Leading International Security Threats

As increased globalization and advancements in technology raise the stakes in international relations, concerns that were once local now have the power to destabilize regions and make global impacts. Where global security efforts were once focused almost exclusively on borders and conflict, the pervasiveness of environmental and humanitarian concerns have become important focuses for government officials and security professionals. Ensuring global security contributes to international stability and peaceful coexistence among nations. 

We spoke to two faculty members from the Spatial Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California — Steven L. Lamy, professor emeritus of political science and international relations and spatial sciences, and Diana Ter-Ghazaryan, associate professor (teaching) of spatial sciences — to gain their expert opinions on the biggest threats to international security and to learn how USC prepares students to help address security issues.

Climate Change

With global temperatures rising to historic levels on an annual basis, climate instability and its effects are already causing severe problems around the globe. Developed nations, such as the United States, are not immune to the problems caused by climate change: the sea level in California is projected to rise up to 55 inches by the end of the century, which will increase saltwater contamination in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and threaten both wildlife and the drinking water of 20 million California residents. 

However, the poorest and least developed nations, despite generally being low-emitters, are the most likely to experience the effects of climate change. Vulnerable populations in these countries are far more likely to experience disease, displacement and childhood and maternal mortality. These threats are not new to these populations, but climate change exacerbates their severity.

High Intensity Conflict and Instability

The world recently reached the worrying threshold of having more active conflicts at once than at any time since the end of World War II. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the continuing war poses a particularly major risk. As Professor Lamy notes, “there is a chance of that war escalating to a nuclear confrontation or a war with high intensity weapons.” 

Mass Displacement of Populations

While climate change and economic conditions are also major factors that contribute to displacement, armed conflict has certainly contributed to the staggering 120 million forcibly displaced people in the world. 73% of these refugees have been displaced from Afghanistan, Venezuela, Syria, Ukraine and Sudan, all of which have experienced war in the last 5 years (with the exception of Venezuela). 

Artificial Intelligence

While the use of AI is leading to new efficiencies in many different industries, the rapid adoption — and reliance on — the new technology is raising concerns for international security specialists. Apart from the more common concerns of AI providing false information and it being used to accomplish sophisticated cyber attacks, AI may pose a greater existential threat.

In defense and warfare, AI has the potential to completely transform the way that we handle geopolitical conflict and war. Experts anticipate that military entities will primarily leverage AI for strategy and tactics, as well as in the creation and operation of automated weapons. While this technology could improve target prioritization (thereby making war less lethal), strengthen deterrence and assist in decision-making, this technology poses great risks unless regulations are put in place. For example, we are already seeing AI being used in automated weapons and drone strikes. In order for this technology to be used ethically, defense departments must ensure that automated targeting systems will not harm civilians.

Hunger and Malnutrition

The Global Report of Food Crises reported that, in 2023, nearly 282 million people in 59 countries and territories experienced “high levels of acute food insecurity requiring urgent food and livelihood assistance.” In Palestine, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Mali, hunger is expected to reach catastrophic levels, leading to starvation, death and critical malnutrition. 

The global food crisis is driven by a multitude of compounding conditions, with primary factors being conflict, climate change, and economic circumstances. 70% of the people suffering from hunger live in areas that are being impacted by war, conflict and violence. As for climate change, agriculture and animal husbandry are impacted by even the slightest changes in climate and weather — except the changes can no longer be considered minor. For example, 95% of Africa’s farmers rely on rainfall due to lack of irrigation systems, and, rainfall is increasing on the continent by 30% in wet regions and decreasing by 20% in dry regions. Due to the lack of rain (or the excess of rain), agricultural productivity has declined by 34%. 

Transnational Organized Crime

Criminal networks attempting to gain money, power and influence across international borders are currently working in three major categories: human trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering. 

Human Trafficking

As of January 2023, there were an estimated 26.7 million victims of trafficking worldwide. These victims are all ages and genders, and are forced or coerced into labor, entertainment or sexual exploitation for profit. 

Drug Trafficking

The cultivation, processing, shipment and sale of illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and fentanyl presents major threats, including violence, addiction and deaths due to overdose. 

Money Laundering

Money laundering is the process of “concealing or disguising the origins of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources.” Money laundering has become an increasingly serious problem, as technological advancements such as cryptocurrency have made it easier for criminals and criminal organizations to conceal their activities. Money laundering has a major economic impact, approximately $1.87 trillion is laundered globally every year, but perhaps the larger cost is that laundered money often funds the further growth of transnational crime, such as trafficking rings.

Failed and Fragile States

The intentional destabilization of failed and fragile states has been a problem for a very long time. Echoing the scramble for Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s, we are seeing large, wealthy, highly developed countries throughout the world take advantage of smaller, less developed countries as a way of gaining their natural resources. 

Professor Lamy notes that this phenomenon is most prevalent in Africa, where “the great powers are competing for influence and rare earth minerals.” More specifically, the Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded private military organization with a deeply problematic past, has been used to destabilize fragile or failed states in order to secure their resources. 

States often become fragile or failed as a result of war and conflict. As Professor Lamy says, “wars in Libya, Sudan, Somalia and along the coup belt are devastating populations and challenging global stability.”

Being Part of the Solutions

It is clear that these threats are deeply interconnected. As noted by Professor Lamy, “Climate is existential and a driver of instability because it can be the source of hunger, poverty and scarcity that drives conflict.” Our world needs security specialists who understand the big picture of how all of these threats compound upon each other to affect individuals, nations and humanity. An effective way to advance your career in this field is with a master’s in global security studies from a program such as the one offered by USC’s Spatial Sciences Institute.

USC’s M.A. in Global Security Studies (M.A. GSEC) program examines intersecting issues challenges. As a student in the program, you will learn to develop policy-based solutions throughcase studies in spatial sciences, political science, international relations and economics. Our graduates are equipped with a thorough understanding of changing world dynamics and the tools to make a difference.

One of the core disciplines of the program is spatial sciences, which Professor Lamy describes as being “a tool that allows us to see the landscape of a problem.” He went on to explain that “when studying global poverty and migration of populations away from natural disasters, spatial sciences help us develop a full picture of the landscape of human suffering.” 

Spatial sciences and geographic information systems are key to the future of global security. These technologies are being used to combat the effects of climate change in a variety of ways, optimizing placement of renewable energy installations, tracking sustainability efforts, fortifying systems against cyberattacks and identifying areas most prone to weather disasters. 

Graduates of the M.A. in GSEC program are currently working on several major international security issues, addressing nuclear weapons issues in Washington, working with consulting firms to assess how security concerns influence investment policy, aiding in the design of missile defense programs and helping coordinate responses after natural disasters.

About USC’s GIS Graduate Programs

The University of Southern California offers a comprehensive selection of online and residential GIS programs. This includes both GIS master’s degrees and GIS graduate certificates. Click on the programs below to learn about our leading geographic information science education.

GIS Master’s Degrees

• Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) – Online and Residential
• Master’s in Geodesign, Environment and Health – Residential
• Master of Science in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence – Online and Residential
• Master of Science in Spatial Data Science – Online and Residential
• Master of Science in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis – Online and Residential
• Master of Arts in Global Security Studies – Residential

GIS Graduate Certificates

• Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Leadership – Online and Residential
• Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing for Earth Observation – Online and Residential