OODA Insights

National Security, Corporate Security and Resiliency

• NATO Versus “The Ultimate Threat Multiplier”
  In 2017, NATO released a seminal report that concluded that climate change is the ultimate “threat multiplier,” leading to an increase in the number of regional and global disputes and violent conflicts caused by climate change-induced global scarcity.  The Department of Defense (DoD) has also recognized that climate change will exacerbate existing security challenges and create new ones. Explore this post for a window into the DoD and NATO’s strategic pivot to take on the climate crisis crucial to steering away from a dystopian future scenario.     
• Microsoft’s Black Eye Is a Warning to Other Cloud Providers
  There is nothing new about vulnerabilities when it comes to software, hardware, and firmware, so it is essential that companies demonstrate responsibility and accountability for their prompt disclosure and providing fixes.  
• “Uniting Forward Thinkers”: NATO DIANA’s 2024 Challenges
  In the run-up to this week’s 2024 NATO Summit in Washington D.C., NATO DIANA announced the innovation accelerator’s 2024 Innovation Challenges.  Details here.
• The Perovskite Scenarios: Critical Mineral Mining and the Future of Geopolitical Competition and Conflict
  The mining of critical minerals like perovskite-related materials and oxides of calcium and titanium is increasingly becoming a geopolitical issue. The strategic importance, limited availability, and geographical concentration of these resources are driving competition and have the potential to lead to conflicts. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of international cooperation, sustainable practices, and technological innovation. Find our formative analysis here of The Perovskite Scenarios, the latest installment in our Exponential, Convergent Material Science Innovation Series.
• Shields Ready: Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
  CISA’s launched the Shields Ready campaign in late 2023 to complement the Shields Up! campaign, which we have featured many times here at OODA Loop – specifically on long holiday weekends when cyber-attacks are known to increase.  Explore the CISA Shields Ready campaign here. And Shields Ready! as we head into day 2 of a long July 4th weekend.  
• The U.S. Government has $13.3B Worth of Crypto Stashed Away; Transfers $214M to a Coinbase Wallet
  Consistent with our OODAcon 2024 theme – Convergence – the recent transfer of $214M worth of bitcoin from the total $13.3B worth of bitcoin held by the USG – predominantly made up of the bitcoin acquired by the USG from the Silk Road seizure – converges with our general bullish coverage vis a vis our long view on crypto and our future of money analysis by way of our Dispatches from the Ministry for the Future.  $13.3B is real money and a real strategic stake in the ground for the USG as the future of crypto plays itself out.  
• e-Estonia: The Digital Residency Program of Estonia
  The e-Estonia Digital Residency Program, also known as e-Residency, allows individuals from anywhere in the world to apply for a digital identity issued by the Estonian government, enabling them to access a variety of online services provided by Estonia.  The program allows non-residents to access a variety of Estonian public services and conduct business within the European Union without physically being in Estonia as part of the country’s broader strategy to leverage digital technology to enhance governance and economic activity. Explore e-Estonia here.

