Pacifying Cyberspace in the Age of the Zettabyte (original) (raw)

Modern Technology and Conflicts

In further attempts to illuminate the paradoxical human growth scope within the fields of Modern Technology, Dr. Kelly NGYAH, presents the implications of modern development innovations and marvelous technological achievements, which, though built as ideal elements for human progress, still, much misery and suffering is caused by these same development wonders. The Document further intrigues on the countless communication possibilities of the cyberspace makes which has made it possible for instantaneous interactive connections between persons, ideas and structures where ever and whenever possible. However, it is very shocking that, though these links are helping to build a solidarity focus between the various concerned elements, there are, at the same time, acting as a medium wherein very strong separatists and discriminatory ideologies become materialized into wide spread violent encounters and conflicts. As such, in order to highlight where the problematic surfaces, the document briefly examines the nature and concept of the cyberspace and its potency in initiating or building on some social deviance aspects which have the potency of modifying the psychosocial behavioural patterns of individuals, institutions and rules considered as, conflict instigator elements from an individual perspective and within the international order. Notwithstanding the mentioned detrimental effects of the cyberspace on global peace, the document also highlights the probable counter-conflict/peace growth measures necessary for improved human safety.

Cyberconflict and the Future of Warfare

Writing a brief history of cyberconflict of the last decade and speculating on the future of warfare is by no means an easy task. The reasons are plenty and it is worth mentioning a few here, as they do tend to get lost in colleagues’ specialised debates in the fields of international relations and global politics, global and national security, internet security, new media political communication, international governance, internet governance, information warfare, critical security and the geopolitics of new technologies. Information communication technologies (ICTs) have unsettled in an unprecedented way the majority of academic fields, all of which are currently required to negotiate multi-level conflicts transferring from the real world to cyberspace or being created originally through cyberspace and spilling over to real life. Equally, as correctly pointed out by one of the reviewers of this chapter, this is a very fast-moving field. It is also a field, which is not solely dominated by states and traditional wars, but by movements, civil society organizations, protest events, insurgencies, network resistances, and ad hoc assemblages. These groups and their use of ICTs are the subject of this work, as these players are using social media technologies to punch above their weight, to challenge the supremacy of the state, as having the monopoly of violence and propaganda, through using ICTs as a weapon or as a tool for mobilization, organization and recruitment, and providing instant access to the global public sphere to influence the strategy, tactics and justification of wars, and resist the violent oppression of citizens by totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. The relevance of these actors and their use of technological innovation is currently more than critical with social media networking utilised to accelerate the regime changes in the Middle East region and elsewhere, and the military interventions the international community had to respond with due to the undeniable publicization of their plight in the virtual public sphere to protect the citizens of these states, point to the need to examine the history of the use of ICTs by these actors.

The Internet as a Driving Force of the Development of Civilization

Problems of Information Society

The article analyzes new realities, global and virtual relations generated by the Internet in modern society. Qualitative changes occurred with the influence of the Internet on all spheres of human activity and the emerged opportunities are commented. Moreover, the perspective development directions of the Internet and the existing threats are specified in the article.

JIHAD ON THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

· by Raphael Cohen-Almagor https://sustainablesecurity.org/2017/05/26/jihad-on-the-information-superhighway/ The Internet has become a major arena for modern jihadis. Understanding how militant Islamist groups operate online can help security services devise appropriate methods to forestall jihadist activities. Modern terrorism relies heavily on modern technology. Indeed, modern technology is a defining characteristic of today's terrorism. Both modern terror and modern technology are diffusive, decentralised, universal, interactive, low cost and chaotic in their respective structures (or lack of structures). The Internet has enabled a global jihad based on a loose network of Mujahedeen (people who fight for jihad) transcending the limitations of face-to-face interaction. Jihadis are making the most of the vast information available on the Internet to coordinate, to communicate, and to find essential data in order to wage antisocial , violent operations.

(2016) 'Information and communication technologies in peacebuilding: Implications, opportunities and challenges' (with Stefanie Kappler), Cooperation and Conflict, 51 (1): 75-93

Despite the volume of research exploring the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for destructive purposes (terrorism, crime, war propaganda) on the one hand, and development (ICT4D) on the other hand, very little has been said about the role that traditional, and especially new social media, can play for the transformation and prevention of conflicts. This paper recognises ICTs as a tool, thus accepting their multi-level and multi-dimensional potential in the transformation as well as the intransigence and promotion of conflict. The paper seeks to explore: (a) whether ICTs can empower marginalised actors to transcend the peacebuilding and statebuilding processes, and lead to a more locally-owned, more representative transformation of the conflict; (b) whether ICTs can foster more hybrid forms of peace; and (c) whether they can be co-opted as a platform by donors to promote their agendas and impede resistance.

Technologies of Peace

This chapter examines the effects of the digital revolution and new information and com munication technologies on peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The chapter is concerned with how digital and web-based information and communication technologies can be used to prevent and manage armed violence, foster inclusive societies, and ensure a durable and high-quality peace. The UN is increasingly adopting new technologies, particularly within the field of peacekeeping. To increase situational awareness, UN peacekeeping staff have crowdsourced information and used drones and satellite imagery. In addition, the analysis of peacekeeping data holds great potential for early warning. New technolog ical tools can help foster collaboration, transform attitudes, and give a stronger voice to local communities. Online platforms have been used to monitor elections, document hu man rights abuses, and facilitate communication between members of different sides in a conflict. However, since one cannot simply assume that technology will change every thing for the better, it is crucial to be aware of the ethical implications of the use of new peace technologies. The UN needs to be careful that early warning is translated into ear ly action. Peacekeepers and peacebuilders should also be vigilant when it comes to miti gating the possible abuse and negative side effects of the use of peace technologies. The chapter concludes that peace technologies significantly influence the prospects for peace keeping and peacebuilding, particularly when the use of technology helps peacekeepers and peacebuilders be more people-centric.