Please enable javascript to access the full functionality of this site

Fighters, Mercenaries, Humanitarians, or Extremist Criminals?

ASPI Webinar: Fighters, Mercenaries, Humanitarians, or Extremist Criminals?

Speakers Professor Ben Saul, Munira Mustaffa, Dr Sara Meger and Katja Theodorakis

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute invites you to the ASPI Webinar: 'Fighters, Mercenaries, Humanitarians, or Extremist Criminals? The complexity and strategic implications of foreign volunteers in the Russia-Ukraine war'.

This lunchtime discussion will unpack the definitional, legal, and moral complexities around the mobilisation of foreign volunteers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The panel features Professor Ben Saul, University of Sydney, Chatham House; Munira Mustaffa, Chasseur Group; Dr Sara Meger, University of Melbourne and moderated by Katja Theodorakis, Head of ASPI’s Counterterrorism Program. The panellists will discuss the motivations, legal situation, and possible ramifications of individuals’ decision to join the conflict.

The webinar will explore the emergence of a seemingly different normative understanding and assessment of the ‘foreign fighter phenomenon’ and its associated problem sets, as well as important questions about the nature and adequacy of our policy responses, available legislative tools and their current application, and their strategic consequences.

To attend this online webinar, register here.

Speakers

Professor Ben Saul

Professor Ben Saul is Challis Chair of International Law at the University of Sydney and an Associate Fellow of Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) in London.

Munira Mustaffa

Munira Mustaffa founded Chasseur Group and serves as its Executive Director and principal consultant.

Dr Sara Meger

Sara Meger is a Lecturer in International Relations in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

Katja Theodorakis

Katja Theodorakis was the Head of ASPI's Counterterrorism program until early 2023.