CAUCASUS
December 2007
"On Classifying Terrorism: A Potential Contribution of Cluster Analysis for Academics and Policymakers"
Journal Article, Defense and Security Analysis, issue 4, volume 23
By Erica Chenoweth, Research Fellow, International Security Program and Elizabeth Lowham
The authors argue that classifying terrorist groups based on their motivations (i.e. Islamic, nationalist-separatist, left-wing, etc) causes analysts to ignore important similarities between such groups. This article suggests using cluster analysis to classify terrorist groups based on their motives and their tactics. Using the U.S. State Department's list of Significant Terrorist Incidents through 2003, the authors demonstrate that trends in terrorist attacks among groups with seemingly disparate motives and locations provide insights into dynamic nature of terrorism over the past several decades. Specifically, certain terrorist incidents in places as diverse as Lebanon, Georgia, and Colombia have more in common than is typically suspected, suggesting that such groups monitor and learn from one another's activities.
November 2007
"Energy Supply and Demand in Eurasia: Cooperation between EU and Iran"
Journal Article, China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly, issue 4, volume 5
By Abbas Maleki, Senior Research Associate, International Security Program/Energy Technology Innovation Policy
Energy diversification has emerged as one of the most important priorities for a majority of the European countries and the EU. Growing energy demand in Europe combined with a high reliance on Russia as an energy producer have led the EU to look to the Caspian Sea region for alternative energy resources, especially in natural gas. Iran has the 2nd largest natural gas reserves in the world and could assist Europe in diversifying supplies. This article argues that there is substantial potential for energy cooperation between Iran and the European countries, particularly Turkey. Increased Iranian participation in the Eurasian energy market, both as consumer and producer, could lead to other benefits including economic development and more efficient energy extraction.
Summer-Fall 2007
"The Virtues and Vices of Fixed Territorial Ownership"
Journal Article, The SAIS Review of International Affairs, issue 2, volume XXVII
By Boaz Atzili, Research Fellow, International Security Program
Today, territorial ownership of states is essentially fixed, in marked contrast to earlier periods in history. This change has affected states in two very different ways. In regions in which most states are socio-politically strong, fixed territorial ownership is a blessing. It enhances peace, stability, and cooperation between states. In regions in which most states are socio-politically weak, however, fixed territorial ownership is largely a curse. It perpetuates and exacerbates states' weakness, and contributes to internal conflicts that often spill overacross international borders.
July 20, 2007
"My Uncle 'Keri' and the Immigration Debate"
Op-Ed, Lowell Sun
By Gregory Aftandilian, Former Research Fellow, Dubai Initiative/International Security Program
Gregory Aftandilian reflects on his own family's history and the current debate on immigration.
2007
Iran
Book Chapter
By Abbas Maleki, Senior Research Associate, International Security Program/Energy Technology Innovation Policy
Iran has not acted as a dragon breathing ideological fire across the region, but rather as a traditional entrepreneur and reliable trader.
June 2007
"The Myth of the Borderless World: Refugees and Repatriation Policy"
Journal Article, Conflict Management and Peace Science, issue 2, volume 24
By Monica Duffy Toft, Associate Professor of Public Policy
This essay explores the impact of the end of the Cold War on the counter-refugee-crisis policies of the United Nations and its strongest member states.
2007
The New Silk Roads: Transport and Trade in Greater Central Asia
Book
This book, with contributions by eminent scholars from sixteen countries, reviews the state of the links of transport and trade that are bringing about this fundamental change on the world’s largest continent.
April 25, 2007
"'Shiite Crescent' Might Not Be What It Seems"
Op-Ed, The Baltimore Sun
By Brenda Shaffer, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program; Former Research Director, Caspian Studies Project
The premise of the Shiite Crescent assumes that states sharing common sectarian ties tend to form alliances and choose cooperation partners. But do they?
2007
Understanding Victory and Defeat in Contemporary War
Book
By Jan Angstrom and Isabelle Duyvesteyn
Bringing together leading contributors in the field, this volume analyses how victory and defeat in modern war can be understood and explained.
2007
"How to Lose a War on Terror: A Comparative Analysis of a Counterinsurgency Success and Failure"
Book Chapter
By Ivan Arreguin-Toft, Research Fellow, International Security Program
"If it is true that every strategy has an ideal counterstrategy, then understanding how to counter terrorism demands some understanding of terrorism as a strategy."
