Articles

Fortress Europe?

The Aegean Sea Frontier and the Strengthening of EU’s External Borders

The refugee and migrant crisis has fundamentally tested the added value and legitimacy of the EU. Currently, a migratory realpolitik prevails as divisions among member states challenge solidarity and respect for European values. Against this backdrop, the main question remains as to whether the Union can provide more effective management of migration and offer reassurances to its citizens in times of heightened insecurity.

From Cyberspace to Outer Space

International Politics in Seemingly Boundless Spaces

The earth has not been a suitable projection screen for the idea of boundlessness for some time. In humanity’s search for spaces without boundaries, our eyes turn to the stars on the one hand and to the virtual world on the other. But to what extent are these spheres really free of boundaries?

Government Formation by Consensus?

Monarchy, Democracy and Political Islam in Morocco

Since the constitutional reform and 2011 elections, Morocco’s political reform course has continued to stabilise. However, is there any democratic foundation for this stability? Do the political parties form a democratic force that could lead the population through a necessary transformation process? And how “moderate” are the Islamists who were in power during the last election period?

New “Borders” in Eastern Europe

Ukraine since the Annexation of Crimea and the Outbreak of the Conflict in the Donbass

The principle of border inviolability within Europe was put into question in 2014 with the Russian annexation of Crimea and the breakout of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. These events created two new “borders” in Eastern Europe: one de-facto national border in the case of Crimea and a frozen frontline in the case of the occupied territories in the Donbass. Both came into being in contravention of international law and are negatively impacting people in Ukraine.

Showdown Ahead?

Border Conflicts in the South China Sea and the Struggle to Shape Asia’s Destiny

The struggle over the South China Sea is a matter of international peace and prosperity. China claims sovereignty over some 90 per cent of the South China Sea with the nine-dash line and is therefore a threat to peace and free trade in the region. This article sheds light on how recent developments such as the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the presidency of Donald Trump might impact the status quo.

Walls Against Migration?

About Perceived Truth in the U.S. Migration Debate and the Effectiveness of Border Protection Measures

Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border shines a spotlight on the issue of border protection. This article investigates how effectively walls and border control measures reduce unwanted migration flows, compared to efforts to fight root causes, and analyses as to why new migration trends in the United States and Mexico are being neglected in the U.S. debate.

Be Fruitful and Multiply!

Israel and Its Growing Minorities

Since Israel was founded in 1948, it has defined itself simultaneously as both a Jewish and a democratic state. It is home to secular as well as ultra-Orthodox Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze. However, due to diverging growth rates in the different populations, domestic and religious tensions have been developing which could undermine the secular and Zionist founding ethos of the Jewish State.

Cold War in the Gulf

The Rivalry of Saudi and Iranian Narratives for Hegemony in the Middle East

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is much more than just a sectarian conflict: Two regional powers compete over the hegemony in the Middle East. In this struggle for dominance, both use a sophisticated arsenal of rhetorical means to construct sectarian narratives which back their real-political intents.

Crane versus Stork

Japan’s Demographic Change as a Major Challenge for Politics and Society

Like no other industrialised nation Japan is confronted with the challenges of a rapidly ageing and shrinking population. Today, more than a quarter of the Japanese population is already over age 65. Along with a stagnating economy that is even failing to gain momentum through the acclaimed Abenomics, Japan’s demographic change is the biggest problem for the island nation. What measures is the government adopting to halt the demographic crisis? Is it perhaps already too late for counter measures?

Editorial of the issue "Demographic Change: A Fateful Challenge"

As long ago as August 2006 at a federal press conference Angela Merkel stated “anyone who knows how to successfully manage demographic change is to be congratulated”. Today, ten years later, the need to confront the challenges posed by demographic change has not lost its urgency.