Crosston attends Washington seminar
Dr. Matthew Crosston recently returned from a private seminar as the special guest of the Kay Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Washington DC. Crosston participated in a private seminar on emerging opportunities and challenges of cyber writ large, with a special focus on conflict and change in the Middle East. The event, held Oct. 11 and 12, was designed for a small, select group of special invitees at the home offices of the Washington Institute.
Crosston is the Program Director for Bellevue University's Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in International Security and Intelligence Studies.
"The seminar was truly impressive and slightly overwhelming," Crosston said. "The people invited, the themes discussed, even the structure of the format made one feel that they were attending and participating in something truly important and impactful."
Founded in 1985, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy was established to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East. Under the guidance of a distinguished and bipartisan Board of Advisors, the Institute seeks to bring scholarship to bear on the making of U.S. policy in this vital region of the world. Drawing on the research of its scholars and the experience of policy practitioners, the Institute promotes an American engagement in the Middle East committed to strengthening alliances, nurturing friendships, and promoting security, peace, prosperity, and democracy for the people of the region.
Crosston explained that the event was structured under 'Chatham House Rules', which means that participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any participant, may be revealed.
"The seminar has a direct impact on not just my classes, but on other programs at the university," Crosston said. "I have already used information (unattributed of course) from the seminar in my ISIS courses and a specific part of the seminar will go a long way in making an upcoming Cybersecurity Webinar on the Stuxnet virus more immediate and relevant.
"(A) surprisingly positive moment was how many people in attendance at the Washington Institute had HEARD of both ISIS and Bellevue University, a sure sign that we are already making word-of-mouth impact with the program at a national and global level. Truly exciting times!"
Learn more about Dr. Matt Crosston here.
