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.”
This spring, the Saudi & GCC Security Project will be leading a small student delegation to Saudi Arabia from April 8-17 2018. The trip will include the opportunity to present and discuss research being done at Harvard, participation in lectures and focus groups at the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, site-seeing in Riyadh, Al Ula, Jeddah, and Dammam, and interaction and cultural exchange with local students and families. Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, the Director of the Intelligence Project and Saudi & GCC Security Project at Harvard Kennedy School, will lead the trip.
There will be two open house/information sessions on Tuesday, January 23rd from 10:00am-12:00pm and Thursday, January 25th from 12:00pm-2:00pm in Bell Hall (B-500) at Harvard Kennedy School. Rolf Mowatt-Larssen will give an overview of the trip and be available for any questions. The information sessions will be informal and anyone interested is encouraged to stop in (there is no need to stay the entire duration) to receive more information. Food and refreshments will be provided.
The trip is open to all Harvard graduate students and fellows with research interests in terrorism and Middle East (especially GCC) security issues. Selection will be competitive and preference will be given to students and fellows who are conducting research on behalf of the Saudi & GCC Security Project. However, all Harvard graduate students or fellows currently researching these topics are encouraged to apply.
Applications should include a CV/resume and a short (<5 page) statement introducing yourself and detailing your qualifications, interests, and research background. The deadline for submission is Thursday, February 1st and we will make selections in early February in order to provide enough time to secure visas. Please email submissions to Caitlin_Chase@hks.harvard.edu.
SUMMARY:
WHO: Harvard graduate students and fellows with research interests in terrorism and Middle East (especially GCC) security issues
WHAT: Harvard delegation to the King Faisal Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants will present their research, attend lectures and participate in focus group, interact with local students and families, visit and enjoy the culture of various cities in Saudi Arabia.
WHERE: Riyadh, Al Ula, Jeddah, and Dammam
WHEN: The trip will take place April 8-17, 2018. We will work with professors to obtain official classroom excuses.
WHY: (1) Present and promote the research being done at Harvard (2) To facilitate dialogue and promote cultural exchange amongst students and experts researching Gulf security and terrorism issues (3) To strengthen and grow the relationship between Harvard and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies
HOW: Email a CV/resume and interest statement to Caitlin_chase@hks.harvard.edu