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2761. Desecuritizing the Belarusian Balcony: Principles for U.S.–Belarus Relations

Author:
Mark Episkopos
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Abstract:
This brief outlines a low-cost, low-risk roadmap for sustained U.S. engagement with Belarus that could help to stabilize NATO’s volatile eastern flank, enabling the U.S. to retrench from the European continent and focus on other theaters. In light of governance concerns voiced by Western officials on the heels of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, and especially since Belarus provided support to Russian troops in the opening weeks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the E.U. and U.S. have adopted a strictly punitive approach to Belarus. Essentially, Belarus has been viewed as an appendage of Russia. However, this approach misses opportunities for the West to take advantage of inherent divisions between the interests of Belarus and Russia. As outlined in previous Quincy Institute research, President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus has long wished to develop a “multi-vector” foreign policy for his country. Such a policy would permit Belarus to maneuver between the East and West to best safeguard its own national sovereignty and interests. While Belarus has moved significantly closer to Russia in recent years, this pivot has in part been in reaction to Western hostility. Lukashenko likely remains open to some degree of cooperation with the West, and has signaled that he does not wish to increase participation in the Russia–Ukraine War. While it is almost certainly impossible to fully remove Belarus from the Russian camp, exploring ways for Belarus to triangulate between Russia and the West could offer significant benefits for U.S. interests and for regional stability. This brief recommends that the Trump administration explore the following bargain with Belarus: In exchange for a Belarusian commitment not to abet, facilitate, or engage in aggression against any NATO state, the U.S. should promise that it will not engage in any effort at an external change of government in Belarus. To firm up the U.S.–Belarus relationship, the U.S. should consider sectoral sanctions relief, including in the Belarusian civilian aviation sector, and U.S. engagement in other non-military investment opportunities, such as the Belarusian electric vehicle industry. The U.S. should also work to restore Belarus’ access to international financial institutions. The U.S. should mediate border issues between Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania toward the goal of deescalation on NATO’s eastern flank. The U.S. should encourage Belarusian efforts both to facilitate Russia–Ukraine peace talks, such as exchanges of prisoners of war and bodies of fallen soldiers, and to contribute to Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, NATO, Bilateral Relations, and Elections
Political Geography:
Russia, Eastern Europe, North America, Belarus, and United States of America

2762. The U.S. and Mexico: A Special Relationship

Author:
Karthik Sankaran
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Abstract:
President Trump’s policies carry risks and opportunities for one of the United States’ most vital relationships — that with Mexico. U.S. actions that cause cooperation to break down could damage both prosperity and security in the United States. Alternatively, both the U.S. and Mexico could strengthen cooperation rooted in national interests, allowing deeper linkages that benefit the U.S. economy, enhance stability in Mexico, and alleviate security challenges on the border. Across all trade relationships, the administration appears to seek simultaneously to: repatriate industrial production and employment back to the U.S. (reshoring); open new markets for U.S. investment and exports; construct more geopolitically secure supply lines (nearshoring); limit security threats to the homeland. These aims are not mutually exclusive, and all could be achieved if pursued in a balanced manner. But in the case of Mexico, the U.S. does not appear to be striking this balance. The lack of predictability in trade policy, and the failure to use tools available through existing agreements such as the U.S.–Mexico–Canada–Agreement, or USMCA, are creating contradictory signals and leading the U.S. to leave opportunities on the table. If the administration sends contradictory signals on its trade policy with Mexico, the likely result will be a significant increase in business uncertainty. Beyond the potentially damaging economic effects on U.S. investment decisions, this could have geopolitical consequences, hindering efforts to ensure politically and geographically resilient supply chains. It could also damage the Mexican economy in ways that potentially strengthen organized crime. To simultaneously advance the four key U.S. objectives — restoring manufacturing jobs; building geographically resilient supply chains; gaining economic policy concessions from Mexico; and enhancing the political stability of a neighbor critical to U.S. security — the brief recommends that the Trump administration: recognize Mexican President Sheinbaum’s popularity and openness to compromise as an opportunity to deepen the economic relationship rather than sever it; use the unique legal and institutional features of USMCA to advance the interests of both countries, particularly the improvement of labor conditions and the nearshoring of manufacturing; use diplomacy and USMCA mechanisms to leverage U.S. energy expertise and deepen U.S. investment in Mexico’s renewable energy sector; encourage deeper U.S. investment and engagement in sectors of the Mexican economy other than manufacturing, such as entertainment, retail, financial services, tourism, and healthcare; recognize that economic dealmaking lends itself to security cooperation.
Topic:
Bilateral Relations, Economy, Investment, Manufacturing, Trade, and Donald Trump
Political Geography:
North America, Mexico, and United States of America

2763. Taiwan: An Important but Non-Vital U.S. Interest

Author:
Michael D. Swaine
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Abstract:
Taiwan is the most likely flashpoint that could trigger a direct war between the United States and China. It is critical, therefore, to examine whether or not Taiwan constitutes a vital U.S. interest. This brief asserts that Taiwan is an important but not vital U.S. interest. It is not an interest that justifies the United States going to war with China to defend. A direct war between the United States and China would be cataclysmic and cause extraordinary damage to the global economy. It would risk heavy U.S. military losses and possible nuclear escalation. It is also unclear whether the United States would prevail. Taiwan must be a truly vital interest to justify such risks. While it is important to deter a Chinese attack on Taiwan and prevent a regional war that would destabilize East Asia, proponents of a U.S. defense of Taiwan by all means necessary exaggerate Taiwan’s strategic value and China’s military threat to East Asia. Taiwan is neither central to America’s ability to ensure a stable and prosperous Asia open to U.S. economic and political engagement nor is it a critical location for the United States to oppose Chinese hegemony in Asia. China views Taiwan primarily through a political lens. Beijing has not expressed the intent to use the annexation of the island as a stepping stone toward regional hegemony. Moreover, possession of Taiwan would not give China that capacity. The United States is not formally obligated to militarily defend Taiwan, in contrast to its security commitments to treaty allies Japan and South Korea. Washington does have a vital interest in maintaining its security commitments to Tokyo and Seoul — two robust economies and major technology innovators that are each more critical geostrategically than Taiwan. Taiwan does possess considerable value in its high-tech capabilities, producing 60 percent of the world’s most sophisticated semiconductors. But replicating this production capacity in the United States and other Western countries would be far less costly than fighting a war with China over Taiwan. Although Taiwan is not a vital interest justifying war and is not a treaty ally, the United States still has a strong interest in preventing Chinese coercion of this U.S.–aligned democracy. An accompanying brief presents an alternative approach to supporting Taiwan while maintaining U.S. credibility with critical Asian allies.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, Deterrence, Strategic Interests, and Strategic Ambiguity
Political Geography:
China, Taiwan, Asia, North America, and United States of America

2764. A Human Rights Approach to Benefit-Sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information

Author:
Alex Reep
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Dejusticia
Abstract:
This policy brief outlines a human rights-based approach to the design and implementation of the multilateral mechanism and Cali Fund for benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. Drawing on research conducted in Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and farming territories in Colombia, it highlights the urgent need for a fair and inclusive benefit-sharing system that recognizes the rights and contributions of Indigenous people and local communities (IP&LCs). This brief outlines critical recommendations for decision-making and advocacy in the wake of the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in an effort to ensure fair compensation and reciprocity for IP&LCs while addressing structural inequalities.
Topic:
Human Rights, Multilateralism, Genetics, Benefit Sharing, Digital Sequence Information (DSI), and Cali Fund
Political Geography:
Colombia and South America

