14 Sep 2018 | Security Watch

Lisa Watanabe argues that after fighting broke out in Libya in mid-2014, the EU and European states managed to put their collective weight behind a UN political process to resolve the conflict. So what explains Europe’s subsequent inability to speak with one voice regarding Libya? Here is Watanabe’s answer and her explanation why, when it comes to preventing further divisions and instability in Libya, Europeans would be wise to place the interests of Libyans before their own.

14 Sep 2018 | CSS Blog Network

In this weekly blog series, we feature the CSS' charts, graphs and visualizations which cover a variety of security related topics. This graphic provides a timeline on the development of the areas of focus for cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since the 1990s.

3 Sep 2018 | Publications

What will the Western Balkans look like in 2025? Will we witness Republika Srpska declare independence, a worsening of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and the rise of ethnic tensions – or will we celebrate Montenegro and Serbia joining the EU? The paper presents three contrasting scenarios on the future trajectory of the region – a best-case, a moderate and a worst-case scenario.

12 Sep 2018 | CSS Blog Network

Nick Witney notes that the British, after long years of decrying and obstructing European defense integration, have rediscovered an unconditional commitment to European security. Indeed, the UK has pressed for the closet possible post-Brexit security partnership. However, the EU appears unmoved by this change of heart, in good part because EU members are unsure if they can trust the British on defense. But Witney believes that the UK’s past reliability on this front, and the EU’s own aspirations for ´strategic autonomy´, suggests they should.

10 Sep 2018 | Security Watch

Benno Zogg contends that Belarus is increasingly at odds with its closest ally Russia, as demonstrated by disputes over border management, gas prices and Crimea. Further, President Lukashenko’s regime has stressed that it will not choose between Russia and the West. Indeed, Belarus will most likely carry on its efforts to tactically alternate between them to gain the maximum concessions from both. As a result, while Belarus will continue to depend on Russia, the days when Minsk could be considered Moscow’s compliant satellite are over.

10 Sep 2018 | CSS Blog Network

How do China and Russia’s attitudes and practices in the realm of global governance influence their relationship? Do the actions undertaken by either Moscow or Beijing undermine the other’s distinct goals and participation in global governance? In this article, Marcin Kaczmarski responds, arguing that while the two states agree on certain international principles and norms, their engagement in global governance differs significantly. Indeed, he thinks these differences are incompatible, something which poses a serious long-term obstacle to closer Sino-Russian cooperation.

7 Sep 2018 | Security Watch

Lisa Watanabe contends that irregular migration to Europe may have declined, but crises in Europe’s neighborhood could see irregular arrivals peak again. Were this to happen, the EU could struggle to cope, particularly given the slow pace of reforms to the EU’s Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Europe has expanded its cooperation with third party countries to reduce irregular arrivals. However, Watanabe warns that such cooperative arrangements frequently fail to consider the political and economic contexts of partners, which could ultimately compromise the EU’s own migration aims and values.

Aug 2018 | Publications

This publication provides an insight into the concerns, viewpoints and situations of the Buddhist minority in the conflict-affected provinces of southern Thailand. More specifically, it outlines the information gathered through interviews, dialogues and other activities by Weaving Peace Together (WTP), which was established in 2015 to help understand and find solutions to conflicts between the local Buddhist and Muslim communities. The publication also includes WPT’s recommendations on how to further the ongoing peace dialogues as well as inter-religious relations and peaceful coexistence in the region.

5 Sep 2018 | CSS Blog Network

Nikolas Gvosdev contends that many members of the US foreign policy community believe that the Trump administration only represents a brief aberration. That is, they assume that when President Trump leaves office, a reset in US relations will be possible that will return Washington to its prior position in world affairs. However, Gvosdev argues that such a position doesn’t take account of technological, demographic, economic and military trends, which will contribute to domestic political pressure for American retrenchment no matter who the next president may be.

3 Sep 2018 | Security Watch

Jeronim Perović contends that Russia’s goal to integrate post-Soviet states into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was largely geopolitical in nature. However, he also notes that integration within the EAEU is now taking place primarily in the area of the economy and that the union is establishing trade and economic relations with other parties, including China. For these and other reasons, the union could have a lasting impact. As a result, Perović thinks it’s time for Europe to recognize the EAEU as an official partner.

3 Sep 2018 | CSS Blog Network

What impact have domestic political issues — such as Donald Trump’s election in the US and the far right’s rise in the EU — had on transatlantic ties? What’s the significance of the transatlantic relationship for the preservation of the liberal international order? What potential areas of EU-US cooperation are there concerning Russia, China, the Middle East and Africa? In July 2018, the Council on Foreign Relations convened an international group of experts to tackle these subjects and more. Here are the key insights from the workshop.

31 Aug 2018 | Security Watch

Evita Schmieg contends that a spiral of protectionism threatens to expose the limits of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) ability to protect against abuses and prevent trade wars. Further, the reason for this is astonishing: The US Trump administration asserts that the existing rules – which the Americans played a leading role in writing – disadvantage the US. So is there anything to this claim? And how should the EU respond to the current US trade policy approach? Here are Schmieg’s answers to these questions and more.

Organizations and Resources Page Partners

Our featured partner this week is the International Crisis Group (ICG), an independent, nonprofit and nongovernmental organization that works to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts. It pursues these ends by blending together field-based analysis, practical policy prescriptions and high-level advocacy.