Research Briefing
Unrest spreads to Syria
This note looks at the background to the recent unrest in Syria and analyses briefly the threats to the regime and its sources of strength, and the position of western governments towards the regime.
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Research Briefing
Yemen on the brink of civil war?
President Saleh's departure to Saudi Arabia for treatment for injuries received in a rocket attack leaves a power vacuum in Yemen, with powerful military forces squaring up for a fight over the succession.
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Research Briefing
Armed Forces Bill: Consideration in Select Committee
Unlike the majority of Government Bills, the Armed Forces Bill has traditionally been committed to a specially convened Select Committee after Second Reading, which sits only for the duration of the Bill. Three oral evidence sessions were held in early February 2011 on some of the general themes associated with the Bill. Armed Forces welfare and the section of the Bill relating to the Military Covenant received particular attention. Those sessions were then followed by four sessions dedicated to formal consideration of the Bill. Several amendments relating to clause 2 of the Bill were moved in Committee, but after extensive debate were defeated on division. The Special Report of the Select Committee was published on 10 March 2011 (HC 779, Session 2010-11).
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Research Briefing
EC Defence Equipment Directives
In 2009 two EU directives were adopted relating to the procurement of defence and security related goods and services, and the intra-EU transfer of defence goods. Both of those directives must be transposed into UK law in 2011. This note examines the background to these Directives, the specific provisions in each of them and current plans for transposition.
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Research Briefing
In brief: the latest crises in Bosnia
The fragile unity of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is looking ever more precarious.
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Research Briefing
Bosnia’s political structures
Bosnia’s complex political structures were set up by the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war of 1992-95. This note provides a brief description.,
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Research Briefing
In brief: Burma’s ‘discipline-flourishing democracy’
This note reviews developments in Burma since the November 2010 elections.
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Research Briefing
Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill
This briefing on the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill has been prepared for the second reading debate on the Bill in the House of Commons. This is due to take place on 7 June 2011
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Research Briefing
Progress in Egypt?
The note looks at the constitutional referendum held in Egypt and on political developments in the country.
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Research Briefing
Declaration 25 of the Treaty on European Union: Danish Territories and whaling
Denmark has invoked Declaration No. 25 TEU in support of the whaling activities of its territories, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Denmark’s reliance on this Declaration at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has prevented the EU from presenting a more united stand on whaling issues at the IWC.
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Research Briefing
The European Union at the United Nations
In May 2011 the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of Resolution A/RES/65/276, which granted the EU the right to speak at the United Nations. This Note looks at the background to the vote and the issues involved.
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Research Briefing
The European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM)
The EFSM is a €60bn facility to provide loans to EU Member States in financial difficulty. It is financed through borrowing secured against the EU Budget. Thus far, Ireland and Portugal have received support through the EFSM.
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Research Briefing
Hamas, Fatah and the Middle East Quartet principles
This note briefly considers the Middle East diplomatic Quartet, composed of the US, the UN, the EU and Russia, and its three principles governing engagement: the renunciation of violence, the recognition of the State of Israel and the acceptance of previous diplomatic agreements.
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Research Briefing
Killing Osama bin Laden: has justice been done?
The US government has asserted that by killing Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011, justice has been done. Its view is that the killing was clearly lawful. But the nature, timing and location of the killing have raised various questions under international law. The killing also has possible implications for future policies towards al-Qaeda as well as Libya and other countries.
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