2765. Is Liberalism as an Ideological Assumption Over?

Author:
Marlène Laruelle
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
Much ink has been spilled debating the implications of the results of the U.S. November 2024 elections. In Europe, following the June 2024 elections, more than 40 far-right parties hold seats in the European Parliament, a growth from 25 the previous term. The far right also managed to increase its vote share in nine out of the 13 European states that held legislative elections in 2024.1 Compared to a decade ago, analysts understand that these events are not exceptional mo- ments, glitches in the system, or accidents of history. Nonetheless, many still prioritize short-term explanations such as, in the United States’ case, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ weak campaign performance, high levels of inflation, and unprecedented influxes of irregular migration. Others attribute far-right victories to either morally unacceptable sentiments such as racism and xenophobia or brainwashing via fake news and social media propaganda—whether through X (in the United States’ case and in Germany’s February 2025 elections)2 or TikTok (as in Romania’s first round of presidential elections).3 In both cases, these explanations provide moral reassurance: only citizens with bad intentions, victims of propaganda, or those unable to appreciate lib- eralism’s idealistic goals could vote for the far right. However, these arguments are insufficient in understanding the wave of rejection that societal order seems to be arousing amongst citizens. If one thinks that Donald Trump won only because his voters are systemic racists or susceptible to fake news, then one does not see that he may have won because his political program spoke to a multiracial coalition of blue-collar and white-collar voters and resonated with a growing number of Hispanics and young African American men.4 Our interpretation of Trump’s victory impacts the search for solutions: in the first scenario, the Democrats are not held responsible for their defeat; in the second, they must engage in a deep rethinking of their political platform. Far-right electoral gains are no accidents of history. Illiberal leaders and parties have expanded electorally worldwide in many countries beyond the United States and Europe in varying cultural contexts, such as in Turkey, India, the Philippines, and El Salvador. This suggests that the explanation for their success must be found in structural transformations of our socioeconomic and political landscape, not in one-off sets of issues or grievances. To truly understand the rise of illiberalism, citizens and activists anxious to defend liberal demo- cratic principles must analyze these broader systemic evolutions be- fore discussing what they mean for our vision of liberalism. They should grasp why these systemic challenges have so far been more successfully addressed, electorally speaking, by the right than by the left. The main argument of this paper is that liberalism’s cultural hegemony is over, and those defending liberal principles must recognize that they are now in genuine competition with other political ideologies. To this end, they must abandon the notion that liberalism represents “common sense,” while its op- ponents embody “nonsense.” Ironically, this very contrast is mirrored by illiberal voters, who see their recent electoral success as a return to politics grounded in reality and opposing liberal “wokeness.”
Topic:
Politics, Culture, Elections, Ideology, Voting, and Liberalism
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

2766. Bridges and Walls as Tools of International Politics

Author:
Jan Zielonka
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
Bridges and walls are physical constructions, but in politics they assume vari- ous cognitive roles of vast symbolic importance. First and most commonly, bridges and walls represent different attitudes to borders understood as com- plex institutions defining the relationship between territory, authority, iden- tity, and rights.1 Second, bridges and walls signify contrasting ways of coping with different kinds of “others”: competing states, empires, or civilizations. Third, bridges and walls refer to distinct conceptions of power politics, one relying on crude military and economic strength, and the other on interna- tional norms and laws. This article will flesh out how intellectuals and practitioners employ the concepts of bridges and walls to convey important messages, assert conve- nient narratives, and legitimate their behavior. All famous bridges and walls have their specific historical and political meaning, and in the initial part of the article, I will provide some examples of those meanings. However, bridges and walls are also employed as universal political metaphors signaling pre- ferred ways of practicing international politics. One interpretation signifies open borders, multiculturalism, and reconciliation, while the other represents sealed borders, self-help, and deterrence. In the subsequent sections, I will present the essence of these universal political metaphors in the discussion of power politics, the treatment of the “other,” and the perceptions of borders. The symbolic importance of bridges and walls should not be underestimated. This is because symbols are “central features of organized human life, helping to define perception, shaping the way we view the world and under- stand what goes on within it.”2 If a political actor manages to shape other actors’ understanding of security, prosperity, identity, and dignity, then there is no need to apply costly sticks and carrots to make these actors behave as said actor wishes them to. In other words, a transactional way of conducting foreign policy may prove to be less effective in meeting declared objectives than policy based on shared values, institutions, and visions of the world. Moreover, symbols define friends and foes, shape our fears and de- sires, and mobilize us to action, to display solidarity, or to accept sacrifices. National symbols, such as flags, anthems, or monuments, have been used and misused for the past three or so centuries to define cultural identities, launch wars, tolerate autocratic rulers, or defend a certain statehood. French sociologist Émile Durkheim even argued in 1912 that “social life in all its aspects and in every period of its history [has been] made possible only by a vast symbolism.”3 Metaphors of walls and bridges have always been part of the symbolic politics shaping our thinking about the notion of good and ill in politics, about the most appropriate forms of international engagement, and about our conception of peace and security. Today walls are clearly more in vogue than bridges, but I will argue that bridges have a proven record of enhancing peace and prosperity that should not be erased from our memory by the politics of fear and prejudice that make us erect new walls.
Topic:
Infrastructure, Ideology, Symbolism, and International Politics
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2767. How Infrastructure Reflects Rapprochement and Divisions: From Old and New Silk Roads to Contemporary Conflict Zones and Peace Agreements

