CSS Blog Network

Mediation Perspectives: The Political-Technical Interaction in Ceasefires

Post author By Simon J. A. Mason
Post date 20/12/2018
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*Christmas Truce 1914. Image courtesy of Wikipedia/A.C.Michael/Illustrated London News*

Mediation Perspectives is a periodic blog entry that’s provided by the CSS’ Mediation Support Team and occasional guest authors. Each entry is designed to highlight the utility of mediation approaches in dealing with violent political conflicts. To keep up to date with the Mediation Support Team, you can sign up to their newsletter here.

If something is purely political, it becomes fuzzy as there is no clear, objective “right or wrong”. If something is purely technical, with many objective “rights and wrongs”, it becomes boring as there is nothing to debate or shape. Things become fascinating when the political and technical interact. Ceasefires that aim to stop violence are important because they can save human life, but they are also intellectually intriguing because of the way political and technical dimensions must interact if they are to be effective.

Tags Ceasefire, Peace Processes, Peace, Peace mediation

Cyber

A New Old Threat – Countering the Return of Chinese Industrial Cyber Espionage

Post author By Lorand Laskai
Post date 18/12/2018
1 Comment on A New Old Threat – Countering the Return of Chinese Industrial Cyber Espionage

*Image courtesy of The White House/Flickr*

This article was originally published by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on 6 December 2018.

China is once again conducting cyber-enabled theft of U.S. intellectual property to advance its technological capabilities. To combat the problem, the United States should build a multinational coalition, sanction Chinese companies, and strengthen cyber defenses.

Tags China, Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property, USA, Espionage

CSS Blog

Swiss Attitudes toward Security Alliances

Post author By the Center for Security Studies
Post date 14/12/2018
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This graphic of the week tracks how the Swiss public’s attitude toward security alliances has developed over the past 30 years. To find out more about long-term trends and tendencies in Swiss public opinion on foreign, security, and defense policy issues, see here (in German). For more CSS charts, maps and graphics on defense policy, click here.

Tags Security, Switzerland, Military, Foreign policy, Alliance, Public Opinion

CSS Blog

Mediation Perspectives: Challenges to the Multi-Track Approach – Insights from Syria

Post author By Corinne von Burg and Yosra Nagui
Post date 13/12/2018
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This blog aims to shed light on some of the challenges facing the multi-track approach to mediation through the example of Syria. The multi-track approach refers to undertaking peacebuilding efforts at different levels and interlinking them where useful in order to reach sustainable peace. The concept has regained attention as numerous states suffering from conflict have failed to maintain long-lasting peace despite signing peace agreements at the national level. However, the implementation of the multi-track approach has rarely been tested through evidence-based research. This piece aims to raise some questions aimed at critically examining its application.

Tags mediation, Peace, Syria, Peace mediation

Russia’s Approach to the Development of Intermediate-Range Missiles

Post author By Marcin Andrzej Piotrowski
Post date 11/12/2018
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This article was originally published by the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) on 14 November 2018.

Russia will present the expected withdrawal of the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Elimination Treaty (INF) as a step forcing a military response from Moscow. Even if the Russian Federation were to violate the INF by deploying new cruise missiles with a range greater than 500 km, the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty creates opportunity to blur responsibility. In the event of divided opinions within NATO, Russia’s position in arms control might be stronger vis-à-vis Europe and, indirectly, the United States. Moreover, Russia will continue expansion of its arsenal of ground-launched missiles.

Tags Nuclear, Russia, United States of America, NATO, INF Treaty, European Security