Publications

Positive Peace describes “an optimal environment under which human potential can flourish.” In today’s publication, our partners at the Institute for Economics and Peace 1) outline their framework for Positive Peace, including the eight pillars that support it; and 2) summarize the findings of their 2015 Positive Peace Index.chevron_right

This SA issue includes articles on 1) why the quick rise of the so-called Islamic State surprised the US intelligence community; 2) how the 2015 intervention of Russian and Iranian forces in the Syrian Civil War saved the Bashar al-Assad regime from...chevron_right

This issue includes articles on 1) AU-UN relations with a special focus on the 70th UN General Assembly; 2) AU-UN discussions on the ongoing war in South Sudan; 3) the AU call for greater investment b...chevron_right

This report examines Somaliland’s political landscape in anticipation of its presidential elections, which are scheduled for June 2016. More specifically, the report looks at 1) the internal threats t...chevron_right

This brief outlines the background against which maritime boundary disputes occur in Africa and explores why such disputes are a threat to African maritime security. The author first provides an overv...chevron_right

This brief examines African maritime security, the threats it faces, particularily from piracy, and the strategies that can be adopted to tackle them. These strategies include enhancing information-sh...chevron_right

This paper analyzes the sources, characteristics, and evolving nature of organized violence in 21st century Africa. More specifically, it 1) surveys the arc of armed conflict on the continent since 19...chevron_right

This paper 1) reviews the large-scale violence being perpetrated by Islamist extremists in key African states, particularly Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia, and 2) gauges the...chevron_right

This paper discusses the Afghan president Ghani's request to China to help Afghanistan reach a peace agreement with Pakistan. The author first highlights the key features of China's foreign policy, an...chevron_right

Francesco Mancini believes that the United Nations should adopt “a model of continuous improvement” for itself. That means having the UN Secretary-General provide a recurring strategic vision, building a rationale for reform among member-states, and pursuing other needed measures.chevron_right

This paper explores the extent to which old and new realities are impacting regional and cross-regional migration flows across the Mediterranean basin. It also analyzes the human smuggling routes now ...chevron_right

What do neo-liberal economics, a fragmented opposition and other factors tell us about Morocco’s ability to withstand the violence unleashed by the Arab Spring? The answer, according to Francesco Cavatorta, is that the country’s politics is not based on the perpetual dominance of the monarchy.chevron_right

This analysis looks at the regional policy the Gulf States are pursuing in the Middle East. The text's author ultimately concludes that 1) thus far, this more assertive approach -- which is preoccupie...chevron_right

This paper tries to determine whether decentralization either strengthens or weakens states. By examining six sources of governmental strength – the ability to 1) maintain national unity; 2) mitigate ...chevron_right

This paper reviews 1) Russia's hybrid warfare strategy and capabilities, and 2) how this form of aggression became central to the military’s modernization in the post-Cold War period. The paper’s auth...chevron_right