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57531. Engaging Putin's Russia: Challenges and Opportunities for the West

Author:
Jason R. Wisniewski
Publication Date:
06-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
Abstract:
The small and medium-sized states in Southeast Asia have undergone significant geostrategic changes with the end of the Cold War and the rise of China. There has been a lively debate over the last decade about whether these countries would balance against or bandwagon with China, and how their relations with the other major powers in the region would change. Recent works that argue against the simple dichotomy of balancing versus bandwangoning are correct in asserting that Southeast Asian countries do not want to choose between the two major powers, the U.S. and China. But this paper goes further to present the results of an empirical study that fleshes out the conceptual thinking that underlies this avoidance strategy. It finds that instead of merely adopting tactical or time-buying policies, key Southeast Asian states have actively tried to influence the shaping of the new regional order. It argues that key Southeast Asian states in fact have (a) distinct coneptualisations of two main pathways to order in the region omni-enmeshment of major powers and complex balance of influence; and (b) a concrete vision of the preferred power distribution outcome, which is a hierarchical regional order.
Topic:
International Relations and Government
Political Geography:
Russia, United States, China, and Southeast Asia

57532. America's Interests in the United Nations: A U.S. Response to the Report of the UN Secretary-General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change

Author:
Donald F. McHenry, Thomas R. Pickering, Peter Burleigh, James Cunningham, Jeanne J. Kirkpatrick, and Edward Perkins
Publication Date:
04-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
Abstract:
During the UN General Assembly meeting in September 2003, Secretary-General Kofi Annan created a High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change to provide him and the member states of the United Nations with ideas about the policies and institutions required for the United Nations to be effective in the twenty-first century. The panel submitted to him in December 2004 a report entitled "A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibilities," an analysis of how to improve the collective institutionalized response to the most pressing threats and challenges to global peace and security. The report also presented more than one hundred specific recommendations to the secretary-general and the member states.
Topic:
International Relations, Security, and United Nations
Political Geography:
United States

57533. The Development and the Prospects of the Czech Left – the Role of the Communist Party

Author:
Vladimír Handl
Publication Date:
12-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute of International Relations Prague
Abstract:
The parties of the Czech left have enjoyed a nominal majority in the House of Representatives of the Czech Parliament: the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) gained 70 seats and the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) 41 seats during the elections in June 2002. Both parties have so far used this political potential with caution.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution and Treaties and Agreements
Political Geography:
Europe and Eastern Europe

57534. Unequal Prospects: Disparities in the Quantity and Quality of Labour Supply in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author:
Christopher Cramer and John Sender
Publication Date:
03-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
School of Oriental and African Studies - University of London
Abstract:
The issue of labour supply in Sub-Sahara n Africa, like so many other economic and social issues in the region, is often discussed as if the whole sub-continent faced essentially similar, overwhelming and intractable problem s. This pessimistic and over-generalised literature has been criticized elsewhere (Sender, 1999). By contrast, this paper stresses the importance of differences between and within Sub-Saharan African economies in the quantity and quality of labour supplies, and highlights the scope for policies to overcome constraints on employment prospects. The paper also points to the dangers of one-size-fits-all policy recommendations for the labour market, while at the same time identifying certain similarities in the characteristics of the most disadvantaged labour market entrants in many Sub-Saharan African economies. The aim is to begin to isolate the sub-set of policies that might be most relevant for these entrants, if donors and governments wish to re-allocate resources to improve prospects for the poorest Africans.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, Economics, and International Political Economy

57535. The Role of the Wider Black Sea Area in a Future European Security Space, Volume 1

Author:
Jean Dufourcq(ed.) and Lionel Ponsard(ed.)
Publication Date:
12-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
The Black Sea is at the forefront of the strategic agenda for 2 005, though its ordinary geographical name tends to conceal the dynamic geopolitical realities of an area where a transformation is in full swing.
Topic:
International Relations, Security, and Development
Political Geography:
Europe

57536. The Role of the Wider Black Sea Area in a Future European Security Space, Volume 2

Author:
Jean Dufourcq(ed.) and Lionel Ponsard(ed.)
Publication Date:
12-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
This second booklet of reflections on Black Sea security issues is the companion volume to the one published during the continuation of the seminar sponsored by the NSC at Constanta (Romana) on 6 and 7 June 2005 on the subject of “The Role of the Wider Black Sea Area in a Future European Security Space”.
Topic:
International Relations, Security, and Development
Political Geography:
Europe

57537. Security Strategies and their Implications for NATO's Strategic Concept

Author:
Jean Dufourcq(ed.) and Carlo Masala(ed.)
Publication Date:
11-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
This volume contains the three presentations delivered on the occasion of the 52nd Anciens' Annual Conference and Seminar held on 23 September 2005 at the NATO Defense College in Rome. The seminar was dedicated to the subject of “Security Strategies”–especially those of the United States, the European Union, and of course the 1999 NATO Strategic Concept. One major issue examined at the seminar was the impact that the evolution of the first two strategies may have on the Alliance's current strategic concept.
Topic:
Security, NATO, and Development
Political Geography:
United States, Europe, and Rome

57538. When Suicide Bombing Reaches the Tipping Point

Author:
Sam Grier
Publication Date:
10-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
While at the macroscopic level numerous analyses have been devoted to finding the root causes of terrorism in the interest of preventing and countering terrorism as comprehensively as possible, a whole range of complementary preventive measures could be taken at a more microscopic level. It is therefore important to identify the catalysts of the forces fuelling terrorism, so as to compose a holistic menu of small and coordinated preventive actions as part of a first line of defence.
Topic:
Security, NATO, Peace Studies, and Terrorism

57539. A Regional Strategy for Promoting a Free Media and Freedom of Expression in the Middle East and North Africa

Author:
Keith Henderson
Publication Date:
02-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
The main objective of this paper is to encourage open debate and reform action in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on the need to create the legal and political enabling environment necessary to promote good governance, the Rule of Law and citizen participation. The paper notes that many of the defamation laws in the region still contain criminal penalties, including high fines and imprisonment, and that the threat and enforcement of these laws and policies leads to government censorship, self-censorship and sometimes imprisonment. These practices are now well understood as counter to international obligations and best practices as well as to the guarantees of a free media and free speech enshrined in most MENA Constitutions. The net result of these practices is a culture of secrecy that presents high barriers to sustainable economic and political reform. Collectively, this secrecy effectively muzzles open discussion and critical reform debate and makes the promotion of basic human rights and a good governance reform agenda virtually impossible.
Topic:
International Relations and Democratization
Political Geography:
Africa, Middle East, and North Africa

57540. Ethiopia: Implications of the May 2005 Elections for Future Democratization Programs

Author:
Terrence Lyons
Publication Date:
08-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Academy of Political Science
Abstract:
May 15, 2005 elections presented the Ethiopian people a remarkable opportunity to express their political views by participating in a poll that offered them a meaningful choice. In contrast to earlier elections in 1995 and 2000, opposition parties did not boycott but rather competed vigorously across the country. Opposition party mistrust of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), reports of intimidation and violence, and highly polarizing rhetoric raised concerns during the pre-election period but did not deter opposition parties from campaigning in nearly every constituency. Live, televised debates on matters of public policy, opposition party access to state-owned media, and huge, peaceful rallies in the final week of campaigning made it clear that these elections would represent a critical moment in Ethiopia's political development. The Ethiopian people recognized this opportunity and turned out in overwhelming numbers to vote, forcing some polling stations in Addis Ababa to stay open 24 hours to accommodate those in line.
Topic:
International Relations, Democratization, and Human Rights
Political Geography:
Africa and Ethiopia