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Begin New Search Topic International Relations Content Type Special Report

192. ISIS global strategy: A wargame

Author:
Harleen Gambhir
Publication Date:
07-2015
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for the Study of War
Abstract:
The United States currently faces multiple national security threats in an environment of growing disorder. ISIS is executing a sophisticated global strategy that involves simultaneous efforts in Iraq and Syria, the Middle East and North Africa, and the wider world. Homegrown terrorism is increasing in the U.S. and Europe. Civil wars are intensifying in Ukraine, Yemen, and Libya, while the U.S. attempts to pivot to the Asia-Pacific. In this complex environment, it is difficult for policymakers to discern the consequences of action or inaction even in the near future.
Topic:
International Relations and International Security
Political Geography:
Global Focus

193. Fragile Politics: Weak States in the Greater Middle East

Author:
Center for International and Regional Studies
Publication Date:
01-2014
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center for International and Regional Studies: CIRS
Abstract:
A growing body of literature within the social science disciplines has developed over the last few decades around the concept of “state failure.” Initially, the scholarship focused on the poor economic performance of certain states, highlighting their weaknesses in delivering efficient economic growth and fostering development. An emerging developmental discourse, fuelled by the enthusiasm of international organizations that embraced the notion of inherent but potentially “fixable” weaknesses, added weight to this body of scholarship. Aid and assistance programs were implemented on the basis of this idea of state weakness, and on the assumption that these internal “weaknesses” could somehow be mitigated through externally-supported and specifically targeted development initiatives. Bilateral and multilateral efforts were devoted to turning these weak states around, supposedly from the brink of failure, into healthy, viable entities
Topic:
International Relations, International Affairs, and Fragile States
Political Geography:
Middle East

194. Afghanistan: transition to transformation, National and external stakeholder interests

Author:
Ian Dudgeon
Publication Date:
02-2014
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
On 31 December 2014 Afghanistan will move from a UN-led period of ‘transition’ (2001- 2014) to an Afghan-led and owned ‘transformation decade’ (2015-2024). During transition, the UN has sought to rebuild the basic political, security, economic and societal institutions and infrastructure of Afghanistan, which were all but destroyed by the previous Taliban government, but are essential prerequisites for the restoration of Afghanistan as a functional nation. Transformation will seek to consolidate and build on the outcomes of transition and ensure that Afghanistan achieves the goal of being not only a functional nation, but also a stable and durable nation.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Afghanistan

195. II Informe sobre el estado de la cultura en España 2014: la salida digital

Author:
Enrique Bustamante
Publication Date:
02-2014
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
Han transcurrido tres años desde que la Fundación Alternativas elaboró el primer informe sobre el estado de la Cultura en España. En aquella ocasión, después de hacer un repaso de la situación en los diferentes sectores culturales, se llegó a la conclusión de que nuestras políticas culturales obtenían un aprobado raspado, pues nunca ha sido nuestro fuerte, como país, dedicar la debida atención en medios, al mundo de la cultura. A tenor de este II Informe que, con el título «La salida digital», publicamos ahora, seguramente no obtendría, nuestra cultura, ni tan siquiera un modesto aprobado y quiero dejar claro, con el fin de evitar confusiones, que cuando hablamos de la situación o estado de la cultura no nos referimos a los creadores culturales que los hay en abundancia y de gran mérito, sino a las políticas culturales que se realizan, ya sea desde el ámbito público como privado. He sostenido, desde hace tiempo, que España reúne las mejores condiciones para ser una potencia cultural, aunque solo fuera por ese arma formidable que es su lengua, la segunda más hablada del mundo y con tendencia a la expansión. No obstante, desde los poderes públicos y desde instancias privadas, no se le presta el apoyo debido, ya sea en términos de legislación, de fiscalidad, de patrocinio o institucional. No es normal que en un momento de grave y sostenida crisis económica, como la actual, se haya castigado fiscalmente a nuestras industrias culturales, se haya recortado de manera drástica la inversión en cultura, se hayan deteriorado las condiciones laborales de sus actores o se haya eliminado el Ministerio de las Culturas, por solo mencionar algunos estragos.
Topic:
International Relations
Political Geography:
Spain

196. The New Challenges to the EuroAmerican Relationship: Russia and the Middle East

Author:
Guido Lenzi
Publication Date:
11-2014
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Security and International Studies (ISIS)
Abstract:
We have not reached the “end of history”, but this is one of its crossroads, a hinge, like Westphalia in 1648, Vienna in 1815, Versailles in 1919, San Francisco 1in 1945 (or the soon forgotten Paris in 1990). We are all, in other words, once again „present at the creation‟. Not much further than the square one that Roosevelt and Truman established seventy years ago. The “winds of change” that Harold MacMillan detected in 19561 are blowing anew. International relations have to cope with unprecedented situations, in what is essentially a systemic transition from traditional power-politics to global cooperative endeavors. Having discovered that military might is not decisive anymore, that deterrence cannot apply to non-state troublemakers and terrorists, and that, both regionally and globally, self-protective instincts prevail over international solidarity. While borders do not mean much anymore, state sovereignty makes a comeback. A mixture of inherent contradictions, that only a new international paradigmcan cope with, and that only „the West‟ appears able, if less willing, to provide
Topic:
International Relations
Political Geography:
Global Focus

197. EU-Turkey Relations: Towards a Constructive Re-engagement?

Author:
Aycan Akdeniz
Publication Date:
10-2013
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
This report is written by Aycan Akdeniz who is a political analyst at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Turkey. This report analyzes the “cautious optimism” elicited by the recent developments after a long period of stalemate in Turkey-EU relations. Written in a period after the opening of Chapter 22 through the lifting of the French veto and the publication of the 16. Progress Report, the report examines the effects of the euro crisis, the “Arab Spring”, the Cyprus Issue and the Gezi Park protests on the future of Turkey-EU relations and draws conclusions on what is needed to be done by both sides for a constructive re-engagement between Turkey and the EU. Bu çalışma, Avrupa Birliği(AB) Türkiye Delegasyonu’ndan Aycan Akdeniz tarafından hazırlanmıştır. Rapor Türkiye-AB ilişkilerinin tıkanma noktasına geldiği bir dönemin ardından son gelişmeler ışığında ortaya çıkan “temkinli iyimserlik” ortamını değerlendirmektedir. 22. Başlık’ın Fransa’nın vetosunu kaldırmasıyla açıldığı ve 16. İlerleme Raporu’nun yayımlandığı bir dönemde yazılan bu rapor euro krizi, “Arap Baharı”, Kıbrıs sorunu ve Gezi protestolarının Türkiye-AB ilişkileri ve ilişkilerinin geleceği üzerinde etkisini ve bu ilişkilerin güçlenmesi için tarafların ne yapması gerektiğini incelemektedir.
Topic:
International Relations, European Union, Arab Spring, and Protests
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, Middle East, and Cyprus

198. From Imperial Geography to Everyday Geopolitics

Author:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Publication Date:
07-2013
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
The paper presents the results of three meetings co-organized by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) Foreign Policy Programme (FPP) and the The PeaceResearch Institute Oslo (PRIO) Cyprus Centre. The workshops, held in Tbilisi, Istanbul and the buffer zone in Nicosia, discussed the policies followed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the former imperial geography and noted current expectations from the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, and Economy
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

199. India’s Liberal Agenda

Author:
Gateway House
Publication Date:
08-2013
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
This report examines whether traditional liberalism stands a chance in today’s India, where the individual’s role has been nearly subsumed by a dominant state seeking to be benefactor.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
India

200. Emerging Schlars

Author:
Melissa Conley Tyler
Publication Date:
12-2013
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) was established in 1924 with to promote public understanding and interest in international affairs. The AIIA works actively to engage younger people in the community in its work by coordinating events such as careers fairs, school events, mentoring, internships and the Young Diplomats Program
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Australia