Articles

On the Political Situation in Myanmar

A Country against the Military

Early February 2025 will mark the fourth anniversary of the military coup against the democratically elected government of Myanmar. Armed resistance has formed in large parts of the country and is spearheaded by the People’s Defence Force and several ethnic armed organisations. Resistance and opposition movements have gained momentum in a series of military victories; albeit debates about a “post-military” state are premature.

South Asia’s (Almost) Forgotten Climate Crisis and Europe’s Responsibility

The New Normal

South Asia is particularly vulnerable to climate change and is thus frequently affected by heatwaves and extreme weather events – a situation that will only deteriorate. Local governments are addressing this challenge, but national efforts alone will not suffice. The region affords a great opportunity for green development, but is also characterised by poverty, poor governance and conflict. It is both a moral imperative and realist policy for the great historical polluters, such as Europe, to support South Asia in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The Forgotten Crisis in Cuba

From Myth to Drama

The Cuban crisis has been going on for decades. One low point follows the next. The mass exodus is bleeding the socialist “paradise” in the Caribbean dry, and every relevant development speaks against the survival of the repressive party dictatorship, which, however, stubbornly clings on to power. New geopolitical alliances could even prop up the regime, but there will not be much left of the population.

The Unnoticed War in Sudan

From Spring to Tragedy

In less than 18 months, the war in Sudan has developed into the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our era. At the same time, Germany and Europe are completely preoccupied with the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Nevertheless, German policymakers have an objective interest in stabilising the situation in Sudan and counteracting a further increase in migratory pressure on Europe’s borders.

Why the Kosovo Conflict Continues to Smoulder

One History, Two Narratives

The tense situation in the region results from a century-long conflict between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians. For some, the Battle of Kosovo on 28 June 1389 was a painful defeat for Serbian national heroes against the Ottoman invaders; for others, it was just one of many events in their own history. For some, the NATO intervention of 1999 was a blessing and a starting point for achieving independence, while for others it was an act of aggression against a sovereign country in violation of international law. As is so often the case, black-and-white thinking is inadequate in this conflict. Rather, shades of grey best describe the responsibility for the current situation.

“Many Voters See the Political Fringes as the Last Chance for Change”

A conversation with the France experts Anja Czymmeck and Nele Wissmann

In an interview with International Reports, France experts Anja Czymmeck and Nele Wissmann discuss the rise of the populists, the situation of the traditional parties and the country’s lack of a culture of compromise.

Crisis as an Opportunity

The Potential of Moderate Forces in Chile

Chile has long been regarded as a model country in Latin America. However, social unrest, the decline in economic growth as well as the increase in organised crime and disenchantment with political parties have contributed to the political polarisation and fragmentation of society in recent years. With the Christian Democratic Party, a traditionally moderate player in the Chilean party system has also moved away from the centre towards the left. Who can fill this vacant space?

Editorial

“The crushed centre” – this was the headline of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at the end of June in the context of the first round of the French parliamentary elections. It depicted a lilac-coloured Macaron whose filling groaned under the pressure of the surrounding pastry elements. That same day, the Economist wrote: “France’s Centre Cannot Hold”. In the background, the magazine showed the French national flag, the tricolour. But the centre stripe was missing.

Polarise and Rule!

Dysfunctionalities in the Georgian Political System

Polarisation is one of the greatest defects of the young Georgian democracy. When Georgia applied to join the EU in March 2022, the country was given a European perspective along with twelve recommendations. The most important point: political de-polarisation. However, the government and the opposition were unwilling to recognise the problem, let alone address it.

Polarised, but Present

The Political Centre in Spain

A uniform “political centre” or even a centrist party does not exist in Spain. The major parties clearly position themselves as centre-left or centre-right. Over the decades, this moderate degree of polarisation has not harmed Spanish democracy, and has in fact stabilised it. In recent years, however, polarisation has reached a point where it is eroding the country’s democratic institutions. Some of the factors driving this development are heterogeneous social values, separatism – and, not least, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.