Small Groups, Big Weapons: The Nexus of Emerging Technologies and Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism

Historically, only nation-states have had the capacity and resources to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) due to the significant capital, infrastructure, and intellectual capacity required to develop and maintain a WMD program. In recent years, however, this paradigm has been shifting, particularly for non-state actors. The commercialization of emerging technologies is reducing the financial, intellectual, and material barriers required for WMD development and employment.

The Black Sea and COVID-19

As with the rest of the world, COVID-19 is likely to wreak havoc across the Black Sea region in a very short period of time. With the outbreak projected to peak in April or May – and with some predicting the pandemic will last two years and infect 60 to 70 percent of the global population – it is difficult to fathom the potential consequences for this region.

Interview with Sheikh Abu Yahya al-Shami

Q: Can you talk about your life especially after the rise of the revolution and the jihad in the field of al-Sham? With which factions did you work and what is your role in the field of al-Sham currently?

A: I was writing a Master’s thesis in international law, and my eye and heart were on the revolution in Tunisia then Egypt. At the time I began among those who began preparing and adjusting the mind to undertake a revolution against the criminal Nusayri regime in Syria, and at the end of 2011 I was arrested in my home and my books and devices were confiscated and I remained in prison for two months when I admitted demonstrating but the interrogators could prove nothing besides that, even as the accusations were many and dangerous!