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1271. The state of the European Union 2016: Europe at the political crossroads

Author:
Fundación Alternativas
Publication Date:
06-2016
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
The 4th Report on the State of the European Union –”Europe at the political crossroads”– is published as a contribution to a campaign to relaunch the EU, motivated by the belief that the serious problems with which the Union is currently grappling can only be resolved if we address the political challenges it faces. The publication of this report coincides with perhaps the most difficult moment for the Union since its creation. With the EU still struggling to overcome the drastic impact of the economic crisis, it is threatened by the storm clouds of another recession or, at the very least, weak growth.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

1272. Informe sobre sostenibilidad en España 2016: hoja de ruta hacia un modelo sostenible

Author:
Ana Belén Sánchez
Publication Date:
05-2016
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
Hace unos años propuse que entre los Informes que la Fundación Alternativas dedica a los grandes temas de nuestro país y de Europa –la Democracia, la Desigualdad, la Unión Europea, la Cultura– no podía faltar uno consagrado a la Sostenibilidad.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

1273. Czech-German Relations: A Dialogue in Place of Strategy, in Hope of Strategy and in Need of Strategy

Author:
Benjamin Tallis
Publication Date:
12-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
The Czech-German Strategic Dialogue has been hailed as a significant upgrading of relations between the two countries. However, while it holds great potential, the dialogue mainly covers practical or tactical cooperation and is currently lacking in real strategic content. This deficit reflects a wider lack of strategic convergence between the partners and requires political, rather than bureaucratic action to address it. Doing so will require a larger shift in foreign policy thinking and action, particularly on the Czech side," writes Benjamin Tallis in his newest policy paper
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

1274. Migration: A Crisis Europe Can’t Keep Out

Author:
Benjamin Tallis
Publication Date:
12-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
Difficulties in persuading EU Member States (EUMS) to act in solidarity with each other – or with refugees – have led to a focus on the ‘external dimensions’ of the migration crisis. This has created a misleading impression of the crisis as external to, rather created by, the EU and EUMS. Equally misleadingly, this framing suggests that the crisis can be dealt with outside, rather within the EU – generally by trying to stop the flow of migrants to Europe. This policy paper challenges this framing and argues that the migration crisis is one of Europe’s own making – and one which must be addressed, primarily, at home," writes Benjamin Tallis in his new policy paper on migration.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

1275. The Use of Force Against the Islamic State

Author:
Tamás Lattmann and Veronika Bílková
Publication Date:
11-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
The Islamic State (IS) must not be recognized as a State. It is an illegitimate non-state actor engaged in serious violations of international law. The use of force against the IS does not have a uniform legal basis. Some of the related actions can be justified on the grounds of the consent of the territorial State (this is the case with the US in Iraq, and Russia in Syria). The legality of other actions against the IS (those of Turkey in Iraq, and of the US in Syria) remains doubtful. The IS is likely to be defeated in the upcoming months. The situation does not require a more active engagement by the Czech Republic beyond what it is already doing (provision of weapons, training of armed and police personnel, etc.).
Topic:
International Security and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1276. Czech Strategic Partnerships: A Practice in Need of a Vision

Author:
Michal Šimečka and Benjamin Tallis
Publication Date:
09-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
The concept of a strategic partnership is gaining prominence in Czech diplomatic practice, but its meaning and implications remain inadequately understood. The policy paper seeks to redress the situation by unpacking the concept and building a framework for understanding strategic partnerships in the Czech context. It argues that while it is not necessary to construct a rigorous definition, more coherence and clarity is needed for strategic partnerships to serve as a meaningful instrument of Czech foreign policy.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Europe

1277. Lost Hopes: Where to Go after the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons?

Author:
Miroslav Tuma
Publication Date:
02-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
The 9th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was held from 27 April to 22 May 2015 at the UN Headquarters in New York, but it failed. The Czech Republic should engage in urging other countries to achieve progress in nuclear disarmament through a compromise approach known as “the building blocks”. In parallel, it should also actively support the process of emphasizing the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. Also, the Czech Republic’s good relations with Israel should focus on the support for holding a Middle East conference on the creation of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, a project enjoying long-term EU support. It would also be desirable for the Czech Republic to continue with its strong support for the achievement of the NPT’s universality, the early entry of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty into force and the start of a substantive debate about the main points at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
Topic:
Nuclear Weapons and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1278. Success or Failure? Assessment of the Readmission Agreement Between the EU and Turkey from the Legal and Political Perspectives

Author:
Berfin Nur Osso
Publication Date:
10-2016
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
The discussion paper by Berfin Nur Osso, former intern at the Institute of International Relations Prague and a senior undergraduate student at the Koç University in Istanbul majoring in Law and minoring in International Relations, focuses on the assessment of the readmission agreement between the EU and Turkey.
Topic:
International Affairs and Europe Union
Political Geography:
Europe and Turkey

1279. A primary exploration on cyber security governance in Africa

Author:
XIAO Yingying and YUAN Zhengqing
Publication Date:
07-2016
Content Type:
Working Paper
Abstract:
The internet history in Africa is short, but this new technology is spreading fast on the continent. Along with this, cybercrime in Africa is becoming increasingly rampant, while the relevant legal institutions and law enforcement capacity are lagging behind, with public and private cyber security awareness being relatively weak. In recent years, African countries start accelerating the design of institutional framework concerning cyber security governance. Besides e-transaction and cybercrime, personal data protection is also part of Africa’s cyber security governance, which is the result of the “impartment“ from Western developed countries and the active advocacy from NGOs. Whether at the national level, sub-regional organization level, the African Union level or NGO level, those Western developed countries and western-dominated international organizations have played a role in the institutional design of African cyber security governance, some of which referred to or even copied the original designs of the Western countries. This may lead to the African continent being “recolonized” in cyberspace, with no autonomous decision-making power in global cyber security governance. Besides, from design to implementation, African countries still have a long way to go, and whether the institutions based on the western experience are suitable for the culture and ideas of the African countries, remains to be tested with practice.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Africa and China

1280. Governance, Accountability, and Security in Nigeria

Author:
Oluwakemi Okenyodo
Publication Date:
06-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Abstract:
As in much of Africa, the vast majority of security threats facing Nigeria are internal, often involving irregular forces such as insurgents, criminal gangs, and violent religious extremists. Effectively combating such threats requires cooperation from local communities—cooperation limited by low levels of trust in security forces who often have reputations for corruption, heavy-handedness, and politicization. Tackling modern security threats, then, is directly tied with improving the governance and oversight of the security sector, especially the police. Key paths forward include clarifying the structure of command and oversight, strengthening merit-based hiring and promotion processes, and better regulating private and voluntary security providers.
Topic:
International Relations, Corruption, International Affairs, and Governance
Political Geography:
Nigeria