January 10, 2018 - 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?
The Middle East Institute (MEI) was pleased to host a panel discussion featuring Shadi Hamid (Brookings), Nancy Payne (PeaceTech Lab), and Haroon Ullah (BBG), discussing new challenges in combating these trends. MEI senior fellow and director for counterterrorism Charles Lister moderated the discussion.
More information: http://www.mei.edu/events/countering-weaponization-information-0