Denuclearisation Talks with North Korea: Time for China and Russia to Act?
Synopsis
Recent diplomatic engagements between North Korea and Russia have raised the prospect of resuming denuclearisation talks between Pyongyang and the international community. What is the prospect of North Korea taking a non-nuclear path?
Will Greece Exit From The Eurozone?
Synopsis
Political confrontation between Greece and its creditors has greatly heightened the possibility of the country exiting from the eurozone. But, at the end of the day, economics and common sense will prevail, and Greece will continue to be a member of the exclusive single-currency club.
Re-configuring the Middle East: IS and Changing Demographics
Synopsis
The Middle East’s multiple conflicts, with Islamic State (IS) in the forefront, are altering the contours of the Middle East in more ways than one. After effectively redrawing the map of Iraq and Syria with the creation of an entity of its own, IS’ impact in Kurdistan is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the region’s demographics.Iran Nuclear Deal: Expect Limited US-Iran Détente
Synopsis
The nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries have witnessed unprecedented diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran. Contrary to expectations, a final nuclear deal will not achieve a significant rapprochment, but only a limited détente in US-Iran ties.Countering political violence: Tackle the root causes
Synopsis
Nations across Europe, North Africa and Middle East have responded to recent attacks in France, Tunisia and Kuwait with lofty condemnations of violent extremism and kneejerk security measures that in isolation are unlikely to solve what is becoming a festering problem. To drain the swamps of radicalisation, governments will have to embed security measures in policies that give disaffected youth a stake in society.
The Year of the Caliphate: What Lies Ahead?
Synopsis
A year ago today, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or simply IS) formally declared the establishment of a worldwide Caliphate, with its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as the new Caliph. What has the year of the Caliphate taught us? What are the real threats? How has IS changed? How should we?
Southeast Asia’s Arms Market: Growing ‘Commoditisation’?
Synopsis
If arms sales are increasingly a commodity business, governed mainly by price, it could increase regional militaries’ access to advanced military equipment and technologies. Still, other factors affect any true “commoditisation” of the regional arms market.