Publications

A Probe for Justice

An Analysis of the Implications of the ICC Investigation on the Philippines’ War on Drugs through a Transitional Justice Framework

Former KAS Philippines intern Audrey Malapira unpacks the impacts of the ICC's investigation on the search for justice in the Philippine War on Drugs. ⚖️

Peking's Reach for the Sea of Japan

China's Geopolitics and Russia's Concessions

While Western media continues to speculate about China's role in Russia's war of aggression, Beijing is focused on maximizing its benefits. China aims to exploit Moscow's dependence on the People's Republic and expand cooperation on its own terms, not just economically. Geopolitically, this involves China's access to the Sea of Japan and extends to the Arctic. A seemingly insignificant passage in a joint statement by Presidents Xi and Putin could have far-reaching geopolitical implications, posing a serious security challenge for Japan and South Korea.

Slow, Agonizing - and Unstoppable: the End of the Trudeau Era is Approaching

The Prime Minister and his difficult farewell to power

Canada in the summer of 2024: the government's run of bad luck - critics would say ongoing poor performance - has continued for almost 20 months. Hardly a week goes by without a new piece of bad news hitting the media. In the face of this misery, however, the head of government appears outwardly unimpressed - for now.

New Iron Curtain rising on the EU border with Belarus

"New EU-sanctions package against Belarus might backfire"

After introducing the latest EU sanctions package against the Republic of Belarus, the Baltic States Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania imposed an entrance ban for almost all passenger cars with Belarusian license plates. Belarusian cars currently present in these countries were given limited time to either leave or reregister locally. Aimed at closing loopholes in the sanctions which were introduced to punish the regimes in Minsk and Moscow for their aggressive behaviour and to strengthen border security at NATO’s eastern flank, the passenger car ban sparked strong negative reactions, also from the democratic community of Belarus. They warn that shutting the EU’s door for regular citizens, most of whom voted for Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in 2020, will only further alienate the Belarusian population from the West. As trade with the Lukashenka regime continues, his propaganda machine will know how to use the “travel ban” to strengthen the pro-Russian narrative claiming that “nobody in the West wants you Belarusians”.

Georgia Meloni caught in the middle

The positioning of the governing party ‘Fratelli d'Italia’ between the far-right and the bourgeois centre

‘Montagna Russa’ is what they call the rollercoaster in Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has had a political rollercoaster ride before she soon starts her summer holiday. Between the glamour of the summit and the pitfalls of Brussels, she tried to send out signals, for example with the surprising vote of her MEPs against Ursula von der Leyen. Has the head of government overplayed her hand? Where does she want to go strategically with her right-wing conservative party, which has become the dominant force in the centre-right camp in the third-largest EU member state? Many things seem confused at this point, the gun smoke has yet to clear. We try to reconstruct the events and look to the future.

Women in the Military of Saudi Arabia

An Emblem of Change in the Kingdom

Around the world, professions in security and defense are male-dominated. Women in uniform are clearly in the minority, even in countries with liberal societies like Germany. This makes the rapid reforms initiated in Saudi Arabia, a conservative monarchy, all the more interesting. While women were first allowed into the security sector in 2017, they have been permitted to apply for military jobs since 2021. What does the Saudi leadership want to accomplish through these steps? This policy report analyses the integration of women into the military against the backdrop of the tension between the transformative goals of Vision 2030 and the continued influence of religious conservatism in Saudi society.

Japan’s Economic Security Policy

Current Status and Challenges

In recent years Japan has been recognized internationally as a pioneer in the field of economic security policy. This paper by Shigeaki Shiraishi reviews the details and background to Japan’s economic security policy and discusses its significance in the current situation, together with some of the challenges being faced.

KAS Interview: Meet Susanna Zapf

e-meet the newest member of our team, our research assistant Susanna Zapf.

The Beijing Declaration: Palestinian truce or Chinese PR stunt?

An initial assessment of the Beijing Declaration between Hamas and Fatah, its background and possible implications

Palestinian factions, including rivals Hamas and Fatah, declared their willingness in Beijing in July to “end divisions and strengthen Palestinian unity” following reconciliation talks hosted by China in the latest attempt to resolve the long-standing Palestinian rivalry. Similar agreements have failed in the past, damping the prospects of success. Nevertheless, bringing together 14 Palestinian factions to agree on a common framework during times of war can be considered a diplomatic achievement – not least for the host of the mediations, the People’s Republic of China.

Geneva Telegram for the July session of the General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

The ‘Geneva Telegram’ discusses current deliberations in the Geneva-based multilateral organisations, in this case the July meeting of the General Council of the WTO

The telegram covers the proceedings of the General Council meeting of 22-23 July 2024, chaired by Petter Ølberg (Norway).