Publications

This report prescribes ways for Europe, and particularly the EU, to restore sustained economic growth on the continent. The text’s authors additionally highlight why such growth matters for both the United States and the overall health of the transatlantic relationship.chevron_right

So, what are Europe’s possible futures up through 2022? The authors of this text conclude that given the variable demographic, economic and security trends that are occurring in the region, both internally and externally, the spectrum of possible futures is...chevron_right

This report examines how Myanmar abandoned its nuclear research program and subsequently embraced key elements of the non-proliferation regime. The report’s author specifically provides 1) a historical review of Myanmar’s troubled past with nuclear nonproliferation, including its relationship with North Korea; 2) an analysis of the government’s 2011 ‘change of heart’, and eventual...chevron_right

This report reviews the dialogue Australian and US stakeholders conducted in late 2016 on cybersecurity issues and how to manage them more effectively. The specific topics that are addressed include 1) general cybersecurity cooperation in the Asia-Pacific; 2) the fight against cybercrime in the region; and 3) how to advance secure digital economies. To facilitate further...chevron_right

This conference report synopsizes the results of BICC’s annual International Academic Conference, which occurred in November 2016. The conference’s primary focus was on the causes and consequences of forced migration, and how to solve...chevron_right

This text examines the past and present importance of large private enterprises to Egypt’s economy. The paper specifically contends that following the 2011 uprising in the country, the enterprises lost their political standing, primarily because of their close ties to the Mubarak regime. However, Egypt’s subsequent economic crisis pushed successor regimes to reverse...chevron_right

This paper examines the Kurdish Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) efforts to control Syria’s Jazira region after the al-Assad regime withdrew from it in 2012. The text’s author also reviews the history of governmental control in Jazira, the interests of external actors in the region, and what the future holds for the area. As a result of his analysis, the author ultimately concludes that...chevron_right

This paper 1) looks at how the Assad regime relied on local intermediaries to enforce its authority in Syria prior to the current civil war, and 2) wonders whether the regime can revive its ‘network of control’ anytime soon. The text’s author ultimately concludes that the Syrian Civil War has crucially and irreparably changed local politics in Syria, and that a return to the pre-2011 status quo is impossible. The author also suggests that any negotiated settlement to the conflict will have to take account of these changes if it is to be sustainable.chevron_right

This paper argues that no political settlement of the Syrian Civil War will be sustainable if it doesn’t focus on the repatriation of refugees and internally displaced persons. To facilitate the negotiating process, the text provides seven principles that could...chevron_right

This paper highlights the strategic problems facing the US military’s all-volunteer force (AVF) and stresses the need for long-term personnel reforms. The AVF’s difficulties center on a variety of issues, including competitive salary structures, quality of life costs and recruiting, and should be adjusted for up to 40-50 years in the future.chevron_right

This working paper examines the threat posed to Japan by China’s increasing influence over sea lines of communication (SLOCs), particularly between the Persian Gulf and East Asia. Given that a shift from American to Chinese control of these SLOCs would result in...chevron_right

In this report, Burgess Laird takes stock of Chinese military analysts' recent thinking on escalation control in crisis or conflict situations. To do the topic justice, our author approaches it from various angles, including how...chevron_right

This report confirms that the US military’s force structure and modernization plans have historically been the result of programming choices made by Department of Defense (DoD) and service leaders. In other words, the size and shape of America’s military are not...chevron_right

This report speculates on the probable state of Chinese maritime power in the year 2030. Given Beijing’s current plans and policies, which mandate hegemonic control of the South and East China Seas, the text's author suggests that the US and Japan may need to make ‘drastic’ adjustments to...chevron_right

Should the Trump administration intervene more forcefully in the Middle East, particularly in its anti-terrorism efforts? This report thinks so and encourages it to 1) look closer at shared US-European objectives, and 2) assign responsibilities based on...chevron_right