Blogs & Opinions

The US and China Won't See Military Conflict over the South China Sea

Jun 19, 2015 | Xue Li and Xu Yanzhuo

In a recent piece on the South China Sea disputes, I argued that “the ASEAN claimants are largely staying behind the scenes while external powers take center…

Key Protocol on Oil Transit, Endorsed by South Sudan Parliament

Jun 19, 2015 | Peter Lokale Nakimangole

The move followed a presentation of a joint report prepared by the committees of Physical Infrastructure, Legislation and Justice, by the Member of Parliament's Hon.…

Vatican Encyclical: “War Always Does Grave Harm to the Environment”

Jun 19, 2015 | Doug Weir

The Vatican’s latest encyclical ‘Care for Our Common Home’ has triggered much rejoicing from the environmental movement, and justifiably so, coming as it does in…

The Truth about China’s South China Sea Land Reclamation Announcement

Jun 18, 2015 | Prashanth Parameswaran

Earlier this week, as The Diplomat reported, China declared that some of its land reclamation work in the South China Sea will be completed soon. Considering the…

European Parliament Passes Conflict-Minerals Bill; UN Releases Report on Money Flows in DRC

Jun 18, 2015 | Carley Chavara

A new report prepared by the UN Environment Program and UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (known as MONUSCO) found that just two percent of…

Challenges After Conflict: Regional Consultation on Resolution 1325

Jun 16, 2015 | Aizhamal Bakashova

Resolution 1325 is not just a tool which can be used to protect women and sustain peace. It is also a testament to strong women…

Afghanistan Should Leave Its Copper in the Ground to Avoid Further Strife

Jun 15, 2015 | Antony Loewenstein

Afghanistan faces an existential crisis over its untapped natural resources. After decades of war and insecurity, the Afghan government and foreign investors are pushing to…

Oil, Arms, and Corruption: A Poisonous Nexus?

Jun 14, 2015 | Sam Perlo-Freeman

While world military spending has fallen slightly in recent years, some regions, notably Africa and the Middle East, have seen continuing rapid increases. When SIPRI…

Judging the Civilian and Environmental Risks of Cyber Warfare

Jun 12, 2015 | Doug Weir

How much of a threat do cyber attacks on industrial infrastructure pose to civilians and the environment? More to the point, how do we judge…

Middle East Conflicts Jeopardize Water for Millions

Jun 11, 2015 | Codi Yeager-Kozacek

Millions of people across the Middle East face drought, scarce drinking water supplies, and poor sanitation due to civil wars and conflict. Meanwhile, resource constraints…

Is Wildlife Trafficking a National Security Threat?

Jun 10, 2015 | Cameron Lagrone and Josh Busby

Trafficking of illegal wildlife goods is quickly becoming one of the most lucrative illicit businesses in the world. With growing demand in Asia, an industry…

Conflict, Forced Migration and Property Claims

Jun 10, 2015 | Sandra Joireman and Jon Unruh

Amidst widespread fighting in Iraq and Syria, millions of distressed civilians have fled their homes. In Yemen as well, war has led to mass displacement…

Adaptation, Resistance, or Subversion: How Will Water Politics Be Affected by Climate Change?

Jun 9, 2015 | Anders Jägerskog, Anton Earle, & Ashok Swain

One of the primary ways climate change is expected to affect international relations is through water. There are more than 270 bodies of water that cross over…

Ukraine Seeks New Russia Gas Deal as Military Tensions Rise

Jun 9, 2015 | Elena Mazneva

Ukraine needs to negotiate a new natural-gas deal with Russia just as the conflict between the two countries risks escalating again.

A gas-price agreement with Russian…

What is Peru’s Biggest Environmental Conflict Right Now?

Jun 8, 2015 | David Hill

Tia Maria has been one of the country’s main news stories over the last couple of months, with local people protesting, a “State of Emergency”…

The Sahel Beyond the Headlines: Underlying Demographic, Environmental Trends Erode Resilience

Jun 8, 2015 | Carley Chavara, Theo Wilson, and Schuyler Null

Between the Sahara to the north and savanna to the south lies the semi-arid Sahel, a region stretching from Senegal to Sudan that has experienced…

The Danger of False Narratives: Al-Shabaab’s Faux Ivory Trade

Jun 5, 2015 | John Campbell

Elephants are being slaughtered and their tusks sold, in order to finance deadly attacks by Somalia’s terrorist group al-Shabaab. This narrative linking poaching and al-Shabaab…

Revealed: How America Could Stop China in the South China Sea

Jun 5, 2015 | Robert A. Newson and Lauren Dickey

Beijing’s release of its new military strategy has surely captured the attention of many. Now, more than ever before, the Chinese military has made clear its intentions…

Oil and Sustainable Peace in South Sudan

Jun 5, 2015 | Gurtong

Shortly after independence, the National Legislative Assembly enacted two important pieces of legislation: Petroleum Act (2012) and Petroleum Revenue Management Act (2013). These two laws…

Saudi Arabia's War in Yemen Could Change OPEC's Entire Strategy

Jun 1, 2015 | Elena Holodny

OPEC's hands-off policy in the oil market is expected to continue after the cartel meets in Vienna on June 5. This policy includes an aggressive pace…

Companies Mark Major Benchmark, Support a Conflict-Free Minerals Trade in Congo

Jun 1, 2015 | Annie Callaway

Today marks the deadline for publicly traded companies in the United States to disclose the potential presence of conflict minerals in their supply chains, and what they’re…

Using the Full Mandate: Strengthening the Role of Peace and Human Rights in the UN’s Approach to Global Environmental Governance

May 29, 2015

Ken Conca is professor of international relations in the School of International Service at American University. His teaching and research focus on global environmental governance,…

The Taliban’s Opium Poppy Ban in 2000/2001 – Lessons from History

May 23, 2015

The Taliban decision in 2000 to eradicate poppy was framed internally as a simple issue of religion. The real drivers probably owed more to a…

Can Colombia Solve Its Drug Problem Through Peace?

May 22, 2015 | Jon Lee Anderson

In 1971, President Nixon announced the U.S. “war on drugs,” which every President since has carried forward as a battle standard. Until recently, most Latin…

High Stakes for Australia in Limiting China's South China Sea Incursions

May 22, 2015 | Bonnie Glaser

Rising tensions in the South China Sea are not simply driven by disputes over reefs, hydrocarbon resources and fisheries. China is seeking to exercise greater…

Empowered Women = Happy Planet? Gender Equality in a Changing Environment

May 20, 2015 | International Institute for Environment and Development

Gender and women's empowerment are getting increasing attention in global discussions on climate change, sustainable development and the green economy. The international community is recognising…

Obama Highlights Long-Term Climate Security Threats, Releases Review of Federal Resources

May 20, 2015 | Schuyler Null

In a commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy today, President Obama said “climate change constitutes a serious threat to global security, an immediate…

European Parliament Must Seize its Chance to Stop Trade in Conflict Minerals

May 19, 2015

On 20 May, the European parliament will vote on a proposed regulation to tackle the trade in conflict minerals. The trade in tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TG)…

Cooperation Is Not Enough: Why We Need to Think Differently About Water

May 19, 2015 | Naho Mirumachi

In 2003, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2005 to 2015 to be the decade of “water for life” as a way to encourage countries…

Colombia Halts Aerial Coca Eradication after WHO Glyphosate Cancer Ruling

May 15, 2015 | Doug Weir

As predicted on this blog in March, the classification of the commonly used herbicide Glyphosate as a Group 2A carcinogen by the WHO’s International Agency for Cancer…