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Iraq

May 6, 2025

☢️ Two decades of Iran’s nuclear dilemma

Valeriia Gergiieva Valeriia Gergiieva examines the Iranian nuclear dilemma, from its non-compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards in 2003 to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement and its eventual collapse. She analyses ongoing challenges around Iran’s nuclear policy, including its growing uranium stockpile, and renewal of pressure from the US Read more
December 19, 2024

Kurdistan: A double-edged sword for Turkey

Loqman Radpey In a rapidly changing political environment, the fate of Kurdistan is now shaping the future of the Middle East. Turkey’s century-long repression of the Kurds, argues Loqman Radpey, is now posing a critical dilemma: either embrace de jure recognition of Kurdistan and Kurdish rights, or risk escalating tensions and instability Read more
October 16, 2024

America’s ‘Freedom Agenda’ and its misconception of Iran’s discursive proxies in the Middle East

Loqman Radpey As we pass the anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks, it is crucial we examine the deeper roots of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The US Freedom Agenda, designed to promote democracy in the region, has instead created instability. Loqman Radpey reveals how misinterpretations of Middle Eastern dynamics pose profound challenges to peace and security. Read more
August 19, 2024

The Turkification of Kurdistan: the world looks on 

Loqman Radpey The past decade has seen relentless Turkish expansion into Kurdistan. This encroachment has disturbing echoes of Turkey's 1974 invasion of Northern Cyprus – a violation largely ignored by the rest of the world. Loqman Radpey warns that the international community must not abandon the Kurds in their fight against Turkish humanitarian violations Read more
May 15, 2024

Why terminating sanctions is more difficult than initiating them

Olga Vlasova Olga Vlasova delves into the intricacies of economic sanctions termination. Scrutinising global data and exploring historical precedents, she uncovers the complexities surrounding the lifting of sanctions, and how rarely they are lifted. Her analysis offers valuable insights for policymakers navigating the delicate balance of international relations. Read more
February 6, 2024

A new axis of evil?

Albrecht Rothacher The ‘Axis of Evil’ coined by President George W. Bush is not so much redundant for Washington today as in need of descriptive expansion, argues Albrecht Rothacher. The threat of a new enlarged axis of evil is all the greater for the increasing neo-isolationism of the United States Read more
April 20, 2023

It’s time to rethink emergency medical aid in armed conflict

Michael Walsh ​​​Michael Walsh​​ argues that only ecosystem disruptors​​​ can realise the full potential of emergency medical teams. A radical reimagining of current structures would save lives and alleviate suffering in armed conflicts and other insecure environments​​ Read more
May 11, 2022

♟️ Why we must understand civilian participation in military rule

Salah Ben Hammou Researchers of authoritarian politics and civil-military relations have long examined military rule. However, our understanding of civilian participation in military regimes remains limited and requires greater analytical attention, argues Salah Ben Hammou. Amid last year’s coup resurgence, researchers must move to appreciate the subtle but salient differences among military dictatorships Read more

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Advancing Political Science
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