Stay informed about the latest developments from the Institute for Strategic Risk and Security. From global events and strategic briefings to summit highlights and policy impact, this is where we share our story as it unfolds.
Flashpoint Briefing: Rising Maritime Tensions: China’s Escalation in the Red and Yellow Seas
China’s recent provocations in two strategic maritime regions, the Red Sea and Yellow Sea, signal an escalating willingness to challenge Western naval operations. A Chinese warship allegedly targeted a German surveillance aircraft with a laser near Djibouti, while in the Yellow Sea, Chinese coast guard vessels blocked a South Korean research ship near contested offshore structures. These incidents underscore growing risks to maritime stability and alliance cohesion, with potential for broader escalation if unchecked.
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ISRS gives exclusive interview to AlQahera News to provide expert analysis on Zelensky-Trump call
Mykola Volkivskyi, Member of the Board at the Institute for Strategic Risk and Security (ISRS), gave an exclusive interview to AlQahera News to provide expert analysis on the recent phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Volkivskyi underscored the strategic significance of this high-level dialogue, particularly as Ukraine seeks to secure sustained military and financial backing from its Western partners. He noted that the call reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and could pave the way for a new understanding on future deliveries of American military equipment and defense systems.
Addressing Russia’s latest wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and energy grids, Volkivskyi described the strikes as part of a deliberate campaign to undermine morale and apply pressure ahead of potential international negotiations. He warned that such escalations are designed to provoke hesitation among Ukraine’s allies.
Volkivskyi concluded by urging Western nations to maintain a united front, deepening coordination through NATO, the G7, and regional coalitions. He emphasized that any leadership vacuum would be swiftly exploited by authoritarian regimes.
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ISRS Perspective from Closed-Door NATO Briefing on Ukraine War
Inside NATO’s confidential Ukraine briefing: A candid view of Russia’s grinding advance, Ukraine’s asymmetric responses, and the geopolitical tightrope ahead , from Mykola Volkivskyi.
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ISRS at the NATO Summit: Shaping the Future of Euro-Atlantic Security
ISRS's Mykola Volkivskyi reported live from the NATO Summit in The Hague, capturing key moments and policy shifts that will define the Alliance’s future. President Zelensky’s call for a 5% GDP defense commitment set the tone, reinforcing NATO’s resolve amidst global instability. ISRS continues to support Ukraine’s integration and resilience through strategic advisory and disinformation defense initiatives.
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ISRS Testifies Before U.S. Congress
ISRS's Brigham McCown testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Drawing on decades of infrastructure and security expertise, Dr. McCown addressed vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains and the strategic importance of resilient logistics networks in an era of rising geopolitical tension.
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Flashpoint Briefing: Iran’s Retaliatory Missile Strike
Following U.S. strikes, Iran launched a retaliatory missile barrage targeting U.S. and allied installations. ISRS’s rapid analysis assessed Iran’s strategic calculus, regional escalation risks, and likely trajectories for narrative warfare.
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Flashpoint Briefing: U.S. Strikes Iran: Escalation, Enrichment, and Strategic Deterrence
ISRS has released an urgent Flashpoint Briefing following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The action comes amid heightened concern over Iran’s 60% uranium enrichment, a level well beyond civilian use. ISRS's Brigham McCown notes: “There is no civil use for uranium at that level. Going from 60% to 90% is relatively quick.” The briefing frames the strikes as a reassertion of deterrence—aimed not just at Iran, but at other states testing the boundaries of nuclear nonproliferation.
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ISRS Publishes in The Cipher Brief on Infrastructure as a Strategic Target
ISRS Chair Dr. Dave Venable published a featured analysis in The Cipher Brief titled “The Next War Won’t Target Cities. It Will Target Choke Points.” The piece explores how adversaries are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure—not for destruction, but for disruption, and argues that the West must adopt a doctrine of resilience to defend against hybrid threats.
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ISRS's Brigham McCown to Speak at Les Rencontres Économiques in July
ISRS Board Member Brigham McCown will speak in Aix-en-Provence at Les Rencontres Économiques—Europe’s leading economic and geopolitical forum. His remarks will focus on “The Economic Implications of Energy Security,” emphasizing the strategic role infrastructure and resilient systems play in national security and democratic stability.
Flashpoint Briefing: Israel–Iran Escalation: Strategic Risk Assessment
ISRS released a Flashpoint Briefing unpacking the strategic calculus behind the Israel–Iran confrontation. The report assesses deterrence dynamics, regional escalation thresholds, and implications for NATO-aligned states.
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ISRS at Fort Bragg for 250th U.S. Army Anniversary
Board Member Mykola Volkivskyi represented ISRS at Fort Bragg, joining senior defense leadership and U.S. officials to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, reinforcing transatlantic unity and strategic resilience.
New Flashpoint Briefing: “What if Warfare Isn’t Just Kinetic—But Algorithmic?”
ISRS explored the rise of AI-driven conflict in a provocative new briefing. Topics include Ukraine’s evolving doctrine, EU-NATO asymmetric readiness, and the implications of algorithmic escalation.
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ISRS Joins Alaska Governor at Sustainable Energy Conference
Board Member Brigham McCown participated in a fireside chat with Governor Mike Dunleavy at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. Their discussion focused on the nexus of sustainable energy, strategic infrastructure, and national security.
ISRS Participates in High-Level Talks with Spanish Senate
ISRS joined strategic intelligence and security discussions in Madrid with Spanish Senate officials and international partners—highlighting shared priorities in resilience, defense policy, and global risk coordination.
ISRS Chairman Joins U.S. Delegation to Spanish Senate
Dr. David J. Venable, Chairman of ISRS, was selected to join the official U.S. delegation for high-level security discussions at the Spanish Senate in Madrid, emphasizing ISRS’s role in shaping global resilience and intelligence policy.
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March 28, 2025
ISRS on Infrastructure Risk and Strategic Resilience
ISRS Chairman Dr. Dave Venable joined a panel hosted by the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) in response to the 2025 Infrastructure Report Card released by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The discussion brought together policy and engineering experts to assess the report's findings and their implications for national risk, resilience, and modernization.
Watch the panel →
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