Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on National Security

This is a limited availability ticket for symposium participants who wish to attend all sessions in person on Thursday April 8th in the Convocation Center on the Dahlonega Campus of the University of North Georgia.

Three to four panelists will discuss their research, practice, and/or ideas on the technological and economic security implications for national security. This panel will be moderated by Colonel Steve Fleming, U.S. Army, Retired, who serves as a Professor of the Practice of Spatial Sciences in the University of Southern California's Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI) and Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT). Panelists will be selected and updated and on the symposium web page by 1 March 2021.

Matthew Kralovec, Director of HawkEye360 ISR Solutions. Matthew Kralovec graduated from Penn State University in 2003 with degrees in history and geography. From 2003 to 2014, Matt served multiple overseas deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations as a US Marine Corps intelligence officer. In 2014,Matt joined Digital Globe where he focused on ensuring commercial satellite imagery made it to the US government users who needed it most. Matt continues his service in the US Marine Corps reserve and is currently an adjunct faculty instructor at the National Intelligence University. As HawkEye 360's Director of ISR Solutions, Matt focuses on ensuring HawkEye 360's commercial radio frequency geolocation capabilities matter to critical national security missions.

During this session, students from the University of North Georgia, cadets from the Republic of Georgia National Defense Academy, and Air War College and Army War College students and fellows will present their ideas on various aspects of national security related to COVID-19. A schedule of presentations and presenters will be placed here prior to March 15th. 

During this session, students from the University of North Georgia, cadets from the Republic of Georgia National Defense Academy, and Air War College and Army War College students and fellows will present their ideas on various aspects of national security related to COVID-19. A schedule of presentations and presenters will be placed here prior to March 15th. 

Symposium closing remarks.

This is a limited availability ticket for symposium participants who wish to attend all sessions in person on Wednesday April 7th in the Convocation Center on the Dahlonega Campus of the University of North Georgia.

This session begins at 8:30 a.m. EST with opening remarks by the symposium planning group, followed by Professor Heinecken. Abstract: Many governments have framed the Covid-19 pandemic as 'national security' threat. Framing the pandemic in this way is a powerful way to prioritize government's attention, establish a consciousness of the importance among the population, and justify the actions taken to address the threat. Of particular relevance in relation to Covid-19 is the strategic language used to emphasize the threat, the danger it evokes, and responsibility to protect and how this is framed using war-related terminology. Doctors and nurses are defined as 'fighting in the trenches,' on the 'frontline without sufficient ammunition', battling an 'invisible enemy'. Required is an 'aggressive' approach to 'conquer the enemy', that everyone must join the 'battle' as the country is 'under siege'. This militarization of a health threat accentuations the urgency and severity of the pandemic, evoking a war-like response. Such framing affects how decisions are made, how resources are spend and ultimately, how the security forces are deployed, in what roles and with what powers of authority. In this regard, many countries have sought to flatten the curve by enforcing stringent measures, using the police and military to coerce citizens to obey lockdown rules. Others have used their military in humanitarian roles, using their collateral capacity to provide support and relief, rather than suppress and control. Whatever their role, the deployment of the military to 'combat' Covid-19 has consequences for the state, the military and the population. This is more so, where the military and police infringe on the democratic and human rights of citizens and abuse their power and authority. Lack of transparency and accountability exacerbates this, having a negative impact on civil-military relations, the legitimacy of the armed forces, including government. Using South Africa as a case study, this paper examines the discourse around Covid-19 in South Africa and how the war figurative framing of the disease influenced the state's approach to the pandemic, the use of the military and the effect on the citizenry.

Three to four panelists will present their ideas, research, or practice on the geopolitical implications of the pandemic on national security. The panel moderator is Dr. Daniel S. Papp, Consultant, Pendleton Group & Scholar of International Affairs and Policy, Former President of Kennesaw State University.

Lieutenant Colonel Jason Schuette, USMC EA6B Pilot, Retired, and Founder of Spectrum Advocates, LLC, will speak on the topic. Abstract: "Cybercriminals are developing and boosting their attacks at an alarming pace, exploiting the fear and uncertainty caused by the unstable social and economic situation created by COVID-19."
Description: Jürgen Stock, INTERPOL Secretary General. A consequence of the Cyber Age, both the positive and negative, is the unfettered and unfiltered access to information. However, this is complicated by our growing sterilized virtual interpersonal existence. Consequently, each and every person, aka Cyber Persona, is often left without the normal support structure to better wade through the volume and veracity of this uncertainty. How can leaders in the 21st Century take the initiative and help others by creating an environment that reduces fear and thus vulnerability during times of worldwide or even localized uncertainty.

Three to four panelists will present their ideas, research or experience on the human and health implications on national security. The panel will be moderated by Lieutenant Colonel Chris Bowers, U. S. Army, a member of the Army Strategist Association.

Ms. Lane will speak on the implications of the pandemic on the global supply chain as it relates to national security. She serves on UPS's Executive Leadership Team. She reports directly to CEO Carol Tomé and oversees Public Policy and Government Affairs, Sustainability, Public Relations, Employee Communications and the UPS Foundation.

Laura began her UPS career as President, Global Public Affairs in 2011. In this role, she was responsible for worldwide government affairs and worked with partners across the enterprise to strengthen UPS growth and competitiveness, including successfully advocating for comprehensive tax reform; enhancing network efficiencies through infrastructure investments; securing alternative fuel credits in support of UPS' sustainability agenda; modernizing trade agreements and customs processes; leveling the playing field with postal networks; facilitating UPS Flight Forward certification; and advocating for laws that promote equity and justice in the workplace.

Raina MacIntyre, Professor or Global Biosecurity and Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellow at the Kirby Institute, University of South Wales, and adjunct professor at Arizona State University will speak on the health implications for national security.

The winner of the symposium's writing contest will be introduced, read their story, and receive their winning honoraria.