Policy pointers

A 5-page analysis arguing that an international strategy for Afghanistan needs to emphasise effective multilateral civilian leadership and a stronger Afghan involvement

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2010-01-04

The EU as a Strategic Actor in the Realm of Security and Defence?

SWP

This 170-page German study systematically takes stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the policy instrument of ESDP missions and operations, assessing their relevance and effectiveness as an instrument of European crisis management and the contribution they make to honing the EU's capacity to act on security and defence matters

European Union, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2010-01-04

The Saudi Double Game: The Internet “Counter-Radicalization” Campaign

ITIC

A 48-page Israeli paper explaining the function of the Saudi state and its Islamic establishment in spreading the radical Wahhabi message throughout the Muslim world and Muslim communities and minorities in the West

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2010-01-02

Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency

CSIS

A 96-page US report on cybersecurity

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Science & TechnologyPosted: 2009-12-29

Somalia and the Pirates

CEPS

A 33-page working paper examining the links between piracy and Somalia, and the historical, legal, political and security dimensions of the troubling success of piracy in today’s world

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-29

Yemen: Fear of Failure

Chatham House

This UK briefing paper describes the potent combination of problems for policy-makers confronting the prospect of state failure in this strategically important Red Sea country

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-29

Afghanistan: Perfect Paralysis

Chatham House

This 3-page UK article analyses President Obama's Afghanistan strategy. It argues that to be successful it must be given time to wear down the Taliban and to build up confidence among Pashtuns so they return to the political mainstream

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-12-29

Economic Drivers of Conflict and Cooperation in the Horn of Africa

Chatham House

A 16-page UK briefing paper analyzing the economic drivers of conflict and cooperation in the Horn of Africa

Regional, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-29

Restoring the NPT: Essential Steps for 2010

CEIP

This 70-page US paper identifies achievable goals for the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference and outlines steps that nuclear-weapon states—including recommendations tailored for the United States—and non–nuclear-weapon states should take to avert failure

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-23

Reducing and Regulating Tactical (Nonstrategic) Nuclear Weapons in Europe

CNS, Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

A 55-page report analyzing the prospects for reucing and regulating nonstrategic nuclear weapons in Europe

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-12-23

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

CRS

A 63-page updated report on U.S. concerns and policy responses in respect of Iran

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-12-22

War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress

CRS

This 75-page US report provides analysis of current developments and future options concerning the war in Afghanistan

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-22

Sexual Violence in African Conflicts

CRS

A 31-page US report on the commission of sexual atrocities in many African conflicts over the past two decades, and particularly in the DRC

Crime, Law & Order, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-22

Risk Assessment Decisions for Violent Political Extremism

Public Safety Canada.

The 44-page report of a Canadian project aiming to identify and compare the specific characteristics and factors of those who perpetrate “general” criminal violence and those who perpetrate ideologically motivated violence, to highlight the salient differences among the historical, contextual, attitudinal and protective risk factors of these types of criminal violence and to construct a new tool to assess the risk of violence in ideologically motivated extremists

Public Safety & Disaster Mitigation, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-22

Uribe’s Possible Third Term and Conflict Resolution

Crisis Group

This 28-page report examines the process of enabling a third presidential term for President Uribe in Colombia and why the decision on this fundamental issue needs to be accompanied by a recognition that pressing questions of national security, strengthening of democratic institutions and conflict resolution will not wait and should not depend on who may sit in the presidential office after August 2010

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-19

Sudan: Preventing Implosion

Crisis Group

This 24-page briefing examines the situation in the run-up to Sudan's national elections due next year and the early 2011 referendum on self-determination in the South

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-19

Climate Change, Land and Security

SIPRI

A Swedish essay on the interaction of climate change and security

Climate Change & Environment, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-18

North Korea’s Nuclear Test Explosion, 2009

SIPRI

An 8-page Swedish fact sheet compiling evidence relating to North Korea's nuclear explosion on 25 May 2009

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-18

“The Forgotten War”: The US Withdrawal from Iraq

INSS

An Israeli commentary on the progress of the US withdrawal from Iraq

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-14

A Delicate Issue: Asia's Nuclear Future

ASPI

This report argues that Australian strategic policy should retain the flexibility to accommodate a range of possible Asian nuclear futures, striking a balance between its ordering and hedging strategies during a possible turbulent era in regional security

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-14

Obama's Afghan Strategy: Regional Perspectives

Atlantic Review

A US article offering an Indian perspective on President Obama's Afghan strategy

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-12-11

The Naval Arena in the Struggle against Iran

INSS

An Israeli article discussing the importance of the naval arena to Israel in the Iranian context

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-10

Promising Confidence- and Security-Building Measures for Space Security

UNIDIR

This 12-page paper seeks to address the issue of space security by laying out the foundations of a space security treaty aimed at preventing physical conflict in outer space in order to preserve its continued use today and well into the future

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-12-08

NATO, Russia and European Security

CER

This 26-page working paper considering what sorts of risks the NATO alliance faces from Russia, and how best to respond to them

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-12-08

Endgame on Karabakh?

