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3932. Turkey-Ukraine Relations: High Potential, Low Voltage
- Author:
- Habibe Özdal and Viktoriia Demydova
- Publication Date:
- 03-2011
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Strategic Research Organization (USAK)
- Abstract:
- With its strategic location of the existing power lines and economic potential, Ukraine, as one of the most important countries of Eastern Europe, is one of the pilot countries with which Turkey aims to develop its relations in an 'exemplary manner'. Besides, since Ankara and Kiev, share common values and priorities within the framework of preserving stability in the region, the Black Sea neighborhood adds another dimension to bilateral relations.
- Topic:
- Security, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Bilateral Relations
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Turkey, Ukraine, and India
3933. Extending the U.S. Military Role in Iraq
- Author:
- Ramzy Mardini and Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
- Publication Date:
- 05-2011
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Institute for the Study of War
- Abstract:
- The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), signed in 2008 by outgoing President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, requires the U.S. military to completely withdraw from Iraq no later than December 31, 2011. However, Iraq is failing to maintain internal security, continues to experience serious external defense deficiencies, and has unresolved political disagreements that could threaten stability. The national security interests of the United States and Iraq require extending the SOFA and retaining a smaller but still substantial U.S. military footprint in Iraq. The U.S. has signaled its willingness to extend its presence if requested by Iraq. Although Iraq's leaders increasingly recognize the necessity of extending the Status of Forces Agreement to permit U.S. military involvement beyond 2011, political obstacles have precluded them from initiating a domestic debate on extending the SOFA. As a result, it is necessary for the United States to take on a proactive and leading role when engaging with Iraq's leaders, and to communicate the importance and value of a new security agreement.
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, and Armed Struggle
- Political Geography:
- United States and Iraq
3934. 9/11: Ten Years Later
- Author:
- Gateway House
- Publication Date:
- 09-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
- Abstract:
- On September 12, 2001, a day after 9/11, the Times of India published a story titled, ―India hopes U.S. will now pressurise Pak.‖ At the time, this relayed a common national sentiment – India may finally get the United States to become a close ally against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, and help India in eradicating terrorism. Ten years hence, neither has the U.S. taken a position against Pakistan, nor has India prepared itself better to fight terrorism and insurgency on its home ground. A massive explosion at the Delhi High Court this week left at least 14 dead and some 60 injured. It served as a horrific reminder that India continues to be at the receiving end of terrorism. This is the third major terrorist attack in Delhi since 9/11, following the one on Parliament on December 2001 and another at the Sarojini Nagar Market in October 2005. Mumbai has seen similar attacks with the serial blasts in March 1993, train bombings in July 2006, the 26/11 attacks of November 2008 and coordinate attacks of July 2011. Many more such incidents have taken place across the country in smaller cities like Jaipur and Pune. Yet, rather than designing and executing ways to secure our borders, we remain enamored with the effects of 9/11 and anniversaries of attacks in London, Madrid, and elsewhere. The government‘s response is the same – they had some intelligence, law enforcement was in a state of alert, but there was no actionable intelligence, and of course, somewhere along the chain of command between the Home Minister and the constable on the street, our counter-terrorism strategy was never converted into skills or systems that would prove useful. The usually communicative, media-friendly politicians have no comment to give, reflecting only their incapability or worse, indifference. The media gives it due importance for 24 hours, then in the absence of any new information from the government or the public, moves on to other news-worthy items.
- Topic:
- Security, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, and 9/11
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, South Asia, India, and United States of America
3935. Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline Possibility or Pipe Dream?
- Author:
- Gateway House
- Publication Date:
- 11-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
- Abstract:
- Oil was the fuel of the 20th century. But depleting sources, volatility of prices and environmental concerns have made it imperative to look for alternate fuels. Natural gas provides one such solution for these concerns. Natural gas has a lower environmental impact than oil, emitting 30% less carbon dioxide, is generally priced at a fraction of the price of crude, and given its suitability as a substitute for oil in industries, makes it an attractive alternative to oil. Natural gas emits 45% less carbon dioxide than coal, making it an equally attractive substitute to iti. With the rapid depletion of most fuel sources, the need to tap into existing and unexplored natural gas reserves has become central to the energy debate. In order to secure a constant source of supply of natural gas to India, the Government of India is looking into the ambitious Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline. This will be an addition to the existing domestic production and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) imports. This project has been in the pipeline for the last 15 years though India signed on to it in early 2008. Since this pipeline passes through Afghanistan and Pakistan, both restive regions, security concerns have triggered wide debate on its viability. This paper briefly looks at the position of natural gas in the world vis-à-vis other fuels. The paper also elaborates on the economics and politics of the TAPI pipeline to conclude that this will remain a very tempting but unfortunately, a ‘Forever Project’ where discussions can go on for years without any concrete results. The paper advocates caution given the tumultuous times prevalent in Afghanistan and Pakistan and lists alternate options and possible courses of action for India.