Disruptive Technologies

• AUTOMATE 2024
  OODA Loop was on the road this Spring, doing Field Research at Several Notable Spring 2024 Conferences – including Automate 2024: North America’s largest robotics and automation event held in Chicago, IL, in early May. HIgh-level takeaways from the OODA Loop research team can be found here.
• The Republic of Malta’s First-of-its-Kind e-ID (Electronic Identification System)
  The Republic of Malta’s e-ID is an electronic identification system that enables Maltese citizens, residents, and businesses to access a wide range of online government services. By providing a secure digital identity and facilitating digital transactions, the e-ID system plays a crucial role in Malta’s digital transformation and integration with the broader EU digital economy. Details here.
• Perovskite Mineral Chrystal Structures are the Future of Renewable Energy – and Many Other Cross-sector Material Science Innovations
  In the latest installment in our Exponential, Convergent Material Science Innovation Series, we continue to pull the string provided to us by OODA Loop contributor Scott Nuzum (SVP at Chicago-based Innovyz USA)  – in his 2023 OODA Loop post  Five Exciting Breakthroughs in Materials Science.  This time, we hone in on one of the five breakthroughs contextualized by Scott – Perovskite, “the versatile material with use cases that extend to sectors such as solar power, LED technology, lasers, and quantum computing, creating a ripple effect of innovation.”
• The National Blockchain Standard… in China
  In June 2023, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced “a national standard for blockchain technology to guide the development of the industry.”  In this post:  an analysis of the strategic policy initiatives in the lead-up to the June 2023 unveiling of the Chinese national blockchain standard – and future scenarios.
• Market Pivot or Inflection Point? Blockchain Storage Utilization, Data Inscription, and the Exponential Growth of Storage Blocks
  Is the blockchain primarily a storage of value technology or an infrastructure for the storage of information?  Or both in unequal or equal measure?  And does this issue represent a business model pivot or inflection point for the web3 stack and the future of the internet? We explore these questions in this OODA Loop Original Analysis. 
• The Materials Genome Initiative (MGI): A Paradigm Shift in the Discovery, Development, and Deployment of New Materials
  Think of the infrastructure and architecture of the Human Genome Project, then apply it to the acceleration of our “understanding of the fundamentals of material science, providing a wealth of practical information that entrepreneurs and innovators will be able to use to develop new products and processes.”  For the initiated:  Welcome to the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI). 

Decision Intelligence

• A Renewed Commitment and Reorientation to the First Principles Thinking of the Founders
  First principles thinking is a timeless methodology that continues to influence diverse fields by encouraging deep analysis and innovative solutions. While Aristotle and Descartes are pivotal figures in its philosophical underpinnings, modern figures like Elon Musk have popularized its application in business and technology, demonstrating its enduring relevance and utility. Trying times as a nation require a recommitment and reorientation to the core documents.  Find an OODA Loop Original Analysis here, applying first principles thinking to the foundational documents of the nation.
• What You Need to Know About the Reemergence of “Schedule F” (Executive Order 13957 – a Corollary to Project 2025)
  Project 2025 and Schedule F have been in our research queue relative to our prognostication in the  OODA Almanac 2024: “Viewed through the lens of history, 2024 will be a landmark year punctuated by the complexities of a political process that will exacerbate the binary fractures of the American republic.”  As we head into the national conventions of the U.S. political parties, find what you need to know about Schedule F here.
• The Art of Geopolitical Intelligence: Lessons for Informed Decision-Making
  With this post I reflect on some of the key lessons I have learned in the world of geopolitical intelligence analysis and reporting. My goal in sharing these lessons is to help you optimize your use of the reporting you see in the OODA daily pulse and the long form research and reporting done for our OODA network members.
• The Digital Nomadics: Individuals, Communities, and Organizations Living the Life
  In this post: the world of digital nomadism – rich with personal stories, thriving communities, and supportive organizations.
• On Nomads, Nomadism, the Emergence of the Nation-State, and Digital Nomadism
  We explore the digital nomadic lifestyle and the global community of purveyors of the life of a digital nomad through the prism of our Digital Self-Sovereignty Research Initiative.  

Community Collaboration and Leadership

• An AI Based Digital Clone for Tech Startup Success In The Federal Market
  At OODA we have helped startups with disruptive capabilities succeed in several markets including defense tech, bio tech, quantum tech, space systems, bio tech and cybersecurity. We love doing what we can to accelerate great capabilities into market. This AI enabled clone can do much of that for you for free.
• How Deep Tech Week and a Cadre of Innovators Shaping The Future Ignited My Optimism
  Deep Tech Week was one of the most optimistic gathering I have been to. Every session was characterized by a positive and hopeful atmosphere and a sense of community. It is hard to capture the real essence of an event like this for those who could not be there, so I wont even try. I… Read more: How Deep Tech Week and a Cadre of Innovators Shaping The Future Ignited My Optimism
• The May 2024 OODA Network Monthly Meeting: Insights and Takeaways from Spring 2024 Conferences and Field Research Efforts
  At the May 2024 OODA Network Member Meeting – held on Friday, May 17, 2024 – the network discussed their insights and takeaways from recent attendance of and field research at several notable spring 2024 conferences.