Modern warfare is becoming increasingly defined by distance. Instead of deploying large numbers of boots on the ground, many Western and non-Western states have limited themselves to supporting the frontline fighting of local and regional actors.

To counter non-state armed groups like Boko Haram, al-Shabaab and Islamic State, states have engaged mostly through the provision of intelligence, training, equipment, airpower and small deployments of specific forces.

This is remote warfare, the dominant method of military engagement employed by states in the twenty-first-century.

This event brings together experts to discuss what the remote warfare approach means for contemporary conflict, what its risks are and its future is.

Contributions will be based on E-IR published book ‘Remote Warfare Interdisciplinary Perspectives’ – which can be accessed and purchased here: https://www.e-ir.info/publication/remote-warfare-interdisciplinary-perspectives/

Moderators:

Abigail Watson – Conflict and Security Policy Coordinator, Saferworld

Delina Goxho – Independent security analyst and PhD candidate at Scuola Normale Superiore and Scuola Superiore San’Anna.

Speakers:

Camilla Molyneux – Research consultant and Policy Advisor at the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Drones. Previous Human Rights Officer at the Norwegian Embassy to Saudi Arabia.

Jennifer Gibson – Human Rights Lawyer and Head of Assassinations Project at Reprieve.

Bara’a Shiban – Middle East and North Africa Caseworker at Reprieve. Political consultant to the Yemeni Embassy in London

Lauren Gould – Assistant Professor in Conflict Studies at the Centre for Conflict Studies at the History of International Relations section of Utrecht University. Co-founder and the project leader of The Intimacies of Remote Warfare programme.

Jolle Demmers – Professor in Conflict Studies, co-founder of the Centre for Conflict Studies and the Director of the History of International Relations section of Utrecht University. Co-founder of The Intimacies of Remote Warfare programme.