World affairs Archives

Research Briefing

Justice and Security Bill

Friday, 14 December, 2012

This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which is due to take place on 18 December 2012. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use closed material procedures to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012.
- Research Briefing
- Courts
- Crime
- Defence
- Justice
- Security
Research Briefing

Kenya since the 2007/08 crisis

Friday, 14 December, 2012

This note reviews major political developments since the 2007/08 crisis, whose legacies Kenya is still struggling to overcome. Elections are scheduled for March 2013 but two of the candidates seeking high office - Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto - are due to stand trial at the International Criminal Court in the following month. Meanwhile, Kenyan troops have now been in southern Somalia for over a year and helped re-take the strategic port of Kismayo in September 2012. But there remains uncertainty about Kenya's objectives in Somalia.
Research Briefing

Iceland: an overview

Thursday, 13 December, 2012

2012 has seen Iceland gear up for parliamentary elections in 2013, with plans for a new constitution as it emerges from its financial crisis and proceeds with its application to join the EU.
Research Briefing

Recent EU Treaty Amendments and UK Ratification

Tuesday, 11 December, 2012

This Note outlines the three Treaty amendments that have been adopted under amended Article 48 TEU since the Lisbon Treaty came into force and how these amendments have been ratified in the UK.
Research Briefing

Pakistan in 2013

Thursday, 06 December, 2012

2013 will be another important year for Pakistan. Federal and provincial elections will be held during the first half of the year. If, as seems increasingly likely, the Pakistan People’s Party-led Government sees out its full term in office and hands over to a civilian successor, it will be the first time in Pakistan’s history that this has happened. But the political and economic situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable.
Research Briefing

Israeli settlements and the E1 area

Wednesday, 05 December, 2012

Statistics and commentary on Israeli sttlements in the Occupied Territories
- Research Briefing
- Middle East
Research Briefing

In brief: deja vu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Friday, 23 November, 2012

On 20 November, forces belonging to the March 23 (M23) armed group seized Goma, the main city in eastern DRC. This note briefly surveys the events of recent days and the many echoes of the past that they evoke. It also looks at the roles of Rwanda and Uganda, which is leading Western governments, including the UK, to review their aid programmes to both countries.
Research Briefing

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

This note summarises the main features of the extractive industries transparency initiative and outlines the sphere of operations of the UK’s main mining companies.
Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: Proposed energy efficiency directive

Friday, 16 November, 2012
Research Briefing

Referendums on the European Union

Tuesday, 13 November, 2012

This Note charts the referendums on EU matters held in candidate and Member States since 1972, with brief details on turnout and results.
Research Briefing

In brief: Syria’s bloody stalemate

Thursday, 01 November, 2012

A brief update on events in Syria since August 2012
- Research Briefing
- Middle East
Research Briefing

UK/Croatia trade statistics

Thursday, 01 November, 2012

This note looks at UK/Croatia trade statistics and was prepared for the Second Reading of the European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill 2012-13 on Monday 5 November 2012.
Research Briefing

European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill [Bill 76 of 2012-13]

Thursday, 01 November, 2012

Croatia is expected to join the EU in July 2013. This Bill would allow the UK to ratify Croatia’s accession treaty and would also cover the Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty put forward by the Irish Government.
Research Briefing

How to find voting information in the European Parliament

Thursday, 01 November, 2012

How to find voting information in the European Parliament. By Julia Keddie. SN/IA/3389.
- Research Briefing
- EU institutions
Research Briefing

Mali in crisis: a political and security overview

Wednesday, 31 October, 2012

Mali has been in crisis since March 2012, when the military overthrew the government of Amadou Toumani Touré. Within weeks of the coup, a coalition of Tuareg rebels and militant Islamist armed groups pushed the national army out of the north of the country. There is now growing momentum behind proposals to create a regional military intervention force. But many questions remain about the wisdom of this course of action.

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