Trade and trust: the role of trade in de facto state conflict transformation
De facto states – unrecognized secessionist entities that eke out a living on the margins of the international system – are often heavily dependent on external patron states for economic aid and investment. When the parent state – the state that the de facto state seeks to break away from – responds to the secessionist attempt by imposing sanctions or economic blockades, this further exacerbates such dependency. Moreover, due to their lack of international recognition, de facto states often have limited opportunities to engage with the outside world beyond the patron and the parent state. However, closer examination of one such de facto state, Abkhazia, reveals that de facto states can enjoy some bounded independent economic agency. Abkhazia’s maneuvering between Russia as “patron,” Georgia as “parent state,” and the wider international community (here exemplified by the EU) in the sphere of trade and economic interaction has important implications for de-facto state conflict transformation.
Norway, NATO and the Northern Flank
This chapter discusses Norwegian perspectives on North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and security and defense policy. It begins with a short background discussion about the historical relations between Norway and Russia, and the Norwegian security and defense posture that has resulted in since the World War II. It describes Norway’s relations to NATO, popular support for the Alliance today, and Norway progress concerning the 2 percent target at the Wales summit in 2014. Current Norwegian security and defense policy reflects renewed concerns about developments in Russia, and the desire to enhance NATO and United States engagement in the north, while also strengthening European security cooperation. Norway, as a small state with limited national forces, must rely on NATO for its security and deterrence. Norwegian popular support for NATO is higher than in a long time, and even voters on the far left appear predominantly supportive.
Is France in a no-win situation in Sahel region?
Leaders of a group of five West African Sahel nations are currently meeting for the second day in Chad’s capital N'Djamena. The summit seeks to find ways to boost security, and comes as France prepares to drawdown its troops in the volatile region. Andrew E. Yaw Tchie from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs weighs in.
Ingen troverdig leder
US' International leadership was in crisis long before Donald Trump.
Tax compliance, culture and local institutions: The legacy of pre-colonial centralization in Uganda
We are excited to announce that this semester’s first webinar in our Tax for Development Webinar Series featuring Merima Ali (CMI and Syracuse University)
Russland, Norge og NATO i nord
Interview with NRK Finnmark about Russia's relations with Norway and NATO after the deployment of the US military aircraft in Norway in 2021.
Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Somalia
Somalia is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change and extreme weather. Without anticipatory preventive approaches, these factors are likely to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and reduce the people’s livelihood options, which in turn may have negative impacts for stability and security in Somalia.
Hundreds flee Western Darfur after militia attack
Interview with CGTN AFRICA NEWS on Western Darfur: Sudan and recent killings.
Interview on BBC Newsday
Interview on BBC Newsday on the Central African Republic. Starts at 37 min 42 sec into the program.