Scholarship Recipient Published in Small Wars Journal

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:03:00 -0500

Congratulations, Boris Kogan!

Kogan's essay entitled, “The Basmachi: Factors Behind the Rise and Fall of an Islamic Insurgency in Central Asia” is available for your review here and we encourage all to read it: http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2011/03/print/the-basmachi-factors-behind-th/.

Abstract. This paper delivers a short overview of the Basmachi insurgency in Soviet Central Asia, a conflict which spanned a quarter of a century (1918-approximately 1943) and the territory of a half-dozen of today’s countries, foreshadowing many future Islamic insurgencies including those in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Western China, Iraq and Chechnya. The “Basmachestvo” involved prolonged full-spectrum warfare fought by a fragmented insurgency with multiple centers of gravity against a multiethnic empire, whose ideology the insurgents perceived as a threat to their identity and way of life. The subject has been largely opaque to Western historians due to several reasons, including the remote and inaccessible theater of warfare (Soviet Central Asia having been denied to Western journalists and diplomats in the timeframe discussed,) the suppression of accounts failing to adhere to the official narrative by the Soviet Union and purges of those who participated on both sides of the insurgency and remained in the Soviet Union after the conflict’s conclusion. Thus, a conflict with a high degree of relevance to the present-day international situation has been forgotten or ignored. This paper attempts to begin to remedy this situation.

To download the full paper, please go to: http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/journal/docs-temp/690-kogan.pd

Extended Deadline: Applications DUE Feb 7, 2011

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:29:00 -0500

The Lint Center for National Security Studies is pleased to remind you that it will be providing $2,500 in direct merit-based funding for its upcoming February 7, 2011 scholarship competition.

The deadline for submission is February 7, 2011.

$1,000 – Richard Eaton Jr. Memorial Scholarship
$500 – John Joseph McGurk III Memorial Scholarship
$500 – Jack McCoy Scholarship
$500 – Eekwon Lee and Jongja Byun Scholarship

Additional information regarding the January 2011 scholarship competition can be found at http://www.lintcenter.org/Scholarships/2011-1.htm . To review the requirements and to submit an application, please visit http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm.

The Center provides merit-based scholarships semi-annually in both July and January.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Lint Center directly at Info@lintcenter.org. Thank you.

“Empower, Enhance, Enable.” http://www.LintCenter.org/

Lint Center Scholar Videos

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 21:46:00 -0500

The Lint Center's Public Relations team created two new videos highlighting previous scholarship winners and news about the upcoming January 31st scholarship application due date.

Lint Center for National Security Studies - Scholarships www.LintCenter.org from Lint Center - Scholarships on Vimeo.

Please feel free to it out and let us know what you think.

Lint Center Announces Deadline for January 2011 Scholarship Competition (+$2,500)

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:16:00 -0500

The Lint Center for National Security Studies is pleased to remind you that it will be providing $2,500 in direct merit-based funding for its upcoming January 31, 2011 scholarship competition.

The deadline for submission is January 31, 2011

$1,000 – Richard Eaton Jr. Memorial Scholarship
$500 – John Joseph McGurk III Memorial Scholarship
$500 – Jack McCoy Scholarship
$500 – Eekwon Lee and Jongja Byun Scholarship

The Center provides merit-based scholarships semi-annually in both July and January.

In addition to the scholarship award, talented and promising individuals interested in pursuing careers in national service will receive the opportunity to interact, correspond, and work with real-world practitioners through the Lint Center’s mentoring program. With over 150 mentors, the Lint Center is well positioned to match appropriate emerging leaders with practitioners and other individuals who can provide the feedback, context, and contacts to expedite the development as well as streamline the learning curve of mentees. For more information about the Lint Center’s Mentoring Program, please visit http://www.lintcenter.org/Mentors/MentorMain.htm .

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Lint Center directly at Info@lintcenter.org. Thank you.

“Empower, Enhance, Enable.” http://www.LintCenter.org/

Summer 2010 Competition Result for Lint Center for National Security Studies Scholarships

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 09:31:00 -0400

Summer 2010 Competition Results are located at http://www.lintcenter.org/Winners/Summer10.htm

Jim & Anna Hyonjoo Lint Scholarship ($1,500) --Requirements and Info Page Photo and Bio of James R. Lint and Anna Hyonjoo Lint

WINNER: Boris K. Full name Withheld Due to Former Assignment.

Boris K. - US Citizen, born in the Soviet Union, and grew up in NYC. This excellent linguist joined the US Army and served as a member of a Special Operations Team Alpha (SOT-A,) a small SIGINT element, eventually becoming the team leader and completing two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Full Bio) and National Security Essay See Press Release

Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship ($500)

WINNER: Jordan Daniels (Press Release)

Quote from the Bio of this future national security worker. "Transferring to the School of Foreign Service is not only a personal accomplishment but a testament to my commitment to a career in national security. In transferring, I am forfeiting a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. To me it is well worth it. SFS has one of the most specialized undergraduate curricula ininternational relations, it will better prepare me for a profession in national security, and, put simply, I believe it will make me much happier." Jordan's National SecurityEssay

(This is awarded to runner-up candidates of Lint Center Scholarships to include the Jim & Anna Hyonjoo Lint Scholarship) (One application and you can apply for two scholarships!) Info Page

Lint Center's 'Quest for Knowledge' Scholarship:

Honoring CPL Christopher J. Coffland ($500)

WINNER: Trevor Kennedy

Trevor Kennedy winning Essay and Bio.

