Insights from IST’s experts, updates on research and project progress, and timely takes on current events

The NatSpecs Blog

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Lessons from Moltbook: When Agents Talk to Agents

Moltbook, a Reddit-like forum meant solely for AI agents, had already garnered over 1.5 million users before research suggested that a multi-agent environment with weak cybersecurity guardrails could be a hotbed for scaling fraud and influence operations. For the IST blog, Gabrielle Tran outlines what this means for the cyber-enabled manipulation of tomorrow.

February 26, 2026

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Cyber Redlines and China: Taking Advantage of the Trump-Xi Meeting

Cyber Redlines and China: Taking Advantage of the Trump-Xi Meeting

Chinese military hackers known as Volt Typhoon are pre-positioning in U.S. power grids, water plants, and transportation systems. In a new op-ed, Elizabeth Vish makes the case that finally getting Chinese hackers out of U.S. critical infrastructure should start at the Trump-Xi meeting, but it can’t end there.

China, cost imposition, critical infrastructure, denial, deterrence, National Cyber Strategy, redline, Russia, sanctions, Trump, Xi

May 14, 2026

Ahead of Beijing: Common Cause on AI’s Biggest Risk

Ahead of Beijing: Common Cause on AI’s Biggest Risk

Later this week, Presidents Trump and Xi will sit down in Beijing. AI is on the agenda. Just two weeks ago, IST’s Steven M. Kelly, AI Policy Network’s Mark Beall, and IAPS’ Karson Elmgren also traveled to China with a mission to discuss AI. In a recap blog, they emphasize the need for collaboration.

AI, artificial intelligence, China, dialogue, loss of control

May 13, 2026

Q&A: From Capability to Trust: AI Agents & Agency in the Internet Ecosystem

Q&A: From Capability to Trust: AI Agents & Agency in the Internet Ecosystem

As AI agents rapidly reshape how the internet functions, how can we preserve trust and stability in our digital ecosystem? Today’s report examined core challenges presented by the proliferation of agents across our systems, and offered recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and more.

agency, agentic, agents, AI, artificial intelligence, attribution, authorization, identity, intellectual property, stability, trust

April 30, 2026

What Anthropic’s Mythos Preview Tells Us About AI Loss of Control Risk

What Anthropic’s Mythos Preview Tells Us About AI Loss of Control Risk

The release of Claude Mythos Preview has made cyber headlines. But instead of viewing it through the lens of misuse, policymakers should actually be approaching Mythos through the lens of AI Loss of Control, argue Ritika Verma and Mariami Tkeshelashvili.

AI, artificial intelligence, cyber, loss of control, Mythos, system card

April 29, 2026

UnDisruptable27 Newsletter: Is Secure-By-Design too late for Lifeline Functions? What can be done, for whom, by when?

UnDisruptable27 Newsletter: Is Secure-By-Design too late for Lifeline Functions? What can be done, for whom, by when?

Is it too late for secure-by-design? That provocative question was at the heart of our presentation at the RSAC Conference this year. In UnDisruptable27's latest newsletter, we recap their mock debate, concluding that even though the best time might have been years ago, the second best time to implement secure-by-design is now.

April 27, 2026

Russia Didn’t Start the Iran War. It Still Benefits from It.

Russia Didn’t Start the Iran War. It Still Benefits from It.

Russia has emerged as one of the quiet winners of the 2026 war with Iran, turning the conflict into a modest but timely strategic opportunity, writes IST Senior Associate for Nuclear Policy Brandon Cortino.

energy, Iran, missile, missile defense, natural gas, Russia, strategic competition, Ukraine

April 24, 2026