Briefs / Focus / Spot Ons

Toward Understanding Violence and Revising Counter-Violence Policies in the Southern Mediterranean
  • Policy Brief

Toward Understanding Violence and Revising Counter-Violence Policies in the Southern Mediterranean

Back in 2011, a wave of violence started in the Southern Mediterranean region. Central authorities tightened their control to contain it; however, any decrease in the number of violent attacks is misleading.

5 April 2019
Russia’s Arms Exports to the MENA Region: Trends and Drivers
  • Policy Brief

Russia’s Arms Exports to the MENA Region: Trends and Drivers

In recent years, Russia has expanded its arms transfers to MENA seeking to re-establish its influence in the region. To MENA countries, arms acquisitions from Russia is advantageous.

1 April 2019
Dazed and Confused : Russian “Information Warfare” and the Middle East – The Syria Lessons
  • Policy Brief

Dazed and Confused : Russian “Information Warfare” and the Middle East – The Syria Lessons

“Information warfare” is conceived by the Russian leadership as a potent instrument to achieve its foreign policy objectives. Russian informational strategy following Syria chemical attacks aimed at dividing Western leaders.

27 February 2019
WANTED: More Fluid Relationships between Researchers and Officials in the Euro-Mediterranean Region
  • Policy Brief

WANTED: More Fluid Relationships between Researchers and Officials in the Euro-Mediterranean Region

The assumption hiding behind the concept of “evidence-based decision-making” is that policy makers are eager to consider the work of researchers. Yet, this equation seems to be dysfunctional in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

28 November 2018
Eastern Mediterranean Regional Dynamics: Conflicts and Opportunities for Conflict Resolution Support
  • Policy Brief

Eastern Mediterranean Regional Dynamics: Conflicts and Opportunities for Conflict Resolution Support

Diplomatic engagement between countries in the Eastern Mediterranean presents the opportunity for regional cooperation on a range of issues. It has also the potential to lead to shared regional institutions that promote regional stability.

27 June 2018
Terrorism in the Sahel Region: An Evolving Threat on Europe’s Doorstep
  • Policy Brief

Terrorism in the Sahel Region: An Evolving Threat on Europe’s Doorstep

A combination of several factors exacerbated the Sahel’s vulnerability. In this volatile landscape, violent extremism and armed militancy created the conditions for the expansion of new threats in the Sahel region and its neighbourhood.

19 February 2018
Fragile States and the Issue of Foreign Interventions in the Sahel
  • Policy Brief

Fragile States and the Issue of Foreign Interventions in the Sahel

The EU policy towards the Sahel was either a failure or mixed success because of different reasons. Without a more significant financial contribution and a comprehensive approach, the EU cannot contribute to state building processes in the Sahel.

9 February 2018
Turkey´s Fight Against Youth Radicalisation: Small Steps On a Long Path
  • Policy Brief

Turkey´s Fight Against Youth Radicalisation: Small Steps On a Long Path

The Turkish government has responded to radicalisation by combining both hard and soft approaches and resorting to different methods. Regardless, youth radicalisation and extremism continue to pose a threat to the country.

10 January 2018
The Role of Schools in Tackling the Problem of Radicalisation in Germany
  • Policy Brief

The Role of Schools in Tackling the Problem of Radicalisation in Germany

How to prevent terrorist acts has become a key question within current policy debates. In search of relevant actors that can contribute to the prevention of radicalisation, schools were identified to play a major role.

13 December 2017
Beyond Signposting. New Approach to Working with Families of Radicalised Youth and Cooperating with National Authorities
  • Policy Brief

Beyond Signposting. New Approach to Working with Families of Radicalised Youth and Cooperating with National Authorities

An estimated 27,000-31,000 foreign fighters have joined terrorist groups such as Daesh or Al-Qaeda affiliates. The need for effective prevention and de-radicalisation programmes cannot therefore be overestimated.

12 December 2017
Jihadism and Information Warfare beyond Daesh
  • Focus

Jihadism and Information Warfare beyond Daesh

The narrative surrounding the question of social media usage in the Middle East has undeniably shifted. In light of the Jihadist propaganda, the initial optimism was replaced by a skeptical view on the pitfalls of online political activism.

11 December 2017
La crisis en Siria y los grupos islamistas
  • Focus

La crisis en Siria y los grupos islamistas

Hace mucho tiempo que la guerra en Siria dejó de enfrentar a sirios contra sirios y se convirtió en una guerra por delegación en la cual las potencias regionales intentan dirimir sus diferencias mediante el apoyo a uno u otro bando.

17 July 2017