The Mathew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies at Pitt, in conjunction with the Asian Studies Center and the U.S. Army War College, will host a two-day conference on Sept. 16 and 17 entitled 'Violent Armed Groups: A Global Challenge.' This conference will explore the challenges posed by violent armed groups to security and stability in many parts of the world. While some of these challenges seem to be in areas peripheral to U.S. interests, others involve strategic areas, while yet others raise questions about the security of the global commons.

The conference seeks:

-to examine the rise of a wide variety of armed groups operating in key parts of the world, including areas of responsibility of the combatant commands;

-to identify key characteristics of these groups including their ability to mobilize support and raise funds;

-to assess the challenges posed by these groups to national security of various states, including key United States allies as well as the U.S. itself; and

-to examine the implications of these groups and their activities for U.S. strategy, doctrine, and force posture. To register, please visit the event web site. This conference is open to all GSPIA students, faculty, students in A & S and interested community members.

9am-9am Thursday

9am-4pm Friday