Publications

The topic of this issue is Russia’s Arctic Policy. Firstly, Nurlan Aliyev gives an overview of Russia’s Arctic Policy through 2035; secondly, Svetlana Badina describes the diversity of Russia’s Arctic cities; thirdly, Leah Silinsky lays out the broad dimensions of Russia’s response to the COVID-​19 pandemic and then shows how these policies affected developments in the Arctic.chevron_right

The aim of this study is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the evolution of Japan's cybersecurity and defense policy since the year 2000. In addition to the policy areas in which the Japanese government is active in protecting cyberspace, the report explains the security-​related events that have triggered the need for government involvement. In addition, the report analyzes the key strategic documents that are still shaping Japanese government behavior and thinking on cybersecurity, and examines how cyber security is organized in Japan (ministries, agencies, councils and more). It should be noted that this study only deals with organizations and instruments in which the Japanese government itself is involved. Therefore, it does not fully describe the developments and dynamics of the private sector in Japan.chevron_right

As the Arctic ice recedes, interest in resource extraction and promising trade routes increases. Two actors in particular will have a strong impact on the region: China and Russia. Both are bound by a...chevron_right

The topic of this issue is Agriculture and Trade with Russia. Firstly, Phatima Mamardashvili, Salome Gelashvili, Ia Katsia, and Salome Deisadze show that agricultural trade dependency on Russia is most pronounced for Azerbaijan and Armenia and is significantly lower for Georgia due to Russia’s embargo against Georgia’s food exports from 2006 to 2012. Secondly, Sophie Ghvanidze, Linda Bitsch, Jon H. Hanf, and Miranda Svanidze focus on the wine industry in the South Caucasus; while Georgia preserved its wine culture after the dissolution of the USSR, Armenia and Azerbaijan had to revitalize their wine sectors. Thirdly, Miranda Svanidze and Linde Götz point out that food security has improved during the transition period, although food insecurity is still prevalent in the countries of the South Caucasus, which are heavily dependent on wheat imports from Russia and to a limited degree from Kazakhstan and Ukraine.chevron_right

Rapid development of a vaccine has become a new measure of success in fighting coronavirus. More than any previously, this phase of the pandemic will be shaped by information, both positively through ...chevron_right

The nuclear arms control architecture that underwrites European security is crumbling. Europe cannot achieve global nuclear disarmament or build its own credible deterrent, but it can clear the path f...chevron_right

This Risk and Resilience Report by Kevin Kohler, Andrin Hauri, Florian Roth and Benjamin Scharte provides an overview of recent individual preparedness research. The report discusses a broad variety o...chevron_right

Many evangelicals draw on Biblical prophecies about the apocalypse in order to shape US policies. Multilateral solutions to global problems need to recognize and constructively include such worldviews...chevron_right

There is nothing exceptional about the World Health Organization’s (WHO) alleged pro-​China bias during the coronavirus pandemic. Chronic underfunding and a toothless mandate often leave the UN agency...chevron_right

The topic of this issue is Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). Firstly, Ekaterina Sokirianskaia analyzes the general approaches to countering violent extremism work that have been implemented in the North Caucasus through various governmental and non-​governmental agencies. Secondly, Lydia U. Kurbanova analyzes the rhetoric of third-​year female students of Chechen State University related to the online recruitment of women into extremist organizations. Thirdly, Victoria Gurevich identifies what makes families unique in their capacity to influence loved ones undergoing violent radicalization, addresses some common misconceptions about their role in the radicalization process, and highlights some potential challenges of family involvement in CVE. Fourthly, Mareta Dzeitova analyzes the context in which prevention work against radicalism and extremism takes place through the prism of the experience of the Genesis Fund, a North Caucasus NGO that has been engaged in such work since 2005.chevron_right

The coronavirus crisis is a strain on the Russian economy and constitutes a stress test for the popularity of the regime. Its political system will be busy managing the domestic consequences of the pa...chevron_right

Europe must seize the opportunity provided by a local shift in the military balance to develop a more coherent and unified position on the Libyan conflict. In this CSS Policy Perspective, Lisa Watanab...chevron_right

In this report, Niklas Masuhr examines the strategic and operational adjustments that NATO members have made since 2014 with regard to Russia. In order to do so, it focuses on five selected members of the Alliance, the US, the UK, France, Poland and Germany, regarding their land forces and respective political, technological and Alliance strategic contexts. This publication is in German.chevron_right

In this paper, Felix Colchester, Laura Henao Izquierdo, and Philipp Lustenberger discuss how mediation support actors and peacebuilders can contribute to the quality of the implementation of peace agreements. To do so, the authors draw on the Mediation Support Network (MSN) meetings of 2018 in London and 2019 in Bogota. During these meetings, participants discussed the dynamics of implementation and explored how third parties can play a constructive role in promoting effective implementation, including in supporting preparations during peace agreement negotiation phases and how to further peaceful outcomes during implementation.chevron_right

According to this CSS Policy Perspective by Névine Schepers, the Open Skies Treaty requires coordinated and outspoken European support to ensure its survival following the US’ withdrawal announcement. While a US withdrawal may be inevitable, there is a small window of opportunity for western European parties to coordinate an appeal to the US highlighting the benefits of the treaty, and to continue to work together with Russia to resolve outstanding compliance issues. Yet, the European response has thus far been mostly led behind closed doors. A more public and united defense strategy is therefore needed.chevron_right