Jan 2020 | Publications

In this publication, Stefan Soesanto analyzes the cyber threat landscape regarding Japan and China, focusing on cyber incidents that spilled over into the political realm or had the potential to do so. More specifically, Soesanto looks at 1) the historical evolution of cybersecurity and defense policies in both countries; 2) relevant cyber incidents in which the countries targeted one another; 3) the various Japanese and Chinese teams connected to these incidents; 4) the social, economic, technical and international effects resulting from the cyber threat landscape, and more.

8 Jan 2020 | Publications

Patrick Cronin and Ryan Neuhard argue that China is waging a campaign of ‘total competition’ in the South China Sea. This campaign reflects George Kennan’s concept of “political warfare” and involves the use of all tools at the state’s disposal short of war. Indeed, the authors outline it includes illegitimate and destabilizing methods ordinarily avoided by benign competitors. They also suggest that because of its efforts, China now appears to be an unstoppable force in the South China Sea.

Dec 2019 | Publications

In this report, Julia Federer et al present insights and analyses on peace processes that involve multiple societal levels or “tracks” ranging from high-level diplomatic negotiations to community-based peacebuilding. The authors highlight the insights from a retreat with practitioners involved in dialogue, negotiation or mediation initiatives in Colombia, Myanmar, Syria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, as well as representatives from the Folke Bernadotte Academy, swisspeace, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and the CSS.

Jan 2020 | Publications

Henrik Larsen argues that when it comes to Russia, the West should draw inspiration from the intellectual origins of containment, which prescribed a readiness to contain the “expansive tendencies” of the Soviet Union. This includes containment’s core insight, that Russia essentially represents a political-psychological threat. For Larsen, neo-containment should target Moscow’s capacity to undermine public confidence and limit its space for political influence, which constitute bigger threats to Western cohesion than during the Cold War. NATO and the EU’s public diplomacy and counter-subversion initiatives should play a key role in this respect.

17 Dec 2019 | Publications

This RAD issue looks at grain exports from Russia. First, Miranda Svanidze, Linde Götz and Florian Schierhorn argue that the mobilization of Russia’s grain export potential requires an improvement in the functioning of the country’s grain market. Second, Maximilian Heigermoser and Linde Götz write that since the turn of the millennium, Russia has become the world’s largest wheat exporter. The authors also suggest it is not yet clear if current trends could result in Russia’s exercise of market power and price distortions on the international wheat market.