Publications

Gambhir McFate and Cafarella Kozak believe the so-called Islamic State is planning to stage a number of terrorist attacks during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan (6 June – 5 July). The group’s seeming objectives will be to 1) reverse its recent losses in Iraq and Syria, and 2) “spark an apocalyptic total war” against the non-Muslim world. Hmm, is that all?chevron_right

What lessons can UN peacekeepers learn from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), particularly given the growing number of stabilization tasks UN forces are being asked to perform? Today, Walter Lotze and Paul Williams share nine take-aways from AMISOM’s evolving mandate.chevron_right

In 2015, the UN performed three comprehensive assessments of its peace operations, peacebuilding efforts, and implementation of its women, peace, and security agenda. This report both highlights and analyzes the common themes, links and potential areas of cooperation that emerge from these reviews, particularly in...chevron_right

This workshop report focuses on the fluid political and security circumstances that exist in Mali and what impact they might have on the mandate of the UN’s Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The event’s participants agreed that...chevron_right

This paper examines what triggered the refugee crisis in the Canary Islands in 2006, during which thousands of people risked their lives to reach the archipelago. The text’s author also looks at why almost no migrants head to the Islands today and what lessons we can learn...chevron_right

This paper argues that despite historically sound relations, a state of ambivalence, mistrust, and even hostility now exists between Europe and Israel. To heal the wounds...chevron_right

This paper looks at Tunisian youth centers and organizations in order to highlight what they tell us about the policies and institutions that exist in this domain, both at the national and international levels. More specifically, the text’s author…chevron_right

Contemporary analysts differ over which EU actors are the main drivers of European integration and how they go about pursuing it. “New intergovernmentalists,” for example, focus on political leaders’ deliberations in the European Council.chevron_right

As this paper sees it, the new EU Global Strategy and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda provide an opportunity for the EU to refresh its global approach to development cooperation. By putting an added emphasis on...chevron_right

This analysis generally argues that 1) Australia needs Southeast Asia more than vice versa; 2) Singapore’s strategic stock is rising as Australia’s most advanced and reliable security partner in the region; and...chevron_right

As China’s 2016 G20 presidency continues, this paper contemplates 1) the benefits of opening up the country’s services sector, both domestically and internationally; 2) the successes and remaining gaps in the G20 financial regulatory agenda; and 3) the G20's approach to...chevron_right

This policy note argues that Sweden and many other donor countries rely too heavily on supranational unions and intergovernmental regional organizations to promote African development. Instead...chevron_right

This report 1) advocates the increased and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding processes, and 2) highlights the stubborn, male-driven problems they continue to face. Two barrier-breaking options, at least according to the text’s author, are to enhance the role and influence of women in political parties and party systems, and to push international actors to live up to their commitments on the participation of women in the politics of peace.chevron_right

This report advocates an enhanced role for Britain in UN peace operations. In doing so, it 1) summarizes current UK policy towards this activity; 2) examines the potential political, security and institutional benefits that might accrue from greater UK participation...chevron_right

This issue of Comparative Connections updates us on the key bilateral relationships that exist within East Asia and between East Asian countries and the US, particularly during the first quarter of 2016. The articles 1) recount and analyze the economic, political and security developments that transpired during this period, and 2) provide chronologies of significant bilaterally-centered events.chevron_right