The overarching question imparting urgency to this exploration is: Can U.S.-Russian contention in cyberspace cause the two nuclear superpowers to stumble into war? In considering this question we were constantly reminded of recent comments by a prominent U.S. arms control expert: At least as dangerous as the risk of an actual cyberattack, he observed, is cyber operations’ “blurring of the line between peace and war.” Or, as Nye wrote, “in the cyber realm, the difference between a weapon and a non-weapon may come down to a single line of code, or simply the intent of a computer program’s user.”
Three years after the Syrian conflict began, prospects for peace look increasingly grim. What's more, the crisis has swelled far beyond Syria's borders as millions of displaced Syrians have sought refuge in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iraq. Based on her fieldwork in Jordan this winter, including her interviews at Zaatari refugee camp and with refugees and rebel fighters in urban areas near the border, Porges will provide an on-the-ground perspective of how the Syrian refugee crisis is affecting Jordan. Her seminar will provide an overview of the political and security implications, a review of how local actors, NGOs, and the international community have responded to date, and a discussion of what the future might hold — for Syrians, Jordanians, and the region as a whole.
Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.