World affairs Archives

Research Briefing

In brief: Guinea-Bissau – has the 12 April coup been overturned or rewarded?

Thursday, 31 May, 2012

A 12 April coup has provoked renewed political crisis in the West African state of Guinea Bissau. On 20 May there was an ECOWAS-backed deal under which power was ostensibly returned to civilians, but there is concern about its credibility and legitimacy. The crisis is likely to set-back recent efforts to strengthen Guinea-Bissau’s capacity to combat drug-trafficking and thereby shed its reputation as a ‘narco-state’. In a country where there are regular military coups, no president has completed a full term in office since the mid 1990s.
Research Briefing

Bahrain: an update

Wednesday, 30 May, 2012

Despite some progress in Bahrain, most reports suggest that the reform programme has been half-hearted at best. Unrest and reports of abuse continue and some fear an impending crisis.
- Research Briefing
- Middle East
Research Briefing

The eurozone crisis – rescuing Greece

Friday, 25 May, 2012

Greece’s long-standing public debt problem became a crisis at the start of 2010 and has since escalated to a point where it threatens the survival of the euro. This note describes the country's May 2010 and February 2012 bail-out agreements, the results of the May 2012 elections, future prospects, and implications of euro exit
Research Briefing

Can Greece legally withdraw from the Euro?

Friday, 25 May, 2012

This note looks at the Treaty base for EMU and some of the informal suggestions as to how Greece might legally leave the euro and/or the EU.
Research Briefing

Egypt’s presidential election 2012

Wednesday, 23 May, 2012

Egyptians vote on 23 and 24 May to elect a new president. If no candidate wins 50%, a second round will be held on 16 and 17 June. There are signs, however, of a looming crisis over the division of power and the role of the military.
Research Briefing

In Brief: Ukraine and Euro2012

Wednesday, 16 May, 2012

Ukraine is due to host the Euro2012 football competition jointly with Poland from 8 June to 1 July. Ukraine's human rights record has led to calls for a boycott.
Research Briefing

The Croatia Accession Bill: an introduction

Monday, 14 May, 2012

Croatia is expected to join the EU in July 2013. A Croatia Accession Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech, would allow the UK to ratify Croatia’s accession treaty. But issues around the judiciary, corruption and shipyards are not yet fully resolved.
Research Briefing

Azerbaijan and the Eurovision

Friday, 11 May, 2012

After winning the 2011 competition in Düsseldorf, Azerbaijan will be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest from 22 to 26 May 2012 in the capital, Baku, despite calls for a boycott.
Research Briefing

NATO: The Chicago Summit

Friday, 11 May, 2012

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) holds its Heads of State and Government summit in Chicago on 20-21 May 2012. The main themes of the summit are Afghanistan, capabilities and partnerships.
Research Briefing

How the UK Government deals with EU Business

Thursday, 10 May, 2012

This Note looks at UK Government and Civil Service structures and culture; what happens at the UK-EU interface, and methods for transposing EU law into UK law.
Research Briefing

Armenia 2012

Thursday, 10 May, 2012

Armenia has recently held a parliamentary election that appeared to show that the country’s political culture is making some progress. There remain two big problems in Armenia’s relations with other countries: its occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, which observers fear may spark another war, and the argument over whether the 1915 massacres amounted to genocide.
Research Briefing

The Syrian Crisis: Update May 2012

Wednesday, 09 May, 2012

On 21 March, the UN Security Council supported a peace plan devised by Kofi Annan that called for a ceasefire, humanitarian access to Syria and the withdrawal of forces from urban areas. All sides declared their willingness to adhere to the plan. The Annan plan is at present the only hope of ending the accelerating violence in Syria, which has now caused more than 9,000 deaths, according to UN estimates.
Research Briefing

Bangladesh: the International Crimes Tribunal

Thursday, 03 May, 2012

The Government of Bangladesh has re-established a long dormant International Crimes Tribunal to try people for alleged 'international crimes' committed during the 1971 war of independence. Eight men, all senior figures in opposition parties, currently face trial. While steps have been taken to strengthen the rules of procedure of the Tribunal, there are criticisms that the process still falls short of interntional standards.
Research Briefing

In brief: Hollande or Sarkozy for President?

Tuesday, 01 May, 2012

In the run-up to the second and final round of voting in France’s presidential elections on Sunday 6 May 2012, the Socialist François Hollande still appears to be the favourite to win.
- Research Briefing
- Europe
Research Briefing

Madagascar’s political crisis

Tuesday, 01 May, 2012

The continuing political crisis in Madagascar began when Andre Rajoelina successfully ousted the incumbent President, Marc Ravalomana, in March 2009 and installed himself instead, albeit formally as a transitional leader pending elections. The international community considers Rajoelina illegitimate. Regional mediation efforts to return Madagascar to 'constitutional rule' led to a peace deal in September 2011, but implementation remains fraught and the danger reamains that the process could collapse.

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