A couple interesting opportunities/notifications have landed in my inbox lately, so I thought I’d share those here while I procrastinate think about my finals.

Call for Papers: War in the Digital Age

The Stanford Law & Policy Review is soliciting articles for its upcoming symposium on “War in the Digital Age.” The Stanford Law & Policy Review is a widely-cited academic journal at Stanford Law School that explores current issues at the nexus of law and public policy. In our upcoming volume, which will be published in the spring of 2014, we will address the challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies present for 21st century conflict. Our framework is purposefully broad, and we are looking for submissions that address novel issues or approach the topic from a new perspective. We are particularly interested in including the following topics in the “War in the Digital Age” symposium, but this list is not exhaustive:

• What norms and laws surround the acquisition and use of information in modern conflict, and what norms and laws do we think should apply?
• How does 21st century conflict implicate issues of government discretion and accountability?
• Decisions about modern warfare take place at the intersection of state, federal, and international law. How do we balance these regimes?
• How are technological changes bringing warfare to civilians, and how will this accelerate in the future?
• When can we hold governments accountable for the actions of their citizens, who may use technology to engage in conflict in new ways?
• Most analysts focus on the problems that technological innovation causes for the laws and norms surrounding traditional warfare. But do emerging technologies present any new solutions to problems of traditional warfare?

If you are interested in submitting to the symposium, please submit a one-to-four page proposal to us on or before July 1, 2013. Depending on space constraints and other considerations, we may be able to extend you a pre-approval offer of publication. The earlier we receive a proposal, the greater the chance we can extend a pre-approval offer. We will accept full article submissions until September 1, 2013. Note that you are not required to submit a proposal or obtain pre-approval in order to submit an article for publication, although doing so is recommended. Articles should be between ten and thirty double-spaced pages, not including footnotes and citations. Articles, proposals, or questions can be directed to Christina Black, Lead Articles Editor, at [email protected].

CTBT Diplomacy and Public Policy Course

The CTBT Diplomacy and Public Policy Course, entitled, “Proven Treaty, Political Challenge: The CTBT and Multistakeholder Security”, will be held from 15 to 19 July 2013 in Vienna and live streamed online.

Special guest lecturers will include:

• Professor Siegfried Hecker, Senior Fellow and Professor, Stanford University, Director Emeritus, Los Alamos National Laboratory;
• Dr Daniel Pinkston, Deputy Project Director, North East Asia, International Crisis Group;
• Dr James Acton, Senior Associate, Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment.

The course will cover political and diplomatic aspects of the CTBT, its history and current challenges and prospects for its entry-into-force and universalization. Participants will cover the basics of the Treaty and its verification regime through a series of e-learning modules to be completed prior to 15 July, which will then be followed by a live lecture component from 15 to 19 July in Vienna. The live lecture component will feature CTBTO expert staff, guest lectures and panel discussions, as well as an interactive simulation at the end of the week. In addition, a Legislation Workshop directed specifically to national implementation measures will take place within the framework of the course. To register or receive more information on this workshop, please contact [email protected] .

Participants can take part in the course in Vienna or follow online, by watching the live stream or archived videos. Participants who complete all of the course requirements will receive a certificate of successful completion. The course is free-of-charge and open to all interested parties. Registration and further information are available here.

The course is part of the CTBTO’s education and outreach activities, aimed at inspiring the next generation of experts in all aspects of the Treaty. Further information on this effort is available here.

Invisible Armies Insurgency Tracker

My policy and stylistic writing differences with Max Boot aside, this database of insurgencies that goes along with Boot’s latest book is kinda neat, and you might enjoy poking around it. Or maybe not. I’m not gonna try to tell you what to like. If you don’t like this, go play GeoGuessr.