Myanmar: Peaceful Transition to Democracy or Storm Clouds on the Horizon?
Issues:Global militarisation, Marginalisation
Published last week, Myanmar: Storm Clouds on the Horizon is International Crisis Group’s latest Asia report. It focuses on the potential for political violence and social instability as Mynamar’s leaders are undertaking reforms “to move the country decisively away from its authoritarian past”.
Image source: Rusty Steward
Read more »Posted on 20/11/12
Sustainable Finance & Energy Security
Issue:Competition over resources
General volatility in financial markets - fuelled by irresponsible lending and trading practices, as well as evidence of market manipulation - have had an effect on oil prices. And while the complexity of global markets means that much deeper investigation is required into the specific effects of the finance sector on oil prices, a sustainable and secure future, in which a wider energy mix has been developed to meet rising demand, will require a more sustainable financial system which can service the real needs of citizens.
Image source: Heatingoil
Read more »Posted on 19/11/12
A top-down approach to sustainable security: The Arms Trade Treaty
Issue:Global militarisation
Will an Arms Trade Treaty work towards sustainable security? As the future of the world’s first global treaty on the arms trade is discussed by the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, this article explores how the potential treaty – if reopened for further negotiation – could assist sustainable security policy.
Image source : Oxfam
Read more »Posted on 2/11/12
Greener Cities: What We Can Do
Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources
A recent article on this website entitled The United States, Niger & Jamaica: Food (In)security & Violence in a Globalised World explored some of the possible links between climate change, food insecurity and violence. Many current articles in the media warn of growing food insecurity as global warming and climate change have devastating effects on crops, livestock and even fisheries. A piece in yesterday’s Guardian states that if extreme weather becomes the norm (which it has) then “starvation awaits”.
Image source: Gates Foundation
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Posted on 18/10/12
Towards sustainable civilian security in South Sudan
Issue:Global militarisation
Civilian disarmament campaigns in South Sudan currently attempt to tackle one of the many symptoms of the country’s militarised post-war society. Instead, these campaigns must be seen as one part of an overarching and sustainable disarmament and security sector reform strategy that must be undertaken long term, while ensuring that the immediate security of communities is safeguarded and that their need for weapons to protect themselves is adequately addressed and reduced. In South Sudan, there is a need for proactive strategy - not reactive operations - towards sustainable civilian security.
Image Source: ENOUGH Project
Read more »Posted on 8/10/12
Resources and Militarisation in the East China Sea
Issues:Competition over resources, Global militarisation
As the long running tensions over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea appear to be coming to a head, the time for thinking through the alternatives to the militarisation of this conflict seems to be well and truly upon us. The conflict raises interesting issues about sovereignty claims based on offshore territories, particularly as we face a climate-constrained future as well as the increasing importance of competition over scarce resources. The latter is fast becoming one of the most important global trends if one thinks about the potential ‘drivers’ of conflict and even war.
Image source: Al Jazeera English.
Read more »Posted on 5/10/12
