KINT 4200 - WMD COUNTER-PROLIFERATION: INTERDICTION, DETERRENCE AND DEFENSE

The proposed methodological course focuses on the skills – analytical, managerial and political – that weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation analysis, counter-proliferation situations management and enforced disarmament positions demand. It mainly develops policies, technologies and operations relevant to real-life cases aimed at disrupting proliferation, current and past. The lens will be both national and international. The topics covered are:

1. history of WMD proliferation and current trends, dynamics of nuclear, chemical, biological weapons programs, delivery means as missiles programs and economy of proliferation (acquisition and supplier networks);

2. enforcement of disarmament and impediment of WMD proliferation at international and multinational levels; organization at a national level to prevent the illicit movement of WMD materials and expertise; regional dynamics and counter-proliferation;

3. WMD proliferation, deterrence and missile defense;

4. cyberthreat as emerging weapon of mass disruption.

Fouad EL KHATIB

Séminaire

English

Before each session, a comprehensive presentation (slides on technology, policy, operational aspects) will be forwarded, few days in advance: it will support discussions during the course and provide professional basic knowledge for future appointments in counter-proliferation. Students will be supposed to have read it carefully before the lecture which will be a summary (key points, clarification if needed) and comments. Students are encouraged to visit dedicated blogs on proliferation and read weekly on news related to proliferation issues.

Applicants should have a basic knowledge of non-proliferation treaties and export control regimes, as those topics will not be discussed in details during the conferences but are necessary to the understanding of the global dynamics of WMD proliferation and counter-proliferation efforts.

Spring 2020-2021

All students are expected:

1. to individually write a policy paper on one of the proposed topics and to provide recommendations for addressing it (45% of final mark);

2. to prepare and deliver a 10 min. briefing on one of the proposed topics (25%);

3. to contribute to the elaboration of a weekly newsletter and deliver a 10 min briefing on it (10%);

4. to prepare and develop a strategy during the table-top exercise and interact with other actors (10%);

5. to actively participate during the coursework (10%).

Most of the sessions will include: a short overview of the headlines regarding proliferation issues (based on the weekly newsletter prepared by the students), one or two 10-min briefings prepared by the students followed by a debate, and the lecture itself (interactive discussions are encouraged). The last session will be managed as a table-top exercise played by the students and moderated by the instructor.