Algeria is preparing for presidential elections on 12 December in a context of acute political crisis. The nature of the anti-government protest movement suggests the crisis can only be resolved through long-term change.
The 20th anniversary of the reign of King Mohammed VI of Morocco is a timely opportunity to analyze the interaction between the kingdom and its diplomatic counterparts, in particular how Morocco approaches its diplomatic relations. The concepts of “Middle Power” and “Middle Power diplomacy,” developed by scholars out of international relations and diplomatic practice theories, help provide a conceptual framework for assessing Morocco’s contemporary diplomacy.
Bhaso Ndzendze discusses the scarcity of simplistic hypothesis testing and model-building in studying the relations between China and African states and the unsubstantiated generalisation which stems from this.
Law and politics work in a variety of ways across the Somali territories, and differ significantly. This article negotiates the difference and distance between lawlessness and a failed state, specifically pertaining to Somalia and ultimately discussing the common threads that are shared within these differing arrangements. Factors such as the continued relevance and influence of customary law. Finally, the article examines the realities of nation and state-building arguing that the state under Said Barre was predatory, invasive and strangling for numerous sectors. The article explores arguments…
The term “Libya model” has gone from being an example of successful denuclearization in North Africa, to an explicit threat of military action on the Korean peninsula. This article will examine the differing definitons of the term and explore Libya’s fit as a model for North Korean denuclearization. Brian Choquette dissects the rationale for Libya’s abandonment of WMD, and looking ahead, contrasts it with the modern reality of the DPRK.
Somali refugees in Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya do not have rights. Identity politics has always played a role in Kenyan politics, but in recent years, with the rise of terrorism, Somali refugees have become a target of Kenyan nationalism. Unless government policy changes, whether it's forced repatriation or granting of citizenship rights, roughly 200,000 Somalis will remain in Dadaab.
The events in Tunisia during the 2011 Arab Spring illustrate both the power of information communication technology to help mobilize anti-government protestsandhow democratization requires more than digitally networked protests, argues Wofford College’s Dr. Rachel Vanderhill.
To cope with a lack of functioning national institutions in Libya, foreign governments and multilateral institutions should start coordinating directly with local authorities in the country. Linking economic opportunities to security milestones can help improve security and curtail illicit oil sales, and possibly benefit the lives of Libyans.
Data openness is a guarantor of government accountability and supports an informed citizenry-- both central to the development of democratic governance. Olivier Alais and Daniel Nogueira-Budny review the case of Liberia, arguing that any reputation stemming from its troubled past can soon be overcome by the country's demonstrated commitment to data openness.
Water scarcity and widespread underdevelopment have bred popular unrest in the Nile Basin. As riparian states increase their reliance on Nile resources, Panagiotis Skiadas argues that only a commitment to multilateral engagement can prevent a precarious geopolitical situation from devolving deeper into conflict.
The important role of young people in building peace and challenging violent extremism is gaining recognition within the international community. The United Nations Security Resolution on Youth, Peace, and Security (SCR 2250), passed in December 2015, is evidence of this trend. It represents a shift from the dichotomy of youth as either perpetrators or victims of violence to a perspective in which youth are viewed as agents of positive change and peace. In moving forward with this resolution and similarly reflective and supportive policy, one of the greatest challenges for the Middle East and North…