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711. The future of Israel-Palestine: a one-state reality in the making

Author:
Khalil Shikaki
Publication Date:
05-2012
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution
Abstract:
With no agreement on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in sight, one-state dynamics are gaining momentum – a development that will be difficult to reverse or even contain. In the medium and long term, no one benefits from such a development. Indeed, all might lose: an ugly one-state dynamic has no happy ending, and such a solution is rejected by Palestinians and Israelis alike. Instead, the emerging one-state reality increases the potential for various kinds of conflicts and contradictory impulses. The international community too finds itself unprepared and perhaps unwilling to confront this emerging reality, but in doing so it imperils the prospects for peace in the region – the exact thing it seeks to promote.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Treaties and Agreements, and Territorial Disputes
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Arabia

712. On the Brink: Israeli settlements and their impact on Palestinians in the Jordan Valley

Author:
Lara El-Jazairi and Fionna Smyth
Publication Date:
07-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
The Jordan Valley, located in the eastern part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), makes up 30 per cent of the West Bank (see Map 1 on page 7). Requisitions and expropriations of Palestinian land by the Israeli authorities continue to destroy the livelihoods of Palestinians living in the area and, unless action is taken, there are strong indications that the situation will only get worse. The Israeli government recently announced proposals and policies for the expansion of settlements, which, if implemented, will further threaten the living conditions and human rights of Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley, undermining efforts to bring peace and prosperity to the OPT and Israel.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Agriculture, Development, Peace Studies, Treaties and Agreements, and Territorial Disputes
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Arabia

713. Security Sector Transformation in the Arab Awakening

Author:
Donald J. Planty
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
The Arab Awakening opened the door to democratic political change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Security sector reform (SSR) is an integral component of the nascent democratic process in the region. While SSR is a long-term process, it should be a key part of institution building in the new democracies. Democracy requires security institutions that are open, professional, and responsive to public needs. The transitions to democracy are varied in nature and scope. SSR will differ by country and must be tailored to the political realities and specific circumstances of each state. The international community can foster successful SSR processes by calibrating its assistance according to the reform efforts in each country. A general or “one-size-fits-all” approach to SSR will not be successful. A sense of political powerlessness, an unresponsive bureaucracy, a general lack of opportunity, economic stagnation (including high unemployment), and repressive security forces all contributed to the Arab Awakening. As a result of the upheaval, democratic forces in several of the MENA countries are pushing for transparency and accountability in the security services. SSR must be undertaken in a holistic manner, couched within the framework of overall democratic reform and linked to other broad policies such as justice sector reform, evolution of the political process, and economic development. SSR will only be achieved if it is integrated and pursued in unison with these larger processes of democratic change. The international community, especially the United States and the European Union, need to foster democratic developments and, in particular, to support and coordinate SSR.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Democratization, Economics, and Regime Change
Political Geography:
Europe, Middle East, Arabia, and North Africa

714. Türkiye'nin Ortadoğu Politikası

Author:
Kemal İnat
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Journal Article
Abstract:
Turkish foreign policy toward the Middle East has confronted with more and novel security challenges in 2012. The problematic issues related to Arab revolutions of 2011 have already had negative repercussions for Ankara. As a result of diverging policy choices toward the Arab revolutions, these conflicting issues caused more strained relations between Turkey and its neighbors in the region. Regional actors divided over how to respond to political deadlocks in the Middle East. While Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have sided together, Iran, Syria and the central government of Iraq have made their policies jointly. This very division between the regional actors has increased the security risks within the Middle East. These two camps have particularly conflicting policy agendas and as a result, they have become part of a “proxy war” in Syria which constitutes the biggest security threat to the whole region. Despite the deteriorating situation in Syria and its own tense political environment domestically, Turkey, has continued to strengthen its economic relations with the Middle Eastern capitals except Damascus. It was partly a result of this policy that Turkey's export toward the Middle East increased significantly.
Topic:
Security, Foreign Policy, Economics, Environment, and Government
Political Geography:
Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Middle East, Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Damascus, and Ankara

715. Regime Change in the Middle East: Problems and Prospects

Author:
Daniel Byman
Publication Date:
05-2012
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Political Science Quarterly
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
DANIEL BYMAN discusses the diplomatic and security implications of the Arab Spring. He finds that new alignments have begun in the Arab world and that the regionʼs stability is being shaken. He argues that these changes affect an array of declared U.S. interests.
Topic:
Security and Regime Change
Political Geography:
United States, Middle East, and Arabia

716. What the Women Say: Killing them Softly: The Stark Impact of Sanctions on the Lives of Ordinary Iranians

Author:
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Publication Date:
07-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Abstract:
In its ongoing series of MENA region ‘What the Women Say’ briefs, ICAN provides a gendered analysis of the impact of sanctions, echoing the voices and experiences of Iranians, particularly women’s rights activists, regarding the social, economic, political and security consequences. At a time when the United States, the European Union and others are heralding their national action plans on women, peace and security that highlight the need for women’s protection in times of crisis and their participation in conflict prevention and peacemaking, this brief offers the international community recommendations on limiting the immediate and long-term damage being wrought on women, Iranian society and ultimately regional security.
Topic:
Security, Sanctions, Women, and Gender
Political Geography:
Iran and Middle East

717. Voice and Vision: What the Women Say

Author:
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Abstract:
In September 2012 the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) convened the first regional “What the Women Say” MENA/South Asia Forum on Rights, Peace and Security with nearly 50 women representing 12 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region, with international partners. This group of peace and women’s rights experts, practitioners, activists and scholars met over a four-day period to draw on the framework provided by UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security to compare and contrast the fast-paced changes in the region. Their discussions included country situations analyses with attention to the gender dimensions of root causes and evolving political, economic, security, religious and socio-cultural trends; the threats and opportunities facing women’s movements; and the gendered dimensions of key transitional issues notably, legal and constitutional processes, transitional justice, security sector and economic reform.
Topic:
Security, Civil Society, Reform, Women, Economy, Peace, Case Study, and Gender
Political Geography:
South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa

718. What the Women Say: Egypt’s Fitful Revolution: Women in the Balance

Author:
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Publication Date:
10-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Abstract:
With Mohammad Morsi’s inauguration as President of Egypt in June 2012, many Egyptians hoped that the country’s fitful political transition would finally be on a smoother path towards institutional reform and democratization. But much remains in flux. From the outset of the revolution, Egyptian women from all sectors of society were central to the events. They were in the streets alongside men from the early days of the protests. They initiated their own protests. They have borne a large share of the violence dispensed primarily by state security forces, and are frequently the target of hostility and regressive measures introduced by some Islamists. Reflecting on the experiences of women in the uprising and transitional months, this brief provides a snapshot of developments in the past eighteen months including their security concerns, the constitutional process and evolving political landscape and its implication for women. It highlights key recommendations to international and domestic actors with regard to women’s rights, peace, and security.
Topic:
Security, Democratization, Reform, Women, Arab Spring, Institutions, Revolution, and Peace
Political Geography:
Middle East, North Africa, and Egypt

719. Disrupting the Shield of Impunity: Security Officials and Rights Violations in Turkey

Author:
Mehmet Atılgan and Serap Işık
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
This report addresses the issue of impunity, which has virtually become the norm, as far as the rights violations committed against citizens by law enforcement units in Turkey are concerned. As the authors of this study, Mehmet Atılgan and Serap Işık reveal the issue of impunity stems from a complicated penal law structure whose existence still prevails in administrative, legal and practical areas. In addition, as pointed out in the “Just Expectations: Compilation of TESEV Research Studies on the Judiciary In Turkey” report (2011), the state institutions’ protection by the judiciary in Turkey is an outcome of a certain mentality. Not only have the members of the judiciary but also many actors among the media and the civil society in Turkey demonstrate this statist mentality. Considering the multi-layered socio-political landscape of Turkey, it is not realistic to expect that the issue of impunity will be resolved in the short run or quickly. Hence, a stronger and more extensive struggle awaits the social actors who want to eliminate the issue of impunity. In Turkey, there are many dedicated lawyers and human rights organizations carrying out this struggle either through collectively organized campaigns or through individual efforts. In order to understand the structure of the struggle in this area and to produce solutions to rectify the shortcomings, TESEV Democratization Program (DP) held three meetings between November 2010 and April 2011 with a group of lawyers experienced in defending the rights of victims in lawsuits related to human rights violations committed by law enforcement units. In addition, the project team also attended the December 2010-July 2011 hearings of the court case of Temizöz and Others being administered at the Specially Empowered 6th Heavy Penal Court of Diyarbakir. Court cases that reverberated in the public domain, such as the Hrant Dink Murder, Engin Çeber and JİTEM (the Intelligence and Anti-Terrorism Unit of the Gendarmerie) cases were also addressed within the scope of this report. Of course, in terms of the issue of impunity, these court cases are nothing more than striking examples, as similar instances can be seen in the near future of Turkey. The state officials who are being tried as defendants in these lawsuits are charged with serious offences such as establishing an armed organization, committing torture in detention, unsolved murders, and enforced disappearance of persons. A significant part of these crimes are related to the extrajudicial executions known to be carried out against civilian Kurdish citizens in 1990s as part of the security policy of the state. Hence, these court cases are also of vital importance in a quest for the resolution of the Kurdish Question in a peaceful way. Additionally, these are court cases where the dissident intellectuals, revolutionist dissidents, and the asylum seekers whose rights are deprived of any guarantees under the national laws are also victimized. On the other hand, these cases are very important in terms of the civilian oversight of security institutions in Turkey, and the civilianization process which gained pace in 2000s but still seems to be at a far distance on Turkey’s horizon. The quest for justice through these lawsuits can only be successful if supported by the victims and witnesses of such cases. It is our hope that the studies carried out by TESEV DP will bring more public visibility to these court cases and encourage a wider population to seek their rights.
Topic:
Security, Human Rights, Law, Accountability, Transparency, Justice, and Judiciary
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, and Mediterranean

720. Understanding the IAEA’s Mandate in Iran: Avoiding Misinterpretations

Author:
David Albright, Olli Heinonen, and Orde Kittrie
Publication Date:
11-2012
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Security and International Studies (ISIS)
Abstract:
Much attention has focused on Iran's advancing nuclear program, on the peace and security concerns which that program has raised, and on the international policy debate over how to respond to that program. Far less attention has been paid to the various legal-sounding arguments used by Iran and a few academics to call into question the mandate of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate and make determinations about actual or suspected violations of Iran’s legal obligations. Although arguments used by Iran and these academics to undermine the legitimacy of IAEA activities regarding Iran are patently false, they are nevertheless dangerous to both current and future nonproliferation efforts. Unless these arguments are clearly countered, and their fallaciousness clearly demonstrated for all the world to see, these arguments may decrease the chances of Iran agreeing to comply with its international legal obligations, could provide a fig leaf to those countries disinclined to hold Iran accountable, and might undercut the IAEA's and the United Nations Security Council's potentially pivotal roles in facilitating a peaceful resolution to disputes over the nuclear programs of Iran and future proliferators.
Topic:
Security, Nuclear Weapons, Nonproliferation, and Nuclear Energy
Political Geography:
Iran and Middle East