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31. International Issues & Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs Contents

Publication Date:
01-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
The decade of 2000–2010 was the warmest decade in recent history. It was also a decade of climate extremes such as the 2003 heat wave in western Europe and 2010 heat wave in Russia, frequent major floods in Europe, Pakistan in 2010 or Australia in early 2011, devastating cyclones, or major cold snaps and snow blizzards as in the US, UK and China. Despite this reality, there persists a deep gap between the scientific evidence about the changing climate of the Earth, and political awareness about the reasons and consequences of global warming. Such a gap between physical reality and political thinking will be extremely costly. Recent scientific evidence suggests that measures considered to tackle global warming are gravely inadequate. It appears that the average global temperature by 2100 will increase by at least 3°C to 4°C. Such increase will have devastating effects on agricultural production and survival of hundreds of millions people. The purpose of this paper is to improve understanding of climate change science among policy makers and diplomats.
Political Geography:
Pakistan, Russia, United States, China, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia

32. International Issues Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs Contents

Author:
Ivo Samson and Jozef Ulia
Publication Date:
11-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
Security sector reform is a rather complex and complicated issue. There are various aspects to security system reform. The article focuses primarily on an analysis of security sector reforms implemented in relation to the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, the export of arms and especially arms export control, and on the specific features of Slovakia's approach to security sector reform. The ultimate aim of this study is to provide a particular perspective on the series of problems Slovakia has had to struggle with up to the present day.

33. International Issues Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs Contents

Author:
Erzsébet N. Rózsa
Publication Date:
08-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
The demonstrations that have swept through the Arab world since mid- December 2010 have taken everybody by surprise: domestic, regional and external actors alike. The Arab uprising began at a time when the Middle East is undergoing profound re-structuring, and thus it may change not only the course, but also the direction and the context of events. While the media talk of a “domino effect,” we claim that the events were not organically and directly interlinked, and although the demonstrable effect of the events in one country over those in another cannot be underestimated, the Arab countries have gone a long way down the path of “nation- statehood” and have become independent states with specific, and sometimes contrasting interests. The 2011 Arab uprisings are indicative of the beginning of a new chapter in the newly evolving regional order: they seem to have restored and re-confirmed the dignity, self-esteem and to a certain extent the sense of unity of Arabs. At the same time, they reflect a new phase of development in the duality of the patrimonial system (in the real sphere) and the institutions (of the virtual sphere), in the course of which, the inhabitants, refusing to remain “subjects,” may only – either temporarily or eventually – turn into “citizens.” In this new regional order Egypt has a new chance: political transformation and the constitutional process offer an opportunity which may make Egypt the unquestionable political leader of the Arab world again.
Political Geography:
Egypt

34. Table of Contents Articles

Author:
Péter Balázs
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
Hungary assumed the EU Council presidency as the third "new" EU member state after Slovenia and the Czech Republic, but the first in a new post-Lisbon institutional regime. The article provides an overview of the political and operational performance of the first-ever Hungarian EU presidency and strives to evaluate the overall impact this had on the image Hungary has, primarily in the EU.
Political Geography:
Europe and Hungary

35. Table of Contents Full Issue

Author:
Vladimír Bilčík
Publication Date:
12-2010
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
This article aims to outline and explain new preferences that the NMS have brought to the EU since 2004. The contribution is chiefly empirical, drawing on research and interviews conducted with 64 policymakers in Brussels from 2008 to 2009. In short, the text seeks to highlight what has been learned about the key foreign and security policy preferences of the NMS and what policy innovations, if any, the post-communist Europe is bringing to the EU's external agendas. The contribution concludes by highlighting the distinct interests and geographic focus of foreign policy in post-communist Europe whereby issues of historical identity, nationhood and ethnicity are atleast as important in post-communist foreign policy thinking as calculations of trade benefits and economic gains.
Topic:
Foreign Policy
Political Geography:
Europe

36. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

Author:
Boris Divinský
Publication Date:
06-2010
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
The goal of the contribution is to familiarize the reader with the quantitative and qualitative developments in the field of migration in the Slovak Republic that took place from its incorporation into the European Union back in 2004. The text of the present paper is based on research outcomes of the project 'Migration in the Slovak Republic After its Accession to the EU (2004–2008) – An Analysis of Migration Trends and Attitudes of the Public to the Migration Issues and Integration of Foreigners' carried out by the International Organization for Migration in the Slovak Republic. However, these findings were updated by data related to 2009, thanks to which a somehow wider view of the development trajectories, fundamental attributes and key issues in the area of migration since Slovakia's accession to the Union was gained.
Topic:
International Organization
Political Geography:
Europe and Slovakia

37. ENERGY (STILL) MATTERS

Author:
Karel Hirman
Publication Date:
03-2010
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
Energy, energy security and the threat of climate change have been the central issues of international politics in recent years. This was also noticed at the last meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries being held in October 2009 at its headquarters in Paris. The ministers of 28 member states (including Slovakia) together with the European Commission agreed that the world is facing unprecedented economic, environmental and security threats and that all of them are, more-or-less, related to energy. Their solution aims at creating a safer, cleaner and more sustainable energy future. In other words, it is inevitable to switch into a low-carbon energy and economy. The events of recent years suggest that the global economy finds itself at the beginning of the end of the 'oil era'. One assumes that traditional fossil fuels, particularly oil, gas and coal, will be, for at least two decades, the basic raw materials for global energy, i.e. for our global civilization. It is also clear, however, that the increase in consumption of the fossil fuels, due to the increase in living standards in the countries of Asia, Latin America or Africa, is limited not only by the size of their reserves, but also by the impact on the environment and geopolitical-security risks arising from their location and transportation routes.
Topic:
Security
Political Geography:
Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Slovakia

38. Table of Contents Full Issue

Author:
Nora Beňáková
Publication Date:
09-2010
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
Institution:
Slovak Foreign Policy Association
Abstract:
Slovakia started its ODA program based on her international commitments and membership in international organizations grouping the donor community. It was enlisted into the community of the most developed countries and donors in 2000 by entering the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and by paying mostly voluntary contributions to international organizations providing humanitarian aid and running the scholarship programs. The fact that Slovakia is one of the countries providing assistance was confirmed in 2008 by the decision of the World Bank who definitely reclassified Slovakia from the countries that receive assistance to the countries that provide it. It should also become evident in the increase of amount and quality of development assistance provided. However, this calls for a change in thinking from the side of politicians, media and public.
Topic:
International Organization
Political Geography:
Slovakia

39. 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

40. (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