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    This week, our ‘hard power’ Security Watch series focuses on the ‘geography’ of Boko Haram; the possible consequences that the growing proliferation of drones might have for the international system; the British Army’s formation of a new psychological warfare brigade; whether criticisms of the US’ Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) are misplaced; and whether the so-called Islamic State is more than just a secessionist movement. Then, in our second, more wide-ranging feature we look at the potential for cooperation between the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union; possible solutions for ending Bangladesh’s political turmoil; southern Syria’s status as the last bastion of the anti-Assad revolt; how Venezuela could become a major player in global energy markets; and the United Nations’ use of targeted sanctions.

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    This week, our ‘hard power’ Security Watch series focuses on the ‘geography’ of Boko Haram; the possible consequences that the growing proliferation of drones might have for the international system; the British Army’s formation of a new psychological warfare brigade; whether criticisms of the US’ Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) are misplaced; and whether the so-called Islamic State is more than just a secessionist movement. Then, in our second, more wide-ranging feature we look at the potential for cooperation between the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union; possible solutions for ending Bangladesh’s political turmoil; southern Syria’s status as the last bastion of the anti-Assad revolt; how Venezuela could become a major player in global energy markets; and the United Nations’ use of targeted sanctions.

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    41 views3 pages

    This Week at The ISN 2015-02-20

    Uploaded by

    Center for Security Studies
    This week, our ‘hard power’ Security Watch series focuses on the ‘geography’ of Boko Haram; the possible consequences that the growing proliferation of drones might have for the international system; the British Army’s formation of a new psychological warfare brigade; whether criticisms of the US’ Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) are misplaced; and whether the so-called Islamic State is more than just a secessionist movement. Then, in our second, more wide-ranging feature we look at the potential for cooperation between the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union; possible solutions for ending Bangladesh’s political turmoil; southern Syria’s status as the last bastion of the anti-Assad revolt; how Venezuela could become a major player in global energy markets; and the United Nations’ use of targeted sanctions.

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    ISN

    ETH Zurich

    //

    International Relations and Security Networkwww.isn.ethz.ch


    ///

    This Week at the ISN

    Our Weekly Content Roundup

    16 20 February 2015

    JUMP TO Editorial Plan | Security Watch | Blog | Video

    // Security Watch

    This week, our 'hard power' Security Watch series focuses on the 'geography' of Boko Haram; the possible consequences
    that the growing proliferation of drones might have for the international system; the British Army's formation of a new
    psychological warfare brigade; whether criticisms of the US' Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) are misplaced; and whether the
    so-called Islamic State is more than just a secessionist movement. Then, in our second, more wide-ranging feature we
    look at the potential for cooperation between the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union; possible solutions for
    ending Bangladesh's political turmoil; southern Syria's status as the last bastion of the anti-Assad revolt; how Venezuela
    could become a major player in global energy markets; and the United Nations' use of targeted sanctions.

    The Geography of Boko Haram: More Deadly but More Remot


    16 February 2015

    Is Boko Haram focusing more of its resources on Nigeria's remote border areas than in previous years? Davin O'Regan
    thinks so. In the short-term, this shift represents an opportunity to contain and isolate the group. In the long-term, however,
    it represents a strategic threat to the largest city in northeastern Nigeria. More

    The EU and EEU: Hidden Opportunities for Inter-Regional Cooperation?


    16 February 2015

    The EU is one of the more vocal critics of the recently-launched Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Eleonora Poli and
    Chiara Rosselli warn, however, that Brussels' stance might prove to be counter-productive in the long term. That's
    because mutual cooperation could benefit both organizations' political and economic status. More

    The Race for Drones


    17 February 2015

    Mapping Bangladesh's Political Crisis


    17 February 2015

    How should Bangladesh's leading political parties attempt to resolve the country's ongoing political crisis? Our partners at
    the ICG think that both the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party should start by urging their support bases to
    commit to non-violent and democratic forms of political protest. More

    The British Army Joins the Social Media War with Psy-Ops Brigade
    18 February 2015

    Will the British Army's new psychological warfare brigade be money well spent? That remains to be seen, says James
    Flint. What it might represent, however, is a move away from focusing on war and victims to a more controlled, softer and
    humanitarian approach to security. More

    The Last Bastion of the Syrian Revolt


    18 February 2015

    Khaled Yacoub Oweis thinks that the international community should be doing more to preserve southern Syria's status as
    the last stronghold of the anti-Assad opposition. That's because the region could serve as a model for an alternative
    administration to the regime as well as a testing ground for functional ceasefires. More

