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2881. Renewed Transatlantic Responses towards China: Identifying Common Ground

Author:
Katrin Bastian and Graeme P. Herd
Publication Date:
11-2020
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
Abstract:
The western global order originated in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is characterized by formal international institutions and a regime of treaties, rules, norms, networks, expectations, and moral obligations. As Sigmar Gabriel and John B. Emerson note, “Our liberty is protected by democracy, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and freedom of expression and assembly. These shared principles have shaped the outlook on both sides of the Atlantic for decades.”1 These shared democratic, free, and open society principles are challenged by undemocratic non-western, economically and/or militarily successful powers, not least the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. The PRC has a population of 1.4 billion (comprising 18 percent of the global share), a 5,000-year-old history and culture, and boasts the world’s second largest economy. The PRC is ideologically assertive and displays a visible ambition to play a role on the international stage. Sociological theory suggests that the numeric dimension of a group determines social reality. Indeed, as Lenin noted: “quantity has a quality all of its own.” In this light, the PRC is simply “too big and too many” not to shape international politics. Ironically, the political West is involuntarily assisting in this reconfiguration of international power by voluntarily withdrawing from multilateral institutions and geopolitically-critical regions (the U.S., at least in the Trump administration) or by being overwhelmed with administrative tasks (the European Union, as a result of the growing number of member states, deeper integration, and COVID-19).
Topic:
Civil Society, Globalization, Multilateralism, Institutions, and Social Order
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2882. The COVID-19 Pandemic: Counterterrorism Practitioners’ Assessments

Author:
James Wither and Richard Masek
Publication Date:
10-2020
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
Abstract:
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020 arguably created the greatest global security challenge since 1945. Faced with this unanticipated threat, scholars and practitioners from the security and counterterrorism fields have struggled to understand and assess the impact of the pandemic on global and domestic terrorism.1 Many terrorist groups and individual extremists reacted with enthusiasm to the pandemic. Salafi-jihadist and far-right extremists, in particular, claimed that the pandemic vindicated their very different ideological standpoints and called for attacks while affected states were at their most vulnerable. However, outside of areas already impacted by armed conflict like the Sahel, there has not been a rise in terrorist attacks during the pandemic. Terrorists of all kinds have stepped up their propaganda, hoping to influence anxious people largely confined to their homes by lockdowns and compelled to spend more time on the Internet and social media. However, the extent to which terrorists have successfully attracted new converts to their cause or active recruits during the crisis still remains uncertain. The pandemic has also raised the specter of bio-terrorism, as there were fears that terrorists might try to use COVID–19 as a biological weapon. Early in the crisis, some extremists used the internet to encourage infected individuals to spread the virus in public places, but there is little evidence of such activities being carried out. As regards more sophisticated attacks, some terrorist groups in the past have aspired to employ bio-terrorism, but the necessary weapons have always proved too difficult for terrorists to successfully develop or deliver. Despite the calls for attacks on social media, the pandemic’s lockdowns, increased surveillance, the ban on gatherings, and travel restrictions, coupled with a heavy police and military presence on the ground in some cities have created a challenging environment for terrorist operations. But as governments continue to focus their efforts on combating the virus, normal security protocols may be reduced or abandoned. In most countries, the security services have been drawn directly into efforts to counter the pandemic and to an extent have been affected by social distancing and other restrictions employed to combat the virus. There are also concerns that international cooperation to combat terrorism will be reduced as countries focus more narrowly on domestic priorities. Many governments have resorted to emergency legislation to allow the police to enforce lockdowns and social isolation. This is normal behavior for autocratic governments, but unprecedented in liberal democracies, at least during peacetime. Repressive legislation allows intrusive surveillance, detention, and prevents freedom of assembly and movement. Although traditionally there has been no direct link between poverty and terrorism, socio-economic hardships caused by the pandemic are also likely to be severe, especially in the developing world. Government repression is a common trigger for acts of terrorism as it can turn already aggrieved citizens into violent extremists. To date, the COVID–19 pandemic has highlighted governments’ lack of preparedness, social inequalities and macro-economic failings. It would be premature, however, to conclude that the coronavirus crisis will inspire new forms of anti-state terrorism or turn largely non-violent anti-globalization and environmentalist groups into violent extremists. In the longer term, it remains to be seen whether counterterrorism will retain the priority it has been given since 9/11 in terms of financial, technical, and manpower resources. Public health as a national security priority may command a much greater share of resources than ever before. Given the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on public finances, budget cuts to the security services may be more severe than after the financial crisis in 2008-2009, which could create new vulnerabilities for terrorist groups to exploit. The aim of this report is to provide further insights into the issues outlined above by providing data on the preliminary impact of COVID–19 supplied by over 400 military and civilian counterterrorism professionals surveyed by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies’ (GCMC) Program in Terrorism and Security Studies (PTSS) faculty team.
Topic:
Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2883. Global Health Security and Pandemics: COVID-19 and Vaccines

Publication Date:
11-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this episode, Professor Sophie Harman responds to the news that a vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, has been put forward for emergency approval. She discusses the issues of vaccine nationalism, vaccine hesitancy, and what might happen politically when the vaccine arrives.
Topic:
Security, Public Health, Vaccine, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2884. Welcome to the Mile End Institute

Publication Date:
09-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this video, Professor Tim Bale and Dr. Robert Saunders, who co-direct the Mile End Institute, welcome new QMUL students and highlight what the MEI can offer to those interested in politics, policy and public life.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Politics, Think Tanks, and Public Policy
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2885. Global Heath Security and Pandemics: The Equality and Diversity Implications of COVID-19

Publication Date:
06-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this video, colleagues from the Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity (CRED) discuss the equality and diversity implications of the coronavirus pandemic. The conversation touches on valuing essential workers, gender, leadership, and remote working, whilst flagging opportunities and threats for equality and diversity that will be critical in ensuring the inclusivity of our workplaces and societies in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Topic:
Mental Health, Diversity, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2886. Global Health Security and Pandemics: Covid-19 and Captivity

Publication Date:
07-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this episode, Gabriel Lawson, PhD student in the School of History at QMUL discusses the emotional impact of COVID-19 and makes comparisons with prisoners of war dealing with isolation and its absence.
Topic:
Security, Mental Health, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2887. Global Health Security and Pandemics: COVID-19, Mental Health and Trauma

Publication Date:
05-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this video, Dr Jonathan Kennedy (Queen Mary University of London) and Dr Talya Greene (University of Haifa) discuss COVID-19 in the context of mental health. They highlight the groups at particular risk of experiencing trauma as a result of the pandemic, and note the possible long term consequences and challenges, including the entrenchment of existing societal inequalities.
Topic:
Security, Trauma, Mental Health, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2888. Global Health Security and Pandemics: COVID-19 and Climate Change

Publication Date:
05-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this video, Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, Global Director, Sustainable Finance Center of the World Resources Institute discusses policies and measures that can fight against both COVID-19 and the climate emergency.
Topic:
Security, Climate Change, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2889. Global Health Security and Pandemics: Slums, Informal Settlements and COVID-19

Publication Date:
04-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In this video, Professor Sophie Harman (Queen Mary University of London) and Dr Annie Wilkinson (Institute of Development Studies) consider how simple COVID-19 prevention methods in slums and informal settlements are often difficult or impossible to administer. They also highlight how a lack of available data can impact the effectiveness of strategies for responding to the pandemic.
Topic:
Security, Poverty, Inequality, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2890. Global health Security and Pandemics: Coronavirus and Conflict

Publication Date:
04-2020
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
Conflicts exacerbate inequalities that have already been brought to light by COVID-19. In this video, Dr Andreas Papamichail (Queen Mary University of London) discusses how weakened health systems will hinder the response to the virus, the increased risks faced by vulnerable populations, and how the dynamics of conflict can become wrapped up in responses to the pandemic.
Topic:
Security, Inequality, Conflict, Pandemic, and COVID-19
Political Geography:
Global Focus