December 16, 2009

Professor Afsheen John Radsan in Harvard Web seminar on unmanned weapons Dec. 17

William Mitchell Professor Afsheen John Radsan participated in a live Web seminar on Unmanned Weapons and Challenges to International Humanitarian Law hosted by the Harvard University Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research Dec. 17.

The seminar examined the use of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, which has increased in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and implications for protecting civilians.

Radsan, an expert and frequent media commentator on national security issues, discussed interactions among the U.S. intelligence agencies and the military regarding unmanned weapons, what constitutes a lawful target, and how targeting issues may affect the civilian population. A former assistant general counsel at the CIA and assistant U.S. attorney at the Department of Justice, Radsan is the founder and director of the National Security Forum at William Mitchell.

The Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research is a research and policy program that provides technical assistance and information support for international organizations engaged in conflict prevention and management. The Program is a collaborative effort of the Harvard School of Public Health, the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Web seminar will have a global audience of 300-400 participants from 40-50 countries. Other panelists include Vicki Divoll from the United States Naval Academy, Mary Ellen O’Connell from Notre Dame Law School, and Peter W. Singer from the Brookings Institution. Naz Modirzadeh, senior associate at the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University, and Claude Bruderlein, director of the Program, will host the discussion.

Learn more about Professor Radsan and William Mitchell’s National Security Forum.