- Topic:
- Security, Energy Policy, Oil, Gas, Volatility, and Energy Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Asia, India, and Turkmenistan
3936. 26/11 Reflections
- Author:
- Gateway House
- Publication Date:
- 11-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
- Abstract:
- In this compendium of essays, Gateway House examines the terrorist attack carried out on Mumbai on 26 November 2008, and its aftermath. It has been three years since 26th November, when terrorists attacked Mumbai’s monuments and its self-esteem. Life has resumed for the Mumbaikar, as always. But many questions remain, unanswered. Gateway House has attempted to analyse the event and its aftermath. We asked experts and ordinary individuals from around the world to bring in their unique perspectives. In a series of 13 essays, we examine the following: How did the ordinary Pakistani feel as she/he watched the towers of the Taj burn? Why didn’t the United Nations respond to 26/11 the way it did after 9/11? Should New York heed the warning of 26/11? What does Washington’s double-standards in South Asia mean for us? Should we change our strategy on Pakistan – or is it now the right time for Pakistan to change its strategy towards us? Are we better equipped in terms of defence equipment and maritime security? What can our security structures learn from our corporations? Are we entitled to the Right to Security, the way we are to education and food? What are the human rights of terrorism’s victims? Have we really cared for those who suffered on account of terrorism? Why is justice so delayed in India and what does it mean for terrorism?
- Topic:
- Security, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, and Borders
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, South Asia, India, and Mumbai
3937. Estonia’s Defence Research & Development: Lessons from the past, outlook for the future
- Author:
- Tomas Jermalavicius
- Publication Date:
- 09-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS
- Abstract:
- This report forms part of an ICDS project titled ‘Security, Strategy, Science and Technology’ (S3T) and aims to identify the conceptual and organisational challenges in Estonia’s defence R&D programme. This report forms part of an ICDS project titled ‘Security, Strategy, Science and Technology’ (S3T) and aims to identify the conceptual and organisational challenges in Estonia’s defence R&D programme. It seeks to ascertain Estonia’s defence R&D achievements so far, thus tackling the widespread perception that most of Estonia’s investments in this field have been ineffectual. The report also discusses the positive and negative aspects of ongoing reforms in the defence R&D sector pursued by the defence organisation – the Ministry of Defence and the Estonian Defence Forces – and the prerequisites for and possible obstacles to their success.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Development, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Estonia
3938. CSDP After Lisbon: Comprehensive Security for Small States?
- Author:
- Julian Tupay
- Publication Date:
- 11-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Centre for Defence and Security - ICDS
- Abstract:
- This report is aimed at analysing the impact changes introduced by the Lisbon treaty have on the common defence and security architecture of the European Union, in order to give an assessment of the relevance those changes have on the utility of CSDP for Estonia. This report is aimed at analysing the impact changes introduced by the Lisbon treaty have on the common defence and security architecture of the European Union, in order to give an assessment of the relevance those changes have on the utility of CSDP for Estonia.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Treaties and Agreements, and European Union
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Estonia, and Lisbon
3939. The Reform of Israeli Checkpoints: Outsourcing, Commodification, and Redeployment of the State (La réforme des checkpoints israéliens : externalisation, marchandisation et redéploiement de l'Etat)
- Author:
- Shira Havkin
- Publication Date:
- 05-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches Internationales
- Abstract:
- Since 2006 the checkpoints along the borders of the West Bank and the Gaza strip have been reorganized and equipped with a new technological platform. They are now managed by private security firms. The instigators of these reforms speak of the "civilianization" of the checkpoints and justify their program on economic, organizational and humanitarian grounds. This detailed study of the concrete means by which the management of the Israeli checkpoints has been outsourced and commodified enables one to establish links between the evolution of Israeli society in terms of the relationship between the State, the market and society and the actual changes in the operation of the occupation. It would appear that this is not a case of the State receding in the face of market forces in a zero sum game. Rather it is the redeployment in a neoliberal context of the State in which it has adopted the uniquely Israeli layering of the public and the private, the national and the international, the State and civil society.
- Topic:
- Security, Economics, Human Rights, Science and Technology, Occupation, Neoliberalism, and Borders
- Political Geography:
- Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and West Bank
3940. Middle East: A Region in Flux
- Author:
- Ömür Orhun
- Publication Date:
- 09-2011
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
- Abstract:
- In this article, Ömür Orhun suggests that the creation of a regional cooperation and “security process”in the Middle East, rather than an organization, would provide a framework of rules and procedures for sustained and focused dialogue, transparency and cooperation, in a range of issues that should cover security, socio-economic challenges, democratic governance and human rights. The “process” can function simultaneously on multiple layers: civil society/academia, track-two, and governmental. Each of these layers should aim to contribute to the achievement of agreed goals. The success of the process (and eventually of the organization to be worked out) can be defined as a reduction over time, and eventual elimination of conflicts, improvement of social and political conditions and development of the economic situation. A side implication no doubt will be improvement of human interaction.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, Human Rights, and Regional Cooperation
- Political Geography:
- Turkey and Middle East