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Failing State

Libya as a Supraregional Security Threat

Ex-U.S. President Barack Obama once described the United States’ and its allies’ lack of success in ensuring stability in Libya following the fall of the Gaddafi regime as one of the biggest failings of his time in office. Indeed, the country is sinking ever deeper into chaos. Now, the action plan by Ghassan Salamé, the United Nations’ new Special Representative for Libya, is expected to revive the peace process. If this does not succeed, the security situation risks escalating further – with far-reaching consequences both for neighbouring countries and Europe.

Heading towards Maraboutcracy?

Muslim Brotherhoods and their Influence in Senegal

Senegal is considered a stable democracy and a role model for religious tolerance in West Africa. 90 per cent of Senegalese are Muslim and belong to one of the country’s four brotherhoods. These have always been significant in shaping Senegal’s political, economic and social structures. But over the last few years, the brotherhoods’ political influence has strengthened significantly.

Hoping for a Miracle

On the Possible End of a Christian Presence in Iraq

Iraq is one of the countries generally referred to as the cradle of Christendom. Since 2003, the number of Iraqi Christians has, however, fallen dramatically. Whether Christianity has any sort of future in Iraq is currently impossible to divine.

Law, Religion, and the Social Divide in Asia: Contexts and Challenges

This article discusses how religion, law, and political calculations all interact to define religious policies and discourse in Asia. It also demonstrates the extent to which religious populist elements have influenced emergent policies and practices that affect citizens’ rights and interests.

So Close and Yet So Far

The UK since the Brexit Referendum

The UK’s decision to leave the EU based on the so-called Brexit referendum shocked Europe. How did it come to this? What internal rifts and contradictions are the root causes of the referendum result? What expectations, concerns, and fears does the impending separation entail? And what are the prospects for a future relationship?

A Breakthrough at Long Last?

On the Revival of the Israeli–Palestinian Joint Water Committee

The crisis-ridden Middle East is among the world’s water scarcest regions. The issue of the equitable distribution ofthe cross-border resource water regularly fuels conflicts. Unresolved water issues are proving to be an obstacle to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The decision to revive the Israeli–Palestinian Joint Water Committee has led to a rapprochement in the water sector after years of inactivity. Will the breakthrough now succeed?

A Shadow of the Past?

Latin America’s Fight against Corruption

News stories about corruption cases in Latin America are ubiquitous. Most recently, the bribery scandal relating to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht made headlines worldwide. Despite or maybe because of these frequent bad news stories there has been a significant increase in anti-corruption measures in Latin America since the beginning of this year. The continent still has a long way to go in its efforts to fight corruption effectively. But there are signs that a turnaround may for the first time finally be possible.

Big Lake, Big Problems

Is There Still Time to Secure the Water Resources Lake Victoria Provides?

Lake Victoria is essential to the lives of over 30 million people. Water pollution, resource exploitation and a lack of regional cooperation are threatening its ecological balance. The situation is exacerbated by the high population growth rate. There are justifiable doubts as to whether the future of the essential water resource provided by Africa’s largest lake is secure.

Coercive Water-Diplomacy

Playing Politics with the Mekong

In Asia, water has become a critical non-traditional security issue. Reduced water flow, resulting from Chinese hydropower dam construction, threatens food and socio-economic security. Simultaneously, China gains a potent political instrument with the ability to “turn off the tap”. The Mekong demonstrates the region’s need for rules-based institutionalised water cooperation.

Editorial

Some 30 years ago, Boutros Boutros-Ghali – who went on to become UN Secretary General – predicted that the wars of the future would be fought over water. His prediction has not yet come true, but when we look at the various regions of the world, it is clear water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource that is indeed at the centre of many conflicts – or is at least exacerbating them significantly.

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About this series

International Reports (IR) is the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's periodical on international politics. It offers political analyses by our experts in Berlin and from more than 100 offices across all regions of the world. Contributions by named authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial team.

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Editor

Dr. Gerhard Wahlers

ISBN

0177-7521

Benjamin Gaul

Benjamin Gaul

Head of the Department International Reports and Communication

benjamin.gaul@kas.de +49 30 26996 3584

Dr. Sören Soika

Dr

Editor-in-Chief International Reports (Ai)

soeren.soika@kas.de +49 30 26996 3388

Rana Taskoparan

Rana Taskoparan

Referentin Kommunikation und Vermarktung

rana.taskoparan@kas.de +49 30 26 996 3623

Fabian Wagener

Fabian Wagener

Desk Officer for Multimedia

fabian.wagener@kas.de +49 30-26996-3943