Istanbul Security Forum, 2-3 May 2023

Oliver McTernan and Jordan Morgan were invited by the Turkish Directorate of Communications to speak at the inaugural Istanbul Security Forum (ISF), held between 2-3 May 2023. The aim of ISF is to discuss regional and global security threats and opportunities to overcome them.

Oliver moderated a panel entitled 'the Changing Nature of War and the Defence Industry' with experts from around the world. The panel discussed how rapid developments and new capabilities of Artificial Intelligence systems will impact the future of conflict.

Jordan spoke on a panel entitled “Acute Challenges in the Middle East". He discussed the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the shift towards a religiously sustained conflict and the inadequate response of the international legal system. He stressed the importance of the need for political courage and vision in order to avert a new cycle of unnecessary killing.

Alistair Burt, the former Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa and an advisor to Forward Thinking, also participated in the forum.

Oliver and Jordan at the Istanbul Security Forum: