Publications

Elections in the Northeast of Syria

by Jihad Yazigi

Syria is now one step closer to operating its first post-Assad Parliament. On May 24, 2026, by-elections were held in the districts of Hassakeh, Qamishli, Al-Malikiyah and Ayn al-Arab, in the Northeast of the country.

Christian Life in Israel

Between Protection, Uncertainty, and Participation

Pentecost is one of the most important moments in the Christian year; believers come together to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church, as was the case recently on Pentecost Sunday in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is holy to three world religions. Jews, Muslims, and Christians look at the city from different perspectives and from all over the world, closely following what happens there. Above all, the sites sacred to the three religions symbolize the Middle East conflict and the still-unresolved question of whether and how Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians, can live together and side by side in lasting peace. In the meantime, however, another line of conflict has emerged, as Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem increasingly report attacks, repression, and violence. What is the situation regarding the lives of Christians in Israel?

Migration, Rule of Law, and Social Cohesion in Urban South Africa

South Africa's cities are at a crossroads. Deepening unemployment, overstretched institutions, and contested notions of belonging have created fertile ground for xenophobic mobilisation, with real consequences for social cohesion, the rule of law, and democratic stability.

Surprise in Colombia: Conservative Outsider Wins First Round

Strong performance by Abelardo de la Espriella makes a political shift more likely

Colombian voters have delivered a surprise in the first round of the presidential elections. Contrary to polling predictions, conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella managed to defeat government candidate Iván Cepeda. The two will face each other in a runoff on June 21. The security crisis and the weakness of the political center are reshaping Colombia’s political landscape. While votes were still being counted, the government camp publicly questioned the results, further intensifying political polarization.

Advancing IMEC towards Implementation

Jordan River Crossing Study

Read about our recent study on the implementation of IMEC at the border between Israel and Jordan, developed together with our partners from the Institute for Maritime Policy and Strategy.

Before the 2027 Parliamentary Elections – Poland’s Party Landscape Shifts to the Right

Poland’s political landscape is entering a period of change. New political forces are gaining importance, and the question of future parliamentary majorities is becoming increasingly relevant.

New government in Latvia: Four-party alliance under Kulbergs

JV remains security policy anchor

On 28 May 2026, the Saeima confirmed the new government under Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. The 47-year-old businessman, economist and trained car mechanic from the centrist United List (Apvienotais saraksts, AS) takes over the duties of Evika Siliņa (Jaunā Vienotība, JV), whose cabinet collapsed on May 14 over a dispute over the replacement of the defense ministry after several drone incidents, including the impact on an oil storage facility in mid-May. President Edgars Rinkēvičs then tasked Kulbergs with forming a government. The new prime minister promises an "effective, professional and accountable government" and describes himself as a "realist". Kulbergs leads a four-party coalition.

A Test for Bolivia’s Government

Less than six months after President Paz took office, a wave of protests is threatening the stability of the country.

Severe supply shortages and road blockades are shaping the image of Bolivia’s capital, reviving memories of past crises in the country. The escalation is fueled by an explosive mix of political legacies, social conflicts, and growing dissatisfaction among influential groups. The government of President Rodrigo Paz is under acute pressure to act, yet from the very beginning of its term it has been confronted with a dual structural problem: the heavy legacy of the socialist era and an extremely fragile power base of its own.

KAS African Law Study Library, Volume 1 of 2026

Volume 1 of 2026 continues the rich exchange of ideas fostered through the “Leaders for Justice Workshops” organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing together emerging African lawyers from anglophone and francophone countries. It features timely and thought-provoking contributions on some of Africa’s most pressing legal and governance challenges, including nuclear energy regulation in Kenya, the legal framework of the East African Monetary Union, the role of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, artificial intelligence and intellectual property law, transitional justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and youth engagement in Senegalese politics. Collectively, the articles reflect the growing dynamism, innovation, and commitment of a new generation of African legal scholars dedicated to advancing justice, governance, and the rule of law across the continent.

The Playbook of Health Disinformation and the Ebola Outbreak in the DRC and Uganda

Bioweapons, Big Pharma and Simple Remedies

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has been accompanied by targeted health disinformation just hours after the WHO emergency declaration. Our report analyses the narratives, actors and dynamics of this information manipulation – from bioweapons claims and conspiracy narratives to alleged “simple remedies” and anti-Western narratives. The analysis shows that: Ebola disinformation is not a new phenomenon but has followed a recurring pattern for decades. Many of the narratives spread today resemble earlier campaigns about HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 or other epidemics. Particularly problematic is the combination of fear, political instrumentalization and economic interests: Health disinformation has long become a business model. The report classifies the current situation, describes typical narratives and shows why health cri-ses are particularly vulnerable to disinformation and what countermeasures policymakers, authorities and media should now take.