WPR Articles Monday, June 22, 2015 - Friday, June 26, 2015

Kurdish Advances Can Contain the Islamic State, but Not Defeat It

By: Balint Szlanko | Briefing

The war of attrition between Kurdish forces and fighters from the Islamic State in northern Iraq illustrates the weaknesses of both sides. But that also is evident in northern Syria, where despite recent Kurdish advances, allegations of ethnic cleansing could serve as a potent recruiting tool for IS.

America’s Biggest National Security Threats Are at Home, Not Abroad

By: Michael A. Cohen | Column

The discordant U.S. responses to threats at home and abroad reflect a flawed delineation between domestic and foreign issues and their implications for national security. A definition of national security that focuses only on what happens “over there” is no longer relevant in today’s world.

Taiwan Tries to Play Mediator in the South China Sea

By: The Editors | Trend Lines

Last month, Taiwan proposed a peace plan to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea and reduce regional tensions. In an interview, Lynn Kuok, a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for East Asia Policy Studies, discussed Taiwan’s role in the South China Sea disputes.

Greece Deal Elusive, but EU Faces Even Tougher Battles Ahead

By: Frida Ghitis | Column

Like much of Europe, the Dutch have been keeping a close eye on talks to avert a Greek default whose consequences could range from very painful to catastrophic. Yet, the dilemma of how or whether to give another lifeline to Greece is only a prelude to a more divisive political battle looming ahead.

Cameron’s EU Referendum: Lucky Gamble or Mission Impossible?

By: Matthias Matthijs | Briefing

David Cameron’s unexpected re-election in May has put a British referendum on its EU membership firmly on the agenda. Assuming Cameron wants his country to stay in the EU, he seems to have picked the right time for a referendum, even though the outcome remains uncertain and could mean more decline in British influence.

More South Africa’s Courts Have Become Key Constitutional Defender By: The Editors | Trend Lines Last week, South African authorities let Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir fly home and escape his ICC arrest warrant, after South Africa’s High Court tried to prevent him from leaving. In an interview, Pierre de Vos, professor of constitutional law at the University of Cape Town, discussed South Africa’s judiciary. Technical Fixes Not Enough to Shore Up U.N. Peacekeeping By: Richard Gowan | Column Last week, the U.N. released a report by an expert panel on the future of peace operations that does not at first glance seem like an exceptionally enticing text. On closer inspection, it proves to be a subtly subversive summary of what is wrong with peace operations, and the entire U.N., today. Aligning Justice and Security Interventions to Revamp the U.N. By: Ellen Laipson | Trend Lines As the U.N. turns 70, this grand edifice of mid-20th century geopolitics needs serious refurbishing to align its capabilities with the demands of the 21st-century world. One area in need of particular attention is the nexus between justice and security, especially in postconflict environments. Decade of Exile: Syria and the Middle East’s Refugee Crisis By: Michael Kagan | Feature To understand the impact of forced migration in the Middle East today, it is artificial to focus only on the Syrian refugee crisis. Over the past 10 years, the region has seen two massive waves of forced migration that left 6 million people uprooted. Things may get worse before they get better. EU’s Energy Dependence on Russia Hard to Kick By: Richard Weitz | Column Last week, Russia and Greece negotiated an agreement for Greece’s participation in the Turkish Stream gas pipeline that will transport Russian gas via Turkey to European markets. The deal highlights the difficulties the EU will face in efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources. Uganda’s Museveni Succeeds Where Others Fail in Eluding Term Limits By: Andrew Green | Briefing Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza and other presidents trying to subvert term limits could all take a lesson from their neighbor, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Having disposed of term limits a decade ago, Museveni is set to run for his fifth term next year, in a campaign that seems as much a coronation as a contest. Russia Capitalizes on U.S. Missteps to Put Middle East Back in Play By: Michael Kofman | Briefing Russia’s joint naval exercises with Egypt in the Mediterranean this month put into sharper relief its resurgent ties in the Middle East, where it is steadily reviving a meaningful role for itself. Russia has walked through doors the U.S. left open, pursuing profit and opportunity, though not a grand strategy. As Time Runs Out, All Sides Moving Toward Compromise on Greek Bailout By: Maria Savel | Trend Lines Another round of bailout talks between Greece and its creditors ended without a deal on Thursday, with a last-ditch effort scheduled for Saturday. While many observers are preparing for the worst-case scenario of a Greek exit from the eurozone, there are signs that both sides are slowly moving closer together. Behind Latin America’s Anti-Mining Protests: Water Concerns By: Lyuba Zarsky | Briefing Mining conflicts are intensifying across Latin America, with 218 mining projects embroiled in conflicts with communities from Mexico to Argentina. One issue above all is driving the protests: water, which is heavily used and polluted in many projects. Without reforms, conflicts will only escalate. U.S. Military Should Lead the Way in Disavowing Confederate Imagery By: Steven Metz | Column Over the past 75 years, the U.S. military has been used to advance the cause of expanding civil rights several times. Now the U.S. is again entering a great debate on rights that the military can and should play a major role in: expunging America of its sordid tradition of glorifying the Confederacy.