Publications

This brief examines Qatar’s use of soft power and strategic hedging to weather its current collision of interests with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members. The country’s hedging strategy, by the way, is a long-standing one and it has enabled it to retain key allies during the present imbroglio.chevron_right

There’s a double standard that exists in the Western Balkans and the authors of this brief aren’t happy about it. Governments in the region generally equate violent extremism with Islamist radicalization and local youths who join the fight in Syria and Iraq. At the same time...chevron_right

This text studies the potential disruptions to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) because of rising public debt. While the latter will not necessarily lead to a macroeconomic crisis in China, it could seriously diminish the ability of Chinese companies to invest in...chevron_right

This paper analyzes the relationship between peripheral members of Indian society and the state, particularly when it comes to the country’s civil nuclear policies. More specifically, the text’s author explores 1) the direct impact of nuclear power plant expansion on the...chevron_right

Why do economic sanctions remain a popular foreign policy tool even though analysts question their ability to create ‘sustained impacts’? According to this paper, such restrictions are scalable and easily explained; you can design and implement them quickly...chevron_right

This piece worries that anti-democratic illiberalism is indeed rising in Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. The troubling examples include 1) the recent elections in Serbia; 2) the wiretapping scandals and violent protests buffeting Macedonia; and 3) the recent political deadlock in Albania.chevron_right

This brief explores the EU’s self-mandated role to foster resilience in the Western Balkans. To help these fragile states find their footing, the text’s authors believe that Brussels should 1) introduce different structural and investment funds, and...chevron_right

What impact is the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISKP) having on the internationalization of the conflict in Afghanistan? Second, how is it impacting the calculations of Iran and Russia vis-à-vis the Taliban? And finally, will it trigger a proxy war much like the bad old days of the mid-1990s? In this paper, the author grapples with these questions and more.chevron_right

This report looks at two UN missions and fifteen regional operations in Africa to provide insight into the logistics partnerships that support UN peace operations. The text's authors outline that...chevron_right

This commentary probes the geopolitical implications of the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, which may permit China to 1) bolster its dominant position in the global renewables industry, and 2) expand its role as a leader in climate...chevron_right

This text focuses on the June 2017 Qatar crisis, which was precipitated by 1) Doha’s financial and political support of violent Islamist groups; 2) Qatar’s stance towards Iran; 3) Riyadh’s and Doha’s backing of competing groups in Syria; and 4) the US’ (i.e., President Trump’s)...chevron_right

This bulletin analyzes Russia’s re-engagement with Afghanistan, focusing particularly on the latter’s deteriorating security situation and Moscow’s attempts to 1) revive the country’s faltering peace process, and 2) offset America’s influence in...chevron_right

This paper examines Saudi Arabia’s and the UAE’s attempts to force Qatar to halt its support for Islamists and other militants, which this text’s author sees as part of a wider struggle to establish a Saudi-dominated regional order in the Middle East. It’s an order, by the way, which...chevron_right

Yes, argues this commentary, tone-deaf politicians need to listen more closely to their voters, as illustrated by the UK’s recent snap election and Donald Trump’s electoral success. As a start, the ‘pols’ just might want to remember who is electing them and why.chevron_right

This text highlights how Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have both relied on the mislabeled concept of ‘tranquil power’ to promote their respective interests. Put another way, the two leaders have repeatedly relied on ‘gray’ and ‘black’ measures to spread disinformation and...chevron_right