Monday, December 12th, 2016
Getting Ahead Of The Curve: The Evolving Threat Of Violent Extremism– United States Institute of Peace
Time: 9am-noon
Location: US Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. (map)
Movements, leaders, targets, tactics and arenas of operation have all proliferated in ways unimagined in 2001. The growing challenges have spurred new interest in broader strategies – to defuse current crises, stem proliferation of extremist ideologies and avoid future shocks. The obstacles in crafting a viable and sustainable policy are many: Limited resources, poor coordination, competing political interests and complex strategic factors. This forum will highlight the analysis of three separate reports:
- “The Jihadi Threat: ISIS, Al Qaeda and Beyond,” led by USIP and the Wilson Center.
- ‘Turning Point,” from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Commission on Countering Violent Extremism.
- “Communities First: A Blueprint for Organizing and Sustaining a Global Movement Against Violent Extremism,” from The Prevention Project.
Tuesday, December 13th, 2016
The 2016 Cato Surveillance Conference– Cato Institute
Time: 9am-5:30pm
Location: Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 (map)
Eight years ago, Barack Obama arrived in Washington pledging to reverse the dramatic expansion of state surveillance his predecessor had presided over in the name of fighting terrorism. Instead, the Obama administration saw the Bush era’s “collect it all” approach to surveillance become still more firmly entrenched. Meanwhile, the advanced spying technologies once limited to intelligence agencies have been gradually trickling down to local police departments. From the high-profile tussle between Apple and the FBI over smartphone encryption to debates over how to detect “lone wolf” terrorists before they strike, hard questions about modern privacy have figured prominently in the 2016 presidential race. Moreover, as WikiLeaks’ sensational release of hacked Democratic Party e-mails demonstrated, surveillance isn’t just a campaign issue: It’s a campaign tactic too. As the nation braces itself for a new presidential administration, the Cato Institute will gather technologists, legislators, activists, and intelligence officials to survey the privacy landscape, look ahead to the issues Americans will be debating over the next eight years — from government hacking to predictive “big data” to the “Internet of things” — and examine how and whether Americans can still live at least occasionally free from prying eyes.
Wednesday, December 14th, 2016
Commission On Enhancing National Cybersecurity And The Future Of US Cyber Policy– Atlantic Council
Time: 4pm
Location: Atlantic Council
1030 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA (map)
The Presidential Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity turned its report in to the President on December 1. Established in February 2016 by executive order, the Commission was charged with making recommendations to “address actions that can be taken over the next decade” to improve national cybersecurity. The Commission’s recommendations are expected to include information for government agencies, private companies, and other stakeholders, covering a wide range of activities in cyberspace, emerging technologies, the Internet of Things, and industry best practices.
The event will gather members of the Presidential Commission to discuss the findings and the report’s implications for cybersecurity, business, and the near future of cyber policy in the United States.
A reception will follow the event.
Thursday, December 15th, 2016 Nuclear Security: Opportunities For The Next Administration– The Stimson Center
Time: 4-5:30pm
Location: The Stimson Center
1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. (map)
The Trump administration has an important opportunity to capitalize on the current energy and intellectual capital surrounding nuclear security issues. International attention on nuclear security is at an all-time high in the wake of the Nuclear Security Summit process. More recently, the IAEA’s conference on “Nuclear Security — Commitment and Actions,” held the first week of December, attracted over 2,000 participants and more than 50 state ministers. Still, many significant challenges remain in keeping the world’s most dangerous materials from falling into the wrong hands. What steps can the Trump administration realistically take to influence a more secure nuclear future? Please join the Stimson Center as we gather a panel of distinguished experts from government, industry, and civil society to discuss opportunities and challenges the next administration faces in efforts to reduce nuclear dangers.
Friday, December 16th, 2016 Food Systems For Sustainable Development: A UN Perspective- Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Time: noon-2pm
Location: Johns Hopkins SAIS
1619 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington , DC (map)
Room: Rome Auditorium
Please join Johns Hopkins SAIS’ Climate Change and Agriculture Seminar Series for a discussion on Food Systems for Sustainable Development by members of the Food and Agriculture’s High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on Food Security and Nutrition
The Pandora Report 