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.”
The US Coast Guard Cutter Healy just completed a cruise from Alaska to Greenland through the Northwest Passage. Professor and Director of The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire Larry Mayer, who led the science team on board, will describe the geopolitical and creative diplomacy that enabled the trip. Belfer Center Senior Fellow Fran Ulmer will set the stage for his talk by reviewing the complicated dynamics of a rapidly changing region.
To attend the event, please register here. There will be a few in-person seats for HKS students. You may indicate your interest in attending in person on the Zoom registration form.