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1751. From Cradle to Grave: The Lifecycle of Foreign Fighters in Iraq and Syria

Author:
Arie Perlinger and Daniel S. Hamilton
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:
In April 2016, the CTC released a major report on Islamic State foreign fighters. This report, based on over 4,000 leaked personnel records, gave an interesting inside look at who the group was able to bring into the organization and also how the group was trying to manage the large number of recruits. The Combating Terrorism Center is pleased to announce the release of another major report on foreign fighters. This report, From Cradle to Grave: The Lifecycle of Foreign Fighters in Iraq and Syria, breaks down the experience (or lifecycle) of foreign fighters into three stages: pre-departure, in theater, and return. However, because the personnel records used in the previous report do not speak to each of these stages, this report then uses open-source reporting on these fighters to code variables in each of these different stages. Using a dataset of nearly 1,200 foreign fighters from mostly Western Europe and North America, this report offers a more holistic examination of what the fighter flows look like, but also what challenges policymakers and practitioners will face as they continue to deal with this enduring and complicated problem.
Topic:
International Affairs and Military Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1752. Russia-India Energy Cooperation: Trade, Joint Projects, and New Areas

Author:
Amit Bhandari and Vasily Shikin
Publication Date:
10-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
In 2017, Russia and India celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the years the two states have implemented a wide range of long-term and large-scale joint projects in energy sector, first and foremost in the nuclear area, making it one of the foundations of their special and privileged strategic partnership. However, in order to boost comprehensive ties and bring them to a new level corresponding to the changing global economic environment Russia and India are in need of innovative approaches in energy sector. The present paper is a result of Russian and Indian experts’ joint efforts to evaluate the potential of new collaboration formats and develop specific recommendations for enhancing cooperation.
Topic:
International Organization and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1753. A decentralized, consumer-driven model for the solar eco-system

Author:
Amit Bhandari
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
The transition to renewable energy is hampered by the lack of suitable, affordable products and specialised financing for its infrastructure. This infographic, as part of a policy brief put forth by Gateway House, set to be tabled at the 2017 Hamburg G20 conference, outlines an ecosystem to overcome these hurdles
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1754. Measuring cross-border trade in services by trading partner country and company

Author:
Akshay Mathur
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
Cross-border trade in services is increasingly the pre-eminent driver of growth for developed and developing countries alike. Service-related commitments are included in most of the new trade agreements. Effective policy-design however, is dependent on collection and presentation of accurate data. Inter-agency task forces of multilateral organizations such as UN, WTO, IMF and OECD have designed a framework to capture cross-border trade in services but data classification by partner trading company, partner trading country and by modes-of-supply, remains a challenge. The G20 can plug this gap through comprehensive information-collection and sharing
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1755. 2017 Natural Resource Governance Index

Author:
Natural Resource Governance Institute
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Natural Resource Governance Institute
Abstract:
This report presents the key findings and core messages of the 2017 Resource Governance Index. The index measures the quality of resource governance in 81 countries that together produce 82 percent of the world’s oil, 78 percent of its gas and a significant proportion of minerals, including 72 percent of all copper. It is the product of 89 country assessments (eight countries were assessed in two sectors), compiled by 150 researchers, using almost 10,000 supporting documents to answer 149 questions
Topic:
International Security and Natural Resources
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1756. Red Drones Over Disputed Seas

Author:
Project 2029 Institute
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
This publication lays out a field guide for the sailors and pilots operating in the disputed areas of the East and South China Seas. The guide examines four Chinese aerial drone models: S-100, ASN-209, BZK-005, and GJ-1, including tips on how to identify them, and where they could be seen operating in the East and South China Seas. The intent is to jumpstart a conversation on how militaries and law enforcement agencies should prepare their personnel to deal with potentially hostile aerial drones, armed or otherwise, operating in disputed areas in their maritime neighborhood
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1757. The Nature of China’s Rise and Why It Matters to the U.S. and Japan: A Japanese Perspective

Author:
Hiroko Maeda
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
China’s military buildup has shaken regional stability and poses a challenge to the U.S.-Japan alliance. This study examines China’s security challenges, as well as Japan’s response in a series of national security policy reforms. In light of China’s increasing assertiveness, the U.S. and Japan need more consultations and should share a strategy for maintaining peace and stability in the region. In particular, the study identifies cybersecurity and maritime capacity building in ASEAN as key areas where the U.S. and Japan can cooperate to establish a rules based order in the Asia-Pacific region.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1758. Developments in China’s Conventional Precision Strike Capabilities

Author:
Akira Marusaki
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Project 2049 Institute
Abstract:
Among the range of PLA capabilities undergoing modernization, this study focuses on conventional precision strike capability. In order to address the questions of how and why the PRC has been striving to improve this capability, this study will first illustrate the development of three weapon systems: the conventional ballistic missile, the anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM), and the land attack cruise missile (LACM). It will then analyze the reason why the PRC has developed these capabilities, casting a spotlight on historical and strategic backgrounds, in particular the end of Cold War, the 1990 Gulf War, and the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1995 to 1996. This study concludes by pointing to future developments in China’s conventional precision strike capabilities, drawing attention to reconnaissance capabilities.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1759. Beyond the Caliphate

Author:
Richard Barrett
Publication Date:
10-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
The Soufan Group
Abstract:
As the so-called Islamic State (IS) loses territorial control of its caliphate, there is little doubt that the group or something similar will survive the worldwide campaign against it. As long as the conditions that allowed the group to exist in the first place remain, IS or something like it will survive. The threat will mutate…
Topic:
International Security
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1760. The Changing Balance of Power in the Age of Emerging Cyber Threats

Author:
Ivo Tsekov
Publication Date:
04-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Security and International Studies (ISIS)
Abstract:
This paper addresses one of the key issues of the international security agenda today: the role of cyber warfare in the changing security landscape of the 21st century. Cyber warfare involves the actions by a nation-state or international organization to attack and attempt to damage another nation's computers or information networks through IT means. While a great deal has already been written on the topic, there needs to be a stronger examination of how the combination of cyber weapons with traditional strategic approaches might impact strategic choices related to cyber war. In order to understand whether there is a security competition in cyberspace, it is necessary to assess the current balance of power. Therefore, the issue of cyber warfare has relevance to practitioners, policy-makers, and scholars in the national, regional and international levels.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus