Evolving Threats in Intelligence and Security

December 20, 2023

John Sawers, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), shares his insights on how security threats have evolved with the rise of digital technologies and social media. In this interview, he offers a compelling exploration of the shift from traditional methods to contemporary security challenges. Sawers examines how intelligence approaches have adapted to address new threats, including the influence of social media on democratic processes and the evolving global geopolitical landscape. The discussion provides An insightful analysis of the current dynamics in intelligence work and highlights the critical issues facing intelligence services in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Authors
    Mohamed Benabid
    April 13, 2022
    La guerre russo-ukrainienne est engagée sur de nombreux théâtres, y compris celui de l'information et de la communication. A travers des dynamiques hybrides, anciens et nouveaux médias, sont mobilisés à la fois à des fins d'information, de persuasion et de propagande, avec en toile de fond une crise sous-jacente, celle des fake news. Chaque camp est soucieux de contrôler ses messages et de relayer son propre cadrage. D'un côté, la communication russe cherche à légitimer ...
  • April 13, 2022
    يخصص مركز السياسات من أجل الجنوب الجديد حلقة برنامجه الأسبوعي "حديث الثلاثاء" لمناقشة آثار الحرب في اوكرانيا على الاقتصاد العالمي مع فتح الله ولعلو، باحث بارز بمركز السياسات من أجل الجنوب الجديد بعد اندلاع الحرب الأوكرانية الروسية في أواخر شهر فبراير من هذا العام، كان ال...
  • Authors
    Mohamed Benabid
    April 13, 2022
    The war between Russia and Ukraine unfolds on many theaters, including information and communication. Hybrid strategies and media old and new are utilized for information, persuasion and propaganda, with one underlying predicament, fake news, constantly lurking. Each side is keen on controlling its messages and relaying its narrative. On one hand, Russian communication seeks to legitimize its action and turn the opponent's camp from oppressed to provocateur. On the other, Ukrainian ...
  • Authors
    March 29, 2022
    The heavy financial sanctions on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine sparked speculations that the weaponization of access to reserves in dollars, euros, pounds, and yen would spark a division in the international monetary order. China would tend to strengthen its own international payments system and accelerate the establishment of its currency – the Renminbi – as a rival reserve currency to reduce its vulnerability to moves of a similar nature against it. Countries facing geopoli ...
  • March 29, 2022
    Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Black Sea granary, severely impacts global wheat markets, and especially hits the two warring parties' primary importing countries/clients. This study examines impacts of this war on Africa, where bread is a basic staple. This brings us to start with a review of broad market data, with Russia and Ukraine respectively ranking first and fifth among global wheat exporters, and the European Union (EU) gaining an edge as an alternative to the U.S./Canada ...
  • March 29, 2022
    L'invasion, par la Russie, de l'Ukraine, grenier à blé de la mer Noire, impacte lourdement le marché mondial de cette denrée, en premier lieu les principaux pays/clients importateurs des deux belligérants. L'objet de cette étude est d'analyser les conséquences de cette guerre pour l’Afrique, continent où le pain est un aliment de base. Ce qui nous conduit, tout d'abord, à rappeler les données générales de ce marché, avec une Russie et une Ukraine respectivement au premier et cinquiè ...
  • March 25, 2022
    The debate around the use of private military and security companies is deeply polarized, with some authors portraying such military contractors as ‘messiahs’, praising their efficiency i ...
  • March 25, 2022
    Africafé est une émission du Policy Center for the New South qui décrypte l’actualité des organisations africaines et de l’Afrique. A travers de courtes interviews, l’émission tente de proposer d’aborder de manière pédagogique les enjeux des organisations africaines et l’actualité du co...
  • Authors
    March 22, 2022
    African states are in a vulnerable position. The invasion of Ukraine could affect food security and trigger a spike in oil prices, inflicting economic duress on African households. The Black Sea region is home to vast fertile farmlands, and war in the “breadbasket of the world” could threaten wheat and fertilizer supplies. Increased economic hardship and social discontent do not bode well for democratic governance in Africa, especially in light of the recent spate of military coups. ...