Countering Weaponized Information

Middle East Institute

Countering Weaponized Information

Middle East Institute event in January, 2018 including several well known experts:

– Charles Lister, moderator
– Shadi Hamid, Brookings
– Nancy Payne, PeaceTech Lab
– Haroon Ullah, BBG

IPA SUMMARY HERE

Countering Weaponizing Information – Mobile technologies for consuming and spreading information are empowering individuals and nonstate actors in politics and in conflicts. Social media activists scrutinize authoritarian and democratic powers alike. Violent extremists such as ISIS have used the web to advance their ideologies, project invincibility, undermine governments, and sow fear and hatred. The information battlefield surrounds all internet users.

How does online traffic lead to global violence, and how are international actors adapting their strategies to counter these trends? How is this weaponizing of information complicating the United States’ fight against ISIS and efforts to combat extremism in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan?  Can democratic governments and civilian activists for peace and justice use data-driven techniques to win this war?

IPA Permalink: https://journalcogsec.wpengine.com/countering-the-weaponization-of-information/