ADA

An Azerbaijani article assessing speculation that the South Caucasus is on the verge of a new outbreak of violence

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-08

No Quick Deliverance from Terrorism for Pakistan

IDSA

An Indian commentary on the need for Pakistan to end the network of jihadists in provinces like Punjab and Sindh as well as the Taliban if it really wants to get rid of the Islamist menace

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-12-03

Understanding Terrorist Network Topologies and Their Resilience Against Disruption

CentER

This 14-page Dutch discussion paper investigates the structural position of covert (terrorist or criminal) networks

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-12-02

De!ning the Enemy in an Asymmetrical Confrontation: The Case of the Second Lebanon War

INSS

This 12-page Israeli article considers the dilemmas that arise when a terrorist organization operates from within the territory of a sovereign state against another state

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-02

Implications for Iran’s Ability to Produce Fissile Material for Nuclear Weapons

NPEC

A US analysis of the IAEA's Nov. 16 safeguards update on Iran’s growing centrifuge enrichment programme

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-01

Bullets and Blogs: New Media and the Warfighter

US Army War College

The 106-page report of a US workshop examining the challenges and opportunities for leveraging new media, countering new media, and implications for operations security in contemporary warfighting

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-01

The Mistral Problem

CAST

A Russian editorial on the current trend in Rusia's defence procurement policy for purchasing overseas

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-28

A Case Study in Security Sector Reform: Learning from Security Sector Reform/Building in Afghanistan

SSI

This 88-page US paper provides insights into how the military interacts with host-nation governments, the United Nations, the State Department, and national embassies to solve today’s complex problems. It also reveals many pitfalls in security sector building and international team-building

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-11-27

What Role for the United Nations in Haiti?

USIP

This 8-page US briefing explains the importance of maintaining a U.N. presence there and how to enhance its prospects for continuing success in the impoverished country

International Development, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-27

The Afghan Elections

USIP

A US House testimony on how to move forward in Afghanistan and work with President Karzai

Foreign Policy, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-27

Lebanon's Unstable Equilibrium

USIP

A 10-page US briefing assessing how Lebanon can ensure ongoing political progress and stability

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-27

Hamas and Its Long-Range Rockets: Military and Political Implications

Washington Institute

A US brief on the military and political implications of Hamas's efforts to build a serious long-range rocket force centering on weapons with a 40- to 60-km range

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-11-27

A Victory for Islamism? The Second Lebanon War and Its Repercussions

Washington Institute

An 80-page US paper arguing that although Hizballah's strong position in Lebanese society keeps the bilateral conflict with Israel alive, the perception of strength and success in battle provides Hizballah with much broader reach and regional influence

Regional, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-27

Could Europe Do Better on Pooling Intelligence?

SDA

The 20-page report of a debate on how Europe could pool intelligence more effectively

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-26

Warming Increases Risk of Civil War in Africa

PNAS

This 5-page US paper finds that climate change could increase the likelihood of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent within the next two decade

Climate Change & Environment, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-26

Reassessing the Evolving al-Qa’ida Threat to the Homeland

FSI

An 8-page US house testimony assessing the strength of al-Qai'da and its threat to the US

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-26

Nuclear Power Without Nuclear Proliferation

"Daedalus"

This 12-page US article discusses the connections between nuclear power, nuclear proliferation, and terrorism risks

Defence, Terrorism & Security, EnergyPosted: 2009-11-26

A New Security Architecture for Europe? Russian Proposal and Western Reactions

Egmont

A 6-page Belgian security brief discussing how Russia is proposing to fix de jure the political commitments undertaken within the OSCE and the NATO-Russia Council

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-11-25

End-State Afghanistan: A European Perspective

Egmont

This 4-page Belgian security brief on the importance of the forthcoming international conference on Afghanistan

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-11-25

The Revival of Atlanticism in NATO? Changing Security Identities in Britain, Norway and Denmark

NUPI

This 58-page Norwegian report argues that despite changes in the transatlantic security landscape, “Atlanticism” has survived as a particular national security orientation on the European political arena and inside NATO

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-11-24

Converging Peril : Climate Change and Conflict in the Southern Philippines

RSIS

This 48-page Singaporean working paper studies how the provinces of the ARMM in the southern Philippines are experiencing convergence risks from climate change and violent conflict

Climate Change & Environment, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-24

NATO-Russia Relations after the Georgian Conflict

Clingendael

This 6-page article discusses how the Russia-Georgian conflict impacted on the global level of international politics

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-11-23

The European Security Architecture Two Decades after the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Can Russia be Integrated?

SIPRI

A Swedish essay on the need for a sincere and critical effort to review the European security architecture

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-11-20

Caught in the Crossfire: The Pashtun Tribes of Southeast Afghanistan

Lowy Institute

This 20-page Australian policy brief argues the importance of a more effective engagement of Afghanistan’s tribes, particularly in the country’s south east

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-20

Artisanal Mining and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

SIPRI

This 20-page Swedish background paper examines the problems of mineral resource governance in the DRC

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2009-11-19

Designing Community Security Programmes

UNIDIR

This 7-page note discusses how to go about the generation of local knowledge and local understandings about security, and how to apply that knowledge at the working level

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-11-16

International Assistance for Implementing the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects: Case Study of the South Pacific

UNIDIR

This 61-page report finds that there is critical and timely work to be done to improve national and subregional capacities to implement the United Nations Programme of Action to Combat, Eradicate and Prevent the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Pacific

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-11-16

Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues

CRS

A 21-page US report on the security concerns around Pakistan's nuclear weapons

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-14

Iran Sanctions

CRS

A 27-page US report on the policy issues influencing sanctions on Iran

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-11-14

A New Wave of Terror in the Arabian Peninsula?

INSS

An Israeli analysis of factors likely to result in testing the relative effectiveness demonstrated by the security forces in the Arabian Peninsula in recent years in their struggle against terror

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-11-12

The Role of Nuclear Weapons: Japan, the U.S., and “Sole Purpose”

Arms Control Association

A US article discussing nuclear weapons in the context of US-Japan security arrangements

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-11-10

Yemen Announced that it Seized an Iranian Arms Ship Carrying weapons for the Shi´ite Rebels in the Country’s North

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

A 5-page Israeli report of a Yemeni seizure of an Iranian arms shipment destined for a rebel group

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-11-09

The Israeli Navy Captures a Ship Carrying a Large Shipment of Weapons (including Rockets, Mortar Shells and Anti-tank Weapons) from Iran

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

A 13-page Israeli report of the capture of an Iranian arms ship thought to be destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-11-09

Shades of Red: China’s Debate over North Korea

Crisis Group

This 31-page report examines current Chinese policy toward Pyongyang in the wake of North Korea’s latest round of provocations, including missile launches, the withdrawal from the Six-Party-Talks, and the 25 May nuclear test

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-11-05

A Case Study in Security Sector Reform: Learning from Security Sector Reform/Building in Afghanistan (October 2002-September 2003)

SSI

This 89-page US case study provides insights into how the military interacts with host-nation governments, the United Nations, the State Department, and national embassies to solve today’s complex problems in security sector reform

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-11-04

India's Strategic Defense Transformation: Expanding Global Relationships

SSI

This 40-page US study describes India’s transformation to modernize its military, obtain “strategic partnerships” with the United States and other nations, and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond includes a shift from an emphasis on the former Soviet Union as the primary supplier of defence equipment to a western base of supply and an increasing emphasis on bilateral exercises and training with many of the global powers

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-11-04

Reclaiming Israeli-Syrian Talks

SETA

A 28-page Turkish report on Israeli-Syrian relations and their relevance to regional security

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-02

Private Military Contractors and U.S. Grand Strategy

PRIO

This 53-page Norwegian report examines the use of private military contractors by the US

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-10-31

Japan's Nuclear Diplomacy Should Take a Clearer Stand against Iran

JIIA

This Japanese commentary urges the Japanese government to exercise practical leadership in real international politics at a time when Iran's nuclear problem is becoming a growing concern for the international community

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-10-30

The Impact of Child-Care Centers on Early Childhood Development

IDB

This 22-page paper presents a systematic and complete agenda to assess the impact of attending a child-care center on early childhood development (ECD) in the context of a developing country

Families, Children & Youth, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-30

Afghanistan's Hard Summer: The Impact on European Troop Contributing Nations

FIIA

This 14-page Finnish briefing paper reviews the debates in the troop-contributing nations of Europe about the Afghan mission

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-10-29

The Art of Afghan Alliance Building

CFR

This 2-page US article concludes that Washington's mismanagement of local alliances has proved to be the undoing of its strategy in the country

Foreign Policy, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-29

Russia's Military Capabilities

SWP

This 34-page German research paper examines the reality of Russia's military strength

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-29

Iraq's New Reality: Ensuring Security and Setting the National Security Agenda

Stimson-CIGI

This 16-page US report examines security conditions in and regional perceptions of Iraq today, enduring security issues, national reconciliation and the future of the US presence

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-29

Pakistan's New Generation of Terrorists

CFR

This updated US backgrounder describes how Pakistan has emerged as a terrorist sanctuary for some of the world's most violent groups, including al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and homegrown militants, that threaten the stability of Pakistan as well as the region

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-10-28

European Security and Defence Policy: The first 10 years (1999-2009)

ISS

This 452-page book examines the evolution of ESDP

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-10-28

Global Security in a Multipolar World

ISS

This 140-page paper examines how the main global players can establish a common approach to security

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-28

U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy in Afghanistan

Brookings

A US House testimony on how narcotics production influences the security, political, and economic developments in Afghanistan. It also examines the effectiveness of policies to mitigate these effects

Drug Abuse, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-27

The Nuclear Fuel Deal with Iran: Losing Sight of the Broader Picture?

INSS

An Israeli commentary on the emerging nuclear fuel deal between the US, Russia, France, and Iran

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-10-27

Iran: Revolutionary Guards: March of the Guards

Chatham House

This 5-page UK article describes how Iran's hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the Pasdaran, are sheltering substantial parts of the country's nuclear project and closely control its missile programme

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2009-10-27

Latest Developments in European Security: A Baltic Perspective

Chatham House

The 7-page transcript of a UK event held to examine the Baltic security perspective

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-10-27

Countering Threats to Security and Stability in a Failing State: Lessons from Colombia

CSIS

This 91-page US report analyzes why Colombia was on the road to possible state failure, how the process was reversed, and what will be needed to sustain progress

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2009-10-23

Obama’s Missile U-Turn

CEPS

This 2-page commentary examines the motivations behind President Obama’s controversial decision to abandon plans for a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic and assesses its consequences for US-EU relations as well as for relations between Western and Eastern Europe

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-10-23

Addiction, Crime and Insurgency: The Transnational Threat of Afghan Opium

UNODC

This 152-page report shows the devastating consequences that the 900 tons of opium and 375 tons of heroin that are trafficked from Afghanistan every year have on the health and security of countries along the Balkan and Eurasian drug routes, of countries in Europe, of China, India and the Russian Federation

Drug Abuse, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-22

Pakistan: Countering Militancy in FATA

Crisis Group

This 39-page policy report examines the Talibanisation in FATA, and argues that only reforms that encourage political diversity, enhance economic opportunity, and guarantee civil and political rights will address the problem

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-21

Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe

CRS

This 30-page US updated report deals with the cancellation of the Bush-proposed European BMD program

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2009-10-21

Piracy off the Horn of Africa

CRS

A 39-page US report on piracy attacks in the waters off the Horn of Africa

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2009-10-21

Space Security 2009: Moving towards a Safer Space Environment

UNIDIR

The 43-page report of a conference held to consider space security issues

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2009-10-20

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

CRS

An 84-page US overview of governance and security issues in Afghanistan

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-20

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

CRS

A 62-page US report on US security concerns presented by Iran

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-10-20

The Undeclared War: Germany's Self Deceit in Afghanistan

Korber Foundation

A 69-page German critique of Germany's participation in the Afghanistan operation

Foreign Policy, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-18

Guinea: Military Rule Must End

Crisis Group

A 12-page policy briefing calling for the end of military rule in Guinea

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-17

Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar

Rand Corporation

A 238-page US monograph examining the use and limits of power in cyberspace

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Science & TechnologyPosted: 2009-10-15

Disrupting the Foreign Fighter Flow

FPRI

This US essay addresses the challenge of disrupting the flow of foreign fighters

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-15

Suicide Terrorism and the Weakest Link

CESifo

This 32-page US working paper examines a model of terrorism which focuses on the tradeoffs facing a terrorist organization that has the ability to utilize either or both suicide and conventional terrorism tactics

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-14

Meeting New Security Challenges in a Changing Security Environment

CSIS

The 26-page report of a dialogue exploring the significant events that have shaped security relations between the U.S. and China over the past year and to consider its future prospects

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-10-03

The Iranian Elections from a Distance

Egmont

A 4-page Belgian security policy brief analyzing the Iranian elections

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-10-03

China's 60th Anniversary: Celebrating Beijing's Peaceful Rise

RSIS

This 3-page Singaporean commentary argues that Chinese rising power should be viewed positively

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-10-03

The Changing Power Distribution in the South China Sea: Implications for Conflict Management and Avoidance

RSIS

This 32-page Singaporean working paper focuses specifically on the changing distribution of power in the South China Sea and assesses its implications for conflict management and avoidance

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-10-03

Japan's Challenges and Dilemmas over Nuclear Disarmament

Nautilus Institute

A US article examining Japan's posture towards nuclear disarmament

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-09-28