Linkedin X-twitter
When AI Finds a Software Flaw, Who Decides When the Affected Vendor Is Told?
Read More
Evolving Nature of Terrorism since the September 11 Attacks: al-Qaeda and ISIS Affiliates
Read More
Folly, Persuasion, and Deceit: Artificial Intelligence and the Coming Crisis of Overconfidence in Strategic Nuclear Affairs
Read More
The Contested LEO Battlespace: The Fight for Connectivity, Control, and Decision Advantage
Read More
APT Profile: APT44
Read More

Promoting Evidence-based Policy and Good Governance

shutterstock 2417477199 scaled

OPI-ROCCA, NextGen

Sep 16 , 2026

Projects

Governing the Breach: Cyber Crisis Response in Germany and the United States

Introduction In December 2024, a cyberattack against the U.S. Department of the Treasury did not begin inside the Treasury. A Chinese state-sponsored actor gained access through a compromised third-party cybersecurity provider. The incident exposed a fundamental problem of modern cyber governance: governments are increasingly responsible for protecting digital infrastructure they

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2716758371 scaled

Cybersecurity, Technology

Sep 14 , 2026

Op-Ed

When AI Finds a Software Flaw, Who Decides When the Affected Vendor Is Told?

In July 2026, the Trump Administration announced GOLD EAGLE, a new federal clearinghouse with the goal of improving cybersecurity vulnerability coordination, using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify software flaws and speed up the time it takes to fix them. While a commendable and necessary effort, the current public details on

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2598353057 scaled

Defense & Security, Terrorism & Extremism, Africa, Middle East

Sep 8 , 2026

Policy Brief

Evolving Nature of Terrorism since the September 11 Attacks: al-Qaeda and ISIS Affiliates

The terrorism threat landscape has changed substantially since September 11, 2001. Over the last quarter of a century, counterterrorism efforts disrupted terrorist networks and decapitate several senior leaders, including the founder of al Qaeda, Usama bin Laden, and his successors, as well as ISIS leadership. Despite al Qaeda being pushed

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2760060277 2 scaled

Defense & Security, Technology

Sep 5 , 2026

Policy Brief

Folly, Persuasion, and Deceit: Artificial Intelligence and the Coming Crisis of Overconfidence in Strategic Nuclear Affairs

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is seeping steadily into strategic nuclear affairs. In 2018, a RAND Corporation study reasoned that by 2040, an AI could advise humans on matters of escalation without connecting directly to nuclear launchers, based on the progress AI is making in “increasingly complex and poorly specified tasks.”[1]

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2760024967 scaled

Data Privacy & Governance Hub

Sep 3 , 2026

Projects

Utah Law Strengthens Student Privacy Protections for Educational Technology

Key Takeaways Researchers at Brigham Young University (BYU) reported that some educational technology (EdTech) applications used in Utah K-12 schools collected and shared student data in ways that violated privacy agreements. Utah House Bill 55, which took effect on July 1, 2026, increased privacy requirements for EdTech vendors by allowing

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 793607512 scaled

Defense & Security, Technology, Europe & Central Asia

Sep 1 , 2026

Policy Brief

The Contested LEO Battlespace: The Fight for Connectivity, Control, and Decision Advantage

The war in Ukraine is exposing a fundamental change in modern conflict. Low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations are no longer simply a supporting layer that provides communications, imagery, navigation, and data to forces fighting below. It is becoming part of the battlespace itself, not necessarily because satellites are being destroyed

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2373196709 scaled

OPI-ROCCA

Aug 25 , 2026

Projects

APT Profile: APT44

Country of Origin Russia Threat Actor Type State-sponsored Other Names Sandworm, GRU Unit 74455, Seashell Blizzard, FROZENBARENTS, Iron Viking, Telebots, Voodoo Bear Year Identified 2014 Major Target Countries & Entities Ukraine, Poland, United States, South Korea, multinational corporations Profile Summary APT44 is a Russian state-sponsored cyber threat actor that operates

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2755515573 scaled

Defense & Security, Middle East

Aug 20 , 2026

Op-Ed

Beyond the Strait of Hormuz: Alternatives and Diversification as a Strategy for Trade Corridor Resilience

As both the U.S. and Iran have climbed the escalation ladder, the Strait of Hormuz — and with it, international maritime trade and energy markets — has been subjected to a consequential chokehold. As the U.S. conducts strikes on major infrastructural sites, weapons depots, and Iranian political leadership, one of

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

Latest Research

shutterstock 2745749977 scaled

Cybersecurity, Technology

Jul 9 , 2026

Policy Brief

Washington’s AI Ban and Reversal Exposed the Bigger Problem: It Can’t Measure Cyber Risk in the Real World

Anthropic’s Mythos/Fable model ban showed Washington acting on a lab signal it could measure while flying blind on the one it can’t. On June 12, the Commerce Department ordered Anthropic to cut off foreign-national access to its two most capable models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5. The reason, according to

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2313721055 scaled

Defense & Security, Americas, OPI-TCP

Jul 1 , 2026

Research Report

A Neighbor in Focus: Mexico’s Role in Emerging U.S. Defense & Homeland Security Strategies

,

Introduction This project evaluates how the 2025 National Security Strategy positions Mexico within U.S. homeland defense and regional security, measuring the alignment between strategic objectives, NORTHCOM/SOUTHCOM posture statements, and operational resourcing. We evaluate these positions to understand Mexico’s place in the current Trump administration’s hemispheric strategies. Mexico’s role in U.S.

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2755989607 scaled

Defense & Security, Middle East

Jun 29 , 2026

Policy Brief

How the War with Iran is Redrawing the Rules of Maritime Power

Following the intensification of the Israeli-US military campaign against Iran’s nuclear program in spring 2025, the region stretching from the Gulf to the Mediterranean has entered a new phase of strategic turbulence. Beyond missile strikes, air operations, and tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, the conflict is highlighting a deeper transformation

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 612394862 scaled

Defense & Security, Terrorism & Extremism, Africa, Europe & Central Asia

May 6 , 2026

Policy Brief

Mali’s Fracture Will be Felt in West Africa and Beyond

Al Qaeda’s Sahelian affiliate JNIM is on the brink of taking over northern Mali and toppling the Malian junta, and while it is unlikely to directly seize power across Mali, Mali’s fracturing will have seismic consequences in West Africa and beyond. The group launched its most coordinated and significant offensive

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

thumbs b c 2a917d9fe60cf766f1a2f84738eec45d

Defense & Security, Americas, OPI-TCP

Apr 28 , 2026

Policy Brief

An Alternative Assessment of President Trump’s Strategy in Venezuela

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part V of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series. While unprecedented and unexpected, it increasingly appears that the United States’ capture of Nicolas Maduro in January 2026 was more than an isolated regional event. Instead, it was a broader strategic

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 1324150637 scaled

Transnational Crime, Americas, OPI-TCP

Apr 9 , 2026

Policy Brief

Examining the Crime-Terror Convergence in Venezuela

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part IV of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. Introduction Venezuela, ranked seventh globally for the highest homicide rate, is characterized by

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

About Orion Policy

Research

Our comprehensive research spans critical sectors, offering detailed insights and actionable recommendations. Explore how we address pressing national and global issues to drive effective governance and informed decision-making.
gap1

Experts

Our team consists of a diverse group of professionals who bring a wealth of expertise in global security, governance, and development. With a deep commitment to policy solutions, our experts work to address the complex challenges of our time, ensuring that our insights drive impactful change.
expert

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote good governance, advance human rights, and improve policy through high-quality research. We seek to generate practical and sustainable solutions based on multi-disciplinary, diverse, and in-depth scientific research and analysis.
WhatsApp Gorsel 2024 08 26 saat 19.39.45 1770d575

Subscribe to the Orion Policy Brief

Get a daily newsletter with our best research on top issues.

Support Our Work

Invest in promoting policy and good governance
Donate