Author:
Irina Tsukerman
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
“What I do is the opposite of building walls. I build bridges,” wrote the famed Spanish-Swiss architect and structural engineer Santiago Calatrava, emphasizing bridges’ physical and metaphorical ability to put an end to separation, fulfill longing, and break down barriers. Calatrava’s distinctive elegance is a paean to aesthetic freedom, the use of natural forms, and inte- gration of traffic with pedestrian and cyclist routes.1 His bridges are an el- evated response to the constraining modern trends of gratuitous minimalism, eschewing economy and “structural efficiency” in favor of sweeping curves, which sing praise to nature through the use of frames resembling natural ele- ments. The use of modern technology and access to massive infrastructure has allowed Calatrava to share his expansive visions through these colossi of movement. Today, Calatrava’s bridges span the world, providing a word- less testimony to the triumph of the human spirit and its capability to close divides. Along similar lines, playwright Mehmet Murat Ildan posited: “The wisdom of bridges comes from the fact that they know both sides, they know both shores!”2 Bridges have always held transitional significance: between past, present, and future; between imagination and reality. Not only territorial in nature, bridges advance human connection—sometimes through a voluntary em- brace, other times through forced common experience. Exchanges of ideas are not always positive; dissemination of cultures and sharing of thoughts across divides can lead to renaissance and enlightenment, but can also plunge the world into dark ages through the spread of disinformation, fanaticism, or bigotry. And in many cases, even when the connectivity—whether physical or symbolic—leads to constructive, life-affirming results, the effort of creating the bridges may be burdensome and painful. For instance, in The Bridge Over the River Kwai, a historical novel which was turned into an eponymous classic film, construction of a bridge under unbearable conditions came to symbolize endurance as well as a way to transcend duress through professionalism and dignity. And while the bridge was supposed to aid Imperial Japan’s military’s war efforts, the purposes become emblematic of the prisoners’ forced labor and suffering, with its destruction being an act of resistance against oppres- sion. In the novel and the movie, the nature of connection is subverted. Rather than facilitating relations and peaceful exchanges, the bridge advances a deadly march.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Treaties and Agreements, Infrastructure, Rapprochement, and Armed Conflict
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2768. Global Public Opinion and the Growth of Right-Wing Populism

Author:
Richard Wike
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
The “super year” of elections in 2024 was unprecedented in voting history, with citizens in more than 60 countries going to the polls. While it was generally a difficult year for incumbents, it was a strong one for challengers, including several from the populist right. Leveraging economic frustrations, divisive cultural issues, and anger at a political class perceived to be out of touch with ordinary citizens, right-wing populist leaders and parties made gains at the ballot box in several nations, building on the growing success they have seen in recent years.1 One of the most high-profile results in 2024 was Republican Donald Trump’s defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris in the United States presidential election, which returned the leader of the populist “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement to the White House after four years of Demo- cratic control. Right-wing populists also gained ground in European parlia- mentary elections. Austria’s Freedom Party, for example, had its best election result ever. The Alternative for Germany Party became the first far-right political party to win a state election in the country since World War II. And even though the cordon sanitaire—a bargain among political parties to keep the far right out of governing coalitions—ultimately kept Marine Le Pen’s National Rally out of power in France, the party nonetheless increased the number of seats it holds in the National Assembly. Parties on the right did well outside Europe and the United States too. For example, El Salvador’s incumbent President Nayib Bukele won reelection with over 80 percent of the vote, buoyed by strong support for his crackdown on criminal gangs. In Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto won the presidential election amid public concerns about his human rights record. And—though forced to form a coalition government for the first time—Indian Prime Min- ister Narendra Modi won a third consecutive victory, and his Bharatiya Janata Party, which captured 240 of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, remains a dominant force in the country’s politics.
Topic:
Public Opinion, Elections, Populism, and Right-Wing Politics
Political Geography:
India, Global Focus, and United States of America

2769. Bridges and Tunnels of Ukrainian Oblasts: Sacred Symbols in the Story of a Failing War

Author:
Michael Vlahos
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
In war, the story seems as important as the actual fight itself.1 Does a trium- phal war narrative not sustain and renew faith in ultimate victory? Hence, a war’s story is as integral as combat action to the path of victory. Yet military strategy, at its bloody heart, can only be about the defeat, if not the total destruction, of the enemy forces. No narrative can replace what is decided by force of arms, a brutal bottom-line forgotten by the regime in Kyiv, its Wash- ington handlers, and a gaggle of Alliance acolytes. In the Ukraine War, the “Democracies” confused story with strategy, where a reified narrative came to define the NATO proxy war against Russia. Narrative then came to drive the very course of operations. Yet, the Ukraine War did originally have concrete objectives, crafted by Washington in 2014. As President Biden blurted out in a speech at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on 26 March 2022, foremost among them was the over- throw of President Putin and the debilitation of Russia as a great power.2 Sotto Voce, a proxy war with Russia would also reassert the American overlordship in Europe. The European Union, frightened by war and unable to defend itself, would be forever dependent on U.S. power. Furthermore, knee-capping Russian gas (Nord Stream) would force EU states to plead for U.S. LNG (liq- uefied natural gas), which would send an imperious, if not wickedly satisfy- ing, warning to China: Do not mess with the United States in East Asia! Even with Ukraine as NATO proxy, provoking a war with Russia over nakedly venal great power objectives would not sit well with U.S. and Euro- pean electorates. Righteous and democratically minded peoples, however, are highly susceptible to primordial narratives of good and evil. They were thus easily ensnared and then enchanted by a story from the Washington imperial court: a frame-for-frame rerun of the 1930s, only with Russia as the Nazis. Evil again had risen, so we must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine. Yet, how could they secure total commitment to such a war?
Topic:
NATO, Infrastructure, Regional Security, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

2770. The Fight Against Tax Havens, Bank Secrecy, and Base Erosion: Adaptation and Evolution of the Swiss System

Author:
Jacques Pitteloud and Xavier Oberson
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
For decades, the Swiss international tax policy regarding the exchange of information has been governed by strict rules that uphold banking secrecy. In a nutshell, tax authorities could not have direct access to the bank’s figures of account holders unless a criminal tax case was at stake. International exchange of information in tax matters was only possible to claim the benefits of a double taxation convention (DTC)—under the so-called “limited interna- tional administrative assistance” rule. Beginning in the 2000s, the situation started to evolve dramatically, so that Switzerland had to drastically modify its policy. Two decades later, it appears that Switzerland has totally adapted its legislation and international tax policy, both in favor of transparency and to address the concerns of “base erosion and profits shifting” (BEPS) of “multi-national enterprises” (MNE). Switzerland is nowadays actively participating in all major international forums, such as the OECD, the Inclusive Frame- work, the United Nations (UN), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to continue adapting its legal system in accordance with accepted standards. Despite this paradigm shift, it seems that this situation has not been fairly ap- praised everywhere in the world. The purpose of this article is thus both to respond to some of the criti- cisms that are often still heard, to try to analyze and describe the evolution of the Swiss system in favor of global tax transparency, and to address BEPS concerns of MNE. We believe that the importance of the efforts, develop- ments, and works accomplished by Switzerland, sometimes in emergency, but always under sound constitutional and democratic processes, deserve a fair and balanced perspective.
Topic:
Multinational Corporations, Tax Systems, Banking, and Tax Havens
Political Geography:
Europe, Switzerland, and Global Focus

