The Biden administration's $20 billion plan to replace China-made cranes at US ports

Pitched to bolster national security, the Biden administration has announced a groundbreaking investment of over $20 billion to replace Chinese-made cranes at America's ports. This strategic initiative comes in response to growing concerns about potential security threats posed by using Chinese-manufactured cranes, which defense specialists believe can be susceptible to remote control.

According to the Wall Street Journal, fears in the American defense community have arisen that Chinese-made shipping cranes could be remotely controlled, presenting a significant risk to the security of hundreds of sites across the United States. Recognizing the urgency of addressing this vulnerability, the Biden administration is taking proactive measures to invest in domestic manufacturing, thereby reducing reliance on potentially compromised foreign technologies.

In addition to the substantial financial commitment, President Joe Biden signed a new executive order to strengthen cybersecurity measures at US ports. The executive order will grant the Department of Homeland Security enhanced powers to address and mitigate cybersecurity threats, particularly those from foreign adversaries like China. This move aligns with the administration's broader efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.

To ensure a more proactive and vigilant response to cybersecurity threats, vessels and maritime facilities must report any cyberattacks promptly. This EO marks a significant step in establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework for the maritime industry, enabling authorities to respond to and neutralize potential threats swiftly.

The Biden administration is making moves that strengthen the resilience of America's ports and send a clear message about the importance of securing vital assets in an increasingly interconnected business environment and digitally reliant world.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc

Communications and the 60th Munich Security Conference

This weekend, the historic Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich will again host many of the world's leading security policymakers, diplomats, and thought leaders for the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC).

From February 16 - 18, 2024, the MSC will be the platform for high-level discussions on the most pressing global security challenges, marking a significant milestone in its six-decade history.

A world getting more real - The MSC communications environment:

The 2024 MSC takes place against a backdrop of immense global uncertainty.

From the Munich Security Report 2024 - executive summary:

"Amid growing geopolitical tensions and rising economic uncertainty, many governments no longer focus on the absolute benefits of global cooperation but are increasingly concerned that they are gaining less than others.

"Prioritizing relative payoffs may well spur lose-lose dynamics – jeopardizing cooperation and undermining an order that, despite its obvious flaws, can still help grow the proverbial pie for the benefit of all.

"... people in all G7 countries polled for the Munich Security Index 2024 expect China and other powers from the Global South to become much more powerful in the next ten years while they see their own countries stagnating or declining. As more and more states define their success relative to others, a vicious cycle of relative-gains thinking, prosperity losses, and growing geopolitical tensions threatens to unroll. The resulting lose-lose dynamics are already unfolding in many policy fields and engulfing various regions."

Key global business issues likely to dominate discussions at the MSC:

• The Ukraine War + Moscow's imperial ambitions

• China's growing militarization + Beijing trying to convert East Asia into its exclusive sphere of influence

• Escalation of violence, terrorist attacks + the humanitarian emergency in the Middle East

• Losing the chance for peace + democratic progress in the Sahel

• Geopolitical tensions transforming globalization + the rise of "de-risking" economic relationships

• Climate policy + the rollout of green technologies

• Geopolitical tensions fragmenting the tech sector + much-needed global regulations on AI and data security

Who to watch:

The MSC regularly attracts high-profile attendees, including heads of state and government, foreign ministers, defense ministers, and renowned security experts. This year, key figures to watch include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (unconfirmed).

Why watch the MSC?

The 60th Munich Security Conference promises to be a pivotal event, offering valuable insights into the state of global security and shaping the international agenda for this year and beyond.

Sure, there will be lots of lofty speeches, chinwagging, and few deliverables, but a multilateral, high-profile policy event like the MSC is worth paying attention to.

The MSC will provide insights into what complex topics keep senior government officials awake at night and identify global business issues that will challenge the C-Suite for the next five to ten years.

How do you best reach the "passive news consumer" in a declining social media engagement era?

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has identified a new breed of voter called the "passive news consumer."

This passivity is becoming more pronounced in affluent democracies, and 68% of British adults fall into this category.

Today, social media users from advanced economies frequently refrain from commenting, sharing, or participating in online news discussions.

Only one in ten individuals engage in such activities weekly; that is one day out of seven.

Dreadful.

This shift poses a unique challenge for political strategists and public policy advocates as today's communications environment is a political monoculture dominated by a few mega-platforms.

Teddy Goff, the mastermind behind Barack Obama's 2012 digital campaign, notes the transformation of the strategist's role in this new communications environment. The remaining active participants in online discourse tend to be disproportionately male and assertively opinionated, with political affiliations shaping the extent of their engagement.

Political strategists and public policy advocates must diversify their presence across platforms as social networks increasingly bury political posts under algorithms.

The unexpected move by Joe Biden to join Truth Social, owned by his political rival Donald Trump, exemplifies the need for politicians and advocates to be omnipresent and platform agnostic.

Interestingly, amidst the algorithmic challenges of social media networks, email continues to be a valuable and essential communications tool, providing a direct channel unaffected by Silicon Valley's whims and pressures.

In this new communications environment, the emphasis on simplicity gains prominence. And there is nothing simpler than a good old email to deliver a message directly.

With social media declining, political strategists and public policy advocates must craft messages that are quickly remembered and shareable in person rather than relying on digital memes or "making it go viral."

Think more about communications that foster word of mouth that will connect at a cocktail happy hour or a backyard barbecue.

The dynamics of information dissemination are evolving, and creativity and direct connections are critical for political strategists and public policy advocates seeking connections in the ever-shifting communications tools available.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc