Publications
Gender equality in global climate governance
Gender equality is now formally embedded in global climate governance. Yet in practice, climate policy reflects a divided agenda. Developed countries tend to perform better on gender-balanced participation in climate negotiations, while developing countries more consistently integrate gender into their pledges under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This divide is driven by differences in incentives, financing structures, and how countries use their NDCs. For many developing countries, integrating gender into climate policy is closely tied to accessing international climate finance and demonstrating alignment with donor expectations. For developed countries, gender equality is often addressed through domestic policy frameworks, but is less visible in international climate commitments. The result is a fragmented approach in which participation and policy evolve separately, limiting the effectiveness of gender-responsive climate action and reducing opportunities for shared learning across countries.
Replacing the state
Military action alone is insufficient to defeat jihadist insurgency in northeast Nigeria; ISWAP persists by functioning as a proto-state providing justice and services. Insurgents fill the vacuum left by the state’s failure to provide security and infrastructure in rural areas. Reclaiming authority requires re-placing insurgent governance archi-tectures with predictable state administration. Rapid restoration of services and civilian protection in liberated areas are vital to preventing insurgent return. Reintegration must address returnee expectations shaped by their experience of alternative rule. Note: An updated version was published 8 June 2026.
The Evolution of African Armies: From Indigenous and Colonial Forces to Modern Military Forces
This book investigates how African armies in post-conflict societies are evolving and adapting to new and emerging threats. In recent years, multiple extremely complex armed conflicts have contributed to chronic instability and vulnerabilities in several African states and regions. This book investigates several key case studies to assess the development, deployment and use of African armies in different conflict environments. In particular, the book examines how African states have utilised bilateral partnerships, the deployment to international peacekeeping operations and military training to enhance security and military capacities as a way to tackle both emerging and existing threats at home. Ultimately, the book questions our past and current knowledge of African armies, arguing that current trends in their evolution suggest we need to rethink our understanding, given the vast tasks they are deployed to handle. As a result, the book seeks to explore ways in which we can invest in African armies that positively contribute to development and sustainable peace across the continent. Bringing together valuable empirical insights and critical conversations on the evolution of modern African armies, this book will be an important read for international and national policy actors, and for researchers working on African politics, conflict, security, peacekeeping, international relations, and sustainable development.
Statslederens nye klær (The State Leader’s New Clothes)
Why and how do clothes matter to state leaders’ everyday work? This chapter analyzes how leaders’ clothing functions as a tool of signaling, identity, and power in the international political arena.
Environmental dimensions of conflict in the Lake Chad region
This report illuminates the environmental dimensions of conflict in the Lake Chad region by examining how insecurity impacts the environment and how conflict dynamics are shaped by environmental factors. It is a contribution to the CPS-Lake Chad Project, a partnership led by NUPI to study the effectiveness of the Regional Strategy for the Stabilisation Resilience and Recovery (RS-SRR). The report draws from published literature, field reports by project partners, remotely conducted interviews with regional experts, and satellite image analysis.
The circles of security: The role of the NB8 in (Northern) European security
Russia’s war against Ukraine has profoundly worsened Europe’s security environment, but it has also spurred deeper regional cooperation. The challenge now is to ensure that this growing number of initiatives remains purposeful, adds concrete value, and strengthens both the EU and NATO.
Ubalansen i Russlands krigsøkonomi
Etter Russlands fullskalainvasjon av Ukraina i 2022 har russiske myndigheter i økende grad omorganisert økonomien for å støtte krigsinnsatsen. I de første årene kom krigsutgiftene på toppen av allerede høye budsjetter, finansiert av ekstraordinært høye petroleumsinntekter, tapping av oppsparte midler og økende statlig låneopptak. Dette kunnskapsnotatet tar for seg hvordan den voldsomme pengebruken har gitt den økonomiske aktiviteten et løft, men også bidratt til et overopphetet arbeidsmarked og press på produksjonskapasiteten. I 2025 har de makroøkonomiske ubalansene nådd en grense, og veksten har bremset opp. For å finansiere krigen videre, har regimet gradvis nedprioritert sivile formål, og skjerpet skatte- og avgiftsnivået. Det redegjøres for at krigsøkonomien trolig kan videreføres i noen år til, men til økende kostnad: privatnæringsliv og velferdsordninger svekkes, og de politiske og sosiale belastningene blir stadig større.
Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Afghanistan*
Afghanistan faces severe climate vulnerability while being more exposed to extreme weather events and natural hazards (including droughts and floods) than the global average. This has been compounded by environmental degradation caused by prolonged conflict, poor natural resource management and limited resilient infrastructure. Together with complex humanitarian and economic crises and mass returns of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan, all these factors deepen the population’s vulnerability to overlapping crises. * This is an updated version of the fact sheets on Afghanistan published in February 2022 and February 2023.
Jihadism and Social Cohesion
This is a chapter in the book 'Routledge Handbook of Social Cohesion in Africa'. This chapter explores how jihadist movements in the Sahel both erode and construct social cohesion. It demonstrates how insurgents exploit weak governance and social fragmentation while building exclusionary forms of order and authority.
Responding to climate change-related insecurity in the Lake Chad region
In this report, the authors aim to contribute to generating evidence-based knowledge on the most effective strategies for preventing and managing climate-related conflict and instability. The focus in this report is on the Lake Chad region and its Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram-affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS-SRR). An updated version was uploaded on 12 May 2026. The authors have identified three implementation gaps, and present eight recommendations to address them.