2771. Neglected Tropical Diseases: Success in Achieving Development Gains for the Poorest

Author:
David Molyneux, Simon Bush, Phillip Downs, and Sarah Bartlett
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
Neglected tropical diseases are a group of diseases that share common features despite having varied causes for their resulting clinical conditions. They affect one to two billion individuals worldwide, exacerbating existing societal ineq- uities by primarily affecting impoverished and politically marginalized groups in tropical and sub-tropical regions.2 These diseases lead to stigma, disability, and social isolation that make accessing appropriate healthcare, including mental health treatment, increasingly difficult. Advocacy efforts concerning the impact of NTDs on populations and the economic benefits of interventions have led to their inclusion in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). NTD interventions have well-defined economic rates of return, due to effective partnerships, proven successes, and generous pharmaceutical donations.3 While research on NTDs remains limited, effective strategies exist for their control, mitigation, or eradication—if prioritized by governments and donors. This essay aims to raise awareness of NTDs among policymakers, em- phasizing their significant yet overlooked impact on global health policy, as well as the successes and challenges of NTD programs thus far. It details the effective and sustained collaboration between endemic countries, bilateral and philanthropic donors, international organizations, non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs), pharmaceutical donors, and academic institutions. Most importantly it argues for the importance of investing in NTDs within the context of poverty alleviation and development.
Topic:
Public Health, Policymaking, Sustainable Development, and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2772. The State and Human Trafficking

Author:
John Cotton Richmond and Isabella Wei
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
John Cotton Richmond is an attorney and diplomat focused on ethical business, human rights, democracy, and rule of law. He currently leads the Libertas Council that works to galvanize global leaders to shape solutions that affirm human dignity by combatting human trafficking. He also serves as the Chief Impact Officer at Atlas Free, working to resource and accelerate organizations fighting human trafficking. Previously, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons from 2018 to 2021. Serving in the nation’s highest-ranking position dedicated to human trafficking, he led U.S. foreign policy related to modern slavery and coordinated the U.S. government’s response to the crime. Ambassador Richmond also served for over a decade as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, where he prosecuted numerous victim-centered labor and sex trafficking cases. He also lived in India for three years pioneering International Justice Mission’s slavery work.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, State, Interview, and Human Trafficking
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2773. Economía azul ante el reto demográfico y de género (ECALRED)

Author:
Asunción Bernárdez, Álvaro Berrocosa, María Gálvez del Castillo, Dina Garzón, and Jesús Marcos Gamero
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
Este informe de la Fundación Alternativas centra su análisis en la intersección crítica de la economía azul con el reto demográfico y la perspectiva de género en España. A lo largo de sus capítulos, se examina el alcance e impacto de las transformaciones demográficas –envejecimiento, despoblación rural, dinámicas costeras y sus efectos diferenciados por género– y su interrelación con la crisis climática. Se exploran las estrategias y modelos innovadores que la economía azul ofrece como vector para un desarrollo sostenible, la revitalización comunitaria y la generación de empleo inclusivo y de calidad, desde la pesca y el turismo hasta las energías marinas y la biotecnología, subrayando la necesidad de que su implementación se base en la innovación tecnológica, la sostenibilidad ambiental, la justicia social y una igualdad de género efectiva. El informe identifica como aspectos clave para el éxito de estas estrategias la necesidad de una acción coordinada y multifocal. Esto requiere potenciar una digitalización inclusiva, invertir en formación que responda a las nuevas realidades productivas de la economía azul y promueva la igualdad de oportunidades, y fomentar un marco de gobernanza adaptativo, participativo y con sensibilidad de género. Se destaca el rol del liderazgo femenino como catalizador de innovación y cohesión en este ámbito y la urgencia de integrar la sostenibilidad ambiental en todas las políticas. En conjunto, se aboga por un nuevo pacto territorial y social que, reconociendo el papel central de la economía azul y la superación de las brechas de género, garantice la equidad y la calidad de vida en toda España.
Topic:
Climate Change, Demographics, Crisis Management, and Blue Economy
Political Geography:
Europe and Spain

