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911. As China Rises, Americans Seek Closer Ties with Japan

Author:
Craig Kafura
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Abstract:
Over the first two years of the Trump administration, the United States has simultaneously aggrieved Japan, a pivotal US ally in Asia, while also taking a more confrontational stance against China. This has raised broad concerns about the future of US involvement in Asia and the basis of support for the US-Japan alliance. While the American public is hesitant to get involved in a conflict between China and Japan, public support for US bases in Japan is at an all-time high, and Americans across party lines want to build strong relations with US allies in Asia
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

912. US Public Divides along Party Lines on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Author:
Craig Kafura
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Abstract:
In the past year, the Trump administration has moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, ended aid to the United Nation agency supporting Palestinian refugees, and announced the closure of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington, DC. These actions, heavily criticized by the international community, are a dramatic shift from past US policy. The 2018 Chicago Council Survey, conducted after the US embassy move to Jerusalem but before the other actions, finds that the American public has generally not formed an opinion about the embassy relocation and would prefer that the US not take a side in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. A just completed Chicago Council-University of Texas survey of foreign policy opinion leaders shows that leaders have stronger views. Republican opinion leaders approve of the embassy relocation, while solid majorities of Democratic and Independent leaders disapprove
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

913. The Fate of the World Trade Organization in the Age of Trump

Author:
Philip I. Levy
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Abstract:
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is teetering. The Trump Administration has attacked it repeatedly, blocked moves to restock its judicial panels, and looked skeptically on its multilateral decision-making process. For an organization that embodied the results of decades of trade liberalization and emerged triumphantly in the mid-1990s, this has been a remarkable fall from grace. In this brief, we ask why the WTO is worth saving, consider the complaints lodged against it, and suggest what would be required for a serious rescue attempt. There are several reasons to hope, but more reasons for concern
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

914. The Internationalisation of the Khashoggi Case: Prospects and Possibilities

Author:
Al Jazeera Center for Studies
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Al Jazeera Center for Studies
Abstract:
So far, Turkey has been successful in its pursuit of internationalising the Khashoggi case and playing its cards strategically to keep the attention of international media and appeal to the morality of peoples and governments while also avoiding a direct clash with Saudi Arabia
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Turkey

915. The Saudi Predicament: The Domestic and Foreign Cost of Khashoggi’s Assassination

Author:
Al Jazeera Center for Studies
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Al Jazeera Center for Studies
Abstract:
Khashoggi’s assassination has seriously eroded Saudi Arabia’s reputation, interests and international relations. This puts the kingdom’s allies and MBS boosters in a tight spot, wondering if they should disassociate themselves from the kingdom to best preserve their own reputations.
Topic:
International Security and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Saudi Arabia

916. Under the gun: Rearmament for arms control in Europe

Author:
Gustav Gressel
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Council On Foreign Relations
Abstract:
The decrepitude of arms control treaties in Europe is becoming increasingly apparent at the same time as Russia continues to act as a revisionist power. Russia’s unpredictability and lack of transparency is part of its competitive advantage. It will therefore not give this up by returning to arms-control agreements of the late cold war or negotiating new ones. Arms control is an integrated part of Russia’s military strategy: to advance its own military position while weakening that of its enemies. As a result, it is open to arms-control agreements that would entrench its military superiority in eastern Europe and prevent the technological gap between Russia and the West from growing. This logic creates an opportunity for the West. If Europe engages in rearmament, enhances its militaries’ combat-readiness and capacity to quickly conduct large-scale, sustainable deployments to eastern Europe, it will deprive Russia of its relative military superiority. Moscow will then be willing to talk on arms control. Europeans still need to agree a common approach on what they want to achieve vis-à-vis Russia, however. Otherwise, they will be divided and public support for rearmament will falter.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

917. Beyond ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ Putin

Author:
Barbara Kunz
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Abstract:
France and Germany are key in shaping European policies toward Russia. However, while the general public is largely skeptical of Vladimir Putin in both countries, the picture is more diverse in the political realm. Whereas Germany remains focused on multilateralism and a rules-based international order, French political parties have been split on Russia. The differences between and within France and Germany impact on Franco-German relations and go beyond the question on how to deal with Russia.
Topic:
International Cooperation and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Russia

918. Permanent Deterrence: Enhancements to the US Military Presence in North Central Europe

Author:
Philip Breedlove and Alexander Vershbow
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
North Central Europe has become the central point of confrontation between the West and a revisionist Russia. Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia is determined to roll back the post-Cold War settlement and undermine the rules-based order that has kept Europe secure since the end of World War II. Moscow’s invasion and continued occupation of Georgian and Ukrainian territories, its military build-up in Russia’s Western Military District and Kaliningrad, and its “hybrid” warfare against Western societies have heightened instability in the region have made collective defense and deterrence an urgent mission for the United States and NATO
Topic:
International Security and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Russia

919. Ukrainian Election Task Force—Exposing Foreign Interference in Ukraine’s Democracy

Author:
Ukrainian Election Task Force
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s persistent efforts to influence the domestic politics of his neighbors and countries well beyond Russia’s borders have posed enormous challenges in Europe and across the Atlantic. More than any other country, Ukraine has been the unwanted recipient of Moscow’s attention, particularly during the past five years. The Kremlin has sought to place a pliable client in command in Kyiv and block Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, including by pressuring the previous Ukrainian leadership against signing. The March 2019 presidential election will be a pivotal event in Ukraine’s history
Topic:
International Relations, International Affairs, and Elections
Political Geography:
Ukraine

920. Tip-Toeing Toward Transparency: Jade and Gemstone Sector Disclosures in Myanmar

Author:
Paul Shortell
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Natural Resource Governance Institute
Abstract:
Myanmar exports more than 90 percent of global jade supply and is also a leading source of high-quality rubies, sapphires and other varieties of colored gemstones. Mining of these precious stones generates billions of dollars annually, making it one of the country’s most significant sectors. Yet the jade and gemstone industry has remained largely shrouded in secrecy, with most profits flowing to armed groups and political elites rather than supporting broad-based economic and social development.1 The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard designed to “promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources.”2 Since Myanmar became a candidate country in 2014, the EITI process has helped to shine light on the previously opaque jade and gemstone sector. Myanmar EITI released its first reconciliation report, covering fiscal year
Topic:
International Affairs and Natural Resources
Political Geography:
Global Focus