Tag: Asia & Pacific

Nagorno-Karabakh: A Local Conflict with Global Implications

April 20, 2016

Commentary by Kirsten WILLIAMS Background to the conflict Nagorno-Karabakh, a 1,700 square-mile region which theoretically lies in Azerbaijan, has been contested for hundreds of years. Controlled at various points by Armenians, Persians, Turkic groups and Russians, Nagorno-Karabakh has a long and rocky history. The area is largely populated by Armenian Christians, but became an ‘autonomous … More Nagorno-Karabakh: A Local Conflict with Global Implications

Is North Korea’s Nuclear Belligerence Rational?

March 2, 2016

Analysis by Alex IRELAND North Korea’s pursuit of deliverable nuclear weapons, with all of the attendant missile and bomb tests, is extremely expensive and attracts costly international condemnation. Many of the international sanctions crippling the country’s economy are motivated by North Korea’s nuclear belligerence, yet instead of renouncing nuclear weapons pursuit, the country is spending … More Is North Korea’s Nuclear Belligerence Rational?

The Central Asian Republics: A Who’s Who

January 13, 2016

Commentary by Kirsten WILLIAMS Apart from the odd sham election or a particularly horrific human rights abuse, the Central Asian Republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) garner little attention in Western Europe. Yet these elusive states benefit from a more thorough examination of their political cultures. The region ranges from fragile democracy in Kyrgyzstan to … More The Central Asian Republics: A Who’s Who

The EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Problem of Strategy?

November 25, 2015

Analysis by Young Europeans Network The EU’s strategic partnerships (US, China, Brazil, Japan, India, Russia, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa), like its foreign policy more generally, are never far from the criticism that they are ineffectual. Its partnership with India especially tends to leave observers wondering what the substantive value of such a … More The EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Problem of Strategy?

A Look to Australia and the Revolving Door of Prime Ministers

September 30, 2015

Analysis by Young Europeans Network Following the most recent ‘coup’ on 15th September, Australia can now boast a record five prime ministers in 8 years – quite the achievement for a stable democracy. However, Malcolm Turnbull’s election may be seen as inevitable by many, given Tony Abbott’s falling poll numbers, questionable political decisions and priorities, … More A Look to Australia and the Revolving Door of Prime Ministers