2774. Responsabilidad y coordinación en la implementación de la RAP en España

Author:
Ricardo Luis Izquierdo, Julio López Rubio, Alodia Pérez, Ignacio Aguilar, and Rubén Esteban
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
La Responsabilidad Ampliada del Productor (RAP) representa un pilar fundamental en la gestión moderna de residuos y en la transición hacia una economía circular. Este concepto traslada la responsabilidad de la gestión de los productos al final de su vida útil desde las administraciones públicas y los consumidores hacia los propios fabricantes y distribuidores. La idea central es que los productores deben asumir un papel activo en la gestión de los residuos que generan, lo que incentiva el diseño de productos más duraderos, reutilizables y reciclables, así como la implementación de sistemas eficientes de recolección y reciclaje. Este enfoque no es meramente una modificación regulatoria; se trata de una reconceptualización profunda de la actividad económica. Al fomentar el ecodiseño y la reducción de residuos en vertederos, la RAP impulsa un modelo de economía circular, distanciándose del tradicional modelo lineal de «tomar-hacer-desechar». Esta transformación sistémica implica que las consideraciones ambientales se integran desde las primeras etapas del diseño del producto, pasando de soluciones de «fin de tubería» a un pensamiento de ciclo de vida completo. La RAP no solo minimiza la generación de residuos no aprovechables, sino que también estimula la innovación en técnicas de reciclaje y remanufactura, prácticas esenciales para la circularidad.
Topic:
Climate Change, Natural Resources, Economy, Sustainability, and Industry
Political Geography:
Europe and Spain

2775. Informe Iberoamérica 2025: IV Cumbre UE-CELAC en Colombia: retos y promesas

Author:
Maria Victoria Alvarez, Bruno Theodoro Luciano, César Niño, Vicente Palacio, and Lennys Rivera
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
La IVª cumbre Unión Europea-CELAC, que tendrá lugar en Santa Marta (Colombia), los días 9 y 10 de noviembre de 2025, dará continuidad al diálogo político de alto nivel que se recuperó con motivo de la IIIª cumbre celebrada en 2023, y que dejó atrás unas relaciones interregionales paralizadas en esta escala durante más de un lustro. Transcurridos poco más de dos años, la cumbre de 2025 se producirá tras un intenso ciclo electoral tanto en América Latina como en la UE, y tras profundos cambios en el orden internacional que abren interrogantes en torno a las implicaciones que tendrá para las propias relaciones euro-latinoamericanas y caribeñas. Para alimentar los debates previos a este encuentro entre sesenta mandatarios de ambas orillas del Atlántico, el Informe Iberoamérica 2025 de Fundación Alternativas aborda, a lo largo de sus siete capítulos, distintos ángulos (medio ambiente, seguridad, inversión, comercio, cooperación, diálogo político) de una relación birregional de carácter estratégico llamada a relanzarse.
Topic:
Climate Change, Elections, European Union, and Political Science
Political Geography:
Colombia, Latin America, and Spain

2776. Asean y la UE. Estrategias y oportunidades para Indonesia y España

Author:
Dayu Nirma Amurwanti and Alodia Pérez
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
Este documento analiza el potencial de fortalecer las relaciones entre la Unión Europea (UE) y la ASEAN, destacando el rol estratégico de España e Indonesia. Ambos bloques comparten valores como el multilateralismo y enfrentan desafíos comunes como el cambio climático, la tensión entre EE. UU. y China, y la necesidad de integración comercial. España e Indonesia, potencias marítimas y economías emergentes, pueden liderar iniciativas en defensa, comercio, digitalización, educación e innovación. Se propone revitalizar la cooperación bilateral, avanzar en nuevos acuerdos de defensa y vigilancia marítima. Además, se destaca la urgencia de concluir el Acuerdo de Asociación Económica UE-Indonesia, promoviendo el comercio y la inversión verde. En educación y cultura, se plantea intensificar los intercambios universitarios e investigaciones conjuntas. Finalmente, se sugiere elevar la relación bilateral a una Asociación Estratégica y fomentar una agenda común en foros multilaterales para un orden global más justo y cooperativo.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Climate Change, European Union, Geopolitics, Economy, Multilateralism, and Industry
Political Geography:
China, Europe, Asia, Spain, United States of America, and ASEAN

