Publication Year: within 1 Year and within 25 Years

2901. Can official development assistance be saved? The general reduction in funding means that we need to redefine our objectives

Author:: Louis Caudron
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: Official development assistance (ODA) is in trouble. It is in crisis. In the United States, Donald Trump decided, one month after returning to the White House, to abolish the USAID programme, which managed US ODA amounting to $64 billion in 2023. While the European Union and its Member States remain the main providers of official development assistance worldwide, the European Commission is planning to reduce the funds allocated to the least developed countries by 35% for the period 2025-2027, compared to the period 2021-2024. There is no indication that the situation will improve in the new multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 currently being prepared. A large proportion of these funds has been redirected to Ukraine over the past three years. Some Member States, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Sweden, have also reduced their budgets for this aid. In France, President Emmanuel Macron, who had pledged in 2017 to increase it to 0.55% of GDP, has allowed his budget to be cut by a third in 2025. More than forty years ago, all countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) committed to devoting 0.7% of their GDP to official development assistance. At the time, this was seen as a duty of solidarity and a means of reducing the gap between developed and developing countries. Only a few countries have honoured the 0.7% of GDP commitment, but donors were at least trying to maintain their aid. Recent cuts show that they no longer believe in it. The most worrying thing is that these cuts in funding are hardly provoking any response from public opinion. Perceived as a simple ‘gift’ to developing countries, official development assistance has now been relegated to second place behind new or more urgent funding priorities such as European defence, innovation and climate transition. This indifference could be fatal for official development assistance, while its abolition would seriously damage our relations with the rest of the world. This is particularly true of our relations with Africa, which are so important for our future.
Topic:: Public Opinion, OECD, Development Assistance, and Funding Cuts
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2902. The European Union and its islands as they face today's challenges

Author:: Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: The European Union has several thousand islands, 2,400 of which are inhabited. Island status affects 20.5 million Europeans living in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans in the case of overseas territories. This does not include island Member States such as Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, or countries with hundreds of islands such as Croatia, Denmark, Greece and Sweden. Despite a wide variety of ecological, economic and institutional contexts[1], islands all share the consequences of geographical discontinuity. These unique territories are inherently subject to structural constraints recognised by the articles 174 and 349 of the TFEU, First and foremost among these are the additional transport costs and lack of accessibility that hinder the free movement of people and goods. In island economies, monopolies and oligopolies in the transport and distribution of goods and services increase production costs and the cost of living, hampering development and competitiveness. The islands[2] also suffer, all too often, from the exodus of their human capital, an ageing population and, at the same time, pressure on land and property caused by the massive seasonal influx of tourists. Furthermore, economic specialisation – a key feature of island production systems – and heavy external dependence make these small economies vulnerable to all kinds of hazards. Added to this are the threats of flooding, storms and other effects of global warming on land and at sea. Territorial discontinuity, insufficient connectivity, economic vulnerability, climate disruption: the accumulation of constraints is easy to quantify and has already been widely debated in specialist literature[3]. Just as many European tourists are getting ready to head to one of these island destinations for their summer holidays, it is important to look beyond the idyllic image that European culture has created for these places and remember that there is also an economic and geopolitical reality that EU leaders need to bear in mind in these uncertain times.
Topic:: Tourism, European Union, Geopolitics, Ecology, and Islands
Political Geography:: Europe

2903. In support of European regulation compatible with growth

Author:: Florent Menegaux
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: “America innovates, Europe regulates": we have heard this phrase many times, revealing a fundamental difference in approach between the two continents. America undoubtedly produces economic giants, and Europe specialises in regulating them, failing to bring forth true world champions of European origin. The simplification is undoubtedly unfair, but it highlights the dangers of regulations that are designed primarily to constrain innovation and growth rather than to promote it. [1] It also illustrates a certain European propensity for self-pity. We Europeans need to recognise our strengths. The European scale is the only relevant one if we are to have economic clout against the United States and China. The single market is a major lever of power in this respect, but it is still incomplete. Fragmented national regulations are obstacles to the emergence of European champions of global standing. This is still an issue in many areas where Europe could take the lead in international competition, such as the circular economy. Regulation can therefore be a double-edged sword, depending on whether it harmonises or makes things more difficult. But it seems to have been forgotten that it should above all serve a vision. It must be recognised that the United States has made clear choices and has given itself the means to produce champions. The limitations in Europe stem largely from the lack of a clear vision like this, which automatically results in inconsistent and inefficient regulations. The current economic and geopolitical challenge must be seen as an opportunity for the European Union to bounce back, as it is forced to transform very quickly. A change of approach in the way the question of regulation in Europe is addressed will necessarily have to form part of this effort of reinvention.
Topic:: European Union, Democracy, Geopolitics, Regulation, Citizenship, and Economic Growth
Political Geography:: Europe

2904. Democratic resilience in Europe in a polarised world

Author:: Jean-Dominique Giuliani
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: I am particularly happy to be here once more at the University of Tartu[1], which I had the honour of visiting a long time ago, back in 2003. One of the oldest universities in Europe, it plays a significant role in your country and throughout the continent in providing the very highest level of education. I even had earlier the privilege of meeting and having lunch with Lennart Meri, President of the Republic, and I have very fond memories of our conversation. I was particularly impressed by his analysis of Russia, which takes on a whole new dimension today with the return of the Russian threat. There has been a very strong relationship between Estonia and France since the founding of your Republic, which was established here in 1920 by the Treaty of Tartu. French soldiers are now fighting alongside yours in a demonstration of solidarity that has never ceased to be in our hearts. We never recognised the Soviet occupation. You should know that France has a deep attachment to Estonia, which continues to show in our fraternity every day. I mention this because the subject you have asked me to explore, which I hope will serve as a basis for our discussions, reflects a legitimate concern regarding European determination to resist Russian aggression, a concern that is heightened here, a few kilometres from Lake Peipus (in Estonian: Peipsi-Pihkva järv), which sometimes witnesses a fluctuation of its borders in the eyes of your large neighbour. I will begin with the definition of resilience, a term that comes from physics and is very fashionable in intellectual circles and in politics. Resilience is the ability to withstand a brutal ordeal and to draw strength from it.
Topic:: Democracy, Resilience, and Polarization
Political Geography:: Europe, France, and Estonia

2905. French nuclear deterrence and Europe

Author:: Bernard Rogel
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: When the Soviet empire collapsed in the 1990s, the existential threat to our borders became a thing of the past. At the time, we did not realise that this would only be temporary in the grand scheme of history. Taking a deep breath, we entered a period known as the ‘peace dividends’, which led to strategic calm in Europe. This resulted, in our country as in the rest of Europe, in a continuous erosion of defence budgets and, de facto, a reduction in our military capabilities. Thus, until about ten years ago, short-term gains took precedence over necessary long-term caution. Today, the awakening has been somewhat brutal. In this post-Cold War context of renewed peace, the principles of national nuclear deterrence were preserved and regularly reasserted in a world that remained, despite everything, nuclear. Its existence was perpetuated to guard against any strategic surprises. However, our deterrent forces, like our conventional ones, have undergone substantial downsizing, referred to as ‘strict sufficiency’, as they have adapted to the new international context. There is no doubt that the era allowed for progress towards global disarmament, in line with the letter and spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). A global movement to reduce nuclear arsenals was then undertaken. For its part, France dismantled its fissile material production facilities and its ground-to-ground component, signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), reduced the number of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) from six to four and the number of air squadrons from three to two, to cite just a few examples.
Topic:: Security, Defense Policy, Nuclear Weapons, and Deterrence
Political Geography:: Europe and France

2906. The Georgian challenge, a challenge for Europe

Author:: Salomé Zourabichvili
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: In the shadow of the Russian war in Ukraine and the debates on the possible outcomes of the conflict and the looming geopolitical realignments, Georgia seems to have fallen off the radar and been relegated to the background of Europe's priorities. Since gaining independence more than thirty years ago, the country has been forging ahead with determination and boldness on the road to European integration[1]. Since 1991, Georgia has completed all the stages: Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1999), European Neighbourhood Policy (2004), Eastern Partnership (2009), Association and Free Trade Agreement (2014), visa liberalisation for the Schengen area (2017), inclusion of the objective of European integration in the Constitution (2018), official application for membership of the European Union (2022) and obtaining candidate status (2023). This path has been travelled without pause or reflection, and without hesitation even when Russia, by means of war (1992/1993, 2008) or occupation of parts of the territory, sought to erect obstacles to this progress. This orientation has benefited from the outset and continuously from the support of an immense majority of the population. This majority is based on the conviction of Georgian citizens that only the European and Euro-Atlantic bloc could ultimately ensure the nation's security and independence from its historical enemy. Having completed the stages of the association agreement, Georgia rose to the rank of host power of the Petra Summit (2021), thus launching the trio of Associate Members of the European Union with Ukraine and Moldova and under the auspices of the President of the European Council.
Topic:: European Union, Democracy, Geopolitics, Regional Integration, Regional Politics, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe and Georgia

2907. The Four Challenges facing European Defence

Author:: Jean-Marc Vigilant
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: After five centuries of Western global domination, we are living in a period of geopolitical change of the same magnitude as the end of the Cold War. Because European empires nearly destroyed themselves during the two World Wars of the 20th century, they established, under the impetus of the United States, an international order to regulate relations between powers. But today, with its aggression in Ukraine, Russia has ended the longest period of peace on the European continent since the fall of the Roman Empire. Until 1945, virtually every generation of Europeans had experienced war in their own country. During the eighty years that followed – with the notable exception of the Balkan wars resulting from the break-up of Yugoslavia and the final aftershocks of the Soviet empire’s collapse after the Cold War – almost three generations of Europeans have not known war on their soil. Over the past thirty years, emerging or transitional powers have observed us and developed to the point where they are now able to challenge the international order established by the Western victors of the Second World War. We are witnessing the return of power politics and the undermining of international law, through the unrestrained use of violence to settle political disputes. Beyond the military war in Ukraine – whose aim it is to erase that country as an independent nation – Russia is attacking the very foundations of European liberal democracies, whose attractiveness to Russian people represents a threat to Vladimir Putin’s autocratic regime.
Topic:: Defense Policy, NATO, Regional Cooperation, European Union, Geopolitics, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe

2908. Europeans and Trump: dishonour, impotence or influence?

Author:: Maxime Lefebvre
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:: Responses to the Turnberry trade agreement between Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen on 27 July (formalised in an EU-US statement published on 27 August) did not mince words: ‘shame’, ‘submission’, ‘vassalage’, ‘humiliation’, and even the beginning of a ‘century of humiliation’ for Europe, following the example of China, which was forced to open up its imports of opium in the mid-19th century, marking the beginning of the long decline of the Middle Kingdom. This agreement must be viewed in the broader context of transatlantic relations during Donald Trump's second term, which includes the situation in Ukraine and, more broadly, the issue of European defence and security. Looking at things in this context, Europeans have so far shown unity, diplomacy and even efficiency. They have begun to learn from their weaknesses, but the road to European power remains fraught with pitfalls.
Topic:: International Relations, Security, Foreign Policy, European Union, Transatlantic Relations, and Donald Trump
Political Geography:: Europe, North America, and United States of America

2909. Online Leisure Activity and Digital Platforms in an Open Economy

Author:: Jiheum Yeon and Xiaohan Zhang
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:: Digital platforms have become central to modern economies, as consumers increasingly spend leisure time online and platform firms transform user engagement into economic value. This study develops a multi-country, multi-industry open economy general equilibrium model to analyze how web traffic—measured as visits to platform domains—can be converted into “data capital” through big data and AI algorithms and then used as a non-rival input for production and innovation. To ground the analysis, we construct a new dataset that links domain-level web traffic to corporate ownership across countries. The evidence reveals sharp cross country differences in the geographic origin of users. U.S. platforms attract a strongly international audience, with domestic users accounting for less than one-third of visits on average. Chinese platforms are more domestically concentrated, though TikTok stands out as a global exception with a highly international user base. Korean platforms, by contrast, rely overwhelmingly on domestic users, with less than ten percent of traffic originating abroad. Comparing these patterns with international service trade statistics, we find that countries with higher shares of foreign users are systematically more active in exporting online services. Qualitative analysis provides further insight into user behavior. Consumers allocate more time to a platform when they experience greater content satisfaction, which depends on both technological quality and country-specific content preferences. When the quality of foreign platform content improves, consumers reallocate time away from domestic platforms toward foreign ones. The extent of this shift is influenced by the elasticity of leisure demand, the substitutability across platforms, and the share of time already devoted to foreign platforms. The general equilibrium model allows us to simulate counterfactual scenarios and evaluate policy-relevant outcomes. Reducing cross-border frictions to foreign content raises welfare in all countries, primarily through the expansion of content variety and the reallocation of consumer time, while leaving the broader industrial structure largely unchanged. Lowering barriers faced by foreign platforms, such as discriminatory digital services taxes, increases platform revenues, encourages consumers to spend more leisure time online, and strengthens investment incentives for domestic platforms. Although the immediate welfare gains are modest, the longer-run effects on intangible investment and innovation are more significant. Enhancing the productivity of platform R&D generates asymmetric effects by expanding platform activity in the innovating country and reducing it in the non innovating country, yet global welfare increases because users everywhere benefit from improved content quality and diversity. Taken together, the findings highlight that the accumulation of web-traffic-based data capital is a central driver of platform growth. Policies that improve access to foreign content, the taxation of digital services, and foster innovation in platform R&D directly influence how consumer time is allocated and how platform firms invest in data-driven growth. For policymakers, the results suggest that lowering barriers to cross-border online activity can deliver substantial welfare gains, that digital taxation should be carefully designed to balance fiscal and innovation objectives, and that investment in platform R&D is essential for competitiveness in the global digital economy. In sum, this study demonstrates that digital platforms thrive not only on technological progress but also on the ability to accumulate and deploy data capital derived from web traffic. Recognizing the economic role of data capital is crucial for designing effective policies in the digital era, where market access, taxation, and innovation shape the international competitiveness of platform industries.
Topic:: Economy, Leisure, and Digital Platforms
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2910. Trade and Growth with Digital Data

