Asia Pacific Archives

Research Briefing

The ‘AfPak policy’ and the Pashtuns

Tuesday, 22 June, 2010

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.
Research Briefing

Global Economic Crisis & developing countries

Friday, 30 April, 2010

This note was last published on 26 August 2009 and will not be updated. In the early stages of the financial crisis there were hopes that it would be largely contained within developed economies, with developing economies having 'decoupled' from them. These early hopes proved unfounded, with developing countries struck by declining trade, a loss of investor confidence and withdrawal of investment, a fall in the value of vital remittances, and much reduced growth and contraction in some cases. There are also fears that aid flows may suffer in the aftermath of the crisis. This note summarises key reports and statistics, with links to further resources.
Research Briefing

The legal basis for the invasion of Afghanistan

Friday, 26 February, 2010

The military campaign in Afghanistan was not specifically mandated by the UN, but was widely (although not universally) perceived to be a legitimate form of self-defence under the UN Charter. This note outlines the self-defence justification for military action.
Research Briefing

Where are Turkey’s new international relations taking it?

Friday, 05 February, 2010

Turkey's path in the international arena is changing, with a growing focus on its regional and eastern neighbours. However, commentators have yet to predict whether this change is deepening Turkey's relationship with the West or moving it away.
Research Briefing

Turkey’s energy politics

Wednesday, 27 January, 2010

Turkey and its relations with its gas-rich neighbouring countries play a predominant role in the future of European energy security. Turkey hopes to use this as leverage in its aspirations to join the European Union. The array of Eurasian gas pipeline projects
Research Briefing

Sources of International Social Statistics

Friday, 15 January, 2010

International sources of social statistics. By Kathryn Keith. SN/SG/3140.
Research Briefing

Afghanistan: Equipment Issues

Tuesday, 14 July, 2009
Research Briefing

War and peace in Sri Lanka

Friday, 05 June, 2009

This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised – rapidly to be dashed – that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka’s future prospects, including assessing how real the Government’s military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced.
Research Briefing

Afghanistan and narcotics: Opium poppy cultivation trends, 2001 – 2009

Tuesday, 24 March, 2009

This note examines the scale of the opium problem in Afghanistan and analyses recent trends in opium production in the country, including the latest figures published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in August 2008 and its forecast for 2009, published in February 2009. It also outlines the linkages between the narcotics trade and the Taliban insurgency.
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Research Briefing

Tibet

Friday, 20 March, 2009

The 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising was commemorated on 10 March 2009. This Note provides brief background for Members and their staff. It is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive.
Research Briefing

Sexual and gender-based violence: global trends and perspectives

Friday, 13 March, 2009

This Note is intended as an introduction to some key trends and perspectives on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) around the world.
Research Briefing

The International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan

Monday, 09 February, 2009

This note is intended to be a brief guide to the mandate upon which those forces are deployed; the command and control of forces in the country and the integration of ISAF with the US-led Operation Enduring freedom; current troop contributions and future force rotation plans and commitments. It does not examine either wider political and economic developments in Afghanistan or the ccounter narcotics strategy.
Research Briefing

Turkey Today

Friday, 05 December, 2008

Turkey Today: An overview of the main issues affecting Turkey today
Research Briefing

China’s Military Posture

Tuesday, 12 February, 2008
Research Briefing

Pakistan’s political and security challenges

Thursday, 13 September, 2007

Total results (page 19 of 20)