List / Dossiers / ISN

May 2013

Militarizing Space
The increasing securitization if not overt militarization of space continues unabated. Over the next two weeks we’ll first look at the broader implications of this trend, both conceptually and in practice. Then, we’ll examine the space-centered strategies of some of the key actors in this domain. More on «Militarizing Space»

Whither Goes Iran?
Iran’s determined pursuit of its own geopolitical interests remains a source of concern throughout the Middle East and beyond. This week, we consider Tehran’s current relations with its neighbors and whether its becoming a nuclear-capable state is defensible or not. More on «Whither Goes Iran?»

'Managing' Israel-Palestine
Is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict an intractable one or are there realistic ways to settle it? This week we grapple with this knotty question by looking at the conflict’s current status and how it might be resolved in the future. More on «'Managing' Israel-Palestine»
'Managing' the Arab Upheavals
The Arab Spring continues to cast a long shadow over the politics and security of the greater Middle East. This week, we look at how regional and external actors have responded to the upheavals in this volatile portion of the world. More on «'Managing' the Arab Upheavals»
Managing Central Asia
Like the Caucasus region, Central Asia remains a geopolitical collision point for outside powers. This week, we consider how these powers are attempting to manage their relations and historical ties with this volatile region. More on «Managing Central Asia»

Managing the Caucasus
The Caucasus remains one of the more volatile regions in the world. This week, we consider how various regional and global powers are attempting to manage their interests in the area. More on «Managing the Caucasus»
Managing East and Northeast Asia
Nationalism and balance of power politics continue to define the security dynamics of East and Northeast Asia. As China’s influence grows and the United States’ ‘pivot’ evolves, this week we consider how the region may respond to the geopolitical and security challenges that lie ahead. More on «Managing East and Northeast Asia»
Managing South and Southeast Asia
From Indo-Pakistani rivalry to China’s growing regional presence, South and Southeast Asia are as geopolitically contested today as they ever have been. How will leading and emerging powers manage a new generation of security challenges in the region? More on «Managing South and Southeast Asia»

Managing the Global Commons
One consequence of an increasingly multipolar international system is uncertainty about how to manage the global commons. How will access to these vital resources be safeguarded in a post-American world? More on «Managing the Global Commons»
American Foreign Policy Today
Whether American power is in decline or not, some regions will remain more important than others for American foreign policy. As the primary documents themselves illustrate, the Asia ‘pivot’ will see increased attention to East and South Asia vis-a-vis areas like Europe and the Middle East. More on «American Foreign Policy Today»
Perspectives on American Power
Amid talk of American ‘decline’ and the arrival of a ‘post-American world’ many believe that the US will struggle to maintain its influence in a multipolar international system. But what do the world’s leading strategic thinkers have to say about the future of American power? More on «Perspectives on American Power»

Intelligence - Adapting to the Threats
Intelligence agencies have struggled to adapt to a world of open source technologies, information overload and a diverse range of new threats. This week, we consider how they have adapted their missions to address these challenges. More on « Intelligence - Adapting to the Threats »
Water Security in a Changing World
Water is becoming an increasingly precious commodity in a world affected by climate change, environmental degradation and other border-defying problems. This week we focus on international efforts to safeguard water security. More on «Water Security in a Changing World»
Understanding the 'Energy Weapon'
This week we consider how states use their energy resources to gain a degree of geopolitical leverage in an oil and gas-hungry world. More on «Understanding the 'Energy Weapon'»
The Challenge of Global Food Insecurity
Safeguarding access to food is now generally perceived to be a major security issue. This week, we analyze the causes of food insecurity, how its growth impacts regional political dynamics, and what steps we might take to alleviate its side effects. More on «The Challenge of Global Food Insecurity»

Nuclear Deterrence in a Multipolar World
The concept of nuclear deterrence arguably added a degree of predictability and stability to the superpower rivalry of the Cold War. This week we consider, among other things, the relative value and utility of this concept in a multipolar world. More on «Nuclear Deterrence in a Multipolar World»

Climate and Security
Climate change is increasingly considered as a threat to global and regional security. This week we chart the securitization of climate change and attempts at crafting effective responses in a security-conscious world. More on «Climate and Security»

Grand Strategies and Strategic Cultures
Looking at the examples of the US, Iran and other Asian powers, we ask whether the concepts of strategic culture and grand strategy are still relevant today. More on «Grand Strategies and Strategic Cultures»
Power and the Westphalian System: Goodbye to All That?
If power is increasingly being diffused, democratized and individualized, have traditional views of power lost their explanatory might? Are there alternative theories that better explain the changing nature of power in today's world? More on «Power and the Westphalian System: Goodbye to All That?»

The State in a Globalizing World
This dossier on “The State in a Globalizing World” considers whether we are witnessing the demise of the modern state altogether. More on «The State in a Globalizing World»

Nationalism in a Globalizing World
In this particular dossier, we start by exploring different concepts of nationalism and how they have evolved over time. We then introduce the concept of multiculturalism and wonder whether it is a palliative to some of the more unsettling aspects of nationalism. More on «Nationalism in a Globalizing World»
Colliding Geopolitical Approaches in New ‘Great Games’
In this dossier, we consider the relationship of geopolitics to the idea of borders before asking the fundamental question – are the geopolitical Great Games currently unfolding in parts of the world really Great Games at all? More on «Colliding Geopolitical Approaches in New ‘Great Games’»
Competing Views of Geopolitics
This dossier considers several schools of geopolitical thought: the classical school, 'critical' geopolitics, and world-systems analysis. More on «Competing Views of Geopolitics»

Forecasting in the ‘Real World’: Near-, Mid- and Long-Term Trend Analysis
In this dossier, we present and discuss concrete examples of near-, mid- and long-term future forecasting regularly used by forecasters to make predictions about the future of the international system. More on «Forecasting in the ‘Real World’: Near-, Mid- and Long-Term Trend Analysis»
Future Forecasting and Its Challenges
As part of our fundamental inquiry into global political change, this dossier looks at future forecasting from an international relations perspective. More on «Future Forecasting and Its Challenges»