Related Special Features for "Strategic Trends 2013"

March 2013

CSS Launches Strategic Trends 2013
The Center for Security Studies has just published its annual Strategic Trends volume. Today, we speak to its authors about some of the issues they raise and the themes they stress. For the rest of this week, we will then feature a chapter-a-day from this well-regarded text. More on «CSS Launches Strategic Trends 2013»
The De-Westernisation of Globalisation
Because they now see a direct correlation between economics and national security, Western leaders are trying to ‘rein in’ globalization or so Jonas Gratz claims. Whether they can do that, however, will depend on their ability to pursue coherent economic agendas and solve assorted domestic problems. More on «The De-Westernisation of Globalisation»
Maritime Insecurity in East Asia
Colliding interests over Taiwan and China’s maritime disputes are just two of the reasons why the US and Chinese militaries are adjusting their doctrines against each other. Prem Mahadevan believes that this trend will most likely persist, even while diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions also continue. More on «Maritime Insecurity in East Asia»
Shifting Parameters of Military Crisis Management
Because Western governments are now reluctant to embroil their militaries in foreign disputes, the idea of “partnership” – i.e., quickly transferring responsibility to local or regional actors – has become popular. This desire is understandable, writes Andrea Baumann, but will it actually work? More on «Shifting Parameters of Military Crisis Management»

February 2013

Managing the Strait of Malacca
Because it links the Indian Ocean with the economies of East Asia, the Strait of Malacca remains a major artery of international trade. Felipe Umaña analyzes Indonesia's, Malaysia's and Singapore's current attempts to manage security threats in this strategically important waterway. More on «Managing the Strait of Malacca»

January 2013

Global Swing States and the Maritime Order
Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey are emerging powers that will soon play an important role in shaping the global maritime order. James Kraska argues that while these states have yet to develop blue-water navies with global reach, they are already exercising significant regional influence. More on «Global Swing States and the Maritime Order»

January 2012

The Responsibility to Protect
Today we discuss the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and its role in conflict management and intervention. Our podcast guest David Lanz reflects on the Darfur conflict – a test case for the emerging R2P norm – and we feature videos from The Stanley Foundation's conference on R2P in the next decade. More on «The Responsibility to Protect»
World Trade and Globalization: The Past 200 Years
We begin our analysis of the international economic and financial system by examining the history of world trade. In particular, we will compare how patterns of trade are described and explained in "Trade Globalization Since 1795," by Chase-Dunn, Kawano and Brewers, and in the "World Trade Report 2008: Trade in a Globalizing World." More on «World Trade and Globalization: The Past 200 Years»

December 2011

Evolving Ideas of Nationalism
The ISN begins its study of nationalism by outlining the historical development of nationalist discourse and the purposes to which it now applies. The investigation further demonstrates that the idea of nationalism has a complex – and sometimes troubled – historical past, which may be attributable to its socially constructed nature. More on «Evolving Ideas of Nationalism»

November 2011

Changing International Structures – A ‘Yes – No’ Debate?
Is future forecasting essential for understanding the future shape of the international system? Or does forecasting stifle creative thinking about the inherently unpredictable? The ISN presents a debate on the cases for and against future forecasting. More on «Changing International Structures – A ‘Yes – No’ Debate?»