CPL Christopher J. Coffland was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion and was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on November 13, 2009. A dedicated, brave and courageous American, Specialist Coffland received two Bronze Stars for bravery and a Purple Heart among other medals for his service. Information and Requirements page.

Lint Center Scholarships: (Merit-based Funding, Deadline 7/31/10)

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:05:00 -0400

Many of you have worked with or assisted Lint Center in the past. Please forward this to students who you believe can create an essay with innovative ideas. Below are the scholarships we have for this month. This has been sent to colleges by our Director of Communications, but we would like have people in this business to push out this information to enable us to get high quality candidates.

JRL

The Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit 501c3 charity, is offering three merit-based scholarships this month to students pursuing higher education (DEADLINE: July 31, 2010).

Below you will find information regarding the three scholarship opportunities as well as links outlining applicant requirements. Please share this news and disseminate this information about the upcoming scholarship opportunities with all those you feel could benefit or may be interested in applying.

Jim & Anna Hyonjoo Lint Scholarship ($1,500): http://www.lintcenter.org/2008/JAHL-PR-08.htm
Lint Center’s 'Quest for Knowledge' Scholarship ($500) - Honoring Spec. Christopher J. Coffland: http://www.lintcenter.org/Scholarships/Coffland.htm
Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship ($500): http://www.lintcenter.org/Scholarships/Misselhorn.htm

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any questions or require additional information. Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping us spread the word about these upcoming scholarship opportunities.

Regards,

Tim

About the Lint Center: The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc., founded in 2007, is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization created to award merit-based scholarships for Counterintelligence and National Security Workers, their children and scholars, and to advance the study of National Security, cross-cultural studies, and global understanding.

The mission of the Lint Center for National Security Studies is to foster and further the educational development and opportunities for the next generation of America’s Counterintelligence and National Security Workers. The Center focuses on empowering individuals, enhancing the study of national security issues, and enabling emerging leaders to be mentored by established current-and-former industry experts.

The Center aims to:

Identify promising individuals and assist in educational pursuits through scholarship initiatives
Provide talented individuals with a meaningful leadership development mentoring program by current-and-former Counterintelligence and National Security Workers
Create a forum for the dissemination and discussion of National Security Studies through the Center’s online Web-portal

All donations and contributions to the Lint Center are allocated solely to the Center’s scholarship funds. All actions and activities by the Lint Center are conducted by unpaid staff and volunteers. The Center is Veteran and minority operated and managed.

**********************************
Tim Coleman

Director of Communications

Lint Center for National Security Studies

http://www.LintCenter.org

Twitter: @LintCenter

Also on Facebook

Happy New Years Message from the CEO:

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:15:00 -0500

Lint Center had a great year with the award of six scholarships during two different scholarship competitions.

We also created a new Ben Franklin scholarship that was awarded once in summer 2009 and will also be awarded in winter 2010. The Ben Franklin scholarship was funded by a new donor who has helped cover two different competitions.

Additionally, we had many scholars to mentor contacts. Our mentees are smart people and ask great questions of our mentors. The feedback from the mentors is that they enjoy the time with bright minds. The mentor program is constantly rated as one of the highest value items Lint Center has produced.

We have another scholarship competition ending 30 January 2010. Please push out the website with information to people who can put the information in front of scholars with an interest in National Security. http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htmThe applications are sent in via PDF as mentioned on the webpage. Past winner information is linked to the side of this page and throughout the website. This is a great time to thank the hard working scholarship selection committee. They wade through mounds of applications and consistently come up with high performers.

This year we awarded two of our volunteers with President's Volunteer Service Awards. This program was started by President Bush, Sr and has been continued by President Obama. More information about Lint Center and this program is at http://www.lintcenter.org/2009/volunteers.htm. There is also information on how to sign up and get your hours recognized.

Additionally, Lint Center is a member of the new Disney program to award volunteers. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-DayBeginning January 1, 2010, when you sign up here to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you'll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, FREE! Lint Center is one of the approved organizations to sign up for this event. As a virtual organization, your 8 hours will be cumulative to achieve that one day.

As Lint Center grows, we look for new ideas to excel and serve. Please send those ideas to me to be converted into action. Remember to push out our scholarship information to scholars to increase the competition and allow us to find the best for awards and mentorship.

Jim Lint, Chairman
Special Agent (Retired)
Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc
IRS Approved 501 (c) (3) Charity

Mission:
--To build and award scholarships for Counterintelligence and National Security Workers, their children and scholars of CI and NS.
--To build and award scholarships to enhance global understanding and cross-culture studies.
--To coordinate creation and data dissemination of National Security Studies and Forum.
--To conduct all actions with unpaid volunteer staff

http://lintcenter.org/