Fundamentals of an Islamic Economic System Compared to the Social Market Economy - A Systematic Overview

In the light of the lasting development problems of many countries of the Muslim world – stretching from North Africa, across the Middle East to Southeast Asia – these states have by no means ruled out the search for economic concepts that promote development. Not least as a result of disappointment with the results of the capitalist and socialist economic systems, since the mid-1970s people have been progressively formulating ideas about an Islamic economic system, propagating them as an alternative to the unsatisfactory status quo.

NATO in the Middle East? Discussions About the Role of NATO in Securing an Israeli-Palestinian Agreement

How realistic is it that NATO troops would be able to secure an Israeli-Palestinian agreement stationed on the sensitive borders with Israel and Jordan, amid settlements that have to be vacated, or even in the densely populated Gaza Strip? Which requirements would have to be met for them to succeed in their mission? This article aims to discuss different approaches and stimulate discussion about a potential NATO mission.

The GCC as a Regional Security Organization

What exactly is the GCC? Can it be considered a fullfledged security community that has over the time of its existence played a positive role in resolving security dilemmas in the Gulf? What do the terms of unity, integration, cooperation and coordination which are used so interchangeably actually mean within the context of this regional organization? And if the GCC has begun to shape the regional security environment, in what ways does this manifest itself?

Africa and the International Criminal Court: Stocktaking in Uganda

Since its foundation, there have always been high hopes for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Eight years after the Rome Statute came into effect, which was the basis for establishing the ICC, hundreds of representatives from the 111 signatory countries, as well as civil society representatives met between May 31 and June 11, 2010, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The goal of this first review conference was to summarise what had already been achieved, as well as to amend and revise the statute.

Caught Between Two Fronts - In Search of Lasting Peace in the Casamance Region

Eine Analyse von Ursachen, Akteuren und Konsequenzen

Senegal is seen as a model example of West African democracy. It is characterized by democratic structures and the rule of law as well as guaranteed basic freedoms, in particular freedom of religion, free speech, a free press and freedom of assembly. The democratically structured Senegalese army is one of the few African armies to be involved in regional and international peacekeeping missions. The conflict in the south-west of the country, which has been going on for almost 30 years now, however, is barely acknowledged by the rest of the world and Europe in particular.

Editorial

Migration and integration are global problems. Taking into account internal migration, around three percent of the world’s population are migrants. In absolute figures these are approximately two hundred million people. Against this backdrop, there is probably no country in the world – notwithstanding the numerous differences – that does not experience some form of migration. And there is a large number of countries, in which the problems of migration – and the issues of integration closely associated with this – are very high up on the political agenda.

Looking North: Immigration Policy in Mexico

The topic of migration has always been a political hot potato in Mexico, particular with regard to its relationship with its Northern neighbor. A number of the country’s prevailing problems are linked to it. Insufficient economic growth means there are not enough jobs, thus raising migration pressures. Organized crime is behind the gangs of smugglers operating at the borders. There is also smuggling of arms, drugs, people, and money laundering. Unsecure borders in the South and North are of concern to the United States.

Migration Policy as a Learning Process - How the Netherlands Deals with Immigrants

Issues related to migration constitute one of the main political problems in the Netherlands. Immigration issues have a profound effect on government policy, since the integration of people from other cultures touches all areas of life. Due to the low birth rate of the Dutch, economic forecasts predict a large number of job vacancies in the near future. Thus, the Netherlands require immigrants also for the purpose of maintaining the social benefit systems.

Strategic International Threats Surrounding Brazil

Brazil’s economic rise over the past decade has been nothing short of astonishing. While Brazil’s growth has not been as impressive as that in the other BRIC countries (Russia, India and China), Brazil’s key advantage over the other emerging powers is that the international strategic threats it faces are fewer and less dangerous. This does not mean that Brazil faces no threats at all: drug-trafficking, arms smuggling and guerrilla activity in a lawless frontier region in the Amazon are probably the most potent security threats Brazil faces from abroad.

The Complicated Relationship: A Snapshot of the U.S.-Mexico Border

The United States-Mexico border has long been a place of exchange: Mexico was the United States’ third largest supplier of goods imports in 2008.1 The U.S. also sends its goods to Mexico, its second largest goods export market. Other things cross the border: people, capital, technology, services, contraband goods, even human and plant diseases. With each year, the border changes in complexity and composition.