Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS)
Abstract:
It took Mansour Abbas, the head of the southern branch of the Islamic Movement’s United Arab List party(Ra’am), to show that Mahmoud Abbas has no ideological resolve or intentions to recognize the Jewish state and make genuine peace with it.
On 1 January, France took over the presidency of the
Council of the European Union for six months. The
exercise, which mainly consists of leading meetings
of European ministers, is also an opportunity for
the country temporarily in charge to convey its
priorities and even a political vision for Europe.
In this respect, the French Presidency comes at a
particular time for the European Union, for France
and for its President, Emmanuel Macron.
Hard hit by the pandemic, the European Union is
both emerging from the crisis and adapting to the
global changes accelerated by the crisis. France,
for its part, is preparing for a major political event,
the presidential election in April, followed by the
legislative elections in June. For Emmanuel Macron,
the French Presidency of the Council will bring to a
close a presidential term of office that has focused
strongly on European issues, almost five years after
his speech at the Sorbonne.
Topic:
Politics, European Union, Leadership, and COVID-19
Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), Columbia University
Abstract:
In the 117th Congress, the United States Senate is evenly divided, 50-50, between the two major political parties, and the margin for control of the US House is small. One nonpartisan—and overdue—policy issue that Congress and the executive branch could focus on is the US nuclear waste management program. The US is currently paying billions to utilities to house spent nuclear fuel (SNF) at operating and shutdown facilities, and high-level waste (HLW) remains at former nuclear weapons complex sites around the country. Add to this the potential for greater future reliance on nuclear power in a decarbonizing economy, and the need to finally get a handle on managing radioactive waste is clear.
An earlier report from the Center on Global Energy Policy on the US nuclear waste management program examined larger structural changes that the federal government could pursue to help the program make progress, such as fixing the funding mechanism and updating regulatory standards.[1] This commentary discusses the US program as it stands in the 117th Congress and proposes a series of comparatively smaller actions that could be considered and perhaps pursued on a bipartisan basis in the next few years.
Topic:
Energy Policy, Governance, Leadership, and Nuclear Waste
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In his introduction to the Mile End Institute's New Labour, New Britain conference on Friday 6 May, Professor Steven Fielding explores the impact on New Labour's 'modernisation' efforts in the 1997 General Election campaign, before introducing Professor Tim Bale.
Topic:
Governance, Elections, Leadership, Domestic Policy, and Labour Party
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
With France heading into a tumultuous presidential contest this weekend, the Mile End Institute assembled a panel of experts to discuss the results of the first round and the prospects for the second round run-off between President Macron and Marine Le Pen.
David Klemperer, Professor Julian Jackson, Professor Rainbow Murray, Dr Emile Chabal and Laura Slimani explore how five years of Macron has altered the French political landscape, what this election will mean for the rest of Europe, the rise of the far-right and whether the French left has a future.
Topic:
Elections, Leadership, Domestic Politics, and Political Participation
In recent weeks, public debate in Iran has resumed regarding the
possibility of transferring power after the death of the current
Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, to his son Mojtaba. In the
background of this debate is criticism of the idea of cultivating
Mojtaba as a possible successor, sounded by the leader of the
reformist opposition, Mir-Hossein Mousavi; a report on the
promotion of Mojtaba to a high religious status with the rank of
ayatollah; and an expression of support for his possible
appointment as leader from one of the Friday prayer leaders. The
possibility of the transfer of power to Khamenei's son has already
evoked severe public criticism on the ground that it contravenes
the fundamental principles of the Islamic Revolution. At this point,
it is too early to assess whether this scenario is indeed considered
seriously. However, in the absence of a suitable consensus
candidate to succeed Khamenei, it cannot be ruled out that the
death of the current Supreme Leader may pave the way for a
transition to an alternative governing model, including dynastic
rule.
Recent months have seen a steep rise in the use of live fire in the
Palestinian cities in the West Bank against IDF forces, as well as in the
number of shooting incidents and other attacks. Behind the shootings
are primarily young Palestinians, including Fatah operatives, and this
phenomenon reflects the chaos within the Palestinian Authority. The
Israeli security response, which focuses on counter-terrorism and
widespread arrests of suspects, generates a self-sustaining cycle of
escalation and heightens the motivation among young Palestinians to
enlist in the fight against the Israeli security forces. The danger is that
as a result of the chaos, the PA will cease to function as a responsible,
stable, and effective entity that encourages calm and is an
authoritative address for communication with Israel. To curb this
trend and give the PA an opportunity (perhaps its last) to regain
control of the northern West Bank and stop the deterioration,
reconstruction measures should be pursued vis-à-vis the Palestinian
Authority, and external collaboration and support should be recruited
for the effort, primarily from Jordan and the Gulf states.
Charges of corruption, inadequate public support, and the lack of central control – the Fatah organization, led by Abu Mazen, suffers from difficult and unprecedented problems that threaten security stability in the West Bank and might lead to a scenario in which Hamas takes control of the Palestinian Authority. Israel should act to balance the precarious situation in the territories and strengthen the status of the Chairman of the PA
Topic:
Security, Leadership, Strategic Stability, and Palestinian Authority
President Biden’s forthcoming trip to Israel, intended to emphasize the US commitment to Israel’s security, brings with it a golden opportunity for Jerusalem on issues such as Iran, the campaign between wars, and Saudi Arabia – also on the Biden itinerary, where the President will attempt to achieve immediate economic gains
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Bilateral Relations, and Leadership
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, North America, and United States of America
As a result of the recent elections in France, President Macron no longer enjoys a majority in parliament, and it remains unclear how he will be able to continue to lead his country. This unusual situation points to a severe political crisis that will require the various actors to adopt or devise new political methods. Beyond the internal significance for France, what are the implications for Israel?
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Elections, Leadership, and Foreign Interference