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This National Hispanic Heritage Month, were proud to bring you the Mucho Gusto! or Nice to meet you! series of weekly interviews featuring members of NSAs Hispanic and Latino (HLAT) Employee Resource Group (ERG). Our interviewees embrace what we share in common and celebrate what makes us unique, in keeping with the years theme, Todos Somos. Somos Uno: We are all. We are One. This week, wed like to introduce you to ERG member Vivian Hernandez. Where are you originally from and what would you like to share about your upbringing? I was born to a Puerto Rican father and a Costa Rican mother, but my ancestry goes back to Spain. I was born in San Turce, Puerto Rico, and spent the first year of my life in Costa Rica while my mother was working out the kinks to come to the U.S. We eventually moved to Miami, Florida where I grew up. I was the only child and we didnt have any family in the U.S., so my parents made lots of Cuban friends who became like family. I remember all the parties we had growing up enjoying every special occasion, holiday, or the just because party. We had a lot of happy times dancing, eating fabulous foods from various countries, and just coming together. Growing up in South Florida was great because no matter where you went, you were able to speak in your native language (Spanish) and everyone treated you like family. Growing up in Miami also meant going to the beach a lot and playing dominos while you were there. It also meant many Disney trips, visiting Parrot Jungle, and going to the flea market (those from Miami can relate).

What does this years NHHM theme Todos Somos. Somos Uno: We are all. We are One mean to you? The theme means that we put aside our biases and our differences, and we unite together as one to celebrate our diversity which makes us who we are. This couldnt be better demonstrated than the annual Calle Ocho event which takes place in Little Havana in Miami. Its a massive Latin American carnival event that attracts millions of people. The carnival extends close to twenty blocks or more and brings representations from numerous Latin American countries proudly displaying their dance/folklore, music, and delicious foods. All these people unite together to celebrate the Latin culture no matter where you are from. How has your ethnic heritage shaped the person you are today, personally or professionally? Latinos are hard workers and I saw that firsthand in my home. My mother was the epitome of hard work. She came to this country determined to give the best of herself. I remember going to the eyeglass company where she worked as a manager and watch her work ethic. On those rare visits, she taught me that same work ethic as I helped on the assembly line putting glasses into boxes. I just thought it was fun. Watching her throughout my life has shaped my own personal work ethic and taught me to appreciate every opportunity presented to me. How did you come to work for the Agency and what part of your job do you love the most? Before coming to the Agency I worked for the Hollywood Police Department in Hollywood, Florida. The department was in need of a polygraph examiner, and I volunteered to go to school so I could take on the task. However, budgetary issues did not make that possible. At the same time, my husband, who was also in law enforcement, was looking at positions with the federal government because he was planning to retire in the future. I began helping him look and I came across the Polygraph Examiner position with the Agency. We kicked around the idea of moving for the job and I applied. I went through the process and was hired. I recently moved to NSA Georgia and into a Counterintelligence Investigator position after four years in Polygraph. The move was the best thing I did. I love my new position because I wear different hats, I work investigations, and its never a dull moment.

If I handed you a magic wand, what would be your ideal workplace in terms of diversity, equality and inclusion? What does that look like for NSA as a whole? My ideal workplace would be working with individuals who recognize that we are all diverse and different, and who will respect those differences regardless of each individuals background. This could also translate to NSA as a whole: because of our differences, we have different perspectives, experiences, and ideas that can come together and make us better as an Agency. I must say though, I already work with a great team of people!

What advice would you have for aspiring NSA employees? My advice is to have a vision and set goals or milestones. Embrace what it means to work hard and collaborate with others. The journey is not accomplished alone, yet, connecting with others and being open to new ideas and knowledge will help you succeed in your walk. Extra question: If you could pick one word to represent what NHHM means to you, what would it be? Belonging

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Unexpected Twists, Unified Community: Vivian's NSA Journey - National Security Agency

October 2, 2023 by Joseph Fitsanakis

LAST WEEK, TWO SENIOR UNITED States intelligence officials shared rare insights on artificial intelligence, as they discussed some of the opportunities and threats of this new technological paradigm for their agencies. On Wednesday, Lakshmi Raman, Director of Artificial Intelligence at the Central Intelligence Agency, addressed the topic during an on-stage interview at Politicos AI & Tech Summit in Washington, DC. On Thursday, the National Security Agencys outgoing director, Army General Paul Nakasone, discussed the same subject at the National Press Clubs Headliners Luncheon in the US capital.

Nakasone (pictured) noted in his remarks that the US Intelligence Community, as well as the Department of Defense, have been using artificial intelligence for quite some time. Thus, artificial intelligence systems are already integral in managing and analyzing information on a daily basis. In doing so, such systems contribute in important ways to the decision-making by the NSAs human personnel. At the same time, the NSA has been using artificial intelligence to develop and define best-practices guidelines and principles for intelligence methodologies and evaluation.

Currently, the United States maintains a clear advantage in artificial intelligence over is adversaries, Nakasone said. However, that advantage should not be taken for granted. As artificial intelligence organizational principles are increasingly integrated into the day-to-day functions of the intelligence and security enterprise, new risks are emerging by that very use. For this reason, the NSA has launched its new Artificial Intelligence Security Center within its existing Cybersecurity Collaboration Center. The mission of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Center is to develop links with the private sector in the US and its partner nations to secure emerging technologies and harden the US Defense Industrial Base.

Nakasone added that the decision to create the Artificial Intelligence Security Center resulted from an NSA study, which alerted officials to the national security challenges stemming from adversarial attacks against the artificial intelligence models that are currently in use. These attacks, focusing on sabotage or theft of critical artificial intelligence technologies, could originate from other generative artificial intelligence technologies that are under the command of adversarial actors.

Last Wednesday, the CIAs Raman discussed some of the ways that artificial intelligence is currently being put to use by her agency to improve its analytical and operational capabilities. Raman noted that the CIA is developing an artificial intelligence chatbot, which is meant to help its analysts refine their research and analytical writing capabilities. Additionally, artificial intelligence systems are being used to analyze quantities of collected data that are too large for human analysts to manage. By devoting artificial intelligence resources to the relatively menial and low-level tasks of data-sifting and sorting, the CIA enables its analysts to dedicate more time to strategic-level products.

At the same time, however, the CIA is concerned about the rapid development of artificial intelligence by nations such as China and Russia, Raman said. New capabilities in artificial intelligence, especially the generative kind, will inevitably provide US adversaries with tools and capabilities that will challenge American national security in the coming years, she concluded.

Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 02 October 2023 | Permalink

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NSA, CIA senior officials address artificial intelligence threats and ... - intelNews.org

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

NSA Scottish Region, the Scottish branch of the National Sheep Association (NSA), has welcomed the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill; but stressed that policymakers must keep the priorities of food and farming sectors at the heart of decision-making.

The trade body also approved of the Scottish Governments approach to enabling low carbon, efficient, productive, resilient farming businesses but hoped that, as the detail of the bill becomes clearer, it is not the case that policymakers have been blinded by low carbon only.

The NSA added that it hopes Government will recognise that food production will never be emission-free.

Grace Reid, NSA Scottish Region coordinator, said: NSA Scottish Region is keen to see a farm approach that recognises that agricultural businesses plan years ahead. The direction of policy and future support schemes need to be transparent, so sheep farmers know what is coming in the long-term and feel appreciated for the critical work they carry out on a daily basis.

Businesses have had to operate in the dark while we wait for this bill and we need transparency and a clear sense of direction as we proceed from here.

We have a duty to protect the positive practices in which our flocks already deliver for the wider environment and, therefore, society as a whole. Keeping food and farming at the centre of all future policy decisions is imperative, ensuring the environment is prioritised through farming rather than replacing it.

Reid said: Our future generations will look back at this opportunity to change legislation and it is vital we do not compromise their ability to deliver sustainable food production, enhance the resilience of farming practices and meet environmental and climate change goals.

A key priority for NSA Scottish Region when considering the newly published bill is that all implemented powers and policy are fair, simplistic, easy to understand and have a practical approach.

Reid continued: Following the two Scottish Government consultations, which NSA Scottish Region responded to in full, we will now begin to look in detail at what is included within this bill and engage with our sheep farming members on its content.

I urge all members to take part in the next phase of public participation, which has promised to provide a way to help design and develop the new framework included within the Agricultural Reform Programme. Topics such as changes to the 2025 Basic Payment Scheme, Whole Farm Plan, regions and measures are to be covered.

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Food must be at the centre of environmental policy decisions NSA - Meat Management

1. Iraq-Turkey Pipeline: Will Be Ready to Resume This Week, Says Energy Minister  Bloomberg
2. Turkey says to re-start operations of Iraq oil pipeline this week  Reuters
3. The Critical Role Of Iraq In A New Global Natural Gas Game  OilPrice.com

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Iraq-Turkey Pipeline: Will Be Ready to Resume This Week, Says Energy Minister - Bloomberg

For the past century, Kirkuk has been the site of ethnic tension. Particularly since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, control of the disputed oil-rich province which is populated by Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen has been one of the countrys most contentious and destabilising issues. The semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, led by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), asserts that Kirkuk should be part of its jurisdiction and claimed de facto control from 2014 to 2017. Meanwhile, the Iraqi constitution stipulates that Kirkuks status will be determined by a referendum after a census is held but this is yet to happen. Instead, after the Kurdistan Democratic Partys (KDP) failed independence referendum in September 2017, the central government placed Kirkuk under its direct control.

But hostilities have recently escalated following a shock decision last month by Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to allow the KDP to resume control of their political offices and military base in Kirkuk city. Sudanis decision sparked protests from Arab and Turkmen residents, which, in turn, led to counter-protests by Kurdish residents. Four people were killed in the unrest, prompting the Federal Supreme Court to pause its implementation. These events underscore the risks of Kirkuks unresolved status, which could be exacerbated by upcoming provincial elections in December and spread tensions to neighbouring Turkey and Iran who have Kurdish populations further heightening regional instability.

The events in Kirkuk echo the ethnic divisions that can immobilise Iraq a country governed by a complex network of alliances that Sudani must navigate to keep his coalition government afloat. Although Kirkuk has been the Achilles heel of every Iraqi leader since 2003, the federal government had, until recently, managed to avoid any large escalations in tensions since taking back control from the KRG in 2017. Sudanis relatively effective handling of the countrys challenges, coupled with the dramatic weakening of the KDP since their ill-fated 2017 referendum, made his decision to permit the KDP to return to Kirkuk, and thus rock the boat, unexpected.

Sudanis weak positioning appears to have been driven by the necessity of balancing his fragmented coalition government. Contrary to the prevailing myth that the prime minister is only beholden to the Shia parties (and by extension Iran), he faces pressure from all parties that helped form the coalition government, including Kurdish parties. Sudani has since explained that he was simply implementing one of this coalitions agreements, but its Arab parties, sensing the KDPs weakness, are now unwilling to support the move.

This recent Kirkuk debacle was a clear mistake for a seasoned politician like Sudani. The deaths of four citizens in clashes between Kurdish protesters and security forces were avoidable. It was a costly error that predictably provoked his Arab coalition allies who have long sought to cement federal government control over Kirkuk. Observers assumed that Sudanis tenure would be challenged by the disgruntled Muqtada al-Sadr, or by new protests related to demand for public sector employment, or electricity outages in the summer. But they did not expect him to be challenged by the reignition of ethnic divisions in Kirkuk which Sudani appears to have unwittingly brought upon himself.

While Kirkuk remains contested, risks of destabilisation will continue to hang over Iraq and the Sudani government. Although the prime minister has done well to hold his government together and steer Iraq through ongoing challenges, the reality is that profound questions such as the fate of Kirkuk and the relationship between Baghdad and the KRG remain unaddressed.

For Baghdad, there is a belief that if Kirkuk were to join Iraqi Kurdistan, it would be somehow leaving Iraq. For the KRG, incorporating Kirkuk would re-start their desired process of independence. Both beliefs are misplaced because whether Kirkuk remains a standalone governorate, becomes a region on its own, or joins the pre-existing region of Iraqi Kurdistan, it is part of a consolidated federal Iraqi state. Iraqs political actors should not treat Kirkuk as a zero-sum game. Instead, they need to recognise that its status should be chosen by its citizens via a referendum, as set out in the Iraqi constitution.

Kirkuks unresolved status is a looming disruptor of Baghdad and KRG relations. Even if it is not the crisis of the hour, it is always a hotbed of tension and one ripe for political exploitation.

But for now, Kirkuks unresolved status is a looming disruptor of Baghdad and KRG relations. Even if it is not the crisis of the hour, it is always a hotbed of tension and one ripe for political exploitation. Firstly, while the announcement that Kirkuk will take part in the provincial elections in December its first since 2005 is a small step towards a representative pathway forward, there is a danger that political parties will continue to use the recent events to mobilise their voter base and further fuel polarisation and ethnic tensions. This would only heighten the security threat from Islamic State group (ISIS) sleeper cells who frequently exploit such situations. Secondly, these recent events have exposed a weakness in Sudanis ability to harmonise the divisions in his coalition, increasing the fragility of the Sudani government. Lastly, as tensions between Baghdad and the KRG intensify, it leaves Iraqi Kurdistan vulnerable to meddling by Turkey and Iran, who worry that the Kirkuks sentiment for independence would spread to their own Kurdish population. For example, they have already intervened militarily in northern Iraq against their own Kurdish opposition present there.

Thus, any further escalation in tensions in Kirkuk may have destabilising effects across the region and beyond. European foreign ministries and their missions in Iraq must leverage their democracy-promoting projects to emphasise to Iraqi politicians that their parties are partners of a coalition government and of a federal state that requires commitment to democratic federalism. Without social harmony amongst Iraqs diverse ethnic populations, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the NATO Mission Iraq, along with other European missions, will never achieve their goal.

Though Kirkuk is one province, it represents a regional fault line that can create instability throughout the Middle East. Until now, Sudani has continued to improve relations with neighbours since assuming power, despite having to navigate the internal divisions of his coalition government. However, this juggling act is made more difficult and more precarious when addressing legacy issues like Kirkuk. While a domestic and sensitive issue, European missions should help create the conditions for a solution by reiterating their support for Iraqi federalism and democracy. This can ease fears over Kirkuks status within the Iraqi state, calm relations with neighbouring Turkey and Iran, and prevent harming the security operations of the Global Coalition and the NATO Mission Iraq. This will then allow all three possible scenarios for Kirkuks future to be on equal footing before a status is chosen by the citizens of Kirkuk, via a referendum held by local government as per the Iraqi constitution.

The European Council on Foreign Relations does not take collective positions. ECFR publications only represent the views of their individual authors.

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Iraq's persistent fault line: The dangers of escalating tensions in Kirkuk - European Council on Foreign Relations