2777. Asean and the EU. Strategic opportunities for Indonesia and Spain

Author:
Dayu Nirma Amurwanti and Oviedo Pérez
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
This document analyzes the potential for strengthening relations between the European Union (EU) and ASEAN, highlighting the strategic role of Spain and Indonesia. Both blocs share values such as multilateralism and face common challenges, including climate change, tensions between the U.S. and China, and the need for trade integration. Spain and Indonesia, as maritime powers and emerging economies, can lead initiatives in defense, trade, digitalization, education, and innovation. The document proposes revitalizing bilateral cooperation and advancing new agreements in defense and maritime surveillance. It also emphasizes the urgency of concluding the EU-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement to promote trade and green investment. In the fields of education and culture, it suggests intensifying university exchanges and joint research. Finally, it recommends elevating the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership and promoting a shared agenda in multilateral forums for a more just and cooperative global order.
Topic:
Climate Change, Geopolitics, Economy, Multilateralism, Industry, ASEAN, and Strategic Partnerships
Political Geography:
Europe, Indonesia, Asia, Spain, Southeast Asia, and ASEAN

2778. Reconstrucción social y económica de Ucrania desde la perspectiva de la Europa Social

Author:
Zakhar Popovych and Vicente Palacio
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
Este documento de trabajo examina la reconstrucción social y económica de Ucrania desde la perspectiva de la Europa Social, en relación a las necesidades críticas derivadas de la guerra en curso y las aspiraciones de Ucrania de integrarse en la UE. El documento analiza la legislación ucraniana, los retos económicos y el impacto de la guerra en las estructuras sociales. Se destaca el potencial de Ucrania para alinearse con las normas de la UE, haciendo hincapié en los derechos laborales, el bienestar social y la modernización económica. Se analizan áreas clave como la reforma judicial, las normas del mercado laboral, la educación, la sanidad y los sistemas de protección social, en base a ejes como la justicia social, la solidaridad y el desarrollo sostenible. El documento pretende trazar las necesidades de Ucrania y facilitar su camino hacia la adhesión a la UE, subrayando la importancia de un componente social en el proceso de reconstrucción. Adicionalmente, se sugieren algunas vías posibles de apoyo por parte de España y la UE en esa tarea.
Topic:
Russia-Ukraine War, Reconstruction, Economy, Crisis Management, Human Rights, European Union, and Industry
Political Geography:
Europe, Russia, and Ukraine

2779. The Social and Economic Reconstruction of Ukraine from a Social Europe Perspective

Author:
Zakhar Popovych, Mykhailo Samsonenko, Oleksandr Skyba, Mariia Sokolova, and Oleksandr Kovalenko
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
This working paper examines the social and economic reconstruction of Ukraine from a Social Europe perspective. It addresses the critical needs arising from the ongoing war and Ukraine’s aspirations for EU integration. The document analyzes Ukrainian legislation, economic challenges, and the impact of war on social structures. It highlights the potential for Ukraine to align with EU standards, emphasizing labor rights, social welfare, and economic modernization. The paper explores the role of corruption, neoliberalism, and the window of opportunity created by the war for transformative change. It discusses Ukraine’s economic needs, international aid, and Spain’s commitment to post-war support. Key areas such as judicial reform, labor market standards, education, healthcare, and social protection systems are analyzed. The document aims to map Ukraine’s needs and facilitate its path to EU membership, stressing the importance of a social component in the reconstruction process.
Topic:
Foreign Aid, Reconstruction, European Union, Economy, Labor Rights, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, Ukraine, and Spain

2780. Informe África 2025: África Occidental y Europa: Perspectivas

Author:
Saiba Bayo, Marta Summers, Beatriz de León, Jérôme Pigné, and El Hadj Djitteye
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
La región de África Occidental se caracteriza por su gran complejidad por las numerosas realidades políticas, sociales y económicas que engloba. En los últimos años ha sufrido profundos cambios en sus dinámicas internas en las que destaca la salida de Mali, Níger y Burkina Faso de la Comunidad Económica de Estados de África Occidental (CEDEAO). Al mismo tiempo los países se enfrentan a desafíos comunes como el auge del yihadismo en la región o la migración, lo que implica adoptar estrategias multilaterales. En este ámbito, Europa y España tienen la oportunidad de jugar un papel clave y estrechar los lazos de colaboración con los Estados de la región.
Topic:
Climate Change, Human Rights, European Union, Geopolitics, Inequality, Economy, and Youth
Political Geography:
Africa, Europe, and West Africa