The Dark Arts

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

It’s time we stop pretending the free world is defenseless against autocratic bullies like Russia, China, and Iran. Let’s fight back. They are not as invincible as people fear. Democracies are exposed but resilient, like a tough tree. Autocracies are strong but brittle, like glass. We can target this using the “dark arts”: subversion, covert actions, strategic deception, unconventional warfare, and other dirty tricks. Churchill called it "ungentlemanly warfare,” and it’s how the Cold War was fought. The dark arts undermine the enemy from within yet avoid nuclear escalation, and win by creating the conditions for an adversary's capitulation. The U.S. does some dark arts today, but not enough to make a difference. This course will explain what the dark arts are, and how to wield them against autocracies. The seminar will also discuss important questions about ethical, legal, and strategic implications of the dark arts, especially for democracies. Students will be expected to formulate their own dark arts strategy by the end of the course.