Publications

Is the international community on the cusp of clinching a global deal on climate change? This pre-COPS 21 Issue Alert takes stock of the current negotiations, including 1) the different targets, appro...chevron_right

In light of the Paris terrorist attacks on 13 November 2015, this Issue Alert looks at 1) France’s decision to invoke the support of its EU partners IAW Article 42.7, and 2) how the member states migh...chevron_right

This brief elaborates on the US' Defense Innovation Initiative, which is designed to sustain the country's lead in defense-related technologies. The problem with the program, at least as the brief's a...chevron_right

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015, this Issue Alert argues that the so-called Islamic State (IS) is a religious cult – i.e., an authoritarian organization which brainw...chevron_right

According to this brief, the current spike in disorderly migration is allowing emerging powers – and migrants themselves – to challenge and change the global order. If the current order is indeed to b...chevron_right

This Issue Alert describes the “wicked nature” of the climate change problem and complains that our collective efforts to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions have been too slow, uneven and politicall...chevron_right

This Issue Alert examines how successful the EU has been in implementing “gender mainstreaming” and achieving greater gender balance in its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and opera...chevron_right

This brief examines the economic challenges and strategic implications of ‘going green’ through de-carbonization. More specifically, it looks at 1) the factors that complicate weaning ourselves off fo...chevron_right

Taking the case of Bashar al-Assad as its starting point, this paper looks at the recent attempts to prosecute foreign heads of state in national-level courts. More specifically, the text's author 1) ...chevron_right

This brief examines how the 'economic pain' of sanctions translates or fails to translate into 'political gain'. More specifically, the brief’s author 1) explains how sanctions work against the politi...chevron_right

In June 2012 the EU’s foreign ministers declared that they would "promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and international justice in all areas of the EU's external actions without exception...chevron_right

How have religion and secularism shaped people's identities in the Middle East? This text’s answer highlights 1) Islam’s role in molding the pre-modern political identity of the region; 2) the alterat...chevron_right

This brief explains how Salafi ideology and activism are once again emerging as a source of socio-political controversy in Algeria. The ideology is experiencing a revival because of economic stagnatio...chevron_right

This backgrounder highlights how a well-crafted national security policy helps create effective security sector governance (SSG). More specifically, it explains 1) the main steps and challenges in for...chevron_right

This backgrounder explains how effective security sector governance (SSG) can improve the accountability and professionalism of national armed forces, and thereby improve state and human security. Mor...chevron_right