World affairs Archives

Research Briefing

Libya’s General Assembly election 2012

Wednesday, 18 July, 2012

On 7 July 2012, Libya held its first democratic election since 1964. Preliminary results suggest that the former interim Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril won a landslide victory among seats reserved for party candidates. However, this should not yet be interpreted as a victory for liberals over Islamists. 120 of the 200 seats are reserved for independents and their politics are not yet clear. Mahmoud Jibril has denied that he is a secularist. Nevertheless, it is very different from election results in Egypt and Tunisia, where the parties associated with the Muslim Brotherhood did well.
Research Briefing

Antarctica: the treaty system and territorial claims

Wednesday, 18 July, 2012

The unique treaty system that protects the Antarctic is constantly updated and sometimes challenged. A current Private Member’s Bill would implement recent changes in the UK.
Research Briefing

Germany and the Euro Rescue Agreements

Monday, 16 July, 2012

This Note looks at German political and public views of the euro rescue package, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and issues surrounding the ESM in Germany.
Research Briefing

Afghanistan: The Timetable for Security Transition

Monday, 09 July, 2012

NATO assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2003. At its summit in Chicago in May 2012, NATO confirmed ISAF’s mission will end on 31 December 2014. It also mapped out the transition of security for Afghanistan from ISAF to Afghan National Security Forces. Specifically, it set the goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for security nation-wide by mid-2013.
Research Briefing

Turkey: recent developments

Thursday, 28 June, 2012

Turkey in the first half of 2012 has perhaps taken one step forward and two steps back. It is shifting towards a more “normal” foreign policy; but it has made little progress towards EU accession; there has been a resurgence of violence around the Kurdish issue; and human rights seem to be slipping.
Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: Defence equipment Directives

Wednesday, 27 June, 2012

This note brings together documents relevant to legislation and the draft directives on EC defence equipment.
Research Briefing

EU Bibliographies: Proceeds of crime

Friday, 22 June, 2012

This Note brings together documents relevant to the proposed “proceeds of crime Directive” and its scrutiny in the UK and EU. It is not an attempt to define policy in this area. For information on domestic policy developments contact Alexander Horne on extn 0251
Research Briefing

In Brief: Armed Forces Day 2012

Friday, 15 June, 2012

Armed Forces Day will be held on 30 June 2012.
Research Briefing

Iran: could there be a compromise?

Friday, 01 June, 2012

For the first time since January 2011, the negotiating group that deals with Iran’s nuclear programme is in talks with Iranian representatives. Whether or not this is a result of increased economic pressure and a growing threat of military action, there has been some speculation that this times the talks may be serious and that there is a prospect of a compromise.
Research Briefing

In brief: Guinea-Bissau – has the 12 April coup been overturned or rewarded?

Thursday, 31 May, 2012

A 12 April coup has provoked renewed political crisis in the West African state of Guinea Bissau. On 20 May there was an ECOWAS-backed deal under which power was ostensibly returned to civilians, but there is concern about its credibility and legitimacy. The crisis is likely to set-back recent efforts to strengthen Guinea-Bissau’s capacity to combat drug-trafficking and thereby shed its reputation as a ‘narco-state’. In a country where there are regular military coups, no president has completed a full term in office since the mid 1990s.
Research Briefing

Bahrain: an update

Wednesday, 30 May, 2012

Despite some progress in Bahrain, most reports suggest that the reform programme has been half-hearted at best. Unrest and reports of abuse continue and some fear an impending crisis.
- Research Briefing
- Middle East
Research Briefing

The eurozone crisis – rescuing Greece

Friday, 25 May, 2012

Greece’s long-standing public debt problem became a crisis at the start of 2010 and has since escalated to a point where it threatens the survival of the euro. This note describes the country's May 2010 and February 2012 bail-out agreements, the results of the May 2012 elections, future prospects, and implications of euro exit
Research Briefing

Can Greece legally withdraw from the Euro?

Friday, 25 May, 2012

This note looks at the Treaty base for EMU and some of the informal suggestions as to how Greece might legally leave the euro and/or the EU.
Research Briefing

Egypt’s presidential election 2012

Wednesday, 23 May, 2012

Egyptians vote on 23 and 24 May to elect a new president. If no candidate wins 50%, a second round will be held on 16 and 17 June. There are signs, however, of a looming crisis over the division of power and the role of the military.
Research Briefing

In Brief: Ukraine and Euro2012

Wednesday, 16 May, 2012

Ukraine is due to host the Euro2012 football competition jointly with Poland from 8 June to 1 July. Ukraine's human rights record has led to calls for a boycott.

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