University of Leicester conference to discuss remote warfare issues on Wednesday 11 February

• Discussions will include the theory, practice and ethics of remote warfare
• Academics and journalists will talk about the benefits and the future of ‘conflict at a distance’
• A panel will talk about the war on terror and militarisation of jihadism

The evolution of war will be discussed at a conference at the University of Leicester on Wednesday 11 February which examines the historical and contemporary issues of remote warfare.

Academics and journalists will come together to talk about the politics, effectiveness and ethics of ‘conflict at a distance’.

In a series of panels, they will include discussions about reconnaissance and armed drones, special forces, local paramilitaries, private security forces and intelligence.

Organiser Dr Jon Moran said the conference is aimed at putting remote warfare in context – and will be split into three main topics:

• Panel One will look at the history of remote warfare
• Panel Two will examine the militarisation of Jihadism
• And Panel Three will focus on ethics

Dr Moran, a reader in Security, from the Department of Politics and International Relations, said: “Following the problematic deployments of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the USA and the UK have increasingly turned to remote warfare – the use of drones, special forces and local paramilitaries – to tackle terrorist and insurgent groups everywhere from Africa to Asia and the Middle East.

“This conference takes a look at remote warfare, setting it in historical context, looking at the current tactics and examining the ethical issues that arise from this ‘warfare at a distance’.

“The conference includes a range of academics and journalists who are working on this important area.

Dr Moran said that this distant method of war will soon become even more commonplace.

And that it is important to examine the pros and cons of such a new way of fighting.

He said: “Remote warfare will increasingly become the way western countries wage war around the world and this conference examines this issue close-up looking at the costs and benefits, both for the west and the countries in which remote warfare takes place.”

The event, called Remote Warfare: Theory, Practice and Ethics, is being held on Wednesday 11 February, 2015, between 9am and 5.30pm, in the Gartree and Rutland Room, on the 4^thfloor of the Charles Wilson Building.

Attendance is free of charge but places are limited.

To book a place, please contact Emma Butler: eb231@le.ac.uk

It has been organised in conjunction with Remote Control – an organisation which examines changes in military engagement.

For more information about the organisation, visit: www.remotecontrolproject.org

Ends

Notes to editors:

For more information contact Dr Jon Moran at jm457@leicester.ac.uk

To book a place, please contact Emma Butler: eb231@le.ac.uk