Research Briefing
International status of Palestine
Which countries have extended diplomatic recognition to Palestine? What is the status of Palestine at the United Nations?
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Research Briefing
Malaysia: the ruling coalition strikes back
In May 2013 elections, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, led by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, won a majority of seats in parliament despite gaining only 47% of the vote. With his leadership under significant threat within UMNO, the dominant Malay party within the BN, since the 2013 elections Najib has launched a campaign of harassment of the political opposition and a focused anew on affirmative action for Malays. Longstanding sodomy charges have been revived against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Najib's reforming credentials currently look threadbare.
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Research Briefing
Universal suffrage to elect the next Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2017: a legal primer
In August 2014 the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress decided that the next Chief Executive of Hong Kong should be directly elected in 2017 by universal suffrage. However, the candidates (expected to be two or three in total) will still have to be approved in advance by a nominating committee, whose composition and method of formation will remain unchanged from that of the 1200-person strong ‘Election Committee’ which elected the current Chief Executive in 2012. Critics argue that this nominating committee will have an in-built ‘pro-Beijing’ bias. The decision has triggered a wave of protest. This briefing summarises the legal context of recent events, including the UK's own obligations.
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Research Briefing
Defence personnel statistics
This note provides information on the current and future strength of the UK Armed Forces
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Research Briefing
Iraq, Syria and ISIS – recent developments
The advance of ISIS in Iraq and Syria seems to have been slowed, but Western and regional states are struggling to formulate a convincing response to it
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Research Briefing
NATO Wales Summit 2014: outcomes
The 2014 NATO Wales Summit discussed Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, defence spending amongst allies and the end of combat operations in Afghanistan.
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Research Briefing
EU Institutional Appointments in 2014
The EU has just appointed four new institutional leaders: the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This Note looks at the background to the four recent appointments.
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Research Briefing
International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill [Bill 14 of 2014-15]
The International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill 2014-15 would put the 0.7% aid target in legislation and would create a new body to carry out independent evaluation of aid spending.
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Research Briefing
Ukraine: towards a frozen conflict?
The conflict in Ukraine is in danger of becoming a "frozen conflict" with no clear peace agreement in sight.
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Research Briefing
France: Government reshuffle
Details of the recent Government reshuffle in France.
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Research Briefing
Military and Humanitarian Assistance to Iraq
The substantial gains made by Islamic State fighters in the last few months, which has seen ISIL forces advance on the northern city of Irbil and forced thousands of people from religious minorities to flee their homes, has prompted the US, UK and other Western governments to take more concerted action in Iraq.
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Research Briefing
Gaza ceasefire agreement
A summary of the Gaza ceasefire agreement of August 26, which put an end to hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants.
Total results (page 127 of 173)