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2082. America's Insatiable Demand for Drugs: Examining Alternative Approaches
- Author:
- David W Murray
- Publication Date:
- 06-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Hudson Institute
- Abstract:
- Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
- Topic:
- War on Drugs and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- America
2083. White House Narratives on the Iran Nuclear Deal
- Author:
- Michael Scott Doran
- Publication Date:
- 05-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Hudson Institute
- Abstract:
- Testimony before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, United States House of Representatives
- Topic:
- International Affairs and Nuclear Power
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
2084. Carrier Air Wing and the Future of Naval Aviation
- Author:
- Seth Cropsey
- Publication Date:
- 02-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Hudson Institute
- Abstract:
- Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
- Topic:
- International Security
- Political Geography:
- America
2085. A Legislative Hearing on Four Communications Bills
- Author:
- Robert M McDowell
- Publication Date:
- 01-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Hudson Institute
- Abstract:
- Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- America
2086. 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
2087. The Coalition Airstrikes in Syria from the Perspective of the Responsibility to Protect
- Author:
- Y. Emre Gurbuz
- Publication Date:
- 04-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Institute of International Relations Prague
- Abstract:
- The discussion paper by Emir Abbas Gürbüz, former intern at the position of the Independent Researcher and currently a lawyer based in Istanbul, discusses the status of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine in the customary international law and the applicability of the doctrine in the case of Syria.
- Topic:
- Military Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Syria
2088. The Privatisation of Security in Africa: Challenges and Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal
- Author:
- Alan Bryden, Aliou Diouf, Edem K. Comlan, Kadidia Sangaré Coulibaly, Aly Sagne, and Emmylou Boddi
- Publication Date:
- 01-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- Private security in Africa is booming. Whether from the perspective of major multinational players or small-scale local enterprises, the market for commercial security has expanded and evolved over recent years. However, policy makers rarely address private security, national parliaments and regulatory bodies provide limited oversight in this area, and the attention of African media and civil society is localized and sporadic. In short, a fundamental shift in the African security landscape is taking place under the radar of democratic governance. "The Privatisation of Security in Africa: Challenges and Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal" provides expert accounts which portray the realities of the contemporary private security industry in Africa. The volume analyses key characteristics of security privatisation in Africa, offers new insights into the significance of this phenomenon from a security sector governance perspective and identifies specific entry points that should inform processes to promote good governance of the security sector in Africa.
- Topic:
- Security, Privatization, Governance, Law Enforcement, and Multinational Corporations
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Senegal, Mali, and Côte d'Ivoire
2089. Notes for the Next UN Secretary-General
- Author:
- Simon Adams
- Publication Date:
- 10-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
- Abstract:
- The United Nations faces an existential crisis. The norms that bind and ‘safeguard humanity’ are currently under threat. The deliberate bombing of hospitals and the indiscriminate killing of civilians has become almost routine in Syria and several other conflicts. Numerous governments and murderous non-state actors (like isis or Boko Haram) are defying international humanitarian and human rights law. This article argues that the solution to the current global exigency and a central challenge facing the next Secretary-General is to achieve an equilibrium shift away from crisis response and towards conflict prevention. This is especially true with regard to preventing mass atrocity crimes (genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing). Historically, no single issue has done more to tarnish the reputation of the un than the failure to halt atrocities. Under a committed Secretary-General, the un has unique capacity to prevent these crimes.
- Topic:
- International Law, Displacement, Conflict, Violence, and Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
- Political Geography:
- United Nations, Syria, and Global Focus
2090. Turkish-Israeli Relations: Crises and Cooperation
- Author:
- Oğuz Çelikkol
- Publication Date:
- 11-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Global Political Trends Center (GPoT)
- Abstract:
- Several factors have always played an important role in Turkish-Israeli relaons since the two countries established diplomac relaons in 1949. First of all, both countries have been in the Western camp and have a special relaonship with the United States. Turkey's recognion of the importance of the Jewish lobby in US polics and Turkey's contacts with this powerful lobby predated its diplomac contacts with the State of Israel. When Turkey faced the expansionist threat of the Soviet Union just aer the Second World War and wished to establish close military es with the United States, it also iniated contacts with the American Jewish lobby, and recognized the newly established State of Israel. Although Turkey voted against the Palesne paron plan of the United Naons and the division of Palesnian territories into Arab and Jewish states in 1947, it became the first regional power to recognize the Israeli State, just a few weeks before the Turkish foreign minister's first official visit to Washington in 1949. Turkey joined the US-led North Atlanc Treaty Organizaon (NATO) in 1952 and formed special diplomac and military es with the US during the 1950s.
