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401. The China Tariff Mess

Author:
Martin S. Feldstein
Publication Date:
09-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
Abstract:
The cost to US consumers and firms imposed by tariffs on Chinese imports is not large relative to the gain that would be achieved if the US succeeds in persuading China to stop illegally taking US firms’ technology. But the Trump administration should state that this is the goal, and that the tariffs will be removed when it is met.
Topic:
International Cooperation, International Political Economy, and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

402. Human Rights and Election Standards A Plan of Action

Author:
The Carter Center
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
The Carter Center
Abstract:
Through their joint initiative on Human Rights and Election Standards, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and The Carter Center have worked to bring the human rights and election communities closer and to foster stronger links and communication between them. This Plan of Action aims to advance human rights related to genuine democratic elections by charting a course of practical steps toward our shared goals. The draft plan was developed based on the recommendations formulated through consultations that took place between 2015 and 2017. Going forward, organizations and individuals may agree on an ad-hoc basis to disseminating and acting upon the recommendations in this Plan of Action. The OHCHR and The Carter Center acknowledge the many individuals and organizations that contributed to the Human Rights and Election Standards consultations
Topic:
Human Rights and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

403. Inside the ADF Rebellion A Glimpse into the Life and Operations of a Secretive Jihadi Armed Group

Author:
Center on International Cooperation
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Research Paper
Institution:
Center on International Cooperation
Abstract:
Beni territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered from some of the most brutal violence in the country’s recent history. However, the massacres around Beni, which began in October 2014 and have killed more than 1,000 people, have been shrouded in mystery. No group has officially claimed responsibility for the killings; research by Congo Research Group (CRG) and the UN Group of Experts suggests that many actors, including the Congolese government, have been involved.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

404. NYU CIC 2018 Annual Report

Author:
Center on International Cooperation
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center on International Cooperation
Abstract:
On the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are pleased to share some of the work we are most proud of from July 2017-June 2018 — work that we believe has contributed to advancing effective multilateral action to prevent crises and build peace, justice, and inclusion.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

405. Review of the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice, and Corrections

Author:
Arthur Paige
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center on International Cooperation
Abstract:
In 2012, recognizing that the United Nations (UN) system was at a crossroads with respect to its fragmented, sometimes duplicative, and often competitive efforts on rule of law assistance in post-conflict countries, the Secretary-General took steps to incentivize cooperation and collaboration across a highly siloed structure. The Global Focal Point for Police, Justice, and Corrections Areas in the Rule of Law in Post-Conflict and Other Crisis Situations (the GFP) was thus born.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

406. Nicaragua and the Dynamics of a Revolution

Author:
Marcelo Lopez de Aragon
Publication Date:
07-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Council on International Policy (CIP)
Abstract:
Since April 18, 2018, Nicaragua has been stricken by civil unrest initially triggered by the government’s lack of response to wildfires in an environmentally protected reserve. Compounding matters, the government introduced unilateral reforms, which were subsequently withdrawn, to the country’s social security system that would have increased contributions and lowered benefits. Unaccustomed to protests, the government, headed by authoritarian President Daniel Ortega, reacted violently. What began as a relatively small and peaceful protest by university students, was met with brutal force by the police and paramilitary groups using live ammunition fired at civilians. To date, the total body count numbers in the hundreds, with over a thousand injured and hundreds arbitrarily imprisoned. Undaunted, thousands of Nicaraguans have maintained daily protests, demanding the end of the government’s violent attacks. More importantly, their demands have now expanded to also include a complete overhaul of the country’s governmental institutions as they are widely seen as having been manipulated by President Ortega. Undemocratic reforms such as re-writing of the Constitution to allow for his third term in office, the elimination of term limits, and allowing his wife as his Vice-President are core to the protestors’ concerns, which escalated from modest protests around wildfires and changes to social security. These pent up grievances have the protesters demanding the resignation of Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, in power for over 11 years, to be followed by early elections.
Topic:
International Affairs and Popular Revolt
Political Geography:
Nicaragua and Global Focus

407. Divided at the centre: Germany, Poland, and the troubles of the Trump era

Author:
Piotr Buras and Josef Janning
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
European Council On Foreign Relations
Abstract:
Berlin and Warsaw have very different ideas about how to respond to the challenge Trump’s presidency poses to Europe. While Germany emphasises the need to strengthen Europe’s resilience and unity, the Polish response has been to embrae the opportunities of the new political reality and enhance its bilateral partnership with the US. These differing approaches may aggravate the crisis in the Polish-German bilateral relationship and negatively affect the European Union’s defence integration and arms control policies. Warsaw should use NATO as the framework for discussions on strengthening the American military presence in Poland. Germany should be open to a strategic debate on the issue and no longer hide behind concerns about the NATO-Russia Founding Act (which Russia has abrogated). Instead of talking about “European sovereignty”, Poland and Germany should join other member states in clearly defining the vulnerabilities that the EU as a whole must address, including those resulting from US policy.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

408. 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

409. The United States and China— A Relationship Adrift: The New War in Trade, Investment, and High Technology

Author:
Asia Society Policy Institute
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Asia Society Policy Institute
Abstract:
HISTORY TEACHES US THAT PICKING WHEN ONE AGE ENDS AND ANOTHER BEGINS is a tricky business. None of us has the powers of reflection, perception, or anticipation to identify when certain tipping points of historical significance are reached. And when we reach such conclusions, it’s usually with the full benefit of 20/20 hindsight, which for those of us working in the rarefied world of contemporary public policy is not particularly useful
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

410. Carbon Market Cooperation in Northeast Asia: Assessing Challenges and Overcoming Barriers

Author:
Jackson Ewing
Publication Date:
06-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Asia Society Policy Institute
Abstract:
ACROSS ALL ERAS AND IN ALL PLACES, POLICYMAKERS MAKE DECISIONS on incomplete information. It is fundamental to public leadership—particularly at the highest levels—that decisions taken reflect some personal judgment of the existing evidence and arguments at hand. Uncertainty of outcome and the risk of unintended consequences are ever-present
Topic:
International Affairs and Geopolitics
Political Geography:
Global Focus