Waging economic warfare consists of a variety of measures from implementing sanctions to fomenting labor strikes. Such tools are utilized by states to hinder their enemies, and in the case of the United States have been used as far back as the early 19th century. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, economic warfare has been the main means for the west to challenge Russia. How effective will these sanctions be at convincing Russia to cease its war?

Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with Jason Blazakis, Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and Director of MIIS’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism. The program will feature expert remarks from Professor Blazakis, live audience Q&A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants.

This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM. To attend virtually, please register here.

Jason Blazakis is a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) where he focuses on threat financing, sanctions, violent extremism, and special operations related research. He is also the Director of MIIS’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism where he directs research on domestic terrorism, terrorism finance, recruitment, propaganda, and the use of special operations to counter transnational threats.

From 2008-2018, he served as the Director of the Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office, Bureau of Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State. In his former role, Jason was responsible for directing efforts to designate countries, organizations, and individuals as terrorists, also known as State Sponsors of Terrorism, Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Jason previously held positions in the Department of State’s Political-Military Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Intelligence and Research Bureaus, and at U.S. Embassy Kabul.

Prior to working at the Department of State, Jason served as a domestic intelligence analyst at the Congressional Research Service. In addition, he was the national security adviser to a United States Congressional Representative. He also has worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Technology Administration.

Jason is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Soufan Center.

He has published articles in Time Magazine, Foreign Affairs, The Hill, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Lawfare. He regularly is quoted by the media (Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reuters, ABC, CBS, NBC, amongst others) on a wide-range of terrorism and sanctions related matters.

He holds degrees from the University of Mississippi, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University.