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.”
Speakers: Laurel Miller, Director, Asia Program, International Crisis Group; William Ruger, Vice-President, Charles Koch Institute
Moderator: Stephen M. Walt, Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs, HKS
President Biden has announced that U.S. combat forces will leave Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, ending America's longest war. In his words, "we cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan, hoping to create ideal conditions for the withdrawal, and expecting a different result." Yet he also declared that the United States "will not take its eye off the terrorist threat," and would "continue to support the government of Afghanistan" and provide assistance to its security forces.
What lies ahead? How will the end of America's military role affect conditions in Afghanistan, and what impact will this have on U.S. interests in the region and beyond? This event will feature a conversation between two experienced and knowledgeable experts.
Co-Sponsored by MIT's Security Studies Program
Everyone is welcome to join us via Zoom! Please register before the event:
https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sdeqgpj4rGd0EAlEmMUutvJVQWARBB9xw