Monday 24 August The South Sudanese government admitted that the SPLA (IO) unexpectedly overran the strategic town Lainya, in central Equatoria state on Monday morning. According to a county official, four people were killed and five others seriously wounded following a revenge attack at Ayen cattle camp in Rumbek North county, Lakes state. Tuesday 25… Read more »
Month: August 2015
Russia’s Arctic illusions
Russia appears firmly set on its course of militarization of the Arctic. In a region where economic activities are mostly declining and where environmental challenges are on the rise, Russia appears to be engaged in a one-sided arms race. It is glaringly obvious to observers outside the Kremlin that Russia’s severe economic recession makes this… Read more »
Small and Far Between: Peacekeeping Economies in South Sudan
New open access article by Øystein H. Rolandsen in Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding. This work was supported by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) under the NORGLOBAL programme. Abstract The massive expenditure on UN peacekeeping missions combined with a significant commitment of personnel and infrastructure creates ‘peacekeeping economies’ within host societies. We need to understand… Read more »
NEWS UPDATE: IGAD+ Peace Agreement – 27.08.15
President Salva Kiir signed the IGAD+ peace agreement 26 August 2015. For further information see a collection of news articles below from various media outlets commenting on the event: International Media: Al Jazeera: ‘South Sudan president signs peace deal with rebels.’ New York Times: ‘South Sudan’s President Signs Peace Deal With Rebels.’ The Guardian: ‘South Sudan’s President… Read more »
Cracking the Glass Ceiling: Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. presidential politics
In a now legendary 2008 Saturday Night Live skit, comedians Amy Poehler and Tina Fey opened the show by imitating Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and unsuccessful Democratic contender for the nomination Hillary Clinton, respectively. The skit could have been a harmless imitation game, with Fey and Poehler simply doing their brilliant impressions of… Read more »
Return Migration: Pakistan as a Return Migration Destination
Return migration to Pakistan is diverse. It ranges from return mobilities of naturalized citizens and those born abroad to so-called ‘voluntary assisted returns’ and deportations of migrants without regular status. Pakistan receives returnees from the Middle East, as well as from Europe and North America, which reflects broader Pakistani migration patterns. This policy brief explores… Read more »
Return Migration: Polish Migrants to Norway
How do Polish Migrants in Norway Consider Return Migration? After Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004 and the substantial emigration that followed, return migration was an expectation widely shared by observers in Poland and abroad. Return migration has been modest, however, even in the wake of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Due to the… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 34
Monday 17 August President Salva Kiir did not sign the Proposed IGAD+ peace deal in Addis Ababa, requesting a further 15 days for ‘consultations.’ President Salva Kiir made indirect death threats towards journalists ‘working against the country.’ A large force of military police was deployed around the residence of Clement Wani Konga, the recently dismissed… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 33
Monday 10 August South Sudanese rival forces traded accusations over who initiated recent clashes in Pariang county, Unity state over the weekend. Ethiopia’s prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn travelled to Uganda to attend the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development summit on South Sudan. Riek Machar downplayed the rumoured possibility of disintegration within the SPLM/A (IO)’s leadership. Sudan’s… Read more »
The “Sunnification” of Turkey´s Foreign Policy
Two months is a long time in politics – even more so in Turkish politics. At the beginning of June, the Turkish election brought a wave of hope across the country with results that broke the majoritarian (and authoritarian) rule of the reigning Justice and Development Party (AKP). The pro-Kurdish People´s Democratic Party (HDP), winning… Read more »