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This Week at the ISN

Our Weekly Content Roundup

26 November 2015

JUMP TO Editorial Plan | Security Watch | Blog | Video

// Security Watch

This week, our hard power-centered Security Watch (SW) series examines the so-called Islamic State's current defensive
strategy; Russia's most recent military exercises; the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) ability to protect China's One Belt
One Road (OBOR) Initiative; the dilemmas facing Palestinian police and security forces; and the best ways to defend
against hybrid threats. Then, in our second, more wide-ranging SW series, we look at Sino-Myanmar relations; how
Colombia's Victim's Law can positively shape the country's future peace; the prospects for a European Fiscal Union; the
effectiveness of 'nations dialogue' in conflict transformation; and the growing contribution cities are making to global
governance.

The Islamic State Digs In

2 November 2015

How is the so-called Islamic State's defensive strategy holding up in Iraq and Syria? Jessica Lewis McFate thinks it's
doing just fine. Indeed, the group's successful summer-early autumn campaign demonstrated its ability to pursue
conservative aims, survive under pressure, and hold its own while coping with losses. More

Sino-Myanmar Relations in Myanmar's Election Year

2 November 2015

Myanmar may be an integral part of China's Maritime Silk Road and One Belt, One Road initiatives, but Beijing's influence
over the country's internal politics remains limited. According to Yun Sun, that's why Chinese leaders are anxiously
awaiting the results of their neighbor's upcoming presidential elections. More

Russian Military Exercises: Preparation for Expeditionary Operations

3 November 2015

Increased mobilization and improved deployment procedures were at the heart of Russia's most recent military exercises.
That means only one thing to Anna Maria Dyner. Moscow is testing its armed forces' ability to conduct expeditionary
operations. More

Building up a Peace Infrastructure for Colombia: Lessons from Implementing the Victims Law
3 November 2015

What can both sides of Colombia's decades-old civil conflict learn from the country's Victims Law? Here are Silke Pfeiffer's
answers, which include 1) factoring in greater cooperation with regional and local actors, and 2) complementing existing
institutional practices and narratives. More

The Belt, the Road and the PLA

4 November 2015

Does the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have a role to play in helping protect Xi Jinping's One Belt One Road (OBOR)
initiative? Four eminent scholars from China's National Defense University think so. They remain divided, however, over
the PLA's actual ability to perform this task. More

A Fiscal Union for Europe: Building Block and Not a Magic Bullet
4 November 2015

Creating a European fiscal union may help stabilize the Eurozone, observe Katharina Gnath and Jrg Haas, but it won't be
easy. At a minimum, it will require 1) a structured process that facilitates reform and overcomes mistrust between Euro
members, and 2) credible budget rules and risk sharing mechanisms.More

Palestinian Security Forces: Living on Borrowed Time

5 November 2015

National Dialogues: A Tool for Conflict Transformation?

5 November 2015

Have national dialogues become an important part of conflict resolution and political transformation efforts? Susan Stigant
and Elizabeth Murray believe so. They also warn, however, that this type of dialogue can be abused by leaders who want
to consolidate their grip on power. More

How can Societies be Defended against Hybrid Threats?

6 November 2015

Indeed, how might defense planners come up with better strategies to protect against today's hybrid threats? Aapo
Cederberg's and Pasi Eronen's answers point to the patient strengthening of national capabilities, working with one's allies
to overcome capability gaps, etc. More

Foreign Policy for an Urban World: Global Governance and the Rise of Cities
6 November 2015

Peter Engelke believes it's time for the world's foreign policy, security, and development communities to acquire a better
understanding of global urbanization. After all, large and mega-cities are wielding considerable power on the world stage
and are forging new patterns of transnational relations and global governance. More

// Blog
Ten Quick Steps to Reset Canadian Foreign Policy
2 November 2015

How might Justin Trudeau signal that Canada is ready to pursue a more proactive foreign policy? David Petrasek's ten
quick steps include 1) embracing more ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets; 2) jump starting an enquiry into
missing and murdered indigenous women; and 3) speeding up the arrival of Syrian refugees. More

Could an Independent Iraqi Kurdistan Defend Itself?

3 November 2015

It certainly wouldn't be easy, says Paul Iddon. As things currently stand, the Kurdish military is a factionalized mix of
paramilitary groups that are unable to purchase weapons from abroad. Oh, and let's not forget the deep-seated hostility
Iran, Iraq and Turkey have towards the idea of Kurdish independence. More

The Political Pope Comes to Africa

4 November 2015

Can Pope Francis advance peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic, Kenya and other parts of Africa? It's
possible, says Peter Fabricius, but it's unfortunate that he doesn't have a Muslim counterpart to help him tackle the
continent's religiously-tainted conflicts. More

Can India Make It Without Manufacturing?

5 November 2015

Peter Drysdale has his doubts about India's plans to accelerate its economic growth by relying on its services sector. The
country's IT services, for example, play an important role in its economy, but they remain comparatively small and are
incapable of absorbing the country's growing labor force. More

Russia's Recent Airstrikes in Syria

6 November 2015

How many airstrikes has Russia conducted over Syria in recent weeks? What impact have they had on local civilians?
Find out in today's infographic from our partners at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). More

// Video

Crime, Kleptocracy, and Politics: Developments in Modern Russia

In today's video, NYU's Mark Galeotti reminds us that when it comes to crime, politics and business in Russia "the dividing
lines are fairly hazy, distinctly porous and sometimes entirely meaningless." He also argues that kleptocracy as a quick,
catch-all label doesn't fully encapsulate the current political culture of the country. More

ISIS as Icarus? Assessing the Extent of the Islamic State Threat beyond Iraq and Syria

In today's video, three analysts attempt to gauge how dangerous the so-called Islamic State is beyond Syria and Iraq, both

now and in the future. Among other things, they conclude that its appeal for a global jihadist alliance "has generated an
uneven response, and one with low-quality resonance." More

Will the Afghan State Survive?

In today's video, the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Franz-Michael Melbin, prognosticates on
the country's future. As he sees it, the West can 'float' the Afghan state for 4-5 years, but the effort will be costly.
More

// Multimedia Content
Here is a selection of this week's additions to the ISN Digital
Library:

Publications More
// Cyber Maturity in the Asia-Pacific Region 2015 More
// The New Colour of War: Hybrid Warfare and Partnerships More
// Disappeared: Justice Denied in Mexico's Guerrero StateMore

Videos More
// The Future of Global Governance: A Commitment to Action More
Rise of ISIS from Regional Terror to Global Threat More
/The
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/ Safety and Security in UN Peace OperationsMore

Audio / Podcasts More

// David M Cote on Emerging Markets
More
// ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror
More
// The US Trade Agenda and the Trans-Pacific PartnershipMore

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