Zimbabwe: The Sanctions of No Sanctions
The announcement of a suspension of sanctions pending a credibly free and fair referendum was a very low bar to cross. The real action lies in what is already going on behind the scenes. As with all major diplomatic breakthroughs, a heavy element of cynicism is the accompaniment.
The Iraq War in International Society
The humanitarian and democratic war motives that partly contributed to the illegal and bloody Iraq war are symptomatic of the old normative contradictions of international society.
Power Politics and Scarcity in the Modern Age: A Zero Sum Game
The strong will ultimately capitalise on advantages to maximize their interests, disregarding the limited counter-strategies available to the weak.
U.S. Sanctions and the Nuclear Endgame in Iran
The new sanctions on Iran are having a greater impact than prior efforts. To halt Iran’s enrichment, the U.S. and the P5+1 must now offer sanctions relief in return for nuclear concessions.
‘Democracy is in Peril’: Agonistic Pluralism after the Greek Election
What should be taken from the Greek election is that the political institutions of the country offered, and the electorate seriously considered, an alternative.
The Chinese Challenge to the Monroe Doctrine
China is rapidly expanding into the Western Hemisphere. While this is a challenge, treating it as a threat may be detrimental to American security and interests via the creation of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Extremist Islam and Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq
Recent conflicts have highlighted how religion and identity are central to security issues. The question remains as to what extent individual conflict zones are facets of a wider, transnational war which pits the ‘West’ against al Qaeda?
Terrorism and the Media: A Dangerous Symbiosis
The media plays a central role in the calculus and framing of political violence and is put into position where it can magnify or minimize these kinds of acts.
Reframing Interests and Policies in the Middle East: Lessons from the Arab Spring
Turning a blind eye to human rights violations and despotism is not just morally questionable, its not in the national interest.
Scottish Independence and Relations with the EU
English Eurosceptics who consider Scottish independence as an opportunity to push their country quicker towards EU exit should think again. Scotland might have the last laugh after all.
