Closed Roundtable Discussion: Networked War in Ukraine

Description

Warfare is changing. Ukraine is the first conventional war to occur in an entirely
connected information ecology. Soldiers and ordinary civilians are participating in the conflict in unprecedented ways, weaponizing social media, recruiting and funding foreign fighters, and blurring the lines between civilian and combatant. Smartphone-enabled open-source intelligence, for example, is used to identify war crimes, but also involves civilians in targeting activities that accelerate the conduct of war. Similarly, whilst humanitarians have found new ways to deliver aid, they are also more exposed to electronic warfare, communication jamming, and disinformation. Ukraine's government has also sought to digitally mobilize citizens around the world and has received support from big tech companies. Most recently, the purported (yet highly publicized) Ukrainian military involvement supporting Malian rebels against Wagner mercenaries highlights
the central role of digital media in spilling conflicts over into other global conflict zones.
In short, the war in Ukraine highlights how digital connectivity is reshaping the roles, practices, and risks for combatants, humanitarians, civil society, and governments in conflict zones. How can governments respond to, harness, and regulate the new risks and opportunities brought about by digital connectivity?
This roundtable brings together specialists on Russia, Ukraine, Mali and digital and hybrid warfare. It invites key policy makers and academics to a discussion evolving around the following three points:
1. What are the key ways in which digital connectivity is transforming contemporary warfare?
2. How can we work to establish new legal and regulatory frameworks to govern the digital space in times of conflict?
3. How can we prepare now for the digital wars of the future?
The roundtable will be held under Chatham House rules.

Period	17 Sept 2024
Event type	Roundtable
Organiser	Danish Institute for International Studies
Sponsor	Danish Institute for International Studies
Location	København, DenmarkShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International