Author:: Kyu Yub Lee
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:: This paper introduces a newly developed model that examines the interplay between trade, growth, and digital data, emphasizing data’s dual role as both a driver of growth and a source of privacy concerns. Departing from existing trade and growth models that have largely overlooked digital data’s unique characteristics, this paper provides the first comprehensive analysis of how data influences growth through data flows and knowledge diffusion, while simultaneously introducing associated privacy trade-offs. A key novelty of this model lies in its clear distinction between digital data and traditional “ideas.” Both concepts share the characteristics of non-rivalry and stocklike accumulation, meaning they are cumulative and can be used by multiple entities with negligible additional cost. However, ideas are generally understood to produce only positive externalities, whereas digital data uniquely generates both positive and negative externalities simultaneously, including privacy and cybersecurity concerns for consumers. The model is built within a dynamic general equilibrium framework that incorporates international trade and endogenous technological change, extending the work of Rivera-Batiz and Romer (1991) by integrating the evolution of digital data. Consumption activities, both domestic and a portion of foreign consumption, actively contribute to a country’s evolving data stock. This generated data then acts as a negative externality in the utility function of privacy-conscious consumers, reducing their welfare, even as it serves as a primary input for the R&D sector, fueling the growth engine. Key findings from this new model highlight significant impacts: First, (economic growth) the model shows that unrestricted cross-border data flows are a significant stimulant for economic growth. This positive effect is further magnified by stronger knowledge spillovers and an increased number of trading partners. Conversely, stricter restrictions on data flows directly impede economic growth. The paper notes that trade liberalization alone, without the diffusion of ideas or data flows, only generates a level effect and does not affect long-term economic growth. Second, (trade-off with individual welfare) another central finding is the inherent trade-off between economic growth and individual welfare. While open data flows promote economic expansion, they simultaneously intensify privacy concerns, leading to a reduction in individual welfare. This conflict is particularly pronounced in scenarios with limited or inefficient knowledge diffusion. Conversely, the model indicates that stricter data regulations, while hindering growth, can enhance individual welfare by mitigating these privacy risks. To navigate the identified trade-off between growth and privacy, the paper advocates against data localization and strongly supports the implementation of deep digital trade agreements. These agreements are proposed as crucial mechanisms to facilitate freer data flows and knowledge sharing, thereby mitigating the inherent conflict and unlocking the full potential of the digital economy.
Topic:: Development, International Trade and Finance, Economic Growth, and Digital Trade
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2911. Using Peace Operations to Help Prevent Mass Atrocities: Results from Interviews with Experienced Practitioners

Author:: Tallan Donine, Mohammad Khan, Ashleigh Landau, Daniel Solomon, and Lawerence Woocher
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Abstract:: As part of our “Lessons Learned in Preventing and Responding to Mass Atrocities” project, the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide conducted semi-structured interviews with individuals who have substantial experience working on peace operations in the US government, offices at UN headquarters in New York, in peacekeeping missions, and in UN field offices. Peace operations refer to missions of “military and/or civilian personnel deployed by one or more third-party states, frequently but not necessarily under the auspices of a global or regional organization” that deploy to mitigate hostilities, restore state authority, prevent the recurrence of civil war, and/or achieve humanitarian goals, including the protection of civilians.1 These interviews aimed to summarize experiential knowledge about the use of peace operations to help prevent mass atrocities, as a complement to our survey of the research literature. We interviewed 13 people, including officials with military or policy experience at the US Department of State, US Department of Defense, and several UN agencies, including the Office of the UN Secretary-General and Department of Peace Operations. Respondents had an average of 11 years of experience working on peace operations in the US government or at the United Nations and more than 5 years working on peace operations outside of these institutions. Collectively, participants with experience in the US government worked in every US presidential administration from George H.W. Bush through Joe Biden and in three US federal agencies. Participants with experience working in the United Nations worked under every SecretaryGeneral from Boutros Boutros-Ghali to António Guterres and in several UN departments and field missions
Topic:: United Nations, Peacekeeping, Interview, and Atrocity Prevention
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2912. Generative AI, Mass Atrocities, and Atrocity Prevention

Author:: Brittain Heller
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Abstract:: This white paper investigates the complex role of GAI in mass atrocities and atrocity prevention, exploring how advancements in these technologies may both prevent and exacerbate risks in conflict-prone environments. With the capability to create persuasive, synthetic content at scale, GAI presents dual possibilities: while it holds potential to support early warning systems, counter misinformation, and enhance crisis response, it also bears risks of misinformation, incitement, and the spread of exclusionary ideologies that can destabilize regions. This duality requires careful consideration of GAI’s potential to aid atrocity prevention versus its capacity to intensify conflict. The white paper offers a roadmap for stakeholders, focusing on several core themes: 1. GAI’S TECHNICAL BACKGROUND AND RISKS. An overview of GAI’s fundamental technology and its specific risks in atrocity contexts, including misinformation, manipulation, and incitement. 2. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREVENTION. An overview of atrocities prevention theory and an exploration of GAI’s potential applications in early warning systems, public education, counter-messaging, and humanitarian response. 3. RESEARCH AGENDA. Proposals for future studies to further understand GAI’s impact on atrocity prevention and to inform best practices. 4. POLICY AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS. A discussion on the need for regulatory frameworks that support ethical GAI use in sensitive environments. Through a structured analysis, this paper provides insights to help policymakers, academics, and human rights practitioners navigate the complexities of GAI’s role in atrocity prevention, encouraging collaboration to ensure GAI is responsibly harnessed for global stability and human rights protection.
Topic:: Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Atrocity Prevention, and Generative Models
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2913. Major Developments and Worsening Risks for Mass Atrocities in Papua, Indonesia

Author:: Made Supriatma
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Abstract:: This report provides an update to our 2022 assessment of the risk of mass atrocities (large-scale, systematic violence against civilian populations) against Indigenous Papuans in Papua, Indonesia. As outlined in the 2022 report, the risk of mass atrocities in Papua is based on structural factors—Indonesia’s history of mass violence, political exclusion, and militarization—and immediate drivers of violence, including protests, intra-Papuan divisions, and intensifying armed clashes. Over the past three years, Papua has undergone significant changes. The Indonesian government has rapidly expanded the region’s administrative structure, increased the military presence, and revived controversial transmigration and food estate development programs. Targeted inclusion policies have accelerated the representation of Indigenous Papuans in the military and local government. Despite these developments, the broader Indigenous population remains deeply marginalized, which has fueled Papuan nationalism. Political expressions of and mobilization around pro-independence sentiment have increased—as evidenced by the steadily rising demonstrations. In response, the Indonesian government has intensified repression and expanded military deployments. Armed clashes between guerrilla fighters and Indonesian forces have continued, with separatist groups expanding their areas of operation. As a result, the number of internally displaced persons has risen sharply. This report is based on research in Indonesia, including in Papua, from October 2024 to March 2025, as well as on consultations with experts outside of Indonesia and a literature review.
Topic:: Civil Society, Risk, Civilians, and Atrocities
Political Geography:: Indonesia and Southeast Asia

2914. Birth Control and Growth: The Role of Culture

Author:: Minhyeon Jeong, Nam Seok Kim, and Wongi Kim
Publication Date:: 08-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:: This paper examines how culture influences the success of fertility-control policies. In the 1970s, many developing countries implemented birth-control measures grounded in the quality-quantity trade-off, yet their outcomes diverged, e.g., Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea achieved rapid fertility declines, while Pakistan, India, and Brazil did not. We propose that societal conformity—the degree to which individuals adhere to norms such as a government-endorsed ideal family size— determines how effectively policy incentives translate into behavior. Using a unified theoretical framework, we show that higher conformity amplifies the impact of birth-control policies on both reducing fertility and increasing investment in children’s education. Under empirically plausible conditions, this strengthened quality-quantity trade-off not only boosts short-run economic growth but also accelerates the shift from agriculture to manufacturing—measured by manufacturing’s employment share—even when manufacturing is more capital-intensive and benefits from human-capital-driven, labor-saving technologies. Finally, we validate these predictions with cross-country empirical evidence, underscoring the pivotal role of culture in shaping demographic change and economic development.
Topic:: Development, Culture, Economic Growth, Human Capital, Industry, and Birth Control
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2915. “We need to live in peace”: Rohingya Civilians' Priorities for Mass Atrocity Prevention and Response in the Aftermath of Genocide

