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2211. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2010
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
Central Asia presents a broad spectrum of security challenges. These range from religious terrorism, organised crime and simmering ethnic quarrels to endemic corruption, environmental decline and a disintegrating infrastructure. Besides, the danger of instability is heightened by a lurking receptiveness to religious extremism among returned migrants.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2212. Trade, Recovery and Sustainable Economic Growth

Author:
Pascal Lamy
Publication Date:
04-2010
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI)
Abstract:
Economists have long analysed and helped us understand trade, why nations needed it to prosper, and what governments have to do to reap the gains while managing the costs. The many theories they have developed leave no doubt about the importance of trade to growth and economic development.
Topic:
Economic Growth, Trade, and Sustainability
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2213. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2009
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
On 12 May we received the news that David Greenwood had passed away. It was expected in a way, but still it came as a shock. David had been suffering from a disease one can fight for some time, but never beat. Although at the end he was very weak and never left home anymore, David was not supposed to leave Margaret and all of us so soon.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2214. How Common is the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU: Where does Turkey fit in?

Author:
Ceren Zeynep Ak, Paul Luif, and Sabiha Senyücel Gündoğar
Publication Date:
03-2009
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
This study has been co-authored by Paul Luif from OIIP, Sabiha Senyücel Gündoğar and Ceren Zeynep Ak from TESEV. The objective has been to examine the patterns of convergence and/or divergence within the foreign policy orientations of Turkey and the EU as well as among the European Union member states – or to put it more precisely, to look at whether Turkey and the EU are on the same page when considering the foreign policy questions that form the basis of a Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. This publication looks at the past trends in Foreign Policy decisions with a quantitative research. The research examines the past behavior of Turkey and the EU member states, and finds out that they actually converge more than what is believed. The examined behavior is derived from the voting data in the UN General Assembly over a certain period. This publication also evaluates and compares how much actual convergence existed and exists among the EU member states themselves. The authors show that there is actual convergence between Turkey and the EU member states, and sometimes this convergence is more than the amount of convergence among the EU member states.
Topic:
Security, Foreign Policy, United Nations, and European Union
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

2215. Palestinians line up for dwindling cash in Gaza

Author:
Pal Think
Publication Date:
12-2008
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Pal-Think For Strategic Studies
Abstract:
Local banks in Gaza, under pressure from Israeli sanctions, are running out of cash and desperate Palestinians lined up at branches Monday hoping to pull money out of frozen accounts. But most banks have sharply curtailed withdrawals over the past two weeks and some have posted signs telling customers they cannot take out any more money. The U.N. stopped distributing cash handouts to Gaza’s poorest last week. Economists and bank officials are warning that tens of thousands of civil servants will not be able to cash paychecks next month. “No society can operate without money, but that’s the situation we are reaching in Gaza,” said economist Omar Shaban. The Israeli shekel is a widely used currency in the Gaza Strip, and the territory needs at least 400 million shekels, or about $100 million, each month in new currency to replace aging notes and to pay salaries
Topic:
International Political Economy and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Gaza

2216. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2008
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
In the second half of 2007 we decided to take the Starlink programme further east and got in touch with the Netherlands Embassy in Astana to investigate possibilities in Kazakhstan. During a fact-finding mission in November 2007 we found that there was a clear need to develop capacity for democratic governance in the security sector of Kazakhstan. The country is engaged in a process of reform that, if successful, will improve oversight of the security agencies, enable the country to fulfil the commitments it undertook in its NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan of 2006, and enhance Kazakhstan’s standing at the OSCE. Kazakhstan will hold the presidency of the OSCE in 2010. It is obvious that Kazakhstan has put in place several of the laws and institutions required for democratic oversight of the security sector, and others are likely to follow. However, Kazakhstan still has some way to go to foster a culture of accountability. Here Starlink training courses will be helpful. The Starlink programme has been included in Kazakhstan’s Individual Partnership Action Plan.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2217. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2008
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
CESS is deeply involved in developing and delivering training courses for Security Sector Reform (SSR). In this issue, we will report on our Starlink programme for training development, which has completed its activities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Starlink is now being introduced in Kazakhstan, and plans are underway to take it to the Western Balkans. Starlink is supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE. We will also discuss the work CESS has been doing to teach the OECD DAC approach to SSR. In a thought-provoking commentary article Kars de Bruynequestions the conventional intepretation of the spring 2007 crisis in Turkey.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2218. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
After fact-finding missions to Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2006, we began running Starlink training courses on democratic governance in the security sector in those countries in February 2007. The first was in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and our partner was Dr Leila Aliyeva. We took the opportunity to officially open the Starlink programme with a high-level meeting, after which we ran the first training event. Senior representatives of various ministries and members of parliament participated in the high-level meeting, as well as the OSCE presence in Azerbaijan. The interest of the media was lively and spawned several newspaper articles and bulletins on national television. The first Starlink course on defence took place on the following days with an enthusiastic, pro-active and diverse group of participants.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2219. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
This issue of Security Matters is mostly devoted to Turkey. It carries three articles that were presented as papers at a workshop on Turkey and the European Security and Defence Policy, held in Istanbul on 12-13 June 2006 and organised by CESS in cooperation with the Istanbul Policy Center at Sabanci University. In late 2006, our programme on Governance and the Military in Turkey came to an end, and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the funding for a new CESS programme, called ‘Reforms in Turkish Civil-Military Relations: Measuring Progress and Building Capacities’. As before, IPC will be our main Turkish partner. Despite the difficult political climate, the Netherlands government wants to continue to provide constructive support for democratic reforms in Turkey. These are important for Turkey, for Europe, and for the successful integration of Turkey into the European Union.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2220. Security Matters

Author:
Centre for European Security Studies
Publication Date:
01-2006
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for European Security Studies
Abstract:
In the Starlink programme, sponsored by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CESS is developing training courses on democratic governance in the security sector. These are tried out in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and come in three types. One focuses on the defence sector, another on law enforcement, and the third on intelligence
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus