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35102. Defend, Defect, or Desert?: The Future of the Afghan Security Forces
- Author:
- Tyler Jost
- Publication Date:
- 01-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
- Abstract:
- In "Defend, Defect, or Desert?: The Future of the Afghan Security Forces,” Tyler Jost, a former U.S. Army Company Commander who served two tours in Afghanistan, lays out how the United States can most effectively support the Afghan National Security Forces. Mr. Jost argues that in the coming months, Afghanistan will depend on increasingly independent Afghan security forces to fight a tough insurgency—one that is perhaps even as strong as it was four years ago during the height of U.S. and coalition operations.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Security, War, and Insurgency
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan
35103. Choosing to Return? Prospects for Durable Solutions in Iraq
- Author:
- Rachel Sider
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- In the aftermath of the rapid advance of Daesh through central parts of Iraq, a humanitarian crisis of significant proportion remains. Since March 2015, over 458,000 people have returned to their places of origin. Many have been driven by government guarantees of improved security coupled with a lack of access to land, food and income generating activities in displacement sites. They have returned under precarious conditions, without the support required to ensure progress towards durable solutions, and they rely on assistance to recover and rebuild. Efforts must be made to ensure that returns are safe, dignified and sustainable. This paper outlines the current situation and provides recommendations for the Government of Iraq, UN agencies, donors and NGOs.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Security, Humanitarian Aid, Reconstruction, and Refugees
- Political Geography:
- Iraq
35104. El Nino: The case for urgent action
- Author:
- Debbie Hillier, Josephine Liebl, and Franziska Mager
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- Millions of poor and vulnerable people face hunger and poverty this year and next because of record global temperatures, droughts and erratic rains in 2014 and 2015, compounded by the development of possibly the most powerful El Niño on record. Strong leadership at every level of government and a coordinated international effort are required to avoid the failures of the 2011 Horn of Africa drought, when the international system was slow to respond and widespread suffering ensued. Urgent humanitarian response is required in places already in crisis such as parts of Ethiopia. This paper focuses particularly on other places, where the crisis is currently unfolding, and where there is still the opportunity for rapid action to mitigate the worst impacts of El Niño.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Poverty, Natural Disasters, Water, and Hunger
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
35105. Our Country, Our Peace: Why women must be included in Yemen's peace process
- Author:
- Shaheen Chughtai and Scott Paul
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- The Yemen conflict has had a catastrophic effect on its people, with specific impacts on already-vulnerable women and girls. But political talks about Yemen’s future have almost exclusively been conducted by male politicians and combatants. This contrasts with the 2011 uprising, when women helped set Yemen on a path towards political reform. However, the 2011 peace initiative which followed the uprising lacked inclusivity and proved to be unsustainable. The forthcoming talks about Yemen’s future must not repeat these flaws. Ensuring women have a meaningful voice in the peace process increases the likelihood that its outcomes benefit the majority of Yemenis and enjoy their support.
- Topic:
- Gender Issues, Government, Politics, Political Activism, Reform, and Elections
- Political Geography:
- Yemen and Arab Countries
35106. Made in Myanmar: Entrenched poverty or decent jobs for garment workers?
- Author:
- Daisy Gardener and Jasmine Burnley
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- In Myanmar, the garment industry is booming thanks to an upsurge in investment by international brands, but garment workers are facing tough conditions. According to new research from Oxfam and labour rights groups in Myanmar, garment workers are working up to 11 hours a day, six days a week, but remain trapped in poverty. Following decades of economic isolation, political reforms have seen global retail heavyweights like GAP, H&M, Primark and Adidas starting to source from Myanmar factories. With the garment industry growing quickly, companies need to act now to ensure that workers making their products can access their fundamental rights and provide a decent living for themselves and their families. This briefing paper presents the research findings and makes recommendations for international sourcing companies and factories to help them protect garment workers’ rights.
- Topic:
- Economics, Human Welfare, Politics, Poverty, and Labor Issues
- Political Geography:
- Myanmar
35107. Extreme Carbon Inequality: Why the Paris climate deal must put the poorest, lowest emitting and most vulnerable people first
- Author:
- Timothy Gore
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- Climate change is inextricably linked to economic inequality: it is a crisis that is driven by the greenhouse gas emissions of the ‘haves’ that hits the ‘have-nots’ the hardest. While COP21 in Paris will see a deal negotiated between governments on the basis of the total emissions produced in their territories, the real winners and losers will be their citizens. The true test of the deal will be whether it delivers something for the poorest people who are both the least responsible for and the most vulnerable to climate change, wherever they live. In this briefing Oxfam presents new data analysis that demonstrates the extent of global carbon inequality by estimating and comparing the lifestyle consumption emissions of rich and poor citizens in different countries. See also the technical briefing on the methodology and the data sets.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Economics, Politics, Poverty, and Inequality
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
35108. Influencing the Development and Integration of National Standard Climate Change Indicators into the Monitoring and Reporting Frameworks in Uganda
- Author:
- Tracy Kajumba and Irene Karani
- Publication Date:
- 12-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- This paper documents the results of the process of developing and selecting national standard climate change indicators for integration into two national monitoring and evaluation frameworks in Uganda: the Output Budgeting Tool (OBT) and the Local Government Assessment tool (LGAT). The OBT is used by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) to determine national development standard indicators that are monitored and reported across all sectors in the country. The LGAT determines and annually assesses the minimum performance measures for all local governments in Uganda. Before the intervention of the Africa Climate Change Resilience Allicance (ACCRA) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) as part of the Tracking Adaptation and Measuring Development (TAMD), both frameworks lacked standard performance indicators on climate change. This meant that local governments were not required to plan, budget or report on climate change. The briefing draws out lessons learned from using a highly participatory and bottom-up process, as well as policy implications at national, sub-national and sectoral levels. It also highlights key prerequisites for successful development and integration of climate change indicators in existing monitoring and reporting frameworks of national states
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Human Welfare, Politics, Governance, and Budget
- Political Geography:
- Uganda
35109. Implementing the Forest Rights Act: Lack of political will?
- Author:
- Oommen C. Kurian and Pooja Parvati
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- Historically, usage of and access to forest resources by India’s Adivasi community and other forest dwellers have been considered encroachment and their efforts to acquire forest land have been used as evidence of their anti-development attitude. Government policy has continued to deny them legal rights to use, manage and conserve forest resources and to hold forest lands that they have been residing on and cultivating. In 2006, the passage of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dweller’s (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (hereafter FRA) tried to make amends by recognizing the customary rights of forest dwellers, including the right over common areas and the right to manage and sell forest produce. However, the overall implementation of FRA still suffers from inadequate community awareness; conflicting legislation; the lack of a dedicated structure for implementation and devoted staff; administrative roadblocks to smooth processing of claims; and a governance deficit.
- Topic:
