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1691. Bribe Payers Index 2008

Author:
Juanita Riaño and Robin Hodess
Publication Date:
12-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
Corruption and bribery are complex transactions that involve both someone who offers a benefit, often a bribe, and someone who accepts, as well as a variety of specialists or intermediaries to facilitate the transaction. By perpetuating the 'abuse of entrusted power for private gain' – Transparency International's (TI) definition of corruption – both the bribe payer and bribe taker cause damage in a number of ways. Ultimately, their corrupt dealings create extreme inequity – both in markets and in societies.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, and Governance

1692. Promoting Revenue Transparency: 2008 Report on Revenue Transparency of Oil and Gas Companies

Publication Date:
04-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Transparency International
Abstract:
In this report, Transparency International (TI) evaluates 42 leading oil and gas companies on their current policies, management systems and performance in areas relevant to revenue transparency in their upstream operations. Revenue transparency in this report includes three areas of corporate action where disclosure can contribute to improved accountability in the management of extractive revenues: payments to host governments, operations and corporate anti-corruption programmes. The companies are evaluated in a total of 21 countries of operation. This report is a featured product of TI's Promoting Revenue Transparency Project and attempts to characterise current levels of company revenue transparency, to point to best practices, and to suggest areas for improvement.
Topic:
Corruption, International Trade and Finance, International Affairs, Natural Resources, and Governance

1693. Nuclear Weapons: The Politics of Non-Proliferation

Author:
Christine Wing
Publication Date:
04-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute (IPI)
Abstract:
Questions related to nuclear weapons are highly contested in the international arena—including the question of how these weapons constitute a challenge to human and international security. Does the challenge exist mainly in the incorporation of these weapons into military doctrines, or in the possibility that more states and/or terrorists will acquire nuclear capabilities? Have nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence prevented major wars, or are they ultimately destabilizing—or could both be true?
Topic:
Nuclear Weapons, Peace Studies, Weapons of Mass Destruction, International Security, and International Affairs

1694. Dubyu has gambled his standing away: George W. Bush's media image in Germany and Great Britain 2002 till 2006

Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Media Tenor International
Abstract:
In the mid-term elections, the US voters have fi nally arrived at a view in line with how the German TV news covered the 2004 presidential campaign. The media image of the US President in Germany and Great Britain has not been able to recover from the setbacks of the past few years. It remains questionable whether or not the dismissal of the “scapegoat” Donald Rumsfeld and a more amenable attitude towards the Democrats' political ideas will truly improve his image.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, International Affairs, and Mass Media
Political Geography:
Britain, United States, Europe, and Germany

1695. Chances for the Newcomer: The communication balance of the United Nations in an international comparison

Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Media Tenor International
Abstract:
“The United Nations are potentially the source of fascinating information. However, they must be communicated appropriately, because public support is indispensable for strengthening the organization...” said the report of General Secretary Kofi Annan on September 9th, 2002. The Media Tenor analysis of international television news demonstrates that, in the past few years, the UN barely managed to attract the public's attention with their key issues of development aid, securing peace and human rights. International conflicts, terrorism and scandals shaped the news and led to a steep decline in popularity for the UN.
Topic:
Politics, United Nations, International Affairs, and Mass Media

1696. Independent Commision on the Security Forces of Iraq

Author:
Jones James
Publication Date:
09-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
Retired Marine General James Jones, Chairman of the Atlantic Council, chaired the Committee that produced this report assessing Iraq's national police force. The report's overall assessment said "the Iraqi armed forces - Army, Special Forces, Navy, and Air Force - are increasingly effective and are capable of assuming greater responsibility for the internal security of Iraq; and the Iraqi police are improving, but not at a rate sufficient to meet their essential security responsibilities. The Iraqi Security Forces will continue to rely on the Coalition to provide key enablers such as combat support (logistics, supply chain management, and maintenance), and training. The Commission assesses that in the next 12 to 18 months there will be continued improvement in their readiness and capability, but not the ability to operate independently. Evidence indicates that the ISF will not be able to progress enough in the near term to secure Iraqi borders against conventional military and external threats."
Topic:
Security, War, and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Iraq and Middle East

1697. North Korean Relations: U.S. Policies, Laws Regulations

Author:
Kenneth Katzman
Publication Date:
03-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Atlantic Council
Abstract:
This compendium contains the text of major regulations, laws, and other documents governing U.S. interactions with North Korea. Also provided are the text of U.N. Resolutions, agreements, and other documents that represent major policy decisions in U.S. relations with North Korea. Accompanying each major document, law, or regulation is a brief analysis discussing the policy reflected by that document and major significance of the provisions of the law or regulation promulgated.
Topic:
Foreign Policy and International Affairs
Political Geography:
United States, Asia, and North Korea

1698. 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

1699. 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

1700. Emerging Scholars

Author:
Melissa Conley Tyler
Publication Date:
12-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
The Australian Institute of International Affairs was established with a simple aim: to promote public understanding of and interest in international issues. Not surprisingly, this is a province for the young as much as the old: it is the younger members of our society who must live with the impact of the foreign policy decisions made by leaders today.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Australia