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.
![Misogyny is often the connection between overlapping far-right ideologies](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-05/Lone%20man%20comp.jpg?itok=n8QPq5PP)
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](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-11/Whirlpool%20comp.jpg?itok=g9S2oWm0)
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](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-10/52372491161_6f3c215086_o.jpg?itok=60O4blKA)
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](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Trunbull_May.jpg?itok=z6V5wr8a)
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](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Trump.jpg?itok=OskjOpMl)
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](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/London_attacks_cropped.jpg?itok=qTVHbwV9)
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)](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/cropped%20mics%20final.jpg?itok=nMU8wdqd)
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)](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/cropped%20cops.jpg?itok=5Mn07ilw)
Taking the terror out of terrorism (part 2)
Competency in counter-terrorism is about more than arrests and attack disruptions.
![Taking the terror out of terrorism (part 1)](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/cropped%20lindt%20cafe-min.jpg?itok=2jmtrXjz)
Taking the terror out of terrorism (part 1)
A communication strategy that fails to place fear-reduction at its centre ignores how a terrorist act differs from many other forms of violence.
Pagination