Foreign Relations Survey (Wave IV)– Summer 2023

This report summarizes the findings of the survey and compares the results with previously available data from NAMA surveys and other published studies to build time series.

Japan’s Economic Realism and Approach to Indo-Pacific Engagement, Resilience, and Rule-Setting

This paper examines Japan’s strategic priorities pertaining to the IPEF, their connection to Japan’s relationship with China and the US, and the actions being taken for successful implementation of the IPEF.

Regional normalisation – Syrian perspectives

Turkish and Arab attempts to establish a new foundation for their relationship with Syria are viewed with concern especially in areas outside of the regime’s control.

Both the Arab League and Turkey have initiated a process of normalizing ties with the Syrian regime: While the Arab track, led by Saudi Arabia, has received wide international attention and media coverage, in Syria itself the Turkish efforts are monitored much more closely due to Turkey’s active role in Syrian political and security affairs. Yet, as of now, none of the two initiatives have achieved any significant progress, which can mainly be attribute to the Assad regime’s unwillingness to make any concessions. Nonetheless, non-state actors in Northern Syria remain apprehensive. Furthermore, amidst an ever-worsening economic crisis in Syria, unrest and demonstrations are also flawing up in regime-held territories.

30 years of the Oslo Accords 

Will there be a new upheaval in the Middle East Conflict? 

30 years after the historic handshake between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat in the garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., the peace process has come to a standstill; the political majorities in Israel and an escalating spiral of violence in the Palestinian Territories put hope of a diplomatic solution with two coexisting states into the distant future. Rather, after 30 years of the Oslo system, the question arises: How much longer will these agreements be viable? 

Thailand's New Government - Coalition of Arch Enemies Opposes Political Change

The priorities of the new head of government, Srettha Thavisin, are in the economic sphere, also for Thailand's foreign policy

The May 14 parliamentary elections in Thailand were deemed a success for the democratic process by all observers, with the Electoral Commission recognizing a large victory for the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which became the largest faction in the House of Representatives. The unelected Senate – appointed by the former military government – prevented the MFP from forming a government, while the Constitutional Court suspended its leader Pita Limcharoenrat over an alleged breach of election rules. The outcome of the 2023 electoral cycle reflects the balance of power in Thailand under the current constitution, under which conservative elites and the military continue to exert control over the political process in order to protect their interests. This election demonstrates what appears to be their collective goal -- maintain control over political outcomes, while creating enough democratic space to ensure that Thailand saves face internationally and its citizens refrain from demonstrating in the streets. 

DP Enfoque Nro. 12 El mundo no es suficiente. Redes de políticos

El universo transnacional en el que se agrupan y operan los políticos y el activismo en el mundo, poniendo especial atención en América Latina.

EXPERTS ROUNDTABLE REPORT

ADVANCING CLIMATE ACTION FOR COP28 AND TANZANIA’S NDC COMMITMENTS

The expert’s roundtable discussion on COP28 and Tanzania’s NDCs was held on 1st June, 2023, at Protea Hotel Oysterbay in Tanzania. The objective of the discussion was to engage pre-COP28 stakeholders, academia, policy makers, and climate experts in a collective effort to raise awareness, foster accountability, and drive action on climate change. The discussion aimed to understanding international and national climate action processes, the outcome of COP27, evaluate the status of Tanzania’s NDCs and identify practical solutions for effective implementation and plans towards COP28. The major theme of the discussion was how to keep the 1.5°C goal alive and how to strengthen adaptation and mitigation actions, including loss and damage. The alarming projections of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions reaching catastrophic levels underscore the urgency to address the climate crisis now.

ISRA News Articles of August 2023

Read News Articles of August 2023 from ISRA News Agency

Read news articles of August 2023 from ISRA News Agency with the support of KAS Thailand

Much Ado about Something? Australia’s Views on IPEF’s Prospects

This paper by Peter Draper discusses Australian perspectives on the IPEF’s anticipated outcomes, negotiation challenges and implementation issues.

Perspectives on IPEF from Aotearoa New Zealand

This paper articulates the rationale behind New Zealand’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) based on a study of official documents, publicly available submissions and other printed materials, as well as conversations with a number of experts.