- Natural Resources
35110. Implementing the Forest Rights Act: Lack of political will?
- Author:
- Oomen C. Kurian and Pooja Parvati
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- Historically, usage of and access to forest resources by India’s Adivasi community and other forest dwellers have been considered encroachment and their efforts to acquire forest land have been used as evidence of their anti-development attitude. Government policy has continued to deny them legal rights to use, manage and conserve forest resources and to hold forest lands that they have been residing on and cultivating. In 2006, the passage of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dweller’s (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (hereafter FRA) tried to make amends by recognizing the customary rights of forest dwellers, including the right over common areas and the right to manage and sell forest produce. However, the overall implementation of FRA still suffers from inadequate community awareness; conflicting legislation; the lack of a dedicated structure for implementation and devoted staff; administrative roadblocks to smooth processing of claims; and a governance deficit.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Economics, Human Welfare, Politics, Natural Disasters, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
35111. Game-Changers in the Paris Climate Deal: What is needed to ensure a new agreement helps those on the front lines of climate change
- Author:
- Tracy Carty
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- There is likely to be a climate deal in Paris. The emission pledges that more than 150 governments have put on the table this year show that global climate ambition is increasing. But much more is needed, as it’s a deal that could still lead to around 3°C of warming. New Oxfam-commissioned research estimates that compared with 2°C, developing countries could be faced with an additional $600bn per year in economic losses by 2050, and see their adaptation finance needs raised by almost $300bn per year by the same date. But there is still scope for a stronger deal. In this media briefing Oxfam looks at potential game-changers on finance and mitigation ambition that could avert these costs for the world’s poorest people. These are the issues that will determine whether the Paris deal reflects the power of the biggest fossil fuel emitters and elites, or is a turning point which starts to address the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Energy Policy, Politics, Reform, Inequality, and Finance
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
35112. El Niño Key Messages: Urgent action now can prevent major suffering and loss
- Author:
- Debbie Hillier and John Magrath
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- Millions of poor and vulnerable people face hunger and poverty this year and next because of record global temperatures, droughts and erratic rains in 2014 and 2015, followed by the development of possibly the most powerful El Niño on record. This briefing makes the case to urgently scale up humanitarian response in countries already in crisis. It also draws on the experience of the super El Nino in 1997–98, and the inadequate response to the Horn of Africa drought of 2011, to push for early action to save livelihoods elsewhere. Long-term approaches to reduce food insecurity must be found, and climate change, which is super-charging the effects of El Niño, must be tackled at the UN climate conference in Paris and beyond.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Human Welfare, Natural Disasters, Labor Issues, and Food Security
35113. ECOWAP: A Fragmented Policy. Development partners and regional institutions should address leadership and coordination issues in order to build a common agricultural policy for West Africa
- Author:
- Tracy Carty
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- There is likely to be a climate deal in Paris. The emission pledges that more than 150 governments have put on the table this year show that global climate ambition is increasing. But much more is needed, as it’s a deal that could still lead to around 3°C of warming. New Oxfam-commissioned research estimates that compared with 2°C, developing countries could be faced with an additional $600bn per year in economic losses by 2050, and see their adaptation finance needs raised by almost $300bn per year by the same date. But there is still scope for a stronger deal. In this media briefing Oxfam looks at potential game-changers on finance and mitigation ambition that could avert these costs for the world’s poorest people. These are the issues that will determine whether the Paris deal reflects the power of the biggest fossil fuel emitters and elites, or is a turning point which starts to address the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Economics, Energy Policy, Inequality, and Finance
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
35114. A Different Route: Reimagining the idea of prosperity in Asia
- Author:
- Maria Dolores Bernabe and Erinch Sahan
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies. Yet millions of people remain poor, while a handful gets richer and richer. Asia needs a development model that leaves no one behind: not the workers and farmers, who act as the driving force behind Asia’s growth – and certainly not the women, who take on the lowest paying jobs in the region. This model must also consider constraints, particularly the earth’s finite natural resources which future generations need to survive. It must move away from carbon dependence and must anticipate and plan for the impacts of climate change. These principles together inform inclusive and sustainable development, which Asian governments can use as a roadmap to transform their societies in an era of vanishing resources and staggering inequalities.
- Topic:
- Development, Energy Policy, Poverty, Natural Resources, and Inequality
- Political Geography:
- Asia
35115. Still Broken: Governments must do more to fix the international corporate tax system
- Author:
- Francis Weyzig
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- The gap between where companies pay tax and where they really do their business is huge, as shown by new research described in this briefing. In 2012, US multinationals alone shifted $500–700bn, mostly to countries where these profits are not taxed, or taxed at very low rates. G20 countries themselves are among the biggest losers. The measures recently announced by the OECD leave the fundamentals of a broken tax system intact and do not stop the race to the bottom in corporate taxation. G20 governments must do more and should strongly support further reforms.
- Topic:
- International Trade and Finance, Labor Issues, Governance, Budget, G20, and Income Inequality
- Political Geography:
- United States
35116. Right to a Future: Empowering refugees from Syria and host governments to face a long-term crisis
- Author:
- David Andres-Vinas, Daniel Gorevan, Martin Hartberg, Melissa Phillips, and Alexandra Saieh
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- With no end to the conflict in Syria in sight, the four million people forced to flee the country have no foreseeable prospect of safe return. And as the impact of the crisis on neighbouring countries grows and aid dries up, the situation for these refugees is becoming increasingly dire. This briefing calls for a new approach by the international community, including Syria’s neighbours; one which offers hope, safety and dignity to the millions of refugees, and gives them a chance to contribute to the societies and economies of their hosts.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Civil War, Economics, Humanitarian Aid, and Refugees
- Political Geography:
- Syria
35117. Climate Change Spending in Ethiopia: Recommendations to bridge the funding gap for climate financing
- Author:
- Neil Bird and Eshetu Zedwu
- Publication Date:
- 11-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- The Government of Ethiopia considers climate change to be one of its priorities in responding to the country’s long-term development needs. The nation’s widely acclaimed Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy has called for annual spending of $7.5bn. With federal budgetary resources for climate change relevant actions estimated to be in the order of $440m per year, and international sources adding an uncertain amount that may be in the tens of millions (USD) per year, there appears to be a major financing gap. Therefore, if the CRGE strategy is to be delivered, and the lives of the country’s most vulnerable people made more resilient, much more effort needs to be exerted to mobilize additional resources both domestically and externally. In particular, international commitments on climate finance need to be realized. This is now a matter of urgency for Ethiopia, as it is for many other African States. Drawing on research by the Climate Science Centre of Addis University and the Overseas Development Institute, this policy brief, supported by the ACCRA programme, sets out recommendations to bridge the funding gap for climate financing in Ethiopia.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Politics, Natural Resources, Budget, and Finance
- Political Geography:
- Ethiopia
35118. Rebuilding a More Resilient Nepal: Key recommendations for reconstruction and recover
- Author:
- Ruth Jackson
- Publication Date:
- 10-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Abstract:
- The April 2015 earthquake devastated Nepal, affecting more than eight million people. Nepalis have shown remarkable resilience in the face of the disaster, and six months on people are rebuilding their homes, their lives and their country. Reconstruction provides an opportunity to build back better and create a stronger, more equal country that is more able to cope with crises. However, this opportunity is being missed, leaving Nepal vulnerable to future shocks and disasters. This briefing paper considers the successes and challenges of the response so far, and looks at what must be done to ensure that Nepal recovers in a way which makes it more resilient and more equitable.
- Topic:
- Development, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Aid, Natural Disasters, and Reconstruction
- Political Geography:
- Nepal
35119. Reviewing the Euro-Mediterranean Relations
- Publication Date:
- 10-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- Ambassadors Florensa (IEMed) and Aragona (ISPI) introduced the annual conference, highlighting the important role of EuroMeSCo at a critical juncture for the Mediterranean and for Euro-Mediterranean relations. Ambassador Florensa stressed that the commitment and the dynamism of EuroMeSCo were greater than ever. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Gentiloni gave an official address to the participants of the EuroMeSCo annual conference, describing the Mediterranean space as the epicentre of global disorder and enumerating the various challenges it posed for the European Union in particular, in terms of security but also in terms of identity and values.
- Topic:
- Security and Globalization
35120. Greece and the European Project: Canary in the Coal Mine?
- Author:
- Daniel V. Speckhard
- Publication Date:
- 09-2015
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Institution:
- Council of American Ambassadors
- Abstract:
- After serving for two challenging years in the chaos of a war zone as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Iraq, I received word that I would become the next Ambassador to Greece. To be quite honest, I had mixed feelings. I looked forward to the challenge, but I imagined the post would be too sedate compared with the adrenalin-charged days and world-shaping events in Iraq. It was anything but. Within a year of my arrival, the streets were aflame with violent protests over a police shooting of a teenager. A year later, snap elections brought a socialist government to power. And soon thereafter, the onion was further peeled to expose a financial crisis and a crumbling economic foundation built on a corrupt, oligarchic, and debt-addicted system fed by billions of dollars of public and private EU loans and grants.
- Topic:
- Corruption, Economics, Politics, Financial Crisis, and European Union
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Greece