Publications

This brief reviews the history and roles played by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (RGC), which in the latter case include maintaining domestic order, projecting Iran’s influence in the Middle East, and presiding over major business interests...chevron_right

Historically, the foreign policy of the United States has oscillated between minimalist isolationism and expansive, let’s-shape-our-environment interventionism. Hmm, so which directions will the policy go, both conceptually and in reality, when the Obama administration departs office? Here are the predictions of nine ‘soothsayers’.chevron_right

How can mediators better support peacemaking efforts while a war is going on? According to the contributors of this volume, they first need to perform three preliminary steps – 1) improve their conflict analysis skills, particularly by anchoring them more securely to everyday practices; 2) spell out the ‘inclusivity’ of peace processes from a mediator’s perspective; and 3) rethink the notion of cooperation in the peace mediation marketplace.chevron_right

This brief examines how civil society organizations (CSOs) might have a genuine impact on the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) initiative. In particular, the text focuses on 1) the historical background of the ICGLR; 2) its current conflict resolution and peacebuilding mechanisms; and 3) how CSOs in the region can use ICGLR processes to consolidate peace.chevron_right

Of all the disputes in the greater Caucasus region, the one over Karabakh is one of the most complex, dangerous, and difficult to solve. The four essays in this issue of the CAD look at the history and politics behind the conflict and how the past is being instrumentalized by Armenia and Azerbaijan to buttress up their claims.chevron_right

This brief looks ahead to the upcoming 2016 Russian parliamentary elections. It specifically wonders 1) whether questions about their legitimacy might arise and even lead to instability in the country, and 2) if the ruling party, United Russia, can ride on the coattails of Vladimir Putin’s popularity to ensure its electoral success.chevron_right

This paper examines Russia’s recent attempts to expand and solidify its influence in the Central Asian and Caucasus regions. To facilitate this aim, Moscow is trying to 1) play a leading role in...chevron_right

This paper examines the ongoing normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which has stagnated since 2013. The lack of progress is due to 1) a shift in priorities – i.e., both Kosovo and Serbia seem to be preoccupied with joining the EU and obtaining Western support for their cause; 2) the failure...chevron_right

This paper analyzes the shifting security status of the Baltic Sea region. More specifically, the text’s authors highlight 1) Russian political-military perceptions of the area; 2) the key elements that define its potential for conflict and risk; and 3) the utility of the full-spectrum conflict model and how it applies to the Baltic region.chevron_right

This brief examines the G20’s role as a steward of globalization and manager of the global economy. While exploring this theme, the brief 1) reviews the roles G20 nations have played in...chevron_right

This brief discusses the significance of a recent speech given by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi where he intimated that Egyptian-Israeli relations would “grow warmer once the Palestinian problem is solved.” El-Sisi’s speech seems to mark the culmination of…chevron_right

This paper discusses recent developments in North Korea’s nuclear program and speculates on the future of East Asian security. The text’s author contends that Pyongyang’s last nuclear test (6 January 2015) helped buttress up...chevron_right

This report explains why Nigeria’s military is in distress. Basically, the entire system of defense management is under-resourced, over-stretched, and unreformed. Oh yes, it’s also seriously corrupt. As a result of these problems and more, a complete overhaul of the system is necessary, including establishing accountability mechanisms for human rights abuses.chevron_right

This report considers how the EU budget process could be both updated and reformed. Part I of the report outlines the present status of the EU budget, which isn’t ideally matched to modern realities. Part II then looks at the pluses and minuses of...chevron_right

NATO cannot hope to adapt to all of the structural changes currently underway in Europe, argue Artur Kacprzyk and others. That’s why it should build on its strengths and adopt a tailored approach to problem solving, either as the primary actor or an enabler of other organizations or mechanisms.chevron_right