Chatham House: Russia Military Technology Developments Workshop
Date: March 2nd, 2021 at 15:00 CEST / 09:00 EST Platform: Cisco Webex Events
Link to Video Recording
Link to Video Recording Recording Password: viSuJ23AeR3
Abstract
The workshop will assess Russian modern military capabilities and vulnerabilities through an examination of the military’s ability to effectively employ advanced technologies and modern military R&D. It will focus particularly on military innovation and breakthrough technology, Russia’s ‘doomsday’ weapons, autonomous systems, space-based systems, as well as AI-assisted tools. The workshop will also discuss their impact for the U.S. and its NATO allies in terms of military thinking and procurement.
Agenda
- Presentations:
* Military R&D, innovation and breakthrough technology - Katarzyna Zysk * Russia’s ‘new’ doomsday systems and their military implication - Richard Connolly * Space and space-based systems - Pavel Podvig * Autonomous systems and military robotics - Samuel Bendett * AI, big data and advanced computer science - Margarita Konaev
- Guided Discussion
- Question and Answer Session
Biographies
Moderator: Mathieu Boulegue
Title: Research Fellow Affiliation: Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
Mathieu Boulegue is a Research Fellow at the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House. His research focuses on Eurasian security and defense issues, as well as Russia’s domestic and foreign policy. He graduated from Sciences Po Toulouse in France and King’s College London (M.A. International Conflict Studies).
Panelist: Katarzyna Zysk
Title: Professor of International Relations and Contemporary History Affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies
Dr. Katarzyna Zysk is a Professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (IFS). Her research focuses on Russian military strategy, defense innovation, geopolitics, and maritime security in the Arctic. She has published extensively in journals such as SAIS Review of International Affairs and Journal of Strategic Studies.
Panelist: Richard Connolly
Title: Director Affiliation: Eastern Advisory Group
Dr. Richard Connolly is the director of Eastern Advisory Group and an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). His research focuses on Russian economic policy, industrial development, and the defense and energy industries. He is the author of Russia’s Response to Sanctions (2018) and The Very Short Introduction to the Russian Economy (2020).
Panelist: Pavel Podvig
Title: Independent Analyst Affiliation: UN Institute for Disarmament Research
Pavel Podvig is an independent analyst based in Geneva, specializing in Russian strategic forces and nuclear weapons. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research and has published extensively on arms control and disarmament.
Panelist: Samuel Bendett
Title: Analyst Affiliation: Adversary Analysis Group, CNA
Samuel Bendett is an Analyst with CNA's Adversary Analysis Group and a Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security. His research focuses on Russian defense technology, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence. He has published widely in outlets such as Forbes and War on the Rocks.
Panelist: Margarita Konaev
Title: Research Fellow Affiliation: Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University
Dr. Margarita Konaev is a Research Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET). Her research focuses on military applications of AI and Russian military innovation. She has published extensively in journals such as Journal of Strategic Studies and Conflict Management and Peace Science.