Q_You immersed yourself in the study of plagues during a pandemic. What was that like?
A_Actually, I didn't set out to write this book. I had written a chapter on whether COVID-19 would increase the likelihood of future political violence for an academic book in Europe. In the process, I became fascinated by the legacies of pandemics. Since COVID-19 was keeping me off airplanes, I traveled back and forth in time through books and research reports, exploring post-pandemic landscapes, comparing them to what was happening here and now. Like any explorer, I kept a journal of my travels it became the book.
Your field of study is generally terrorism. What effect has COVID-19 had on worldwide terrorism?
There is no straight line from testing positive to terrorist bombings. Some terrorist leaders welcomed COVID-19 as an ally against their enemies. Others saw the resentment and anger over control measures as an opportunity to spread anti-government propaganda and recruit new followers. Major outbreaks of disease foment unrest, in some cases riots, and potentially acts of terrorism.
The pandemic has renewed concerns about bioterrorism, although the pandemic does not offer terrorists new capabilities or open paths they haven't already thought about before. However, more people thinking about how they might weaponize a pathogen or exploit current apprehensions to create terror is hardly a positive development.
Is there a correlation between pandemics and armed conflict? A causation?
Denne historien er fra September 23, 2022-utgaven av Newsweek Europe.
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Denne historien er fra September 23, 2022-utgaven av Newsweek Europe.
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Look of the Future
Experts share their predictions for how evolution might affect the appearance of humans in 50,000 years' time
Kenya Barris
KENYA BARRIS, THE EMMY-NOMINATED CRE-ator of Black-ish, knows that him teaming up with Malcolm Gladwell for the new Audible series The Unusual Suspects is a bit of an odd pairing. “We’re actually not as odd, but it’s an interesting combination.” And their guest list is just as diverse, from entertainment figures like Jimmy Kimmel and Ava DuVernay to renowned chef David Chang.
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The Man Behind Israel's Charm Offensive
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TAKE A 'MONEYBALL' APPROACH TO VISA REFORM
WHILE CLAIMS OF A “CIVIL WAR” within MAGA ranks may be exaggerated, a holiday exchange on X [formerly Twitter] underscored a growing fault line in the Republican Party between the working-class voters who propelled President Donald Trump back into power and the billionaire elites he's tapping to shape his administration.
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CHOKE POint FOR CHINA
IS THE TAIWANESE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY - A SECURITY GUARANTEE FOR THE ISLAND OR JUST ANOTHER INCENTIVE FOR BEIJING TO CLAIM IT FOR ITS OWN?
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Interview: KERRY BROWN
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China's low birth rate and aging population are ending any hopes BEIJING had of overtaking the U.S. as an economic giant
