What we're reading: January 2025
This month at the Defence Research Network, we've been diving into two compelling books that shed light on critical issues in security and defence.
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Defence by Mariarosaria Taddeo explores the moral dilemmas of integrating AI into military operations, while Putin’s Revenge: Why Russia Invaded Ukraine by Lucian Kim offers a deep analysis of Russia’s motivations and the geopolitical forces at play. Whether you’re interested in emerging technologies or contemporary conflicts, these reads provide valuable insights into the complexities of modern warfare.
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Defence
by Mariarosaria Taddeo
This new book examines the ethical challenges of using Artificial Intelligence in defence, offering a systematic analysis of its implications in areas like intelligence analysis, cyber warfare, and autonomous weapons. It develops a coherent ethical framework, blending AI ethics and Just War theory, to guide policy-makers and practitioners in safely and effectively integrating AI into defence. The book also provides practical recommendations for ethical governance and decision-making in this underdiscussed field.
Putin's Revenge: Why Russia Invaded Ukraine
by Lucian Kim
This new book looks at Russia’s path to war, from Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution to the 2022 invasion. Lucian Kim, a reporter with decades of on-the-ground experience in the region, offers a gripping account of Putin’s transformation into a dictatorial figure. Kim is critical of the West’s empty promises to Ukraine, examining the legacy of Russian imperialism and providing fresh insights from his reporting, shedding new light on the conflict and its broader implications.
