Briefs / Focus / Spot Ons
- Policy Brief
Montenegro at a Crossroads
The Republic of Montenegro is soon to become a member of NATO. The inclusion of this country in the framework of NATO and the EU is likely to ensure its stability and contribute to the stability of the region.
8 May 2017
- Policy Brief
Fragility in Tunisia: a Test Case for Integrated Security and Development Assistance
Security is a key challenge for Tunisia’s democratic transition. Despite significant increase in foreign support to the Tunisian security sector, a lack of integrated security-development strategy may erode the country’s progress towards stabilit...
12 March 2017
- Policy Brief
Syrian Civil War: Limitations and Preconditions for Effective Multilateralism in an Evermore Conflictual Multipolar World
The only feasible way to reach lasting conflict resolution in Syria requires external actors finding a reconciliation of interests that goes far beyond the Syrian conflict. There is a need for a U.S.-EU-Russian grand bargain.
28 February 2017
- Policy Brief
Security Challenges in the Maghreb: The Nexus between Bad Governance and Violent Extremism
The Maghreb has faced serious security challenges in recent years. Although many pundits focus attention on “terrorism,” they often overlook the nexus between bad governance and violent extremism.
27 February 2017
- Policy Brief
The UN and Sustainable Peace in Syria – Still Worth Debating
The UN remains the sole formal authority willing to and capable of facilitating a sustainable peace in Syria. To what extent the UN has learnt from its engagement in previous conflicts?
25 November 2016
- Policy Brief
Libyan Political Economy: Political Conflict, Crisis Management and Structural Reform
The ongoing political division and armed conflict in Libya have overshadowed the critical stage Libyan economy has reached. Libya’s only source of income, oil exports, became an integral dimension of the conflict.
6 October 2016
- 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 May 2016
- 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 March 2016
- 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 February 2016
- 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 December 2015
- 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 June 2015
- Focus
La confusión del “Jihad”
El concepto de ‘jihad’ es objeto de confusión. En el Corán aparece 35 veces y casi siempre acompañado de la expresión “en la senda de Dios”, que ya indica un sentido sobre todo espiritual.
15 July 2014