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Covert Regime Change Operations in the Middle East
Regime change has been a popular policy instrument in the Middle East since the United States’ 1953 intervention in Iran, and has been advocated by many in the foreign policy community. Its advocates argue that the regime in question is corrupt and harming its citizens, and that a new government would be more friendly to […]
What is a Ceasefire Agreement?
A Ceasefire agreement is a suspension of hostilities between parties in an international or non-international armed conflict. The agreement can be a first step towards a negotiated peace settlement or an interim agreement addressing the immediate causes of the conflict (eg limiting weapons possession, cease-fire lines and buffer zones). Ceasefire agreements typically contain provisions for […]
Arms Embargo
Arms embargo is a global policy instrument intended to prevent arms flows to non-state actors that hamper conflict resolution efforts. It is one of the few tools that can be imposed at an early stage in a conflict, and it can also be a powerful tool to signal disapproval of unwanted policies. However, there are […]
IMF Bailout and the US Debt Crisis
IMF bailout allows a nation in crisis to adjust its policies, allowing it to recover and grow. But, these policy adjustments vary according to each country’s circumstances. For example, a country that is experiencing capital outflows may need to restore investor confidence. This requires addressing the factors that led to capital flight, such as a […]
Global Debt Crisis
Debt can be a useful tool for governments to finance their development projects, protect and invest in their people, and pave the way to a better future. But when debt becomes excessive, or its costs outweigh the benefits, it can become a crisis. This is what happened in many developing countries after an era of […]
Ethnic Cleansing and the Responsibility to Protect
In a series of cases involving the war in Yugoslavia, notably at Srebrenica in 1992 and at Kozarac in 1993, the phrase ‘ethnic cleansing’ has been used to describe the violent and terror-inspiring tactics employed by one group against another to force its members to flee. This compulsion to flee may in itself constitute additional […]
The Politics of Political Exile
Political exile occurs when an individual is forced to live outside of their homeland for one reason or another. It may be a consequence of political persecution, war, or coups and revolutions. It can also occur as a result of social, economic, and familial problems that make returning home difficult or impossible. Exile can shape […]
What Is a Nuclear Threat?
About this article The saber-rattling in Ukraine by Vladimir Putin has rekindled fears of a nuclear war. In the past, the nuclear taboo was such that even implicit threats from superpowers were rare. Implicitly, the belief was that if any one nation attacked another with nuclear weapons, that country would receive a swift retaliation from […]
How a Trade War Will Affect the Economy
When governments accuse rivals of unfair trade practices such as dumping (selling products at lower prices to undercut competitors) or subsidies for domestic industries, they may impose tariffs and restrictions to level the playing field. They also aim to support local businesses and protect jobs. While this approach provides some benefits, it can also have […]
What Are Rebel Forces?
Rebel forces are those armed groups fighting against the Syrian regime in the ongoing civil war in Syria. These forces are mainly secular military units and Islamist militias, with a few factions that have a mix of both. The most powerful of these is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which operates primarily in the northwestern province […]