Author:: Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Abstract:: In September 2025, the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide published the report, “We need to live in peace”: Rohingya Civilians' Priorities for Mass Atrocity Prevention and Response in the Aftermath of Genocide. This report highlights the varied experiences of the Rohingya community and the multiple risks they continue to face in the aftermath of genocide. To complete this report, the Center worked with three Rohingya leaders—Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK; Wai Wai Nu, founder and executive director of Women’s Peace Network; and Yasmin Ullah, executive director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network. The leaders consulted with a diverse group of Rohingya civilians in Burma, Bangladesh, the broader Southeast Asian region, and the global diaspora to understand their experiences and priorities and to share their recommendations for policymakers. This report summarizes the concerns and recommendations raised by members of the Rohingya community. The perspectives and recommendations summarized below do not necessarily represent those of the three leaders who conducted the research, nor those of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Topic:: Genocide, Civilians, Rohingya, and Atrocity Prevention
Political Geography:: Southeast Asia and Myanmar

2916. "Tremors of an Impending Explosion": Warning Signs of Mass Atrocities in South Sudan

Author:: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Abstract:: Political arrests and armed conflict have put South Sudan at heightened risk for a return to civil war and ethnic cleansing. Possible triggers for mass killing include the removal from power of key leaders and large-scale attacks on civilians based on ethnic identity. The situation requires urgent diplomatic pressure, scrutiny, and support for community-led mass atrocity prevention efforts to reverse this trajectory.
Topic:: Ethnicity, Atrocities, Armed Conflict, and Atrocity Prevention
Political Geography:: Africa and South Sudan

2917. To Leave or Stay? Examining the Role of Counseling and Reintegration Assistance in the Return Decision-Making of Migrants Ordered to Leave the Netherlands

Author:: Ravenna Sohst, Camille Le Coz, and Hanne Beirens
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
Abstract:: Across the European Union, only a small proportion of third-country nationals who are issued an order to leave by their host state comply and depart. Policymakers view enforcing these decisions as crucial to the integrity of their asylum and migration systems, and to maintaining (or at least, preventing the further erosion of) public trust in governments’ capacity to manage migration. As a result, countries have explored various ways to boost return rates. One area of growing policy interest, and the focus of this study, concerns the role return counseling and reintegration assistance could play in how migrants make decisions about return. The Netherlands offers a compelling case study because the Dutch government has experimented with counseling methodologies and collaborated with different partners to deliver counseling and reintegration support. This MPI Europe study explores how the timing, method, location, and actors involved in counseling and reintegration assistance shape their potential to influence migrants’ decision-making. Supported by a grant from the Research and Data Centre of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, the research benefitted from access to nonpublic administrative data and to government officials and facilities. It draws on a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, including interviews with returnees, policymakers, and practitioners, to highlight the complexities of return decision-making. Insights gained from this analysis could help policymakers—in the Netherlands and beyond—improve the targeting of their investments and the selection of high-value methodologies for counseling and reintegration support.
Topic:: European Union, Borders, Migrants, and Return
Political Geography:: Europe and Netherlands

2918. Best Practices for Designing and Managing Labor Migration Corridors to Europe

Author:: Kate Hooper, María Belén Zanzuchi, Abigail Goldfarb, Ravenna Sohst, and Bertrand Steiner
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
Abstract:: Europe is facing a looming skills and labor crisis. As societies age, and as new types of skills are needed to support countries’ digital and green transitions, attracting workers from abroad will be one important means of meeting this demand—along with investments in the domestic workforce. Left unaddressed, these gaps pose risks to Europe’s competitiveness and economic growth. The key question is: What policies and practices can help ensure that labor migration benefits countries of destination and origin, employers, and migrant workers alike? Striving for this “quadruple win” may call for a rethink of how prospective workers and employers are matched, how visas are processed and credentials recognized, what training opportunities exist, and more. This report presents the findings of a study undertaken by MPI and MPI Europe researchers for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships. It examines best practices for designing and managing labor migration corridors between EU and non-EU countries, drawing on fieldwork in five corridors: Bangladesh–Portugal, India–Germany, Peru–Italy, Senegal–Spain, and Vietnam–Hungary. The analysis considers a range of issues, including how labor migration corridors emerge and grow, ways to support skills development, and tackling worker exploitation and brain drain.
Topic:: Economic Growth, Labor Market, Skills, Green Transition, and Digital Transition
Political Geography:: Europe

2919. Understanding, Deterring, and Preparing for a Great-Power War in the Twenty-First Century

Author:: Antulio J. Echevarria II, Larry P. Goodson, and Brennan Deveraux
Publication Date:: 08-2025
Content Type:: Book
Institution:: The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:: The US government and the US Army are unprepared for a great-power war. This integrated research project (IRP), sponsored by Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General James J. Mingus, is a critical first step in helping senior US Army leaders increase their knowledge of, and preparations for, deterring or fighting a great-power war in the twenty-first century. No one knows how long the US government and the US Army have to prepare for a future conflict. Consequently, the US Department of Defense faces difficult decisions as it balances preparing for a future war with maintaining readiness to address current challenges. The student research in this IRP only scratches the surface of what the US Department of Defense and the US Army should do to understand, deter, and prepare more effectively for the possibility of a great-power war in the twenty-first century. While the steps outlined here are preliminary, they are not tentative. Readers will find that each chapter offers concrete, actionable recommendations based on duly considered analysis. But more work lies ahead.
Topic:: Cybersecurity, Deterrence, Gray Zone, Defense Industry, Emerging Technology, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: North America and United States of America

2920. Maine’s Immigrant Communities: Diverse Origins, Characteristics, and Challenges

Author:: Valerie Lacarte and Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
Abstract:: Maine’s immigrant population, though small, is distinct in its origins and characteristics compared to immigrants in other states and the nation at large. Due to a long history of movement across a shared border, Canadians have a notable presence in the state. At the same time, immigrants in Maine come from many parts of the world, and nearly half have lived in the United States for 20 years or more. With the state working-age population projected to shrink in the coming years, immigrants are poised to play an increasingly important role in the state workforce. And in fact, foreign-born workers already contribute to many key industries in Maine—from health care and manufacturing to agriculture and aquaculture. This report presents a profile of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Maine’s immigrants, based primarily on MPI analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. MPI researchers also interviewed staff of nine immigrant-serving organizations in Maine to better understand the types of services some immigrants need—some related to challenges shared with U.S.-born Mainers, while others are more specific to this population.
Topic:: Demographics, Employment, Immigrants, Integration, and Labor Market
Political Geography:: North America, United States of America, and Maine

2921. Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) report 2025

Author:: Mike Pearson, Fran Girling-Morris, and Suzanna Nelson-Pollard
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: ALNAP: Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance
Abstract:: The Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) report is the world-leading annual assessment of the state of international humanitarian financing. Produced by Development Initiatives for 25 years and now by the ALNAP Network, the GHA report provides a critical body of evidence to inform the sector about its financial size, how its finances are distributed, and what key trends require our focus if we want to protect and improve the funding response to crisis. Global humanitarian assistance is defined as the total international financial resources available for humanitarian action and comprises public funding from government donors alongside private funding from sources such as philanthropy and individual giving. The GHA Report 2025 sets out the scale and nature of disruption affecting humanitarian funding, providing a critical tool for navigating an unprecedented moment of political and economic change. Humanitarian action faces a “crisis of legitimacy, morale and funding”. Escalating geopolitical tensions, economic stagnation and rising debt mean the humanitarian responsibilities that once received wide support are being abandoned, as many countries prioritise security and competition over multilateralism and shared norms. Meanwhile, low- and middle-income countries seek equitable partnerships, rejecting outdated paternalistic models of aid, and crises fuelled by conflict, climate emergencies and economic instability continue unabated. Against this backdrop, the humanitarian sector has entered a period of high turmoil, with calls for a humanitarian reset and related reforms to respond to this moment with a new vision and approach.
Topic:: Finance, Donors, Philanthropy, and Humanitarian Assistance
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2922. Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies into Common Operating Picture and Course of Action Development

Author:: C. Anthony Pfaff and Christopher John Hickey
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Book
Institution:: The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies into Common Operating Picture and Course of Action Development explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to revolutionize military planning processes by enhancing situational awareness and expediting course of action development within the Joint planning process. The study delves into technical, organizational, and resource considerations that are critical for AI integration. In addition, the study highlights the importance of clean, structured data in training AI systems, addresses challenges in data collection across varying formats and classifications, and emphasizes the need for AI-friendly infrastructure. By automating processes like common operational picture generation and leveraging AI for course of action analysis, military planners can achieve greater efficiency and decision-making speed. Furthermore, this publication underscores the challenges of ethical implementation, resource sustainability, and organizational adaptation, including upskilling personnel and integrating commercial vendors. Case studies, such as the Maven Smart System and STORMBREAKER, demonstrate AI’s ability to enhance data fusion, improve battlefield awareness, and streamline operational planning. This research provides a robust framework for overcoming barriers to AI adoption, enabling the US military to harness AI technologies for enhanced planning, decision making, and operational success.
Topic:: Security, Defense Policy, Science and Technology, Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning
Political Geography:: Global Focus and United States of America

2923. More Than a Numbers Game: Comparing US and Chinese Landpower in the Pacific Requires Context

Author:: Brennan Deveraux and Joshua Arostegui
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College
Abstract:: This monograph establishes a contextual baseline that serves as the framework for future comparisons of the US Army and the People’s Liberation Army Army. It examines differences in five key components of land warfare: the two nations’ landpower definitions, uses of land forces to build relationships, underlying warfare concepts, associated modernization efforts, and varying approaches to simulating land warfare in the region. In examining these components, the authors identify warfare intangibles that highlight analytical findings in a way that promotes future research. The existing scholarship comparing the two forces is often limited in scope, focusing on funding or comparing capabilities such as the number of specific weapons systems. This monograph differs from existing scholarship by providing a broad, in-depth comparison of critical landpower components. The analysis challenges long-held assumptions about US Army superiority and sets a foundation for future research. The authors rely heavily on primary sources and ample secondary documents translated directly from Chinese vernacular sources. This study’s conclusions challenge conventional thinking surrounding the People’s Liberation Army and will assist US military and policy practitioners in assessing the relative strengths and advantages the US military can grow or exploit.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Modernization, Simulation, People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Warfare
Political Geography:: China, Asia, United States of America, and Indo-Pacific

2924. Weaponizing Risk: Recalibrating Western Deterrence

Author:: Antulio J. Echevarria II
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Book
Institution:: The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:: This monograph discusses how NATO might better leverage risk to strengthen the alliance’s extended deterrence. Such leverage would prove especially useful because Kyiv is unlikely to be permitted to join NATO and the United States may reduce its presence in Europe. Western analysts have not given Russian deterrence enough credit for the alliance’s deterrence failure on February 24, 2022. The alliance did not act fecklessly, nor did it self-deter. Rather, NATO’s deterrence measures were calibrated more for hybrid/gray-zone attacks of the sort it saw in 2014, not for the large-scale combat operations the alliance witnessed in 2022, which involved a nuclear-armed adversary with stronger interests in Ukraine than NATO had. To be sure, the alliance’s leaders acted responsibly in managing the risk of escalation. But in so doing, they also facilitated Russian deterrence efforts, which succeeded in keeping Washington and Brussels from intervening in the war. The alliance thus demonstrated its need for a strategy that would increase the risks and costs of war for Russia without unduly raising NATO’s. In short, the alliance needs a proxy strategy of “waging war without going to war,” whereby NATO can provide its full political, economic, and military support to Ukraine without running the risk of putting alliance troops in harm’s way.
Topic:: Security, Defense Policy, NATO, Risk, Deterrence, and Proxy War
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, and United States of America

2925. Cognitive Defense: 2024 Homeland Defense Symposium

Author:: George M. Schwartz
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:: The US Army War College hosted the inaugural annual Homeland Defense Symposium from February 6 to 8, 2024, at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The conference, entitled “Reestablishing the Sanctuary,” featured plenary presentations on defending critical infrastructure, contested deployment, and cognitive defense by experts from military, academic, and government organizations. As highlighted in the conference theme, attendees recognized the homeland does not provide the sanctuary it once did, and our society is already under attack. Using disinformation and social media means, our adversaries are engaged in cognitive warfare in the homeland, seeking to shape the attitudes and behaviors of citizens by negatively influencing and disrupting their cognitive processes, thus weakening our society’s political will and degrading national resilience. Using contemporary examples to show how disinformation and malinformation undermine trust in government institutions, the authors of these conference papers provide insights and offer solutions for the cognitive defense of the homeland. These papers from the first Homeland Defense Symposium inform policymakers and practitioners on what to expect as we compete internationally and how to prepare for a possible large-scale conflict.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Homeland Security, Resilience, Cognitive Warfare, and Cognitive Defense
Political Geography:: North America and United States of America

2926. Academic Year 2025–26 Annual Estimate of the Strategic Security Environment

Author:: US Army War College
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Book
Institution:: The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
Abstract:: Maintaining strategic advantage demands professional discourse from across the force. The Academic Year 2025–26 Annual Estimate of the Strategic Security Environment provides a framework for those aspiring to tackle the Department of Defense’s most pressing challenges. This year’s authors highlight trending challenges and identify potential tension points across 15 sections organized into four enduring themes. This survey of regional, domestic, and institutional challenges represents the collective expertise of the US Army War College. The narrative is supplemented by a tailored list of 100 command-sponsored questions from 43 different Army and Joint organizations from across the Department of Defense. Combined, the distinct yet complementary narrative and question list offer unique insights into the vital matters impacting defense organizations and provide aspiring researchers with a necessary starting point.
Topic:: NATO, Arms Control and Proliferation, Natural Resources, Budget, Deterrence, Artificial Intelligence, Xi Jinping, Strategic Competition, Defense Spending, People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Strategic Security
Political Geography:: Russia, China, Europe, Eurasia, Ukraine, Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Indo-Pacific

