This Week at ISN

12 Nov - 16 Nov 2012 The ISN's first Editorial Plan has come to an end. As we prepare for the next one, we would like to preview what we will be focusing on for the remainder of 2012. Over the next two months we will present a host of subjects that reflect both the spirit of the first Editorial Plan and our interest in building new content-providing partnerships with like-minded institutions and organizations. We hope to unveil our next Editorial Plan on 7 January 2013. We begin our transition period this week by providing a selection of articles from one of our newest partners, Theory Talks. Over the past few years the founder of Theory Talks, Peer Schouten, has gathered and cataloged the professional insights of some of the leading experts in international relations. Our sample of talks this week features the observations of Kenneth Waltz and other frontline academics on the role of war in modern international relations.

The Role of War in Modern International Relations

A Liberal Peace vs The Dialectics of War
12 Nov 2012

While Michael Doyle believes that the spread of liberal democracy can indeed help pacify and stabilize the international system, Martin Shaw argues that this disputed trend will not stop war from being be the main driver of global change. More Stephen Walt on the Israel Lobby and the 'Security' in Security Studies
13 Nov 2012

Stephen Walt offers his perspective on a number of international relations and security-related issues. They range from Iran and The Bomb, Europes ability to act as an autonomous actor, the Security in Security Studies and other issues. More Mary Kaldor on Framing War and Military-Industrial Complexes
14 Nov 2012

Mary Kaldor ranges over several international relations and security-related issues. They include how we go about framing war, the relationship between military-industrial complexes and human security, and the logical organization of the international system. More Peter W Singer on Child and Robot Soldiers and Privatized Violence
15 Nov 2012

Peter W Singer explains how his non-state-centric approach to international relations represents a departure from traditional discourse. He also discusses how advances in robotics are set to change the nature of warfare forever. More Kenneth Waltz The Physiocrat of International Politics
16 Nov 2012

Kenneth Waltz looks beyond the economic foundations of international politics to consider the importance of nuclear weapons in the contemporary world. He also wonders whether the United States is behaving in ways realist international relations theorists would predict. More

Security Watch
Europe's Non-Deal of the Century

12 Nov 2012

The merger between EADS and BAE Systems would have been unprecedented in the history of Europe's aerospace and defense industries. Giles Merritt looks at the consequences of the deal's failure and faults the European Union for not having taken a more proactive stance in the attempted merger. More Finland, Sweden: A Step Toward Greater Nordic Security Cooperation
13 Nov 2012

The agreement by Sweden and Finland to join Iceland's air surveillance patrol will strengthen the Nordic Defense Cooperation initiative, argue our partners at Stratfor. The agreement also highlights the growing security and economic integration occurring between the Nordic states. More Iran's Untouchable Energy Exports
14 Nov 2012

International sanctions have limited Iran's foreign currency earnings from oil and natural gas exports. However, OilPrice.com's John Daly reveals that Tehran has been able to bypass these impediments and export electricity to several important allies of the US. More A Spider's Web to Catch a Dragon? The South China Sea Disputes and Japanese Aid Policy in Southeast Asia
15 Nov 2012

China and Japan continue to compete for influence across the Asia-Pacific region. Indeed, the competition is prompting Japan to make some interesting policy choices, writes Tom French. One of them includes pursuing closer cooperation with the USs regional allies. More US-India Cyber Diplomacy: A Waiting Game
16 Nov 2012

Given Indias diplomatic and economic ties with Russia and China, it is perhaps unsurprising that New Delhi is hesitant about developing a cyber-security alliance with the United States. Franz-Stefan Gady analyzes the internal and external factors that continue to hamper Indias cyber-diplomatic relations with the West. More

ISN Blog
Big Oil in the Arctic Council?
12 Nov 2012

There seems to be little doubt that Big Oil will eventually exercise a decisive influence over the Artic regions competing policy agendas. As a result, greater efforts should be made to determine how it can become a responsible stakeholder in this increasingly important area, argues Marten Lindberg. More Missing the Mark: The ICC on its Relationship with the UN Security Council
13 Nov 2012

In the wake of the UNSCs first-ever debate on its relationship with the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mark Kersten looks at the factors undermining the latters independence and legitimacy. One problem is the ICCs perceived unwillingness to confront the political nature of UNSC referrals. More Can Europe Prevent Asia's Rise?
14 Nov 2012

Despite the much heralded shift in economic-political power towards Asia, Western European nations continue to dominate decision-making in multilateral institutions. Readjusting this dominance, argues Barry Desker, will take time, especially since the Europeans remain unwilling to do it. More The Secret War in Yemen
15 Nov 2012

The USs reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles to combat terrorist networks in Yemen and other countries continues to grow. To ensure needed accountability and transparency in their use, argues Anne Hobson, specific international standards need to be developed. More Andreas Falke on the 2012 US Presidential and Congress Elections
16 Nov 2012

US Presidential elections are always closely watched by outside observers. At a recent CSS-sponsored colloquium, Andreas Falke discussed the possible domestic and foreign policy trajectories of what will now be a second Obama administration. More

The Experts' IR Roundup in Zurich Part 2

16 Nov 2012

ETH's Center for Security Studies recently conducted the fifth module of its MAS in Security Policy and Crisis Management program. In these podcasts, we present a series of security-centered perspectives by the programs lecturers and a Swiss government participant. More

Videos
A Preemptive Strike on Iran? Economic and Geopolitical Consequences Recently, the possibility of an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities has been looming. Such an attack could evolve into a major shock for the global economy, with serious geopolitical consequences. Co-sponsored by the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization and the Iranian Studies Initiative at Yale, this panel analyzes, from various perspectives, the rationale, likelihood and probable consequences of that occurrence. More US-Chinese Relations After Leadership Transitions Stratfor's Vice President of East Asia Analysis Rodger Baker discusses China's leadership transition, US President Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Southeast Asia and the effects of both on the countries' relationship. More The Future of Extended Nuclear Deterrence in East Asia The Asia Security Initiative Research Center at the East Asia Institute invited Rory Medcalf (Lowy Institute) for the 23rd Smart Talk Forum on 26 April 2012, for a seminar on the topic the "Future of Extended Nuclear Deterrence in East Asia." More

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