Publications

This commentary argues that the current rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran reflects a much longer struggle between Sunni and Shia Islam, including within the former’s borders. The text’s author spe...chevron_right

This brief speculates on how the UN's new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) might eventually affect healthcare on a global level. Basically, the brief's author is optimistic. He contends that the S...chevron_right

This paper sheds light on the group loyalties and identities that exist in the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which continue to reflect the communal and political divisions that mar Lebanon's broader so...chevron_right

This brief provides a statistical portrait of the suicide attacks that were conducted throughout the world in 2015. As in the recent past, the greatest number of attacks occurred in the Middle East, w...chevron_right

Is the competition for hydrocarbon resources in the South China Sea by China, the Philippines and Vietnam destined for armed conflict? Our partners at the International Crisis Group (ICG) don’t think so, provided certain mechanisms are put in place and the three countries develop a greater understanding of each other’s motives.chevron_right

This commentary looks at the reasons why Germany has increased its military and political engagement in the Middle East, and its desire to act as a neutral mediator between the competing actors in the...chevron_right

This paper examines the concerns being raised by Poland's newly installed Law and Justice Party, especially when it comes to its attitudes towards political accountability and the rule of law. The tex...chevron_right

This paper analyzes the EUROSTAT statistics on first-residence permits that EU member states issued to third country nationals between 2008 and 2014. Among other findings, the text notes that 1) the n...chevron_right

This brief assesses the unusual measures being taken by Tanzania’s new President John Magufuli, particularly in the cases of public services, his war against corruption, finding a middle path for the ...chevron_right

This brief analyzes the nuclear test conducted by North Korea on January 6th, 2015. In particular, the authors examine 1) what motivated Pyongyang to carry out the test; 2) the initial international r...chevron_right

This paper examines the recent transformations in Sri Lanka’s political system, particularly when it comes to the dominance and endurance of the country’s political elite. The text’s author specifical...chevron_right

This paper takes a retrospective look at the role of decentralized local governance in Bangladesh. More specifically, the paper’s author 1) discusses the basic types, structure and functions of local ...chevron_right

This paper analyzes Indo-Russian defense relations. It considers 1) their historical context; 2) why they’ve recently been downgraded; 3) how they might recapture “their old charm”; and 4) the long-te...chevron_right

This bulletin contends that the poor state of the Finnish economy will eventually provoke a referendum on whether the country should abandon the Euro or not. The text’s author further explains that al...chevron_right

This paper charts the impact of China’s rapid industrialization on the environment. More specifically, it examines the history and extent of the country's pollution problems, the environmental damage ...chevron_right