This project examines the changing character of cyber strategies in the digital domain. We develop a theory that cyber operations are a form of covert coercion typically seeking to send ambiguous signals or demonstrate resolve. Cyber Coercion from this perspective is neither as revolutionary nor as novel as it seems when evaluated with evidence. We examine cyber strategies in their varying forms through quantitative analysis, finding that cyber disruptions, short-term and long-term espionage, and degradation operations all usually fail to produce political concessions.

Why are some new policy demands represented, while others are not -- even if both have widespread support? For example, the US Democratic party made higher education affordability a major section of its 2016 platform, while work-family policies, like paid parental leave and child care, remain largely relegated to the sidelines. In this paper, I propose a theory of identity and representation which explains why some issues go largely unarticulated by political actors, even when large groups want change.

Tensions have been growing between Greece and Turkey since the failed coup attempt in 2015. The eight Turkish soldiers who were accused of involvement in the coup attempt sought refuge in Greece. Despite the extradition demands of Turkey, Greek courts refused to hand over the soldiers claiming that there is sound evidence they might not get a fair trial. The antagonism recently escalated when Turkey jailed two Greek coastal guards accusing them of being spies. The countries are also at odds with each other over planned drilling for gas off the coast of Cyprus.

How is democracy conceived in different traditions, and how is it valued in each of them? This panel discussion will attempt to shed light on these questions, honing various strands of global intellectual history, postcolonial theory and contemporary politics.

Our panellists:

- Prof. Jonathan Wolff (Blavatnik Professor of Public Policy, Oxford) will discuss democracy and Marxism;

The emergence of Islamic liberalism in Southeast Asia over the last two decades has been characterized by its highly uneven reception across and within national contexts. In Malaysia, liberalism is a thoroughly negative category in political and religious discourse. In part the mobilization of anti-liberal reaction is the product of two important trends in Malaysian politics: the proliferation and growing power of Malaysia’s Islamic bureaucracy and the increased public activism of a broad array of Islamic NGO’s.

Reuters Institute seminars “The business and practice of journalism”
The following seminars will be given at 2pm on Wednesdays, normally in the E.P. Abraham Lecture Theatre, Green Templeton College.
Convenor: Meera Selva

The implications of AI for global security are frequently discussed. This talk will focus on a related but less thoroughly examined subject: the role machine learning could play in revolutionising the study of international affairs. By enabling sophisticated analysis of messy, high-dimensional, real-world data, such techniques could bring new predictive modeling abilities to the social sciences and, by extension, the practice of governance, potentially unlocking new forms of institutional design.

Financial sectors across Africa are transforming rapidly, deepening and diversifying, and forging new links across the continent and with global capital markets. Is growing financial integration a breakthrough for economic transformation on the continent? Do these trends pose new risks of financial instability, and growing public indebtedness? What is unique about financial sector development in Africa, and what can be learned from other regions?

Secretary of Defence James Mattis recently said of artificial intelligence: “I’m certainly questioning my original premise that the fundamental nature of war will not change. You’ve got to question that now. I just don’t have the answers yet.”
Vladimir Putin stated: “Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind.” .. “Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.”