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.”
Speaker: John Holland-McCowan, Research Fellow, International Security Program
Since the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and their affiliated People’s Protection Units (YPG) fighting forces gained world-wide renown with their determined resistance against the so-called Islamic State in Kobane in the fall of 2014, academics and policymakers have sought to understand this controversial and severely understudied organization. By mid-2017, a besieged PYD three years before had become the dominant political and military force in Northern Syria due to the partnership between their YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the U.S.-led coalition.
This seminar will present what underpinned the Syrian Kurds' success during this critical period by examining how they engaged in politics, responded to military asymmetry, were influenced by territory, and utilized transnational support before discussing its broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Everyone is welcome to join us online via Zoom! Click here. Meeting ID number: 596848662
For more information, email the International Security Program Assistant at susan_lynch@harvard.edu.
Topic: International Security Program Seminar - April 2
Time: Apr 2, 2020 12:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom meeting
https://harvard.zoom.us/j/596848662
Join by telephone (use any number to dial in)
+1 312 626 6799
+1 929 436 2866
+1 346 248 7799
+1 669 900 6833
+1 253 215 8782
+1 301 715 8592
International numbers available: https://harvard.zoom.us/u/abQUsy9B8Y
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,596848662# US (Chicago)
Join by SIP conference room system
Meeting ID: 596 848 662
596848662@zoomcrc.com