AUDREY CRONIN

Event information

AUDREY CRONIN

PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY,

FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR SECURITY, INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGY,

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

Future Technology and Terrorism

DATE: March 18, 2021 6:00 pm

Background

We are in a period of open technological innovation that gives ordinary individuals and small groups unprecedented power. The effects of these changes are all around us.  As examples, web-based applications, and social media and chat sites, recently enabled far-right extremists to plot, coordinate, and storm the U.S. Capital. And, those same tools then enabled the FBI to arrest those who engaged in criminal acts.

 

The diffusion of modern technologies, including digital media, robotics, cyber weapons, 3-D printing, synthetic biology, autonomous systems, machine learning, and various types of artificial intelligence, makes them all accessible to a much broader range of people now, especially in democracies. Power is shifting in the digital age. To shape a positive future, we must recognize and pay attention to what is happening in this arena.

 

In her presentation, based on her award-winning book, Dr. Audrey Kurth Cronin will discuss how terrorists and small groups have shared and used technology in the past, and how they are likely to do so now and in the future. The talk will also discuss countermeasures that can be used to prevent the abuse of new technologies, to maximize their promise to society, to protect our democracy, and to avoid an otherwise predictable unfolding of terrorism, insurrection, and insurgency in the future.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.