Publications

This paper examines how President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has recently consolidated his power in Indonesia, which is attributable to 1) a series of astute political maneuvers on his part; 2) the strategic appointment of loyal supporters to key government positions; and...chevron_right

This paper touts the strategic wisdom of Singapore intensifying its counterterrorism efforts. While some fear that assisting the US-led coalition against the so-called Islamic State will make the city-state more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the text’s author argues...chevron_right

This publication features interviews with six journalists on the interplay between peace mediators and the media. The topics covered include 1) the responsibilities and challenges journalists face when reporting on conflicts and peace processes; 2) how the media can be both useful and detrimental to...chevron_right

This paper wonders whether the August 2016 arrest of alleged Ukrainian saboteurs in Crimea was a gambit by Russia to expedite the implementation of the Minsk Agreement. More specifically, the text’s author 1) examines the accusation made by...chevron_right

This paper examines how the appearance of two new political parties will make Malaysia’s politics even more complex and diverse than it already is. Indeed, the potential consequences of this development are threefold...chevron_right

This paper examines the potential impact of the South China Sea Arbitration decision on China’s international relations. While Beijing has been fairly adaptable over various challenges in the last decade, including Taiwan’s independence and a number of trade disputes, it has adopted a more heavy-handed approach...chevron_right

This paper examines Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with political violence and the questionable effectiveness of the government’s attempts to curb the mayhem. According to the text’s author, state authorities continue to ignore...chevron_right

This paper highlights the ideological threat posed by the so-called Islamic State (IS) and discusses how to counteract it in three specific groups...chevron_right

This text analyzes NATO’s Warsaw Summit decision to strengthen its southern flank and the impact it might have on Libya. In the latter case, the Alliance’s internal stabilization efforts will focus on buttressing up the fractured country’s...chevron_right

This paper examines the economic environment in the ASEAN region and the potential contribution of well-developed medium- and small-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the zone’s economic prosperity. In order to...chevron_right

This paper takes stock of the Israeli Government’s five-year economic plan to better the lot of its Arab citizens. (The plan was approved on 30 December 2015.) At this point, it appears that the plan’s status is somewhat unclear and many questions about its future remain unanswered, particularly because...chevron_right

This paper highlights how relations between Turkey and Russia have turned around so quickly since the 24 November 2015 downing of a Russian fighter jet by the Turkish Air Force. The repair work, although already underway, received a huge (and durable) boost following Moscow’s unquestioning support of the Erdogan government in the wake of the 15 July 2016 coup attempt.chevron_right

This ICG report confirms that the Iraqi youth who have come of age in the post-Saddam era suffer from a profound sense of hopelessness and disempowerment. Indeed, the feelings of entrapment they feel, which spans across the political spectrum, have compelled many young people to join a protest movement or militia, or emigrate. The problem, of course, is that what is a youth problem today can easily metastasize into an incendiary security problem tomorrow.chevron_right

This paper examines the ongoing efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the US and Singapore. According to the text’s author, the city-state has proven to be a valuable economic and security partner for the US, but...chevron_right

This paper examines the homogenization policies the German and French governments undertook to shape the national identity of Alsace-Lorraine. The text’s authors conclude that those areas that were exposed to the greatest homogenization efforts in the late-19th and 20th centuries subsequently...chevron_right