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9622. Extended Deterrence and Iran
- Author:
- Shahram Chubin
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Strategic Insights
- Institution:
- Center for Contemporary Conflict
- Abstract:
- Despite nearly seven decades of Nuclear weapons, (NWs) and four decades of Cold war in which they figured prominently, we still do not know very much about, or with any degree of assurance, what NWs can and cannot do beyond create widespread destruction. Questions about deterrence, extended deterrence and the political utility of NWs and whether these are general propositions/ laws or culturally or state specific, cannot be reliably answered.
- Topic:
- Cold War and Nuclear Weapons
- Political Geography:
- United States and Iran
9623. Strategic Reassurance if Iran "Goes Nuclear": A Framework and Some Propositions
- Author:
- Lewis A. Dunn
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Strategic Insights
- Institution:
- Center for Contemporary Conflict
- Abstract:
- Faced with continuing uncertainties about Iran's nuclear weapon ambitions, reassurance and deterrence have figured prominently in our discussions of Gulf and wider Middle East security. During this workshop, presentations also have addressed what may yet be done in an attempt to influence Iran's nuclear weapons calculus as talks begin between the P - 5 + 1 and Iran. My presentation seeks to address issues of strategic reassurance if Iran crosses the nuclear weapon threshold.
- Topic:
- Nuclear Weapons
- Political Geography:
- Iran and Middle East
9624. Energy Matters
- Author:
- András Deák
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
- Institution:
- Slovak Foreign Policy Association
- Abstract:
- The coming great economic recession and likely depression afterwards, is to set energy prices at a relatively low level for the next 5-7 years. However, this migh be the last chance to prepare for an era of extreme energy prices. With a growing gap of invesments into the industry and tight market situation might couple the economic recovery with scarce supplies and high energy prices. All this promises a high price volatility for the next decade, when Western and particularly European instruments to exert influence on the global energy landscape will be rather few. All this means, that even if energy does not seem to be the most urgent task to be solved now, it is a high time to reconsider Europe's energy future and our perceiption of dependence. Understandably, this also raises the questions related to common energy policies. New Eastern EU members brought new aspects for common EU energy policy. The patchwork of Central European energy and Russian policies, however, is only a slightly less colurful, than attitudes in the EU. We have witnessed very few common positions in these regards. Thus, energy policy co-operation is possible only in cases of win-win situations and by bringing these problems, rather to the technical, not to the political level. Common EU policies, regulation and liberalization directives impacted these energy policies much more, than autonomous Central European co-operation.
- Political Geography:
- Europe
9625. (RE)DISCOVERING CENTRAL ASIA
- Author:
- Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh
- Publication Date:
- 02-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
- Institution:
- Slovak Foreign Policy Association
- Abstract:
- The article discusses the issues of unitary and multiple polarities in relation to state inter-dependency in the Central Asian region. The author makes the case that regionalism among nation states will be the determining factor in implementing long term policies for human security and cooperation. The article proposes that regional associations, such as the UNRCCA, can act as a structural arbitrator setting norms, organizing collective actions, sharing information, assessing risk and spreading interlinkages. Examples from Central Asia are offered throughout the article.
- Political Geography:
- Central Asia
9626. TOWARDS A CENTRAL EUROPEAN SECURITY IDENTITY
- Author:
- Ivo Samson
- Publication Date:
- 04-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
- Institution:
- Slovak Foreign Policy Association
- Abstract:
- The author defines that institutionalization through the construction of the Visegrad Group identity has aided in this region's rise to prevalence in areas such as trade and security; and contends that in order to have even stronger influence in Europe, the Group must continue to define its relevance as a unified faction. The author concludes that the building up of a common Visegrad identity must be necessarily based on a common language, in which one addresses common security threats, positions toward Russia, toward the transatlantic relations and a common vision of one geographically and culturally shared political view of European and Euro- Atlantic affairs.
