Publications

This paper contends that ASEAN’s consensus-based decision-making processes undermine both its willingness and ability to address thorny regional security problems, particularly the US-China geopolitical rivalry. After reviewing the history of ASEAN and China’s efforts to...chevron_right

This paper examines the appeal of the so-called Islamic State (IS) to women living in the West and what other women can do to blunt the attractiveness of violent extremism. The text concludes that 1) the involvement of women in extremist causes goes beyond...chevron_right

The fifteen chapters in this text provide a comprehensive review of counterterrorism developments around the world in 2016. Nine chapters focus on the policy and operational responses of individual states, including Australia, Canada, China...chevron_right

This report gauges Russia's power by reviewing its capabilities, intentions and other factors in nine key areas. The latter include 1) the Russian military's conventional and nuclear capabilities; 2) the country's economic strengths and weaknesses, particularly in...chevron_right

This paper examines the tribal communities in Eastern Syria, which form the main part of the population in the area, and their future importance for the country. While exploring this overarching theme, the text’s authors also examine 1) the history of the tribes and their interaction with ruling authorities in Syria; and 2) how numerous parties involved in the Syrian conflict...chevron_right

This report touts the benefits of a flourishing aerospace industry for a nation’s global competitiveness. The potential advantages include 1) an orbital surveillance and reconnaissance capability; 2) the opportunity to access abundant natural resources in...chevron_right

This report argues that it’s time for the US to think harder about how it’s going to facilitate a peaceful post-conflict transition in Afghanistan. At a minimum, Washington needs to 1) stabilize the country’s ‘strategic alignment’; 2) promote Afghan sovereignty and...chevron_right

The 2015 Paris Agreement fundamentally realigned the structures of international climate policy. However, a large gap remains between what voluntary national plans can achieve and the emissions reductions needed to stay in line with...chevron_right

According to this analysis, Austria faces a daunting task while chairing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) this year. After all, redirecting Europe back on the path to collective security will be difficult. The text’s…chevron_right

Ever since Donald Trump’s inauguration, European governments have been wringing their hands over the US’ commitment to their collective security. So, in order to protect their own interests should European states create an independent nuclear deterrent of their own? Not according to this brief’s author. As he sees it...chevron_right

After two years of preparation, the EU Commission has finally unveiled the most crucial draft elements of its proposed “Energy Union.” As this paper’s author sees it, the package is indeed a hefty one – i.e., it features 13 legislative proposals and legal acts, 75 documents, and more than 3,000 pages of text. The proposals, however, are also…chevron_right

This study analyzes the current relations between Sweden, Finland and NATO and concludes that Stockholm and Helsinki will most likely continue to cooperate with the Alliance, which is a net positive for the Baltic Sea area, but will not join the organization anytime soon.chevron_right

This study focuses on the ongoing economic crisis in Russia. It specifically analyzes 1) the crisis’ causes, progress and existing dynamics; 2) the “anti-crisis show” that’s been put on by the Kremlin; and 3) the political risks that are interwoven with...chevron_right

During the Putin era, Russia's policy toward the US has typically oscillated between normalization and crisis, primarily because the Eurasian giant has been too weak to be America’s equal, but too strong to accept its secondary status. Whether Moscow will...chevron_right

This brief speculates on the possible content of a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) between the UK and the EU, which would be based on the White Paper the British government released on 2 February 2017. On the basis of this paper, which advocates...chevron_right