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38982. China’s Air Defense Identification System: The Role of PLA Air Surveillance
- Author:
- Mark Stokes
- Publication Date:
- 05-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- In the wake of the 18th Central Committee’s Third Plenum in November 2013, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced the establishment of its first air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Assessments of the ADIZ to date have focused in large part on implications for territorial and maritime disputes in region. However, other potential drivers may offer additional context for the decision. Among these include coercion of Taiwan, unprecedented changes in China’s national airspace management system, and technical advances that have enhanced interoperability between the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and Navy (PLAN).
- Topic:
- Defense Policy, Territorial Disputes, Surveillance, and Air Force
- Political Geography:
- China and Asia
38983. China’s Evolving Reconnaissance-Strike Capabilities: Implications for the U.S.-Japan Alliance
- Author:
- Ian Easton
- Publication Date:
- 02-2014
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is investing considerable resources into a military architecture that has the potential to alter the strategic fabric of the Western Pacific region. This includes the development of multiple redundant sensor capabilities for monitoring a vast maritime domain extending off of China’s coastline and deep into the Pacific. China’s expanding reconnaissance infrastructure is designed to support an array of precision strike capabilities for targeting ships at sea, command and control nodes, air bases, ports, and other critical facilities. The purpose of these reconnaissance-strike capabilities is to undermine the Unites States military’s ability to project power into the region during periods of crisis or conflict to meet its security commitments to its allies and coalition partners.
- Topic:
- Military Affairs, Weapons, Conflict, and Reconnaissance
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, and Asia-Pacific
38984. The Alliance: Toward a Stronger U.S.-Japan Partnership
- Author:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Publication Date:
- 07-2014
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- For the first time in the history of our nation, the Asia-Pacific is more important for the United States than any other region of the world. That is today. Tomorrow it will be even more vital. Indeed, the Asia-Pacific is the new epicenter of global affairs, and it is here that profound strategic changes are unfolding that will transform the international system. As one of the region’s most prosperous, powerful and pivotally located countries, Japan will play a key role in steering the trajectory of future developments in the region. This report is the capstone paper for the U.S.-Japan Exchange Program (2012 – 2014).
- Topic:
- Bilateral Relations, Partnerships, Alliance, and International System
- Political Geography:
- Japan, Asia, North America, Asia-Pacific, and United States of America
38985. Able Archers: Taiwan Defense Strategy in an Age of Precision Strike
- Author:
- Ian Easton
- Publication Date:
- 09-2014
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- This study describes efforts currently underway in the People’s Liberation Army for conducting precision strike operations against Taiwan, and explores Chinese military-technical writings to better understand related plans and capabilities. It assesses Taiwan’s military modernization program, in particular, its efforts to deny the PLA air superiority. This paper concludes with a brief discussion on Taiwan’s future defense strategy and offers recommendations for policymakers.
- Topic:
- Territorial Disputes, Military Affairs, Weapons, Army, and Modernization
- Political Geography:
- China, Taiwan, and Asia
38986. Standing Watch: Taiwan and Maritime Domain Awareness in the Western Pacific
- Author:
- Ian Easton
- Publication Date:
- 12-2014
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project 2049 Institute
- Abstract:
- This paper provides a preliminary assessment of Taiwan’s naval intelligence capabilities and evaluates its role in a future U.S.-led architecture for joint Western Pacific maritime domain awareness. The study examines Taiwan’s capabilities for monitoring its surrounding waters and the potential role of Taiwan in assisting the United States improve its situational awareness during maritime operations. The paper concludes that it is in the American interest to integrate Taiwan’s capabilities into a joint infrastructure for shared indications and warning (I&W) and regional situational awareness.
- Topic:
- Intelligence, Infrastructure, Military Affairs, and Navy
- Political Geography:
- China, Taiwan, Asia, North America, and United States of America
38987. Perpetuation of instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (English)
- Author:
- Joyce Muraya and John Ahere
- Publication Date:
- 10-2014
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)
- Abstract:
- In the late 1990s, Zimbabwe became trapped in a ditch of multifaceted crises that were pronounced in the contest for political power between the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). This conflict revolved around the legitimacy of electoral processes, related institutions and the credibility of electoral outcomes. By 2007, the conflict had escalated to the extent that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and countries neighbouring Zimbabwe decided to mediate between the two parties to end the standoff, which had begun to negatively affect the entire southern Africa region. Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa (1999-2008), was then mandated by SADC to facilitate dialogue between the parties. Mediation efforts led to relatively credible harmonised parliamentary and presidential elections held on 29 March 2008. These elections, however, did not come up with a clear winner, forcing the country to call for a run-off. This second round of elections, held on 27 June 2008, was tainted by allegations of electoral flaws and widespread institutionalised violence. The result was a predictable regression into the pre-29 March era, prompting SADC to mandate South Africa to facilitate negotiations for a political solution among the key political players. In the face of varying interests converging on the Zimbabwe situation, South Africa’s role became even more difficult. This paper analyses South Africa’s facilitation approach to the inter-party negotiation process in Zimbabwe – from Mbeki’s “quiet diplomacy” to current President Jacob Zuma’s assertive stance – amid competing domestic and international interests. The analysis is based on critiques of realities confronting South Africa throughout the process. The paper presents South Africa’s facilitation approach as a consequence of four streams: historical experiences, South Africa’s post-apartheid foreign policy, African conflict resolution approaches, and a diagnosis of the dynamics of the Zimbabwean conflict.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Conflict, and Crisis Management
- Political Geography:
- Africa, South Africa, and Zimbabwe
38988. Security regionalism and flaws of externally forged peace in Sudan: The IGAD peace process and its aftermath
- Author:
- Aleksi Ylönen
- Publication Date:
- 07-2014
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- African Journal on Conflict Resolution
- Institution:
- The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)
- Abstract:
- During 1983-2005 Sudan hosted one of Africa’s longest insurgencies. Throughout the conflict a number of competing peace initiatives coincided, but a process under the mediation authority of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) prevailed. However, although initiated in 1993, the IGAD process only accelerated after the September 2001 attacks on the United States (US) and was consequently finalised through the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in less than four years’ time. Although it was presented as IGAD’s success as a conflict resolution body, in reality the organisation’s role in the making of peace in Sudan was to a large extent conditioned by the involvement of a narrow selection of Western stakeholders. This article examines the IGAD peace process in Sudan, highlighting the dynamics and relative roles of the principal actors involved. It argues that although the negotiations were portrayed as inherently sub-regional, and adhering to the idea of ‘African solutions for African problems’, a closer analysis reveals that the peace process was dominated by external protagonists. This resulted in the interests of Western actors, particularly the US, playing a prominent role in the negotiated agreement, consequences of which are currently experienced both in Sudan and South Sudan.
- Topic:
- Security, Insurgency, Peace, Regionalism, and Post-Conflict
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Sudan, and South Sudan
38989. Formal and informal land tenure systems in Afar region, Ethiopia: Perceptions, attitudes and implications for land use disputes
- Author:
- Kelemework Tafere Reda
- Publication Date:
- 07-2014
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- African Journal on Conflict Resolution
- Institution:
- The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)
- Abstract:
- Land is a contentious resource in the pastoral areas of Ethiopia. Traditional pastoralism, which is both a mode of production and a cultural way of life, dictates communal ownership of grazing land on which individually owned livestock graze. Pastoral land in Afar has traditionally been administered by the local communities themselves. However, with a gradual incorporation of the pastoralists into the Ethiopian modern polity, there have been competitive interests over issues of land administration between local communities and the state which often led to conflict and instability. Government land administration policies often contravene the age-old pastoral customary institutions; and stakeholder relations have taken a bitter course following the expansion of commercial agriculture, land investments and development projects. Using data obtained through Qualitative Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) this paper analyses land administration trajectories and dynamics in Afar region. It assesses how contradictions between statutory and customary tenure systems shape relations between multiple resource users including the state, investors, local communities, and neighbouring cultural groups. It also examines the impact of multi-stakeholder land disputes on land resource management, thereby identifying appropriate policy options for effective land administration practices in the pastoral areas.
- Topic:
- Territorial Disputes, Land Law, Pastoralism, Land Rights, and Tradition
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Ethiopia
38990. The Nigerian State as an equilibrium of violence: An explanation of the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria
- Author:
- Emmanuel Ikechi Onah
- Publication Date:
- 07-2014
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- African Journal on Conflict Resolution
- Institution:
- The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)
- Abstract:
- This paper argues that the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria is a religious crisis that is flowing directly from the country’s political system. It is the political system in Nigeria that has brought about the present realities of corruption, poverty, and underdevelopment throughout the country. Religion has only served, especially in northern Nigeria, to ignite these realities into a violent flame. Boko Haram is the latest in the long list of religiously inspired violence that has flared up in Nigeria on account of deficiencies in the political system. For as long as these systemic deficiencies exist, religious disturbances such as the Boko Haram violence will continue to be there. Such violence has served fundamentalist entrepreneurs or groups and other such champions to call attention to the plight of their people. However, such violence most often only provokes the government into counter-violence. The cycle of violence and counter-violence then enables the government to keep the people in check, even without addressing their demands, and, to dominate and exploit society without hindrance. What the state must do to sustainably tackle this systemic violence is to use a combination of poverty reduction strategies, anti-corruption drives, development efforts, law enforcement and military engagement (where necessary), and dialogue to try and bring about lasting peace, particularly in northern Nigeria, but also throughout the whole country.
- Topic:
- Religion, Insurgency, Conflict, Violence, and Boko Haram
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Nigeria