Briefs / Focus / Spot Ons
- Focus
Theorizing the Role of Experts in Shaping Euro-Mediterranean Politics, at a Time of Erosion of Democratic Legitimacy and Emergence of Contested Issues
The main objective of this article is to understand if and how experts are contributing to shape EU foreign policy, with a specific focus on Euro-Mediterranean affairs.
13 February 2017
- Focus
EU Good Offices in Revolutionary Egypt (2012-2013)
The assessment of the period from Mubarak’s fall to the launching of a new political regime remains deeply controversial, with judgements often clouded by very strong emotions in Egypt and differing international agendas.
6 February 2017
- Focus
EU and Turkey at a Crossroads: Avoiding a Foreseeable Break-Up
As the Turkey-EU membership process has lost its credibility, with neither side honestly believing in Turkey’s accession anymore, this may be the moment for the EU to redefine its relationship with Turkey to regain leverage.
19 December 2016
- 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
- Focus
What Are the Alternatives with the Disappearence of the Two-State Solution?
The two-state solution as a proposal for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is on the verge of vanishing. Unfortunately, everyone warns that the two-state solution is vanishing without giving an alternative.
12 September 2016
- Policy Brief
The Trust Fund for Africa: A Preliminary Assessment
In its attempt to curb irregular immigration the EU has deployed a number of instruments. One of them is the “Trust Fund for Africa”, adopted during the EU-Africa Summit, which took place in Valletta in November 2015.
6 September 2016
- Policy Brief
This is (not) Rocket Science: Using Space-Based Solutions For More Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Jordan
Jordan is one of the most water scarce countries in the world. The growth of its resident refugee community and native population, as well as climate changes are further depleting its already limited water reserves.
1 September 2016
- Focus
Recognising Palestine, Unrecognising Settlements
Achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a long-standing EU policy objective. Of all the territorial disputes outside Europe, this conflict that has most preoccupied European decisions-makers.
13 June 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
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 April 2016
- 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 April 2016