2927. Adapting the OECD criteria for the evaluation of humanitarian action

Author:: ALNAP
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: ALNAP: Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance
Abstract:: This guide updates the ALNAP guide Evaluating humanitarian action using the OECD DAC criteria, first published in 2006 to help evaluation professionals better understand and apply evaluation criteria in humanitarian settings (ALNAP, 2006). While this edition retains the same seven evaluation criteria, we have updated, expanded and clarified the definitions to reflect changes in evaluation practice, shifts in the humanitarian system and feedback from evaluation practitioners. The updates also incorporate revisions made by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD DAC) in 2019 (OECD, 2019, 2021). This guide provides practical and accessible support on how to use and interpret the OECD evaluation criteria in EHA. It complements the OECD guidance on using evaluation criteria, in recognition of the multitude of ways of ‘doing’ evaluations. Primarily, it is intended for evaluators of humanitarian action and those involved in commissioning, designing and managing EHA. It is also a key resource for training courses on EHA. And it is a reference for humanitarian evaluation users, from practitioners to policy-makers.
Topic:: Development, OECD, and Humanitarian Assistance
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2928. Explain: Artificial intelligence in the humanitarian sector

Author:: Linda Raftree and Quito Tsui
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: ALNAP: Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance
Abstract:: Hyped for its potential, generative AI promises faster analysis and better feedback in humanitarian response. But evidence of real impact is still thin. This Explain briefing explores what AI can - and can’t - do for the sector, unpacking risks like bias, privacy, and over-reliance, and outlines what humanitarians need to know before adopting it.
Topic:: Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, Bias, and Humanitarian Assistance
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2929. Decentralization, Assets and Privacy in the Twenty-First Digital Century

Author:: Andreas Veneris
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: This paper examines the evolving landscape of digital privacy, decentralization and digital assets in the twenty-first century. It explores the transformative impact of those technologies — driven by the exponential growth of semiconductors — in the past decades on the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and blockchain today. The analysis highlights how these advancements challenge traditional regulatory frameworks and reshape social, economic and governance structures both domestically and internationally. It emphasizes the rise of centralized digital oligarchies and the implications of decentralized finance and central bank digital currencies on financial stability, privacy and monetary sovereignty. The brief also provides a geopolitical perspective on privacy, security and digital assets by emphasizing the strategic role of cryptography. It concludes with policy recommendations for Canada and reflects on the need for a “Digital Bretton Woods” to ensure financial stability and social welfare in the digital age.
Topic:: Privacy, Decentralization, Assets, and Digital Technologies
Political Geography:: Canada, North America, and Global Focus

2930. AI and Language Data Flaring in Africa: Addressing the Low-Resource Challenge

Author:: Ife Adebara
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: African languages are under-represented in artificial intelligence (AI) systems due to limited language data, excluding millions from digital participation in their native languages. Factors such as multilingual complexity, foreign-language-dominant policies, weak institutional backing and lack of digital infrastructure contribute to the low-resource classification of African languages. “Language data flaring” — paralleling gas flaring — captures the systemic neglect and poor management of African language data leading to data undercollection, poor storage and limited use in AI. Addressing the gap requires policies that integrate African languages into national digital agendas, support documentation, fund projects and foster inclusive, collaborative AI development. Community-led documentation, open-source tools and growing recognition of linguistic diversity in AI offer promising paths forward.
Topic:: Science and Technology, Language, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Collection
Political Geography:: Africa

2931. How Can Stablecoins Work in a Tariff World?

Author:: Sharat Chandra
Publication Date:: 08-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: As a growing number of countries face rising tariffs in 2025, stablecoins may be the answer to geoeconomic fragmentation by providing solutions that enhance trade efficiency in response to protectionist policies and regional alliances. While the United States leverages stablecoins to reinforce global US dollar dominance, rising tariffs and de-dollarization trends are boosting demand for gold and other non-dollar-denominated and commodity-backed stablecoins. This trend is especially prominent among BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations that are wary of US monetary policy. Euro-backed stablecoins are also gaining strength and, together with the digital euro, may pose a threat to US dollar hegemony.
Topic:: Digital Economy, Tariffs, Trade, Stablecoins, and Financial Governance
Political Geography:: Global Focus and United States of America

2932. AI Governance and the Geopolitics of Extraction

Author:: Samantha Bradshaw and Kate Munro
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: The infrastructure of artificial intelligence (AI) depends on critical minerals and rare earth elements, making their supply chains a central factor in national security, economic stability, and global technology competition and governance. Overreliance on supply chains characterized by limited geographic diversification exposes AI commercial and defence industries to trade disruptions, cyber sabotage and strategic leverage. Diversifying supply chains requires international cooperation that accounts for sustainability, labour standards and transparency to balance national security with environmental and human security concerns.
Topic:: Human Rights, National Security, Governance, Geopolitics, Artificial Intelligence, and Strategic Competition
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2933. Intellectual Property Is Economic and National Security

Author:: David Durand and Kyle Briggs
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: Canada’s economic and national security depends on how the country manages its intellectual assets and intellectual property (IP). Looking at the concepts of economic warfare and economic security through an IP lens, this paper examines how attacks against IP can exploit fragmented policy regimes, putting economic security and sovereignty at risk. The authors make five recommendations to address these concerns: create an open-source intelligence agency, protect the outputs of Canadian research, strengthen foreign investment controls, invest in sovereign cloud compute and storage, and coordinate federal legal frameworks.
Topic:: Economics, National Security, and Intellectual Property/Copyright
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

2934. Platform Governance and the Political Economy of Global AI Regulation

Author:: Sabhanaz Rashid Diya
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: The Centre for International Governance Innovation convened a virtual workshop last year, bringing together global experts across policy, media, academia and civil society. Through this discussion, the workshop aimed to inform current and future discourse on global AI governance, identifying best practices and regulatory gaps. This paper builds on key takeaways from the discussion on the intertwined nature of platform and AI governance with an emphasis on the need to introduce a multilevel rights framework, unpack inequalities in the global AI supply chain and address the lack of regulatory capacity in the Global Majority.
Topic:: Economy, Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chains, Digital Platforms, and Digital Governance
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2935. The Quadripolar World: Understanding Twenty-First-Century Geopolitics

Author:: S. Yash Kalash
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Abstract:: The current geopolitical environment is defined by constantly changing dynamics among countries: long-standing partnerships are disintegrating while other alliances are strengthening. To better understand a world in flux, this special report presents the quadripolar geopolitical framework (QGF) in which four powers — the United States, China, India and Russia — serve as autonomous strategic poles. The framework seeks to capture the fluid, multidimensional nature of twenty-first-century geopolitics, where states simultaneously compete, cooperate and hedge across domains. Drawing on game theory, the QGF maps bilateral relationships across two axes: ideological alignment versus strategic autonomy, and systemic rivalry versus economic interdependence. Through case studies, the special report illustrates how contemporary power dynamics defy linear alliances and demand new interpretive tools.
Topic:: International Cooperation, Geopolitics, Economy, and Strategic Autonomy
Political Geography:: Russia, China, India, Global Focus, and United States of America

2936. Bridging Histories: Lessons for the US Department of Defense from New Zealand Defence Forces’ Integration of Indigenous Cultures

Author:: Shane McNeil
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: This article examines the potential lessons the United States Department of Defense (DoD) can learn from the New Zealand Defence Forces' (NZDF) successful integration of indigenous cultures into its military traditions. Through a comparative analysis, it explores the historical military engagements of both nations with their indigenous populations, highlighting the warrior cultures of Native Americans and Māori pre-colonization. The study delves into the NZDF's acknowledgment and incorporation of Māori history and traditions, showcasing the positive outcomes on organizational cohesion, cultural competence, and operational effectiveness. Conversely, it evaluates the current stance of the US DoD towards Native American heritage, identifying gaps and missed opportunities for cultural integration. The article argues that adopting indigenous warrior ideologies and identities could significantly benefit the US DoD by enhancing cultural sensitivity, diversity, and tactical innovation. It concludes with strategic recommendations for integrating indigenous histories and traditions into the US military framework, suggesting that such an approach could foster improved relations with indigenous communities and strengthen the defense sector's cultural and operational landscape.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Armed Forces, Indigenous, and Native Americans
Political Geography:: North America, New Zealand, and United States of America

2937. Russia First: Putin’s Evolving Westphalian Conceptualization of State Sovereignty

Author:: Michael Launer and Marilyn Young
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: By far the most frequent concept that appears in the speeches and writings of Vladimir Putin, “sovereignty” has served varying rhetorical purposes over the years that he has been in office, focusing at times on his domestic audience and at times on Russia’s place in the world order. From the standpoint of international relations, he has placed primary emphasis on Russia’s resistance to external influences in a manner that closely resembles the Westphalian model. In this study we trace the development of four different conceptions of sovereignty as manifested in Putin’s rhetoric. These are: The classic definition of sovereignty: border security, independence, and unquestioned authority in one’s domestic affairs Cultural identity, creativity, national dignity, and strength of the citizenry and the nation Rejection of all international intervention in Russian affairs of state—a Westphalian conceptualization opposed to supranationalism and “bloc” identity ● Self-sufficiency economically and technologically
Topic:: International Relations, Sovereignty, Vladimir Putin, and Identity
Political Geography:: Russia and Eurasia

2938. China's Strategic Manoeuvring in the Palestine-Israel Conflict: A Power Transition Theory

Author:: Sahibzada Muhammad Usman
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: In a transitional global landscape, this paper investigates the China’s involvement in Middle Eastern political events pertaining to Israel and Palestine conflict. It is to evaluate China’s regional power using the Power Transition Theory to determine the degree of China’s influence, its goals and drawbacks with major global powers comparatively. By employing historiography approach and comparative analysis using qualitative research methods. The research delves into mixed method approach of primary and secondary sources. The hostile global political systems, regional alliances, and internal political difficulties in the Israel-Palestine conflict have damaged its power despite China’s diplomatic efforts and economic investments. These insights pave the research contends that China's Middle Eastern engagement is a complicated interaction between its capabilities and constraints shaped by the power dynamics and worldwide linkages.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Regional Power, and Power Dynamics
Political Geography:: China, Middle East, Israel, Asia, and Palestine

2939. Algorithmic Sovereignty in South Asia: India’s Use of AI in the 2025 Border Conflict

Author:: Sanjeev Sareen
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: This article explores the operational deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) by the Indian military during the May 2025 border conflict with Pakistan. It examines how indigenous AI systems—ranging from autonomous drones to predictive logistics—were utilized for real-time battlefield advantage. By situating these technologies within India’s strategic doctrine and industrial base, the paper offers an empirical foundation for understanding AI-enabled military sovereignty in the Global South. Further, the article critically assesses the role of AI within strategic decision-making, operational infrastructure, and future readiness frameworks. It contributes to the literature on emerging military technologies, defence innovation, and techno-nationalism.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Sovereignty, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Battlefield Advantage, and Techno-nationalism
Political Geography:: Pakistan, South Asia, and India

2940. Threats IN, TO, and THROUGH East of Greenland: Impliciations for Canadian Defence

Author:: Ryan Dean
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The waters and airspace east of Greenland are a nexus of Canadian defence concerns. Here, the Russian Arctic Bastion defence borders the sea lines of communication (SLOC) between North America and Europe and is becoming an increasingly important stage for international strategic competition. East of Greenland also marks the boundary between the waters of the European Arctic and those of North America. The strategic space east of Greenland is of tremendous and growing importance for NATO and Russia. While there are threats “in” and “to” this region, most of these military threats are intended to open the way “through” towards North America. Contributing military capabilities to this vital region could be a barometer for Canadian defence credibility with its allies and a means to maximizing their effectiveness.
Topic:: Defense Policy, NATO, Military Affairs, and Strategic Competition
Political Geography:: Russia, Canada, North America, and Greenland

2941. Parliamentary Diplomacy and Ontological (In)Security in Small States

Author:: Nádia Teresa dos Santos
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This paper examines how parliamentary diplomacy, within international parliamentary organisations (IPOs), contributes to mitigating ontological insecurity in small states, focusing on the Portuguese case. It argues that IPOs function as institutional arenas for projecting narrative coherence, diplomatic predictability, and multilateral responsibility, especially during periods of domestic transition or geopolitical fragmentation. For small states, such participation offers mechanisms of symbolic compensation and externalised stability that reinforce international presence despite material constraints. The research follows a qualitative, document-based methodology and analyses two illustrative cases: Portugal’s presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (2017–2019) and its current presidency of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (since 2024). These cases demonstrate how parliamentary diplomacy can serve as a tool for symbolic leadership and identity projection in both Mediterranean and Euro-Atlantic arenas. Findings suggest that Portugal has used parliamentary diplomacy to enhance its international visibility and maintain a coherent external narrative grounded in normative values, democratic legitimacy, and multilateral engagement. IPOs thus emerge as effective platforms for small states to stabilise their identity, gain recognition, and assert agency in a fragmented global order.
Topic:: Small States, Parliamentary Diplomacy, Ontological Insecurity, and International Parliamentary Organization
Political Geography:: Europe and Portugal

2942. Education and Africa’s Structural Transformation: Human Capital, Partnerships, and the Case for a Pan-African Movement

Author:: Pedro Silva Baptista
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This paper examines how education can drive structural transformation and sustainable development in Africa, emphasising human capital and international partnerships. Using empirical data, it explores how aligning education with labour market needs and local realities can help unlock the continent’s demographic dividend. Key challenges include learning poverty, outdated curricula, and weak teacher training. Nonetheless, targeted investment in STEM, vocational training, and renewable energy offers opportunities for innovation and job creation. The PanAfrican Education Movement is presented as a catalyst for change, advocating curriculum reform, integration of indigenous knowledge, gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), and sector-specific skills development with targeted interventions for girls’ education. The study highlights the role of international partnerships— especially with the EU—in supporting digital inclusion, infrastructure, and governance. Combining quantitative indicators and policy analysis, it proposes a multisectoral strategy grounded in the Triple Helix model to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and government for education-led development.
Topic:: Education, European Union, Partnerships, Human Capital, Pan-Africanism, and Structural Transformation
Political Geography:: Africa and Europe

2943. The Adaptation of Land Forces to the New Multipolar Order

Author:: Ricardo J. Vieira
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: The adaptation of land forces to the new multipolar order is essential for understanding the current dynamics of the International System. This essay analyses the relationship between shifts in global polarity and the reorganisation of land forces, investigating whether strategic competition is driving a return to a conventional era. The research findings indicate that the unipolar era favoured disarmament policies, whereas multipolarity has intensified geopolitical tensions, making military power a central element of state security. The rise of revisionist powers, such as Russia and China, has reinforced the need for conventional rearmament. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine exemplifies this transition, highlighting the renewed relevance of land forces and conventional logistics. A mechanised, division-level military structure has replaced the expeditionary model of the unipolar era. It is concluded that multipolarity drives conventional militarisation, although other factors may also influence this trend.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Military Affairs, Multipolarity, International System, and Superpowers
Political Geography:: Russia, China, Europe, Iran, Ukraine, Middle East, and Asia

2944. Overtourism: A Local and International Challenge to the Iberian Peninsula and Italy

Author:: Maria Antónia Pires de Almeida
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: Tourism is an agent of climate change. It transforms land use and favours CO2 emissions, especially due to air travel. It consumes large amounts of water, particularly groundwater, to irrigate golf fields and supply swimming pools and water parks. In some regions, the relevant stakeholders are not concerned about environmental and sustainability matters. Particularly in the South of Portugal, where tourism is one of the main economic activities. Several Civil Society Organisations and NGO in Portugal, Spain, and Italy are raising awareness and confronting authorities. They advocate a more sustainable tourist model. How are central and local governments addressing the overtourism problem? With research on legislation and current negotiations, as well as content analysis of the press and social media, this article aims to identify and describe major concerns, proposals and solutions regarding tourism.
Topic:: Water, Tourism, Protests, Public Policy, Housing, Local Government, and Overtourism
Political Geography:: Europe, Spain, Italy, and Portugal

2945. Revisiting Alexis de Tocqueville's Civil Society Concept from a PoliticalEconomic Perspective

Author:: Ali Erdem Başçoban
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This study aims to re-examine the civil and political associations of Alexis de Tocqueville, who is seen as one of the founders of the concept of civil society in the modern sense. With a historical approach to Alexis de Tocqueville's conceptualization of civil society, it is claimed that there is a cleavage between his views on civil society then and civil society in the modern sense and by employing this historical perspective, the study aims to demonstrate the separation between political - civil associations and the state coincides with the distinction of the political and economic spheres. To make the paper's central argument clear, it is argued that the concept of civil society contributed to regulating the political sphere in the political-economic distinction created by capitalism. Through this regulation, it is claimed that the specific understanding of civil society was in harmony with the social conditions from which American capitalism emerged. The study argues that civil society cannot be seen as separate from the state, politics and economy by reading the civil society debates on the axis of Alexis de Tocqueville and capitalism.
Topic:: Civil Society, Economics, Politics, Capitalism, and Alexis de Tocqueville
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2946. Faith and gender: Evidence-building for GBV prevention in Africa and Latin America. SVRI Community of Practice – Working Group 1 on Evidence-Building

Author:: Rafael Cazarin and Sinethemba Makanya
Publication Date:: 01-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI)
Abstract:: The Working Group 1 on Evidence-Building was initially created in October 2024 by an executive research team: Rafael Cazarin, Sinethemba Makanya, Nobantu Shabangu and Leonardo Andrade. Led by the intention to build a Community of Practise that would speak back to the ideals of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative, the CoP was informed by the main goal to connect practise-based narrative evidence from experts to inform policies on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention with faith actors and religious communities in the Global South. In the months following the CoP inception about 150 members joined the Working Group 1 CoP on LinkedIn. Members from various organisations contributed to building empirical evidence for GBV prevention in faith and religion contexts through a series of monthly online activities, including roundtable discussions, focus groups, a virtual learning webinar and a special blog series for the SVRI blog page. This report presents key findings from five focus groups with members of Working Group 1 (WG1), focused on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention in faith-based and religious settings. The discussions pursued two main goals: first, to identify region-specific challenges and methodological gaps across the Global South, while also highlighting opportunities and sustainable practises at the intersection of faith and GBV prevention; and second, to explore critical themes—such as SOGIESC, youth and masculinities, and local cultural and religious dynamics—to support the development of more inclusive and context-sensitive policies and practises.
Topic:: Religion, Gender Based Violence, Sexual Violence, Faith, and Violence Prevention
Political Geography:: Africa and Latin America

2947. SVRI Community of Practice on Faith and GBV. Enhancing communication between faith actors and policymakers on gender-based violence in Africa

Author:: Nora Khalaf-Elledge and Sarah Marsso
Publication Date:: 01-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI)
Abstract:: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant global issue, requiring locally grounded and multifaceted responses. Faith-based actors hold influential roles in shaping cultural norms and social behaviours, positioning them as key stakeholders in efforts to address GBV. However, a gap in communication between faith leaders and policymakers often leads to ineffective policies, fragmented survivor support, and the persistence of harmful practices. This policy brief underscores the critical necessity of fostering robust, meaningful dialogue and collaboration between these two groups to tackle GBV. It outlines the risks associated with inadequate communication or lack thereof, highlights the potential benefits of strengthened dialogue, provides actionable recommendations for building bridges, and uses targeted, research-informed examples to illustrate these points, ultimately aiming to create more comprehensive and socially relevant solutions to GBV. While the brief centres African experiences and voices—particularly those from the field —it acknowledges that both GBV and the communication challenges it explores are not unique to Africa. These dynamics occur globally, and the insights presented here aim to inform broader, cross-contextual learning.
Topic:: Communications, Gender Based Violence, Faith, and Policymaking
Political Geography:: Africa

2948. Child safety in faith communities: Moving from words to actions

Author:: Selina Palm
Publication Date:: 01-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI)
Abstract:: This learning brief forms part of SVRI’s Community of Practice on Faith and Gender-based violence. Its insights emerge from discussions with 30 participants within a newly designed three-month virtual course – Faith and Helping Children Thrive without Violence. This course was co-designed and piloted as a main activity of its 325-member working group from over 60 countries in 6 continents1 . It centres the lived experiences, stories and practice-based knowledge of selected working group members through structured learning dialogues in early 2025 between participants around 32 short audio-visual contributions which focused specifically on faith and violence against children, and which were provided by other working group members. This brief draws on their voices and insights from diverse faith traditions and countries around the world as well as offering access to videos (5-10 minutes each) from just four of the course contributors that formed the course backbone. Whilst many faith institutions are developing child safeguarding policies, practitioners insist that more work needs to be done to ensure these paper policies translate into practice through building a shared culture of safeguarding if faith institutions are to move from words alone to action.
Topic:: Children, Gender Based Violence, Faith, and Safeguarding
Political Geography:: Global Focus

2949. Final Report: Developing research priorities on GBV in higher education institutions (HEIs) in low- and middle-income countries

Author:: SVRI
Publication Date:: 01-2025
Content Type:: Special Report
Institution:: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI)
Abstract:: Gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education institutions (HEIs) is a widespread yet understudied issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Africa and the Middle East. While GBV in HEIs has received growing attention globally, most evidence originates from high-income countries. This study, led by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), addresses critical evidence and policy gaps in LMIC contexts through a comprehensive, multi-method research project. The study includes a scoping review of literature, a nested policy study, and a research priority-setting exercise.
Topic:: International Development, Gender Based Violence, and Higher Education
Political Geography:: Africa and Middle East

2950. Preventing violence early: Evidence from school-based programmes in low and middle-income countries

Author:: Cassandra Carels, Kelly Gemmell, Stefani du Tolt, Anushka Nair, and Yushra Dinnie
Publication Date:: 11-2025
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI)
Abstract:: This research brief, developed by a research team from the Institute for Life Course Health Research at Stellenbosch University, summarises the results of a systematic review and evidence gap map on school-based GBV prevention programmes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). This will strengthen evidence-based policymaking around school-based prevention of GBV in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other LMICs.
Topic:: Development, Gender Based Violence, Policymaking, and Middle-Income Countries
Political Geography:: Global Focus

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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS