Briefs / Focus / Spot Ons

Countering Violent Extremism in the MENA Region: Time to Rethink Approaches and Strategies
  • Policy Brief

Countering Violent Extremism in the MENA Region: Time to Rethink Approaches and Strategies

The foreign fighters phenomenon affecting MENA countries is unprecedented in its scale. While most MENA countries adopted “hard” strategies based on security-focused approaches, countering violent extremism also requires the use of “soft” str...

17 mayo 2016
The Migration Crisis: Issue or Opportunity?
  • Policy Brief

The Migration Crisis: Issue or Opportunity?

The ongoing refugee crisis is the most acute political and policy challenge the EU and its neighbouring countries have been facing lately. The EU policies have been inadequate in addressing the magnitude of the crisis.

11 abril 2016
How Can the EU Border be Better Managed?
  • Policy Brief

How Can the EU Border be Better Managed?

The attempts by the EU to manage the refugee’s influx have been characterised by the prevalence of a security-based approach, the tendency to put migrants and refugees in the same box, and the prioritisation of border control.

5 abril 2016
Facilitating a Political Transition in Syria
  • Policy Brief

Facilitating a Political Transition in Syria

The International Syria Support Group agreed upon a cessation of hostilities in Munich. What are the prospects of a confederal approach to a political transition in Syria, as proposed by international officials?

10 marzo 2016
Turkey and the EU: A New Path Toward a Shared Security Policy
  • Policy Brief

Turkey and the EU: A New Path Toward a Shared Security Policy

The current geopolitical situation opens space for security cooperation between Ankara and Brussels. Turkey should redefine its strategy to include European priorities, whereas the EU needs to recognise some of the Turkish interests as legitimate.

4 marzo 2016
Reconceptualising Sustainable Responses to the Refugee Crisis
  • Policy Brief

Reconceptualising Sustainable Responses to the Refugee Crisis

An unprecedented number of asylum-seekers crossed the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe in 2015. How can states better understand and respond to the complex realities of forced displacement and migration in the 21st century?

24 febrero 2016
How Could Egypt and Tunisia Reverse the Growth of Islamist Violent Radicalisation?
  • Policy Brief

How Could Egypt and Tunisia Reverse the Growth of Islamist Violent Radicalisation?

Egypt and Tunisia have been witnessing over the past few years a new wave of violent Islamist radicalisation. The engagement of youth in political violence shows that relying only on classical counter-terrorism strategies may increase violent radical...

3 febrero 2016
From Activism to Artivism: New Forms of Youth Activism in the Aftermath of the 20 February Movement
  • Policy Brief

From Activism to Artivism: New Forms of Youth Activism in the Aftermath of the 20 February Movement

Morocco witnessed one of the most dynamic youth protest in its modern history during the Arab uprisings. To face this youth political action, the state´s strategy consisted in constitutional reform and de-legitimization of the radicals.

29 enero 2016
What’s Next for UN Peace Efforts in Libya?
  • Focus

What’s Next for UN Peace Efforts in Libya?

Established after the Libyan Revolution in 2011, UNSMIL has since been aiming to support Libyan national efforts in post-conflict peace-building and transition.

14 diciembre 2015
In Search of a New Balance between Agricultural Trade and Development in the Euro-Mediterranean
  • Policy Brief

In Search of a New Balance between Agricultural Trade and Development in the Euro-Mediterranean

Growing food commodity prices on world markets, resulting in economic pressures on the MENA region, highlighted the importance of the development of agriculture, which has long been neglected by the policies pursued by national elites.

25 noviembre 2015
Crisis, Conflict and the Political Economy of the Middle East Region
  • Focus

Crisis, Conflict and the Political Economy of the Middle East Region

Any attempt to understand the political economy of the Middle East must begin with the area´s significance to global capitalism. The discovery of vast supplies of hydrocarbons was to position the Middle East at the center of world politics.

8 junio 2015
Towards a Strong, Inclusive and Transnational Women’s Rights Movement in the Arab World. A Matter of EU-Mediterranean Policy?
  • Focus

Towards a Strong, Inclusive and Transnational Women’s Rights Movement in the Arab World. A Matter of EU-Mediterranean Policy?

Although women made an important contribution to the Arab Spring, they are no longer playing a comparable role in the reorganization of political life in the Arab transition countries.

4 mayo 2015