RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, October 26, 2009, United Nations General Assembly
Since 2004 there have been encouraging trends related to internal displacement. Walter Kälin notes that the use of the Guiding Principles as the relevant framework for protecting IDPs and the development of national and regional laws and policies on internal displacement have been positive trends. However, despite such positive trends, the challenges presented by climate change, the disregard for civilian populations in conflict zones, a shrinking humanitarian space, and protracted displacement situations still remain unchanged. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 24, 2009, Council on Foreign Relations
Steven Pifer joined Bernard Gwertzman to discuss Vice President Joseph Biden's recent trip to Ukraine and Georgia and how it was meant to balance President Barack Obama's Moscow summit earlier in the month. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
4:15 PM to 5:30 PM
Washington, DC
On June 17, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings will host Irakli Alasania, former Georgian permanent representative to the United Nations and currently the head of the Alliance for Georgia opposition group, for a discussion on the political crisis in Georgia and the prospects for resolution. Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, March 30, 2009
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Washington, DC
When President Barack Obama and NATO leaders met in early April to celebrate the NATO alliance’s 60th anniversary, they also confronted the daunting challenges facing NATO today. Prior to the event, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings held a public discussion to preview President Obama’s first NATO summit. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, March 26, 2009
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC
On March 26, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, David Bakradze, for a public discussion of the challenges currently facing Georgia. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, December 31, 2008, Forced Migration Review
In this article, Walter Kälin explains that while it is hard to take an objective view on an enterprise in which you have been closely involved, he thinks that it is fair to say that over the last ten years the Guiding Principles have demonstrated their utility and impact but also their limitations. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, December 02, 2008, The Washington Times
Press reports indicate the Bush administration is pursuing a final bold foreign policy move -- agreeing to offer Georgia and Ukraine rapid membership to NATO by bypassing normal procedures. Michael O'Hanlon argues this is a bad idea, writing it is likely to worsen U.S.-Russia relations and increase the risk of war. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, November 26, 2008, Council of Europe, Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population
While Africa could be considered the continent of internal displacement because it has more than 12 of the roughly 25 million displaced by armed conflict worldwide, Europe, with its estimated 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), could be called the continent of protracted displacement, since 99% of Europe's remaining displaced fled their homes some 15-25 years ago. In recent years, some governments have taken important steps to improve their situation, but overall the situation of most IDPs remains a cause for concern. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, October 29, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Steven Pifer believes bids by Ukraine and Georgia for NATO membership action plans (MAPs), though strongly supported by the U.S., are likely to fail. Pifer says involved parties should accept that asking for MAPs in December is a recipe for defeat, but also that NATO should make it clear to Russia it cannot draw new lines through Europe. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Alex Mundt and Elizabeth Ferris, October 28, 2008, Enhancing Protection of Civilians in Protracted Conflicts, ARC/Austcare Symposium
Though there are important similarities in the impact of prolonged displacement on the lives of IDPs and refugees, there are also significant differences in their situations -- particularly when it comes to solutions. While return is often the desired solution for both IDPs and political actors, Alex Mundt and Elizabeth Ferris argue that local integration and return should not be seen as mutually exclusive alternatives, as they can encourage IDPs to build new lives elsewhere without having to give up the possibility of an eventual return. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, October 03, 2008, Council on Foreign Relations
In an interview with Bernard Gwertzman of Council on Foreign Relations, Steven Pifer said U.S.-Russian relations have "deteriorated significantly" since the Putin-Bush summit of 2002. Pifer believes the current state of relations has not left much in the U.S. diplomatic tool-kit to use against Moscow, and he suggests that the next administration try to return to negotiations on limiting strategic arms. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Clifford G. Gaddy, September 16, 2008, The Moscow Times
Cliff Gaddy explores the widely held idea that Russia's recent invasion of Georgia was a primary cause for the Russian stock market to plummet. Instead, Gaddy believes the global decline in oil prices—now nearly 30% off highs in July—is a more likely reason. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard C. Bush III and Kenneth G. Lieberthal, September 16, 2008, The Wall Street Journal Asia
In light of the recent conflict in Georgia, comparisons have been made between U.S. approaches toward Georgia and Taiwan. Richard Bush and Ken Lieberthal argue that the different outcomes illustrate the danger of sending mixed messages, and that American commitment should be carefully shaped around sober analysis of American capabilities and interest and the competing goals and interests of other major players. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, September 11, 2008, George Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M
Steven Pifer spoke before the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M to outline Russia's ambitions in the world, and what the U.S. can do to respond. Pifer believes that U.S. policy must be firm and principled, but it must also treat Russia as more of a partner than a problem going forward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Jeffrey A. Bader and Douglas Paal, September 02, 2008, Far Eastern Economic Review
Jeffrey Bader and Douglas Paal believe the Russian attack on Georgia can provide several important lessons for Taiwan in regards to China. Among the most important is that "a constructive relationship between the United States and major powers is an essential component of security for vulnerable states." Read More