- Michael S. Smith II
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Michael S. Smith II is a counter-terrorism advisor to members of the United States Congress, gray area phenomena subject-matter expert, and a founder of Kronos Advisory, LLC, a U.S.-based firm established in 2011 by Medal of Honor recipient MajGen James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret), Council on Foreign Relations member and Joint Chiefs of Staff Economic Roundtable chair Mallory Factor, and Smith that, according to Dun & Bradstreet, conducts business in the areas of national security and international affairs.[1][2][3][4]
Contents
Congressional Counter-Terrorism Advising
According to reports produced by Agence France-Presse, The Jerusalem Post, and Al Arabiya, at the request of a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in 2011 Smith produced a report on Iran’s ties to Al-Qaeda that was distributed to members of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus.[5][6][7] Titled “The al-Qa’ida-Qods Force Nexus: Scratching the Surface of a Known Unknown,” a redacted version of Smith’s report is available online via the blog site owned by American military geostrategist and The Pentagon's New Map author Thomas P.M. Barnett.[8] The report’s Issue Summary section explains: “This report focuses on the history of Iran’s relationship with al-Qa’ida, and briefly addresses potential implications of these ties. Additionally, its author provides a list of recommended action items for Members of the United States Congress, as well as a list of questions that may help Members develop a better understanding of this issue through interactions with defense and intelligence officials.”
Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus staffer Andy Polk said in an email to AFP that: “With the death of Bin Laden, and with Iran’s Al-Quds Force being listed as part of the new sanctions against Syria, this is an interesting and timely report.”[9]
On September 23, 2011, while issuing remarks on the House Floor about both the president of Iran’s September 2011 visit to New York to address the United Nations and Iran’s support of Islamist terrorism U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan (R, SC) referenced "The al-Qa’ida-Qods Force Nexus" report.[10] The text of both Congressman Duncan’s remarks and the summary section of Smith’s report are included in a section of the Congressional Record titled “The Al Qaeda-Qods Force Nexus.”[11][12]
Additional Information
Geostrategic Views
In June 2011, Smith coauthored a column with Thomas P.M. Barnett for World Politics Review. Claiming the fall of the Assad regime would greatly reduce Iran's influence in the Middle East — hindering Iran's ability to mobilize Hezbollah militants to commit acts of terrorism against Iran's enemies by disrupting arms supply routes that cross Syrian territory — Smith and Barnett encouraged U.S. government officials to provide more support to efforts focused on delivering regime change in Syria.[13]
The Charleston Meeting
Along with Kronos Advisory, LLC founders Gen Livingston and Mallory Factor, Smith is also a founder of The Charleston Meeting, an invitation-only center-right political forum hosted in Charleston, South Carolina that borrows the model Factor developed for his New York-based Monday Meeting forum.[14][15][16]
Miscellaneous
According to information compiled by SourceWatch, Smith is a contributor to The Post and Courier and The State newspapers, and previously worked as a copy editor and features writer for the Charleston Mercury, a Charleston, South Carolina-based newspaper owned by the Evening Post Publishing Company.[17][18]
In 2010, Smith served as a member of the transition team of South Carolina Treasurer Curtis M. Loftis, Jr.[19]
References
- ^ Kronos Advisory, LLC - About Page, Accessed July 18, 2011
- ^ Dun & Bradstreet Business Information Report Synopsis, Accessed July 18, 2011
- ^ South Carolina Secretary of State – Kronos Advisory, LLC Accessed July 18, 2011
- ^ For definition of “gray area phenomena” see: U.S. Forces Many Roles in the 21st Century by William W. Mendel of the Foreign Military Studies Offices, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. 1995
- ^ Report highlights alleged Iran forces al-Qaeda links. AFP. May 4, 2011
- ^ US congressional report: Iran offering support to al-Qaida. The Jerusalem Post. May 5, 2011
- ^ Report from Congressional panel says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard helps Al-Qaeda. Al Arabiya. May 5, 2011
- ^ The al-Qa’ida-Qods Force Nexus
- ^ Report highlights alleged Iran forces al-Qaeda links. AFP. May 4, 2011
- ^ Clip of U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan’s remarks on the House Floor. C-SPAN. September 23, 2011
- ^ “The Al Qaeda Qods Force Nexus” (House of Representatives – September 23, 2011). Congressional Record 112th Congress (2011-2012). Library of Congress. September 23, 2011
- ^ Congressional Record — House. United States Government Printing Office. Page H6647. September 23, 2011.
- ^ The New Rules: Making Syria’s Assad Next Domino to Fall. World Politics Review. June 27, 2011
- ^ Charleston Meeting organizers aim to shape national debate as invitation-only group meets again today. The Post and Courier. January 24, 2011
- ^ (Rand) Paul’s Charleston visit draws positive reviews. The State. March 27, 2011
- ^ The Monday Meeting, A Right-Wing Cabal Ready to Convert N.Y. The New York Observer. February 9, 2004
- ^ SourceWatch Article – Michael S. Smith II
- ^ Evening Post Publishing Company – About. Accessed July 18, 2011
- ^ Transition Report of The Honorable Curtis M. Loftis, Jr, Treasurer, South Carolina (See Organization Chart, page 7) Official Website of the South Carolina Treasurer’s Office. Accessed July 18, 2011
External links
Categories:- Counter-terrorism theorists
- Counter-terrorism policy of the United States
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