Research Briefing
This note looks at British and other assessments of the threat from global violent jihad, Muslim attitudes towards it and the countries that are known to be havens for jihadis and those that are suspected to be at risk.
Research Briefing
This note provides a summary of the historical background to the conflict between the israelis and the Palestinians, and a detailed chronology of the peace process from 1990 to 2010.
Research Briefing
Brief summary of the election in Belarus and subsequent demonstrations
Research Briefing
This note summarises the debates at Commons Committee Stage on the Terrorist Asset-Freezing Etc. Bill [HL]
Research Briefing
Summary of recent developments in the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians
Research Briefing
The UK is required by the UN to freeze the assets of persons who commit terrorist acts. In a case that raised “fundamental questions about the relationship between Parliament and the executive” the UK legislation that allowed the Treasury to freeze the assets of those suspected of involvement in terrorism was quashed by the UK Supreme Court in January 2010. The legislation was reinstated by temporary legislation immediately afterwards, but the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Temporary Provisions) Act 2010 expires on 31 December 2010. This Bill seeks to replace that Act with a permanent legislative framework.
Research Briefing
The forthcoming election in Jordan will not have a big impact on the country's political scene. Political parties are weak and the monarchy retains most of the power in the country.
Research Briefing
President Saakashvili's second term expires in 2013. Whether the election is won by a more Moscow-friendly successor will be critical for the progress of Russia's efforts to establish its ""zone of privileged interest". Critics of the US administration may say that Obama's decision to "press the reset button" on relations with Russia has betrayed Georgia's ambitions to join western countries.
Research Briefing
Shortly after taking office, US President Obama gave negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme one year, promising to push for a new set of United Nations sanctions if there was no progress. After negotiating since the end of 2009, the E3+3 countries, France, Germany and the United Kingdom plus China Russia and the United States reached agreement on the fourth round of sanctions in June 2010 This note looks at Iran's nuclear programme and UN, US and EU sanctions.
Research Briefing
A general election has been called for 21 August 2010. This note gives background, and looks at the fall of Kevin Rudd and the campaign.
Research Briefing
Summary of the attack on the flotilla, arguments surrounding its legality, the Israeli investigations into the raid and its political outcome
Research Briefing
Describes the cases that led to the quashing of the terrorist asset-freezing regime by the Supreme Court, the temporary provisions bill that reinstated it and the present Bill, designed to provide a permanent solution to the problem.
Research Briefing
The failed attempt on 25 December to destroy an airliner bound for Detroit has focussed attention on the situation in Yemen. This note summarises political and military developments in the country and looks at Yemeni relations with the UK and the EU.
Research Briefing
Summary about disturbances and the change of government in Kyrgyzstan
Research Briefing
The first part of this paper focuses on the Pashtuns, beginning with a survey of the geographic, historical and cultural factors which have shaped Pashtun identities in Afghanistan and Pakistan before going on to describe the political and security arrangements under which they currently live. The paper then reviews the Pashtun armed militant groups currently operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The second part of the paper then looks at the US AfPak policy, setting out its origins and evolution before assessing the prospects for success over the coming year and beyond.
Total results (page 18 of 19)