Contemporary Issues in International Security

This seminar examines crucial foreign policy and defense-related challenges. Emphasis is on understanding how the recent past produced today's challenges and evaluating alternative strategies intended to overcome them. Topics include great power competition; terrorism and other transnational threats; security dynamics in South Asia and the Middle East; nuclear proliferation; disruptive technologies; and the interrelated problem set associated with climate change and environmental protection as well as energy, water, food, and health security. Students are expected to engage actively in class discussions, present on select course topics and write short weekly reflections. Enrollment is by instructor consent only. Enrollment priority will be given to students in the Master's in International Policy who must take this course for the specialization in International Security (ISEC). Non-ISEC MIP students and non-MIP students may apply by sending a one-page document to Chelsea Berkey (cburris@stanford.edu) no later than March 11 with the following information: full name, class year, major, and email address. In the document, please also outline previous associated coursework and/or relevant experience and your interest in enrolling in the seminar. Application results will be announced on March 22.