Riskgaming

“You can cause a lot of havoc with a cell phone and a cheap DJI drone”

Mar 28, 2025

Colin P. Clarke, Director of Research at The Soufan Group and former RAND terrorism analyst, dives into the duality of technology in modern chaos. He discusses how AI and drones can empower creativity but also arm extremists with disruptive potential. The conversation explores the shifting dynamics of terrorism, the implications of individual acts facilitated by accessible tech, and the media's inconsistent portrayal of violence. Clarke also hints at the legacy of Evgeny Prigozhin, examining the evolving landscape of private military companies in the wake of rising geopolitical tensions.

41:56

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Episode guests

Colin P. Clarke

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Quick takeaways

Technology empowers both creative expression and terrorism, granting extremists tools for complex attacks and propaganda strategies.

The evolving intersection of crime and terrorism complicates counterterrorism efforts, necessitating adaptive strategies to address emerging threats effectively.

Deep dives

The Dual Nature of Technology in Terrorism

Technology plays a dual role in the landscape of terrorism, acting both as a facilitator for creative expression and as a tool for malicious actors. While advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies help artists and engineers, they simultaneously enable terrorists to gain asymmetric leverage over larger entities. This shift allows for the orchestration of complex attacks, including the use of drones and sophisticated propaganda strategies showcased by groups like ISIS-K. As these technologies proliferate, the potential for misuse grows, prompting a need for enhanced vigilance and countermeasures in society.

Intro

2min

Evolving Terrorism and Counterterrorism Dynamics

20min

The Complex Web of Illicit Economies and Geopolitics

10min

The Emerging Threat of Individual Terrorism and Technology

5min

The Shock Value of Terrorism in Media Coverage

2min

Exploring the Legacy of Prigozhin and the Dynamics of Power

4min

Chaos is the rule of the day, with markets, companies, governments and individuals being rapidly buffeted by events and change. Technology is exacerbating that chaos by offering asymmetric leverage to more people. On the positive side, technologies like AI and drones can drastically improve the productivity of workers and artists to perform their craft, benefiting us all. But there is a dark side as well: extremists are early adopters of new technologies that afford them the ability to maximize their evil objectives. With so much change in the world, how can we grapple with this new era of asymmetry?

Joining host Danny Crichton and Riskgaming director of programming Laurence Pevsner is Colin P. Clarke, the director of research at The Soufan Group and formerly a long-time terrorism analyst at RAND. He has spent years studying terrorist organizations and their thirst for new technologies and new means of financing their activities. His new book on Evgeny Prigozhin and the rise of The Wagner Group will be out later this year. The three talk about how new technologies are changing the threat landscape from terrorism, the changing contours of the so-called crime-terror nexus, why China is increasingly the focus of analysis, and how governments are responding to the increasing leverage of terrorists throughout the world.

Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christopher Gates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Ko