IT in the World
Author: Shana Cornish, LJB Inc.
February 2010
Technology First held its "IT in the World" event on January 13th at Sinclair Community College’s Ponitz Center. Colonel Greg Gutterman, Commander of the 554th Electronic Systems Group of Wright Patterson AFB was the guest speaker and gave his "State of the World Briefing".
The 554th Electronic Systems Group (554 ELSG) provides responsive information systems to support more efficient and effective logistics, contracting and comm-computer capabilities Air Force wide. The 554 ELSG provides life cycle management for standard information systems.
Col. Gutterman spoke about the states and affairs of other countries as well as the kind of effect they could have on the United States.
Discussed first, was Russia and its economic constraints such as lagging reforms and poor social cohesion. Also mentioned were Russia's Military Aircraft advances like the new 5th generation fighter and Flanker upgrades and variants. Although Russia is not considered a threat to the US, they are doing what they can to regain superpower status.
The next country was China and its regional control and influence. China views itself as dominant force in Asia and desires to influence entire region. Their economic growth is declining and is becoming increasingly dependent of foreign materials and investing in foreign energy sources. China's continuing military modernization includes ballistic missile capability with new mobile, survivable missiles capable of striking the U.S. Their space and cyber warfare improvements include increased spy satellite capabilities, anti-satellite weapons, and computer hacking and network attacks.
North Korea and their indoctrinated society was the next country. Despite the health, of Kim Jong II, he is still in charge. They are in economic turmoil with severe famine & resource shortfalls. North Korea also severed US aid ties. International relations are strained because of Ballistic Missile/Nuclear tests and the indictment & release of US journalists.
Col. Gutterman described Afghanistan's increased violence and resilient Taliban, which is replenishing losses, increasing attacks, changing tactics, and receiving increased funding. The Afghanistan's government is corrupt and lacks qualified leaders while foreign involvement is funding humanitarian aid and insurgents.
Discussed next was Iran and their strategic aim for regional preeminence was the next discussion. Iran's international interference and influence in Iraq and Afghanistan along with war by proxy of the Hezbollah and Taliban. The nuclear activity with Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and uranium enrichment continues.
In the country of Iraq, Iraq Security Issues increase with continued violence and difficult security challenges with sectarian distrust, Iranian influence, and Al-Qai’da in Iraq capabilities. Political Economic Issues included key legislation slowly progressing and oil agreements.
The discussion continued on to Venezuela and their restructured economic, military and political systems and expanded social reform. Their international relations, which included undermining US trade initiatives, Iran , China and Russia's oil and Russia being Venezuela's largest weapon supplier.
The final country talked about was Africa and its continental instability. In the Chad/Sudan/Darfur Region, tensions continue with more than 200,000 killed and
2 million displaced and over 4 million killed or displaced during 2nd Congo War.
The wealth of natural resources (gold, diamonds, oil) is drawing investment from China and India while South Africa is world’s largest producer of Platinum. Nigeria will become world’s 7th largest population by 2050 and there are 26 million AIDS cases in Africa – more than half the world’s cases. There is continued increased terrorist activity (Al Qai’da affiliated groups) along with Somalia and piracy.
Col. Gutterman spoke about terrorism continuing across the world and the goals of terrorism are to produce mass casualties, cause dramatic destruction, significant economic aftershocks, and instill fear among population. He also said Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are not the Global War on Terrorism…they are merely a battle within a larger war which the United States will face even after the mission is complete in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It was another great turnout for the luncheon, filled with an abundance of information.
