Month: August 2017

Building a Sociology of Law for the Humanitarian Field

  Legal sociology has paid significant attention to human rights, but in contrast to legal anthropology, little focus has been given to humanitarianism. In this contribution, we ask, what does a legal sociological research agenda for the humanitarian field look like? Humanitarianism is many things to many people. As described by Miriam Ticktin, humanitarianism is… Read more »

Why a War with North Korea Is Unlikely

Here are three scenarios for the North Korean crisis: The recent flurry of threats between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump has caused much consternation. Threats can indeed be dangerous but only when they are followed up by hostile action. The latest important developments in this crisis have been North Korea’s July 4 and July 28… Read more »

This Week in South Sudan – Week 33 & 34

Dear Readers, please note that there will be no news update next week. We will be back on Monday 11 September with a two-week TWISS update for week 35 and 36. Monday 14 August The SPLA (IO) has allegedly reclaimed their stronghold of Pagak in Upper Nile State, a week after being pushed out of the… Read more »

A Plural Conception of the Nation

Nationalism and the political salience of national identities are on the rise in contemporary Europe and beyond. This rise is often associated with populist movements. These include populist political parties, several in position across Europe today, whose politics are characterized by isolationism and anti-immigration stances, and right-wing populist groups, characterized by xenophobia, sometimes overt racism… Read more »

This Week in South Sudan – Week 32

  Dear Readers, please note that there will be no news update next week. We will be back on Monday August 28 with a two-week TWISS update for week 33 and 34. Monday 7 August The United States has nominated Thomas J. Hushek to be its Ambassador to South Sudan. He will replace Mary Molly… Read more »

This Week in South Sudan – Week 31

 Monday 31 July Reported clashes in two areas in Kajo-keji County, Central Equatoria State and at Lanyi garrison, Western Equatoria State.  Tuesday 1 August A new Human Rights Watch report accuses nine leaders from both warring factions, including President Salva Kiir and SPLA (IO) leader Riek Machar, of committing serious human rights violations and possibly war crimes… Read more »

Being Policy Relevant in Peace Research means Forecasting

Driven by the ever-increasing availability of (big) data, as well as computational power and resources, we are currently witnessing an important academic debate about the promises and pitfalls of predicting social and human behavior. Given its potentially disastrous consequences, the prediction of armed conflict and political violence more generally, not surprisingly takes a central place… Read more »

This Week in South Sudan – Week 30

Wednesday 26 July The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) stated that the proposed revitalization forum by IGAD would not be a platform for renegotiation of the 2015 peace agreement. The Guardian on unaccompanied refugee children: “South Sudan: ‘When we came home for lunch our parents had been killed’ Thursday 27 July SPLA claimed control over… Read more »