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ISN
ETH Zurich
International Relations and Security Network www.isn.ethz.ch
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This Week at ISN Our Weekly Editorial Roundup
2 6 June 2014 JUMP TO Security Watch | Blog | Video
/// Security Watch
This week, our hard power-centered Security Watch (SW) series will look at the following five topics the possibility of a
new equilibrium in the Middle East, the ongoing hybridization of global conflict, a growing strategic competition in the Bay
of Bengal, the lessons we should collectively learn from state-building in Timor-Leste, and the security dynamics that now
exist across the former Soviet Union. Then, in our second and more wide-ranging SW series, well look at Canadas
engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, Madagascars long road to political recovery, Vladimir Putins recent visit to
China, the link between land reform and counterinsurgency in Latin America, and waging financial warfare. More
Elusive Equilibrium: America, Iran, Saudi Arabia in a Changing Middle East
2 June 2014
The United States determination to foster a new equilibrium between Saudi Arabia and Iran is likely to remain a distant
dream, warn Frederic Wehrey and Karim Sadjadpour. Thats because enmity between the Middle Easts two leading
states runs far deeper than recent history suggests. More
Back to the Future: Canada's Re-Engagement in the Asia-Pacific Region
2 June 2014
According to Bernard Brister, Canadas attempts to contribute to the security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region
havent been consistent enough to be successful. In response, Ottawa should combine its diplomatic and economic
policies and promote itself as a reliable energy supplier to the area. More
Hybridization of Conflicts
3 June 2014
Should we be surprised by the emergence of post-Cold War terrorist organizations that dont require state support or a
nationalist ideology to sustain them? Not at all, says Alain Bauer. As he sees it, the evolution of these hybrid groups can
be traced back much further than the fall of the Berlin Wall. More
A Cosmetic End to Madagascars Crisis?
3 June 2014
Madagascars return to international respectability and political order remains wobbly at best. Today, the ICG outlines the
structural changes the new government and its supporters need to make if they hope to spare the island from future bouts
of insecurity and turmoil. More
The Bay of Bengal: A New Locus for Strategic Competition in Asia
4 June 2014
David Brewster believes that the Bay of Bengals security problems may soon dwarf those in other parts of Asia. Thats
because the growing strategic competition between India, China and the United States will only aggravate what is already
a complex mix of troubles. More
Putin in Shanghai: A Strategic Partnership on Chinese Terms
4 June 2014
Vladimir Putin hoped that his recent visit to China would show that Russia was not politically or economically isolated. It
didnt work out that way, argues Witold Rodkiewicz. Beijing did not provide as many political concessions or economic
deals as the Russian president expected. More
Timor-Leste: Lessons of a Failing State?
5 June 2014
Loro Horta believes that the international communitys inability to bring real prosperity and stability to Timor-Leste is a
wake-up call. If externally-driven state-building efforts fail in a small country with significant natural resources, then what
hope is there for less prosperous and fragile states? More
If Latin American governments want to use land reform as a tool to blunt rural conflict and insurgencies, what should they
do? According to Michael Albertus, they must first ensure that the reforms are large enough to dampen rural grievances.
They then must prop up the changes with agricultural inputs, infrastructure and credits. More
Separatism in Uzbekistan? Karakalpakstan after Crimea
6 June 2014
The Ukraine crisis is fueling separatist fervor in the Uzbek Republic of Karakalpakstan. Thats a worrying development,
thinks Slavomr Hork. Any attempt to redraw the boundaries of this state will only add to what is a burgeoning problem in
the former Soviet Union. More
Waging Financial War
6 June 2014
The United States is no stranger to waging financial warfare, observes David Katz. Whats different now, however, is its
unique position within global financial markets. Its enabling Washington to project power in cutting edge ways. More
/// Blog
Aircraft Stories: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (Part II)
2 June 2014
The F-35 J oint Strike Fighter project isnt important just because of its multinational development and production ties,
writes Srdjan Vucetic. Today, he argues that we also need to factor in the aircrafts current and future impact on war, state
sovereignty and alliance relationships. More
1914 and 2014: Is Asia on the Verge of Repeating Europes Slide towards War?
3 June 2014
Our parent organization the CSS is about to launch a series of publications and events that will grapple with this question.
In todays Question & Answer session, Martin Zapfe outlines the reasons for the series and some of the issues that it will
address. More
Al Qaeda and a Global Revolt
4 June 2014
The ongoing political troubles in Syria, Kenya and the Naxalite strongholds of India all have a religious component to
them. Yet, as Paul Rogers contends, there is an even deeper reason for these conflicts the social marginalization
created by failing economies. More
Bringing Europe into the Middle East Peace Process
5 June 2014
In yet another final attempt to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United States has stumbled. To make the current
effort remotely credible, write Myriam Benraad and Karina Piser, Washington needs to introduce Europe into the
negotiating process. More
What Does the Modi Election Mean for India-Pakistan?
6 June 2014
Indeed, what does the election victory of Narendra Modi mean for these rival nuclear powers? According to Claude
Rakisits, Islamabad may seize the opportunity to rekindle a more comprehensive dialogue with New Delhi, which the Modi
government will probably resist. More
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The Role of Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Responding to the Crisis in Crimea
In this video, Peter Doran and Kingston Reif discuss whether Russia's annexation of Crimea should provoke the NATO
Alliance to rethink its policy of having no intentions, no plans and no reasons to locate nonstrategic nuclear weapons in
Central and Eastern Europe. More
The Limitations and Problems with "Just War"
In this video, noted political iconoclast Noam Chomsky argues that J ust War Theory fails to provide acceptable universal
justifications for acts of war. More
Land Reform and Rural Conflict
5 June 2014
This Week at ISN 2014-06-06.html[06.06.2014 15:31:34]
Indonesia's Ascent: Power, Leadership and Asia's Security Order
In this video, three experts discuss the possible impact of Indonesia's growing economic and regional influence on 1) the
country's domestic politics, 2) ASEAN and Southeast Asia's balance of power, and 3) J akarta's relationship with Australia.
More
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