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861. U.S-Rok economic relations left uncertain amid leadership changes

Author:
Gilbert Rozman
Publication Date:
08-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI)
Abstract:
While the other parts of this book bring China fully into the coverage—diplomacy, national identities, and sanctions—here we narrow the focus on U.S.-ROK relations with an eye to the current uncertainty about the future of the KORUS FTA, the five-year old bilateral trade agreement. Donald Trump has assumed the presidency critical of trade imbalances in goods, including assertions about the negative impact of the FTA with South Korea. It appears that the U.S. side will insist on renegotiating the agreement. In order to assess what this could mean, we take a close look at what the impact of KORUS has been and at how the debate in Washington has been unfolding under Trump’s watch. The three chapters were written in the early spring of 2017; so they could capture only the initial impact of Trump at a time when South Korean leadership was paralyzed between impeachment and the election of a new president without any serious bilateral engagement over economic issues. Yet, as tensions over economics are expected to rise, our objective is to inform the discussion with relevant economic background and with awareness of what Trump has been saying and how it may shape the political debate.
Topic:
International Cooperation and International Affairs
Political Geography:
America and Korea

862. Myanmar: Justice sector reform must include local dispute resolution

Author:
Helene Maria Kyed
Publication Date:
03-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
In Myanmar, ordinary citizens prefer to have crimes and disputes resolved within their village or neighborhood. There is a clear preference for avoiding conflict escalation, rather than punishing perpetrators. The official courts are seen as places to avoid whenever possible. They are mistrusted, associated with high costs, and many feel intimidated by them due to fear of authority and formality. Reforming the official judiciary is important in Myanmar, but even if the courts functioned according to international standards, there would still be a demand for local forms of dispute resolution focused on reconciliation and negotiated settlements. This is due to culturally and religiously informed perceptions of problems and injustices, related to shame, fate and Buddhist beliefs in past life deeds. This policy brief by Helene Maria Kyed argues that any support to justice sector reform in Myanmar should include already existing local dispute resolution mechanisms and take local perceptions of justice serious, rather than alone focus on the official judiciary and international rule of law principles. It is important to base programming on inclusive dialogues about justice at the local level, and invest in building trust and gaining context-specific knowledge.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Ethnic Conflict, and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Myanmar

863. European anti-migration agenda could challenge stability in Niger

Author:
Hans Lucht
Publication Date:
06-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
Without a stable Libya to strike migration deals with, EU is looking further south, to Niger, as a way of cutting off the trans-Saharan migration routes. However, the question is whether the EU is exchanging short-term gains for long-term stability?
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe and Niger

864. Rebooting the Franco-German engine: Two post-election scenarios

Author:
Fabrizio Tassinari and Sebastian Tetzlaff
Publication Date:
06-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
The election of pro-European Emmanuel Macron as president of France has reignited hopes that the so-called Franco-German engine, providing political impetus to European integration in the past decades, might be revived. While Macron’s election proved a rebuke to the populist challenge, it remains to be seen whether and how it will manage to rebalance the partnership with Berlin, which is overwhelmingly premised on Germany’s growing strength and clout at the European level. While pronouncing herself supportive of the new course in Paris, Chancellor Angela Merkel, like the rest of Europe, remains in a wait-and-see position regarding the ability of President Macron to fulfil his ambitious pro-EU agenda.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

865. Approaching the German Federal election: The traditional parties break the trend and stay in front

Author:
Fabrizzio Tassinari and Sebastian Tetzlaff
Publication Date:
05-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Danish Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
From being a historical bridge-builder among different sensibilities in Europe, Germany has gradually assumed a more assertive posture on key issues from the refugee crisis to Brexit negotiations. As a result, the federal election in September will be consequential not just for Germany, but also for the rest of Europe.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

866. The Euro’s Difficult Future

Author:
Luigi Bonatti
Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
In The Euro’s Difficult Future – Competitiveness Imbalances and the Eurozone’s North-South Divide author Luigi Bonatti, a professor of economics at the University of Trento in Italy, stresses that the existing North-South competitiveness divide creates growing tensions between member countries and fuels hostility towards European Union institutions. The paper illustrates why this competitiveness divide is structural, cannot be tackled by macroeconomic policies, and could threaten the euro’s survival.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

867. Revolution Unveiled: A Closer Look at Iran’s Presence and Influence in the Middle East

Author:
Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels
Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
Revolution Unveiled: A Closer Look at Iran’s Presence and Influence in the Middle East, by Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels, pieces together snapshots of Iran’s influence in the region using photographic analysis, geolocation, social media monitoring, and other methods. Through four case studies, this report systematically examines new or lesser-known methods Iran employs to project its influence beyond its borders. By using proxy Shia groups, ideology, arms provision, and transnational networks, Tehran destabilizes and strikes at regional adversaries to achieve its strategic and policy objectives.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Iran

868. State Department Reform report

Author:
Atlantic Council
Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
The Atlantic Council's State Department Reform Report—written by a group of ten foreign policy experts—explores the critical subject areas of structure and process, personnel, budget, congressional relations, and USAID. The report serves as a foundation for reform efforts that will lead to the empowerment of the State Department at a time when a rapidly evolving global environment consistently poses new challenges and threats. The department's role is indeed unique and vital in the US national security apparatus; diplomacy based in continued and robust support for US interests and values is critical to favorable long-term outcomes, including a more secure and stable global environment.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

869. Agent of Influence: Should Russia’s RT Register as a Foreign Agent?

Author:
Elena Postnikova
Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
The US Congress enacted the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) to ensure that the American people were aware when foreign governments funded media sources; at the time, their concerns focused on the Nazi regime in Germany. Today, this issue has resurfaced with concerns about the Russian propaganda outlet RT (formerly Russia Today). RT broadcasts are reliably consistent with official statements of the Russian government, which is unsurprising, as it is 99 percent funded by the Kremlin. In Agent of Influence, author Elena Postnikova not only argues that RT should register with FARA but makes a legal case for it while laying out recommendations for policy makers. At a minimum, RT’s activities warrant a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Strong evidence supports the conclusion that Russia’s RT is owned, controlled, and financed by the Russian state. RT advances Russia’s interests abroad and uses communication channels to influence US domestic and foreign policy. RT has not presented evidence to support that it is a bona fide media organization, which would be excluded from registration. If RT fails to respond to a DOJ inquiry or to present ample evidence that it should be exempt, an enforcement action should follow.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

870. The European Union Could Be Simple, Inclusive, or Effective. Pick Two.

Author:
Dimiter Toshkov
Publication Date:
07-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
To many, the European Union (EU) is a complex entity overburdened by rules. In The European Union Could Be Simple, Inclusive, or Effective. Pick Two., author Dimiter Toshkov, an associate professor at the Institute of Public Administration at Leiden University, presents the structural dilemma facing the EU: accommodating the diverse interests of twenty-eight member states while delivering effective policies for over 510 million citizens in a simple way.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe