Conflict or Civil War? Conceptualizing the Conflict in Afghanistan
The classification of the conflict in Afghanistan over the course of the 1990s as a “civil war” obscures international culpability in protracting the armed conflict.
“Do as We Say, Not as We Do.” Perspective on the Ukrainian Crisis
The main criticism on relations with Ukraine must fall on U.S. and Western foreign policy or, more precisely, the lack of one.
Sanctioning Iran: What is the U.S. Trying to Accomplish?
The U.S. missed a chance to come to a peaceful resolution when Iran’s last reformist leader was in office. It needs to finish the job by working out a long term agreement
Ethnicity, Identity and the 2007-2008 Electoral Violence in Kenya
Violence surrounding the recent election in Kenya has gained high-profile media coverage in Europe and North America. In this context, the dynamics of nationalism and ethnicity in Africa—and popular understandings of the role of ‘identity’—represents a pertinent subject for critical analysis.
Explaining the Political Crisis in South Sudan
To prevent conflicts like the one in South Sudan, SSA must devise an institutional framework capable of diluting tribes’ expectations for equal control of political power.
Assessing How Far Democracy in South Africa is Liberal or Illiberal
Despite facing problems with development and achieving the high standards prescribed its constitution, South Africa still has the attributes of a liberal democracy.
The Central African Republic – An Artificial State
The CAR is an artificial creation with no great sense of national identity and a history of competition. There will be many challenges to overcome before the CAR sees peace.
An Examination of the Personality Types of Three Intelligence Leaders Within the British Intelligence Community
This study examines officials within the British intelligence community – Nicholas Elliott, Maj. Gen. Sir Kenneth Strong and Dame Stella Rimington – to ascertain any commonalities in the traits and type of their personalities. Being psychologically-informed, the study employs the Five-Factor Model and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator on the leader’s autobiographies to identify the primary motivational traits to inform their categorisation into a personality type. While none of the leaders share a single personality type, there are considerable commonalities in trait behaviour and positioning on the MBTI dichotomies. Furthermore, there emerge common trait dimensions shared by successful intelligence leaders (INTJ): Guarded social engagement (Introverted), creativity and intellect (Intuition), rational impartiality (Thinking) and systematic, efficient administrative ability (Judging).
Asia Goes Missing in Assessing China’s Military Challenge to the US
China has been working to improve its position in Asia for 25 years with mediocre results. It has a long way to go before it poses a serious military challenge to the US.
Freezing Arctic Jurisdiction: The case for a regional oil bank
In the spring of 1970, Canada unilaterally enacted legislation to regulate activities in the Arctic Ocean. While criticized as an attempt to assert ownership over what was then perceived to be international territory, the act signalled a bold willingness to prosecute polluters in the absence of sufficient rules of international law. Canada acted to protect the Arctic Ocean’s pristine nature for all of mankind. Today, retreating polar ice and the potential for extensive oil and gas reserves have renewed interest in the region, but for a far less altruistic motive.