- Topic:
- Diplomacy, International Cooperation, Bilateral Relations, History, and Crisis Management
- Political Geography:
- Turkey, Middle East, Israel, and Palestine
2091. Time to Seal the Israel-Turkey Deal
- Author:
- Mensur Akgün, Muhammed Ammash, Nimrod Goren, Gabriel Mitchell, and Sylvia Tiryaki
- Publication Date:
- 01-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Global Political Trends Center (GPoT)
- Abstract:
- Turkey and Israel face a unique opportunity: to reconcile after five years of stagnant bilateral relations. We, leaders of Israeli and Turkish think tanks that have been working together since 2012 to support the mending of Israel-Turkey relations, welcome this development and call on the leaders of both countries to seize this opportunity. In mid-December, officials from both countries met in Switzerland in order to finalize principles for an eventual agreement to normalize ties. Reports confirm that an outline and framework for the reconciliation agreement has indeed been reached, although some important issues – such as the blockade on the Gaza Strip – are still unresolved. Israel and Turkey came close to sealing a reconciliation deal on several occasions since the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, most recently in the spring of 2014. However, while diplomats managed to find formulas that would overcome the differences between the countries, political leadership in Ankara and Jerusalem was hesitant to put the agreement into practice. This time around, there seems to be a convergence of economic and geostrategic interests, as well as political will on both sides.
- Topic:
- Development, Diplomacy, Treaties and Agreements, and Bilateral Relations
- Political Geography:
- Turkey, Middle East, Israel, and Palestine
2092. Six ways to enable women’s economic empowerment
- Author:
- Fenohasina Rakotondrazaka Maret, Ammar A. Malik, Nan Marie Astone, and H. Elizabeth Peters
- Publication Date:
- 11-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- Worldwide, only about one in two women work, compared with three in four men. In some low-income countries, such as Zimbabwe and Madagascar, the labor force participation rate for women has reached 90 percent, but these women are often underemployed. Hard economic circumstances often force them to be self-employed or work in small enterprises that are unregulated and unregistered. About 83 percent of all domestic workers in the world are women, most of whom work in precarious conditions. Women also do much more unpaid work than men, including caring for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities; contributing to family farms or businesses; and performing household chores such as collecting water or gathering firewood. Improving women’s livelihoods constitutes basic human rights protection. But could including more women in the labor force also stimulate economic growth, enhance business competitiveness, and improve well-being? We recently conducted a review of evidence to answer that question and found that reducing the gender pay gap and equalizing access to economic opportunities and resources are good for economic, social, and business development. For example, some firms that purposefully reduced gender discrimination and supported family-friendly policies attracted more talented workers, improved retention rates, and decreased employee stress, resulting in enhanced productivity.
- Topic:
- Gender Issues, Labor Issues, Women, and Economic Development
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar
2093. Will the cities of the future work for everyone?
- Author:
- Solomon Greene and Sarah Rosen Wartell
- Publication Date:
- 10-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- A century ago, 1 in 10 people lived in urban areas; today, it’s more than half. By 2050, that fraction will rise to two thirds of the world’s population as cities of all sizes swell to accommodate an estimated 2.5 billion more urban dwellers. What will cities look like in the future? Next week, researchers from the Urban Institute will join global leaders at the United Nations’ historic Habitat III conference to take stock of our progress in creating sustainable cities that meet the needs of all residents, and to get ahead of anticipated changes that will create both opportunities and challenges for city dwellers, our nations, and our planet.
- Topic:
- Development, Urban, and Cities
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
2094. How can we better serve urban refugees?
- Author:
- Benjamin Edwards and Loren Landau
- Publication Date:
- 09-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- The world is in the midst of a historic refugee crisis. In 2015, over 65 million people were forcibly displaced—19.5 million of them international refugees living outside their home countries. While the United States hopes to welcome up to 110,000 refugees next year, the scale of the crisis demands a larger and more creative response. Formal humanitarian approaches have focused on refugee camps and direct humanitarian aid, but cities and urban areas play a central role in hosting and protecting displaced persons. Today, only one-third of the world's refugees live in camps. Of the approximately 2.7 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, nearly 90 percent live in urban environments. Given the nature of the current crisis, what can humanitarian organizations do differently to address refugee concerns in urban areas? And what unique opportunities might arise by focusing on cities in addition to camps?
- Topic:
- Refugees, Displacement, and Urban
- Political Geography:
- Turkey and Global Focus
2095. Olympics remind us of the importance of local governance
- Author:
- Jonah Lefkoe and Charles Cadwell
- Publication Date:
- 08-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- As the world’s greatest athletes, brave tourists, and the eyes of a global TV audience (London 2012 brought 3.6 billion global viewers, and Rio is expected to break viewership records in the United States) descend on Rio for the 2016 Olympics, Brazil’s political troubles and urban infrastructure are also in the spotlight. Awarding the Olympics to Rio was not a completely foolish act. In 2009, when Brazil won its Olympic bid, the country was recovering from the 2008 financial crisis faster than the United States and enacting new social programs to further assist its poor populations. From 2003 to 2014, 29 million Brazilians were lifted out of poverty, and income inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, fell 11 percent. When the International Olympic Committee announced Brazil’s selection as the Olympic host, Brazilians threw a party on Copacabana Beach, and then-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) declared a new era for Brazil’s progress.
- Topic:
- Development, Poverty, Governance, Sports, and Olympics
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
2096. In Tanzania, can more service provider accountability improve service delivery?
- Author:
- Fenohasina Rakotondrazaka Maret
- Publication Date:
- 08-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- The quality of public-service delivery in developing countries depends on accountability for public-sector employees, but what does it take to make accountability the norm rather than the exception? According to the 2004 World Development Report, the long route of improving service delivery involves accountability through political mechanisms like the electoral system and politicians’ oversight. But the short route—accountability through the direct relationships between service providers, clients, and the local community—can often be just as effective. Social service delivery is still weak in many developing countries, particularly those in Africa, but increasing accountability could make a difference.
- Topic:
- Education, Health Care Policy, Accountability, Economic Development, and Public Service
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Tanzania
2097. What keeps cities in Asia and Africa from effective public service delivery?
- Author:
- Madeline Roth and Ammar A. Malik
- Publication Date:
- 08-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- Cities are widely regarded as engines of economic growth. Their ability to attract and retain talent and financial capital drives productivity and the well-being of societies. But cities across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, two of the world’s most populous and rapidly urbanizing regions, are unable to provide basic services to most of their residents. Countries with greater levels of urbanization have traditionally enjoyed greater prosperity, but the rise of poor megacities in recent years has cast doubts on this relationship. By 2040, over half the world’s poor earning less than $1 per day are expected to live in cities. To realize their full economic potential, cities must offer quality public amenities, modern urban infrastructure, and widely accessible basic public services such as water and sanitation. What factors prevent cities from better serving residents? And what can city governments do improve the status quo?
- Topic:
- Infrastructure, Urbanization, Economic Growth, and Public Service
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Asia
2098. Three top priorities for the White House Summit on Global Development
- Author:
- Benjamin Edwards and Jonah Lefkoe
- Publication Date:
- 07-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- At tomorrow’s White House Summit on Global Development, President Obama will convene stakeholders in international development to celebrate the administration’s successes and plan for its legacy. The Obama administration has reformed the development goals and how we implement development activities. Revisions to the goals include sector initiatives like Power Africa, Feed the Future, the President’s Global Climate Change Initiative, and Let Girls Learn—results-focused projects that have filled gaps in our development policies. Changes to implementation include President Obama’s landmark 2010 Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development, the USAID (US Agency for International Development) Forward reforms derived from that directive, and his recent signature on the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016. These initiatives are changing the way US development efforts are conducted, reimagining development with a focus on process and adaptability. The White House has laid out two goals for the summit: institutionalize the administration’s reforms, and recommit to expanding dignity and opportunity for all. To go beyond a well-earned celebration of progress already made, the event’s agenda should include three things.
- Topic:
- Development, Urban, Barack Obama, and USAID
- Political Geography:
- North America
2099. Can you tackle poverty without taking on place?
- Author:
- Solomon Greene
- Publication Date:
- 06-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- Earlier this month, House Republicans released a new plan to fight poverty and help Americans move up the economic ladder. The plan begins and ends with the premise that “The American Dream is the idea that, no matter who you are or where you come from, if you work hard and give it your all, you will succeed.” In between, however, there is scant mention of the role that place (i.e., where you come from) plays in perpetuating poverty or shaping economic opportunity. This is a glaring omission, especially in light of the plan’s insistence on grounding poverty-reduction policies in the best available evidence. The evidence shows that geography plays a powerful role in determining life outcomes in the United States. Better understanding the mechanisms by which zip codes determine destiny and identifying effective strategies to sever the connection between poverty and place should be central to any federal antipoverty plan.
- Topic:
- Development, Economics, and Poverty
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
2100. Six lessons on what works in supporting women-owned businesses
- Author:
- Ammar A. Malik, Arjan de Haan, and Alejandra Vargas Garcia
- Publication Date:
- 06-2016
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Urban Institute
- Abstract:
- Throughout the world, economic opportunities are less available to women than to men. Not only is the worldwide female labor force participation rate lower than it is for men, working women earn 10 to 30 percent less than their male counterparts. The share of girls who enroll and complete primary school remains less than boys'. Women hold only 22 percent of national parliament seats around the world. In a recent World Bank study, 90 percent of 173 surveyed countries had at least one law (e.g., prohibitions on women taking up certain jobs) preventing women from taking full advantage of economic opportunities. While gender equality has improved in some respects, minimizing gender-based violence, early and forced marriages, and property-rights violations will take more work. The full realization of women’s economic potential is essential for achieving the ambitious United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which will drive the global development agenda until 2030.
- Topic:
- Gender Issues, Women, Sustainable Development Goals, Business, and Economic Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus