World affairs Archives

Research Briefing

In brief: South Africa – Zuma set for a second term in 2014

Friday, 15 March, 2013

In December 2012, at the African National Congress (ANC) conference in Mangaung, President Jacob Zuma was re-elected leader of the party. This makes it virtually inevitable that he will be South Africa’s next President following national elections next year, which the ANC remain overwhelming favourites to win comfortably. Nonetheless, all is far from entirely rosy for Zuma and the ANC. In recent years it has been deeply divided over economic policy, damaged by mounting official corruption and faced with growing discontent from below over its alleged failure to deliver better public services.
Research Briefing

Cyprus property mis-selling disputes

Tuesday, 12 March, 2013

Many British people have alleged that they were mis-sold property in Cyprus, and as a result cannot afford their mortgage payments, or are seeing their properties sold to pay off their developers' debts.
Research Briefing

Independence and Constitutional Referendums Around the World

Tuesday, 05 March, 2013

This note looks at independence referendums around the world and referendums on other constitutional arrangements short of full independence in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Research Briefing

North Korea: domestic developments during Kim Jong-Un’s first year in power

Friday, 01 March, 2013

This note briefly surveys domestic developments in North Korea since the death of Kim Jong-Il in December 2011 and the succession of his son, Kim Jong-Un. The nuclear issue is referred to only in passing. Insofar as we can know, Kim Jong-Un appears to have consolidated power smoothly and quickly. There are signs that the new leadership wants to shift from a 'Military First' to a 'People First' policy, which will involve economic reform measures. However, there are no real signs yet of an improvement on human rights.
Research Briefing

China: new political directions under a new leadership?

Wednesday, 27 February, 2013

A new Chinese leadership is about to take power at the National People’s Congress, which begins on 5 March. Xi Jinping will take on the role of President, while Li Keqiang will become Premier. The succession of the 'fifth generation' of Communist leaders appeared to have been destabilised during 2012 following the fall of Bo Xilai, but in the end has gone relatively smoothly. Commentators are now focused on whether and, if so, how Xi and Li will change China's political course. This note surveys some of the views being expressed on this issue.
Research Briefing

European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13: Committee Stage Report

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013

The European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13 seeks to approve three EU draft decisions before the UK Government can approve their adoption in the EU Council.
Research Briefing

Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp: Eligibility and How to Apply

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Research Briefing

Justice and Security Bill [HL] Committee Stage Report

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013

This paper has been produced following the Committee Stage of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which took place between 29 January and 7 February 2013. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use ‘closed material procedures’ to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012. Second Reading took place on 18 December 2012. A number of noteworthy and controversial amendments were made to the Bill in Committee.
Research Briefing

Recognising the killings of Iraqi Kurds as genocide

Thursday, 21 February, 2013

The killings of thousands of Iraqi Kurds under Saddam Hussein's rule has been recognised by some as genocide, which has a specific definition under international law.
Research Briefing

In brief: Malawi under President Joyce Banda

Wednesday, 20 February, 2013

Joyce Banda became Malawi's president in turbulent circumstances in April 2012 and since then has sought to build domestic support and win back previously alienated Western donors through an economic and political reform programme. While she has had some successes, there is currently growing public discontent about the economy and her political position is still vulnerable. Her prospects in the 2014 elections are uncertain.
Research Briefing

The crisis in Mali: current military action and upholding humanitarian law

Tuesday, 05 February, 2013

This note describes the current military intervention in Mali, led by France, which began on 11 January as a reaction to the southward advance of militant Islamist armed groups with links to al-Qaeda. It also looks at the intervention in the context of upholding humanitarian law.
Research Briefing

Nuclear test veterans – compensation

Friday, 01 February, 2013

A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans’ case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.
Research Briefing

Southeast Asia: an update

Friday, 01 February, 2013

The political and economic profile of Southeast Asia as a region continues to rise. The UK is scaling up its engagement with the region. This briefing provides country snapshots of the main events in six of the countries in the region since the start of 2012 and also looks at significant developments over the past year or so in the UK’s relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states.
Research Briefing

European Union (Approvals) Bill

Thursday, 31 January, 2013

The European Union (Approvals) Bill (HC Bill 121) aims to approve two draft EU Council decisions and one draft decision of the European Council (the EU Heads of State and Government).
Research Briefing

Regulation of Referendums

Tuesday, 29 January, 2013

This Note sets out the mechanics for holding referendums. It summarises the applicable provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) which regulate publicity and campaigning.

Total results (page 146 of 180)