Radical Islamist Activity in Central Asia is Going Nowhere Soon
Current events suggest that the trajectory of religious extremism in Central Asia is likely to persist. Policies of repression and the exclusion of Islamic groups from legitimate governmental procedures will continue to cause them to seek out different ways to express their grievances.
Omens for the Shangri-La Dialogue
The focus on the South China Sea at the Shangri-La Dialogue will be a welcome addition to the diplomatic efforts to avoid conflict. But it will take many more years of concerted diplomacy to settle this thorny issue.
US Ratification of UNCLOS III?
U.S. ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty will eventually happen, not for any foreseeable political change of heart, but for the all too sadly foreseeable continued disappearance of the Arctic ice in an arena in which the United States has no say – but will need one.
Has Kofi Annan Failed in Syria?
One can see why some would argue that the Annan plan has failed. However, it is important to retain a realistic perspective about how much a third-party mediator can hope to achieve given the circumstances.
Regulatory Regionalism? Russia’s Common Economic Space
Russia has a role to play as the regional leader of the Eurasian Union, and perhaps of the former Soviet space. Putin pragmatically recognises the importance of the Soviet Union’s legacy.
Egypt Goes to the Polls
The high expectations that accompanied Hosni Mubarak’s resignation last year have not come to pass. Egypt’s current Presidential election will be critical in determining whether Cairo’s future will bring democracy or merely democratic window-dressing.
Norbert Elias, Process Sociology and International Relations
The influence of social theory on the study of IR has been profound in recent years. Norbert Elias was unusual amongst sociologists of his generation in placing IR at the centre of sociological analysis.
The Terrestrial Parochialism of International Relations
One certain casualty of a Chinese annexation of territory on the Moon would be that students of International Relations would be compelled to abandon their parochial terrestrial perspective.
Can France and Germany Design a New European Contrat Social?
The future of Europe literally depends on the next Franco-German compromise. Europe cannot be governed by the European Central Bank.
NATO’s Chicago Summit: A Snapshot of the Alliance’s Slow-motion Overhaul
NATO’s recent Chicago Summit produced no truly historical decisions. It did what was required to keep the Alliance’s slow-motion overhaul on track, focusing on taking forward a “responsible” transition in Afghanistan and the cause of “smart” defence back home.
