Thomas Rid will argue that the focus on war and winning distracts from the real challenge of cyberspace: non-violent confrontation that may rival or even replace violence in surprising ways. He will look at how the cyber security threat consists of three different vectors: espionage, sabotage, and subversion. Discussion will also focus on the most significant hacks and attacks, and explore key questions such as: What are cyber weapons? How have they changed the meaning of violence? And who is most vulnerable: which countries, industries, individuals? 

The speaker will examine long-term trends in voting convergence by Russia and China in the UN General Assembly, and more recent trends in their diplomacy in the UN Security Council.

For more information, please contact the Asia Programme

Al Shabaab surfaced as a powerful insurgent movement in Somalia in 2006, going on to control large parts of south central Somalia. But since 2012, the strengthened African Union military presence has seen al Shabaab lose ground, and it remains unclear what role whether the group could play a role in the country's future political dispensation.

As international courts struggle with a lack of resources and insufficient powers, national courts - if they can undertake trials fairly and effectively - may be better placed to try perpetrators of international crimes. But in what circumstances is there an obligation on states to try offenders or extradite them to states that will do so?

Somalia is undergoing a period of significant transformation. The country's transitional period officially concluded when a permanent government was established in September 2012. This new administration, under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has gained the international recognition necessary to open doors to increased flows of aid and cooperation.

As the eurozone crisis rumbles on, has the EU now become the 'sick man of Europe'? Do Europeans still support the European project? And what do Europe's citizens say about the euro, austerity, bailouts and greater oversight of national budgets from Brussels? Drawing on data from Pew's Global Attitudes survey, the speaker will present new research that analyses public attitudes to the euro crisis, the EU and European integration in a range of European states.

For more information please contact the Europe Programme

While discussions relating to Egypt's post-revolutionary challenges often focus on political and economic issues, this event will consider a third, overarching dimension: the issue of human rights.

The speaker will discuss the difference between the internal and external view of China's growing middle class.

He will explain how the Chinese Communist Party looks to the creation of a substantial middle class both for a source of legitimacy bought through economic prosperity and as the foundation of social harmony, while the outside world looks at it as a driver for greater democracy and China's greater global integration. He will argue that while the middle class is a powerful mobilizing idea it is also a relatively weak analytical tool.

This event will provide an update on efforts from around the world to improve forest governance and reduce illegal logging. Participants will include representatives of government, the private sector, academia and civil society.

Registration for this event will close on Monday 1 July. Please note, however, that registration may close earlier if this event is over-subscribed.

For more information, please contact Laura Wellesley

In recent months, Turkey has witnessed some significant domestic developments, including a sharp economic slowdown, the launch of peace negotiations between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish state, and the constitutional drafting process appears to be heading towards stalemate. The speakers will offer their perspectives on the implications of these developments on Turkey's stability, prosperity and security.

The Q&A will be held under the Chatham House Rule.