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3032. Post-Conflict Security Sector Reform and the Challenge of Ownership - The Case of Liberia
- Author:
- Louise Riis Andersen
- Publication Date:
- 07-2006
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Danish Institute for International Studies
- Abstract:
- Security Sector Reform has become a pivotal part of international peacebuilding efforts. Donor agencies and Western government are devoting substantial resources to strengthen the legitimacy and efficiency of war-torn societies' security systems. At the same time, it is commonly accepted that lasting solutions cannot be imposed on societies. In order to be sustained, reforms must be locally owned. Based on an outline of the concept of Security Sector Reform and a presentation of two different approaches to ownership, the brief discusses the ongoing SSR-process in Liberia in view of the recent shift from a transitional to a democratically elected government. It identifies dilemmas between the current SSR-agenda and the objective of ownership, and argues that a more inclusive and less state-centred approach is needed.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Security, and International Cooperation
- Political Geography:
- Africa
3033. Upping the Ante - The North Korean Nuclear Deterrent
- Author:
- Martin Rødbro
- Publication Date:
- 07-2006
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Danish Institute for International Studies
- Abstract:
- A party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) since 1985, North Korea in 2003 admitted that the country had nuclear weapons; a message that stunned the world. The announcement was made following a long conflict with the International Community (IC) where first the North Korean regime had limited International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections in 1992 and since had been playing a dangerous tit-for-tat game with the IC over its nuclear program.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, and Nuclear Weapons
- Political Geography:
- Asia and North Korea
3034. The Impact of Spoilers on Peace Processes and Peacebuilding
- Author:
- Edward Newman and Oliver Richmond
- Publication Date:
- 01-2006
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- United Nations University
- Abstract:
- Many ceasefires and peace agreements in civil wars are initially unsuccessful and give way to renewed violence. In other cases, peace processes have become interminably protracted: lengthy and circular negotiations in which concessions are rare and even if agreements are reached they falter at the implementation phase. State-building and peacebuilding processes are also often subject to outbreaks of violence, as recent experience in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo and East Timor illustrate. Given the huge material and human costs of a failed peace process, the consolidation of conflict settlement and dealing with threats to peacebuilding are critical challenges for the international community. After a history of painful experience in cases such as Angola and Bosnia, the importance of this was finally addressed in December 2005 by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1645 which calls for the creation of a UN Peacebuilding Commission. Th is new organ is expected to improve coordination amongst, and effectiveness of, all agencies involved in peacebuilding, peacekeeping, disarmament and demobilization, development, human rights issues, and the administration of former conflict zones.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Security, Peace Studies, and Treaties and Agreements
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan and Kosovo
3035. Dismantling the DPRK's Nuclear Weapons Program
- Author:
- David Albright and Corey Hinderstein
- Publication Date:
- 01-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- United States Institute of Peace
- Abstract:
- Verified dismantlement of the nuclear weapons program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) can be accomplished successfully. Although difficulties abound in reaching an agreement with the DPRK to achieve this goal, the methods and steps involved in the dismantlement process are well understood.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, International Cooperation, and Nuclear Weapons
- Political Geography:
- Korea
3036. Remembering George Kennan: Lessons for Today?
- Author:
- Melvyn Leffler
- Publication Date:
- 12-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- United States Institute of Peace
- Abstract:
- Kennan's thinking and policy prescriptions evolved quickly from the time he wrote the “Long Telegram” in February 1946 until the time he delivered the Walgreen Lectures at the University of Chicago in 1950. His initial emphasis was on the assessment of the Soviet threat. With new documents from the Soviet archives, we can see that the “Long Telegram” and the “Mr. X” article contained both brilliant insights and glaring omissions. After he was appointed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall to head the newly formed Policy Planning Staff, Kennan's thinking evolved from a focus on threat assessment to an emphasis on interests. Believing that the Soviet threat was political and ideological, and not military, Kennan stressed the importance of reconstructing Western Europe and rebuilding western Germany and Japan. The key task was to prevent the Kremlin from gaining a preponderance of power in Eurasia. Kennan always believed that containment was a prelude to rollback and that the Soviet Union could be maneuvered back to its prewar borders. Eventually, the behavior of the Kremlin would mellow and its attitudes toward international relations would change. The United States needed to negotiate from strength, but the object of strength was, in fact, to negotiate—and compromise. It was important for the United States to avoid overweening commitments. American insecurity stemmed from a mistaken emphasis on legalism and moralism. The United States could not transform the world and should not seek to do so. Goals needed to be modest, linked to interests, and pursued systematically. Kennan would have nothing but disdain for a policy based on notions of a “democratic peace.” But the empirical evidence of social scientists cannot be ignored. Should the pursuit of democracy no longer be seen as a value, but conceived of as an interest?
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Russia, United States, Japan, America, Europe, Eurasia, Asia, Soviet Union, Germany, and Chicago
3037. Deterring Cyber War: A U.S.-Led Cybersecurity Summit
- Author:
- Andy Johnson and Kyle Spector
- Publication Date:
- 10-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Third Way
- Abstract:
- Every day, U.S. military and civilian networks are probed thousands of times for cyber weaknesses. As a result of the mounting threat, there is a growing consensus that international action is required to reduce the threat of cyber war. The U.S. should take the lead in deterring cyber war by hosting a cybersecurity summit—a key first step to building an international cyber accord
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Diplomacy, International Cooperation, and Cybersecurity
- Political Geography:
- United States, North America, and Global Focus
3038. Stabilizing and Enhancing Financial Management: An Independent Review of the ICE Financial Action Plan
- Publication Date:
- 10-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The National Academy of Public Administration
- Abstract:
- The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has faced major challenges since its formation within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These include the loss of staff, changing leadership at the department and agency levels, an unfamiliar financial system, the loss of institutional memory, new business partners and service responsibilities, changing expectations from DHS, and organizational and management changes. These challenges merged to create substantial and adverse financial issues in 2005.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Terrorism, and Immigration
- Political Geography:
- United States
3039. The EU's Fight against International Terrorism - Security Problems, Insecure Solutions
- Author:
- Thierry Balzacq and Sergio Carrera
- Publication Date:
- 07-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Centre for European Policy Studies
- Abstract:
- The investigations on the London attacks of 7 July 2005 have yet to clarify the intricate storyline of the bombings. Yet, the European Union has already set about tightening up its fight against international terrorism through policies that, unfortunately, compound the difficulty of addressing the challenge. The problems arise partly because the policies put forward do not match the diagnosis nor do they fully comply with the principles of legitimacy, proportionality and efficiency. In addition, it is unclear how these Community measures will minimise the lack of trust among member states, which has put the brakes on the implementation of instruments adopted after the Madrid attacks. This relates to the vexed question of the extent to which intergovernmental initiatives such as the Prüm Treaty are compatible with a credible EU policy in the area of terrorism.
- Topic:
- Security, Human Rights, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe and London
3040. Mass Transit Security after the London Bombings
- Author:
- Daniel B. Prieto
- Publication Date:
- 08-2005
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
- Abstract:
- Good morning Chairwoman Rivera, Chairman Barrios and distinguished members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today to discuss mass transit security and the MBTA in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in London.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, Government, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- London