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India’s Battle Against Eco-Terrorism and Global Trafficking
By Dr. Nishakant Ojha-NEW DELHI - April22, 2025 - India’s biodiversity crisis has escalated into a national security threat, as wildlife trafficking large profits increasingly fund terrorism, insurgency, and organized crime. A new policy vision is imperative. India, home to some of the planet’s most iconic and endangered species, is facing an escalating crisis. Wildlife trafficking is no longer just an environmental issue—now it has become a matter of national security. Criminal syndicates are targeting India's tigers, elephants, rhinos, and pangolins that are sold in black markets to fund terrorism and insurgency, often in alliance with transnational networks operating across Southeast Asia and Africa. As the line between eco-crime and terrorism blurs, India must evolve from traditional conservation to adopting counterterrorism-grade technology, intelligence, and cooperation. These ground level findings present a comprehensive policy analysis and are at the foundation of a proposal to create a futuristic Anti-Wildlife Poaching System (AWPS), drawing lessons from global best practices—especially South Africa’s Rhino DNA Index System (RhODIS)—to address India’s critical conservation and security gaps.
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For T-45 Replacement, Young Navy Carrier Pilots Need AI And “Air Under Their Butts” (From RealClearDefense)
By Rebecca L. Grant, Ph.D. - April 18, 2025 - The full text of this article is available below and in RealClearDefense here. The Navy is ready to unveil a secret sixth-generation fighter for its Ford and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, but that’s not the only plane on their shopping list. The Navy also needs a future-focused advanced trainer for its carrier pilots to replace the T-45 Goshawk. Carrier air wing operations are more vital than ever. Just look at the constant carrier sorties in Central Command’s campaign against the Houthis – and China’s activity near Taiwan with its carrier Shandong. Even with advances in uncrewed aircraft and collaborative drones, the Navy must produce pilots for fleet combat and support aircraft for years to come. Drones are only just making their debut in carrier air wings, with the MQ-25 Stingray set to fly this year and go to sea in 2026. That said, naval aviation is evolving fast, and the way young pilots train is changing, too. The days of building a trainer that serves as a mini fighter for practice dogfights and carrier landings are long gone. What the advanced student pilots need is AI in the cockpit and “air under their butts” in the form of plenty of affordable flying hours that prepare them for complex missions.
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GPI-BAU Talk Series: Beyond the University
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM (EST) the Global Policy Institute (GPI) and Bay Atlantic University (BAU) held a talk titled “Beyond the University” via Zoom and in-person at BAU. Click to Watch. Speaker Dr. Christopher R. Sokol currently serves as Director of Programs at Frequentis USA, a leading global provider of communications systems for air traffic control, supporting operations in over 130 countries. Dr. Sokol previously held a federal position at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Portfolio Program Manager within the Command and Control Communications (C3) Division (AXE-400) under the Office of National Security Programs and Incident Response (AXE). In that role, he oversaw the Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Very High Frequency (VHF) systems. With nearly three decades of experience in telecommunications and the management of critical communications infrastructure, Dr. Sokol has served in various capacities—active-duty Army, contractor, and federal civilian—with organizations such as the Army Space and Missile Defense Command (Fort Meade, Landstuhl Germany, Wheeler Army Airfield Hawaii), United States Strategic Command (Omaha, NE), the Joint Staff J6 (Pentagon), and the FAA (Washington, DC). At the FAA, he managed a portfolio of 36 programs with a combined budget of $300 million.
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Germany’s Energy Transition: From Piped Gas to LNG and Renewables
By Laetitia von Schönburg - April 11, 2025 - Germany's decision to end piped gas imports, mainly from Russia, and transition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) marks a profound shift in its energy strategy. While this move enhances energy security by reducing reliance on Russian gas, it comes with significant economic and infrastructural costs. The transition requires substantial investment in LNG infrastructure. It exposes the country to volatile global LNG prices and alters Germany's energy market dynamics. Historically, Germany depended on cost-effective Russian piped gas that provided, abundant energy and price stability. The complete cessation of Russian gas imports, particularly via Ukraine, has forced Germany to diversify its supply sources. The country now relies on imports from Norway, the U.S., and Qatar. However, LNG is significantly more expensive than piped gas, leading to higher energy costs. The price of imported LNG in Germany surged to $14.76 per MMBtu in early 2025, a 54.84% increase from January 2024. While Germany has invested heavily in LNG terminals like those in Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel, the infrastructure still requires further expansion to meet demand reliably. Additionally, Germany's need to secure long-term contracts with LNG suppliers remains crucial to avoid extreme price fluctuations.
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American Advantage: The Strategic Value of Aerospace-Grade Carbon Fiber Composites
By Rebecca L. Grant, Ph.D. - April 7, 2025 - The Lexington Policy Papers Read PDF of Policy Paper here. U.S. defense programs are becoming more reliant than ever on lightweight carbon fiber composites. From helicopter blades to the wings and fuselage of the F-35 stealth fighter, most major military aerospace platforms that form America’s advantage today depend on carbon fiber composites for their lightweight designs and advanced shaping and performance to increase range and reduce fuel consumption. For future systems, composites have been a design factor from the beginning. The Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone family and the Boeing F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter systems incorporate composites. So does the new carrier-based F/A-XX fighter plane. The Army’s Future Long Range Attack Aircraft also relies on advanced composites. On the list are other drones, missiles, space and satellite systems covering a wide swathe of the most advanced U.S. military capability.
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GPI-BAU Talk Series: The Evolution of IT & Cybersecurity: Past, Present, and Future
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM (EST) the Global Policy Institute (GPI) and Bay Atlantic University (BAU) will hold a talk titled “The Evolution of IT & Cybersecurity: Past, Present, and Future” via Zoom and in-person at BAU. Join our guest speaker, Mr. Marshall Tracy, for a dynamic session exploring the evolution of IT and Cybersecurity, beginning with the foundations of information technology and moving through key milestones that have shaped the digital world as we know it. The discussion will also look toward the future, focusing on emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, current challenges in the field, and what lies ahead for the next generation of technology professionals.
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B-21 “Bomber on a Budget” Boosts Confidence in 6th Gen Aircraft (From RealClearDefense)
By Rebecca L. Grant, Ph.D. - April 03, 2025 - Boosting Confidence in Sixth-Gen Aircraft Even in the era of DOGE, President Donald J. Trump is doubling down on American investment in sixth-generation aircraft. The Air Force F-47 fighter and a new Navy carrier plane will restock American airpower. While air dominance is priceless, the fact remains that experience with the B-21 Raider bomber has quietly given Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg, and the new leadership team the confidence to invest in advanced aircraft programs. Saving money and executing on a predictable schedule is now a must for the survival of Pentagon programs. Read here and below. The B-21 is a “bomber on a budget.” One of the most overlooked insights from the recent Air Force budgets is that the B-21 program is proving a new business case by keeping costs under control. During the 2025 budget cycle, smooth progress on the production line enabled the Air Force to negotiate lower rates for the B-21 bombers now in production. The Air Force trimmed about $1 billion off the B-21 program’s cost for Fiscal Year 2025 alone and bagged additional savings for future years.
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