- Topic:
- Security
- Political Geography:
- Russia and Europe
9627. NATO Enlargement to Ukraine and Georgia: Old Wine in New Bottles?
- Author:
- Dušica Lazarević
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Connections
- Institution:
- Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes
- Abstract:
- This article examines the question of possible NATO enlargement to Ukraine and Georgia, although it will not venture to provide a firm answer as to its likelihood. The aim of the essay is to offer an accurate analysis of the aspiration of these two former Soviet republics to join the Alliance, with a primary focus on relations between the West (in this case, NATO) and Russia, the successor of the Soviet legacy. In the process, it will try to uncover the underlying principle of NATO enlargement as such. To this end, the article will use geopolitics as a theoretical background to explain the behavior of the parties involved, carefully taking into consideration the specific position of NATO as an alliance. Furthermore, it will elaborate the debates over each post-Cold War round of enlargement, with special focus on the first post-Cold War round of NATO enlargement, as this event established the fact of Alliance expansion and laid out the rules for future enlargement rounds. Studying the positions of Ukraine and Georgia in the context of cooperation with NATO, the article addresses the differences and similarities of the two countries, and examines separately their relations with NATO, Russia, and the United States. The overall conclusion is that the prospects for Ukraine and Georgia to accede to NATO membership are not bright, but at the same time they are not completely without prospects. Their ultimate outcome will depend on the terms—whether explicit or tacit— of the ongoing transatlantic bargain between the U.S. and Russia.
- Political Geography:
- Russia, United States, Ukraine, and Georgia
9628. The Russian Bear: Russian Strategic Culture and What it Implies for the West
- Author:
- Norbert Eitelhuber
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Connections
- Institution:
- Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes
- Abstract:
- This essay identifies the nature of Russia's strategic culture: it is its propensity to use force to achieve strategic objectives. It argues that Western policymakers have consistently misperceived the reasons for Russian foreign policy behavior, as they fail to take into account the enduring nature of Russia's strategic culture. This article claims that Russia has a strategic culture that is fairly stable, although significant changes occurred after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Most importantly, Russia's imperial ambitions vanished, along with the desire to spread an ideology. The role of military strength as a source of power declined, while the prominence of economic power increased. In the post-Cold War era, Russia has aimed at restoring its status within a great power order, improving the standard of living for its people, and developing (or revising) its national identity. At the same time, the strategic culture that prevails in Moscow makes Russia particularly sensitive to actions taken by the West. The article concludes by examining opportunities for accommodation and constructive engagement with Russia. To attenuate the tensions that currently exist, the West should react assertively but moderately to rhetorical saber rattling and other provocations, and engage in constructive cooperation on both contemporary security threats and economic issues, including pursuing close cooperation to mitigate the effects of the international financial crisis on Russia. In the near term, the West should focus on working with Russia to develop a new concept for long-term security and stability in Eurasia. Future research should thus focus on forward-looking networked diplomacy approaches that may be suited to overcome a Cold War mindset oriented toward bloc confrontation.
- Topic:
- Cold War
- Political Geography:
- Russia
9629. Corruption in Lithuania
- Author:
- Raimundas Urbonas
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Connections
- Institution:
- Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes
- Abstract:
- The negative impact of corruption on a country and its population is tremendous. It affects state politics, economics, administration, the legal and social sphere, and precipitates a negative international perception of state prestige. The purpose of this article is to describe the status of corruption in Lithuania in comparison with other European Union member states and other counties, discuss achievements in the creation of an anti-corruption legal framework, analyze how corruption affects democracy in Lithuania and, finally, assess corruption in Lithuania by comparing cultural conditions in Lithuania versus selected European Union countries.
- Topic:
- Corruption
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Lithuania
9630. Montenegro's Strategic Priorities on the Path of Euro-Atlantic Integration
- Author:
- Gordana Djurović
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Connections
- Institution:
- Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes
- Abstract:
- Euro-Atlantic integration is the best framework for ensuring the long-term stability and security of the countries in the Western Balkans, and is the precondition for their economic development. Euro-Atlantic frameworks provide mechanisms for establishing confidence between countries in the regions, as well as strengthening cooperation and understanding, in the area of security and in many other fields. This is the reason why Montenegro fully supports the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of its neighbors, with a focus on regional cooperation and participation in all regional initiatives that are based on a good-neighbor policy. Montenegro's strategic priorities on the international level are building positive relations with its neighbors, increasing the level of regional security, and contributing to peacekeeping and stability in the world through participation in international missions and operations led by the UN, the EU, and NATO. At the same time, practical and efficient realization and implementation of a range of Partnership for Peace mechanisms have enabled Montenegro to gain access in a very short period of time to the Intensified Dialogue with NATO, and to begin the initial stages of the Membership Action Plan. Montenegro is ready to respond as rapidly as possible to all challenges that might arise in its path toward NATO membership, and looks forward to working in consultation and assistance with NATO, its neighbors, and other member states of NATO and the PfP.
- Topic:
- Security and NATO
- Political Geography:
- Europe and United Nations