David Wells
Biography
Publications
David Wells is an independent global security expert, who was most recently Head of Research and Analysis at the UN Counter-Terrorism Directorate in New York, managing the team who monitor global security and geopolitical trends for the Security Council.
Prior to joining the UN in 2017, David worked in a variety of policy and research roles in Australia and the United Kingdom, and began his career working for UK intelligence agency GCHQ between 2005 and 2013, including two years as a UK counter-terrorism liaison officer to Australia. David was a Research Associate at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in 2016.
A Big Tech race to the bottom is bad news for everyone
Tariffs might not be the only trade obstacle with Trump’s America. “Censorship” could be the next test.
Misogyny is often the connection between overlapping far-right ideologies
A holistic approach to addressing violent extremism starts with confronting deep-seated societal issues.
Why outsourcing counter-terrorism online won’t work in future
Policing online hate speech currently falls into a murky space shared between governments and big tech.
Liz Truss and foreign policy: expect the unexpected
The new PM may see global affairs as welcome theatre to demonstrate leadership and distract from domestic pressure.
Why Australia might be on the right encryption-cracking track
Australia may prove to be the test case for a policy solution that has far reaching consequences for privacy, technological development and the future of law enforcement…
Trump and the Russians: Why the ‘leak of the leak’ is so damaging
Most of the most serious consequences have occurred not because of Trump’s actions. But as a result of leaks from within the US intelligence community and the White House.
London attack: Tragic and widely predicted
The London attack represents a continuation of existing trends; it does not mark a significant change in the current UK threat picture.
Taking the terror out of terrorism (part 3)
Communicating successfully about terrorism and counter-terrorism is not easy, and inflating the capabilities of either has real-life consequences.
Taking the terror out of terrorism (part 2)
Competency in counter-terrorism is about more than arrests and attack disruptions.