    Fit To Be a Frigate?
    19 February 2015

    Steven Wills thinks that critics should stop comparing the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) with the soon to be retired Perry
    class frigates. While the US Navy undoubtedly requires a replacement for the Perry's "show the flag" role, substituting it
    with another Cold War-style frigate is hardly appropriate for 21st century naval missions. More

    Venezuela: the Emerging Energy Giant


    19 February 2015

    How can Venezuela use its vast oil reserves to enhance its economic security and become a major player in global energy
    markets? Samir Tata thinks that Caracas should start by forming strategic partnerships with energy-hungry states like
    China, Germany and India. More

    Is the Islamic State a Secessionist Movement?


    20 February 2015

    Is the so-called Islamic State more than just a secessionist movement? Tanisha Fazal believes so. While the group
    controls territory and challenges the authority of existing states, it also represents a formidable challenge to the
    Westphalian international system. More

    Targeted Sanctions and the Right to Due Process


    20 February 2015

    Targeted sanctions have become the Security Council's weapon of choice for dealing with troublesome regimes. Monika
    Heupel warns, however, that because these sanctions often violate the rights of individuals to due process, the UN might
    soon experience a backlash against them. More

    // Blog

    China's Cities Need More Babies, But One Child Policy Still Rules the Provinces
    16 February 2015

    Is China starting to wind down its 'one child policy'? Stephanie Gordon doesn't think so. While the authorities in major
    cities like Shanghai are urging residents to have more children, restrictions are still very much in place in the Chinese
    countryside. More

    Chad: Taking the Lead in the War on Boko Haram


    17 February 2015

    Chad's leading role in the fight against Boko Haram should serve as a wake-up call for neighboring countries, writes David
    Bruckmeier. But don't expect the country's president Idriss Dby to follow up his hard stance against Islamist extremists
    with meaningful political and economic reforms at home. More

    Peru: the New King of Cocaine


    18 February 2015

    Why has Peru reemerged as a major hub for cocaine production? Patrick Balbierz's answer points to concerted efforts to
    stamp out the cocaine trade in neighboring Colombia, and lowered expectations regarding economic growth at home.
    More

    Our Great War Synthesis


    19 February 2015

    The Atlantic Council's 'Art of Future Warfare' contest called for journalistic accounts of the outbreak of the next global war.
    Today, August Cole outlines some of the attempts made by contestants to 'think the unthinkable' regarding the possible
    conflicts of tomorrow. More

    Charlie Hebdo: The Balkan Connection


    20 February 2015

    Has France just witnessed its first terrorist attacks with links to the Balkans? Not at all, says Gordon N. Bardos. If anything,
    the 'Balkan connection' was forged in the mid-1990s when French Islamists started to make their way home from the
    Bosnian jihad. More

    // Video

    The Future of the Intelligence Agencies

    In this video, three high-level practitioners discuss the challenges facing Western intelligence agencies, which include
    terrorism, cybersecurity threats, the re-emergence of interstate conflict in Europe, data collection and surveillance
    disputes, illicit technology transfers and much more. More

    A Handful of Bullets: How the Murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Still Menaces the Peace

    In this video, the Killowen Group's Harlan Ullman discusses his book "A Handful of Bullets," which examines the lingering
    impact World War I still has on today's world order. Ullman also examines the US' stubborn propensity to let 20th century
    perceptions cloud 21st century realities. More

    Sexual Violence in Conflict: What Use is the Law?

    In this video, three high level practitioners explore the role of international humanitarian law in banning and criminalizing
    sexual violence in armed conflict. While doing so, they also stress the importance of understanding the complex legal
    framework surrounding this issue in order to respond effectively to the needs of female victims. More

    // Multimedia Content
    Here is a selection of this week's additions to the ISN Digital
    Library:

    Publications More
    // Building Peace and Development in the Sahel More
    // The Original Battle Trolls: How States Represent the Internet as a Violent Place
    More
    // Turkey under the AKP: A Critical Evaluation from the Perspective of Turkey's EU Negotiations
    More

    Videos More
    // Information Control and Strategic Violence
    More
    /Restraint:
    /
    A New Foundation for US Grand Strategy More
    /The
    /
    Central America Regional Security Initiative in the Northern Triangle More

    Audio / Podcasts More


    // US Navy and Marine Corps Military Acquisition Programs
    More
    // Religion, Civil Society, and Legitimacy of the State in the Post-Ottoman Region
    More
    // African Women Impacting Change More

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