Rehabilitation and Deradicalization: Saudi Arabia’s Counterterrorism Successes and Failures
Journalist Rob L. Wagner examines Saudi Arabia’s “soft” rehabilitation program to return Islamic extremists to the “true Islam.” Although the program in its seven-year history has suffered setbacks, its 10 percent recidivism rate points to potential long-term success. The program mixes religion and tough love to return reformed militants to Saudi society in a culture that guards its privacy and values its dignity. With more than 3,000 men successfully passing through the program, Al-Qaeda sees the Saudi government’s efforts as a threat to the group’s recruiting efforts to win the hearts and minds of young Saudis.
Regionalism and Reconciliation: A Comparison of the French-German and Chinese-Japanese Model
Dr. Gao Lan, Director of Northeast Asian Studies Centre at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, examines the prospects for, and possible pathways to, reconciliation between China and Japan and for the creation of an East Asian Community via a comparison with Germany and France’s post-WWII reconciliation and the development of the European Union. Lan identifies cultural, economic, and historical similarities and differences between China-Japan relations and the successful Germany-France model, illuminating factors that may ultimately facilitate and/or impede reconciliation and regional integration.
Reflections on Track II Peace building: case of Bakassi Peninsula in Cameroon
George Ngwane reviews the context and outcomes of the AFRICAphonie Citizen Peace Building capacity project in the disputed Bakassi Peninsula in Cameroon. This project followed a Track II approach, building networks of individuals to complement official diplomatic efforts. This report discusses the background of the project, outlines several ongoing challenges to peace in the region, and points the way forward by touching on some of the most important lessons learned in the process.
Realizing the Relevance and Power of Liberian Women: An Epiphany on the Road to Peace (1999-2005)
Horace P. Nagbe reflects on his gendered identity constructed while growing up in Liberia. He then gives an historical account of the country´s violent past which gave rise to a change in his superior male perception: the efforts of the Women in Peacebuilding Network. This group of women recognized the urgent need to bring peace to Liberia and while being suppressed and violated by the government who ignored the citizen´s call for peace, these women came together to pressure the government towards peaceful change. This group inspired the movie Pray the Devil Back to Hell and played a significant role in establishing democratic elections in Liberia.
RE: To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women
RE: To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women Author: Rob L. Wagner Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 02/10/2010 Dear Editor: I read with growing alarm Jaclyn Nardone’s essay entitled “To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women.” If this essay was meant […]
Re-examining the Nuclear Deterrence Theory
Aditi Malhotra revisits the theory of nuclear deterrence in light of current trends including nuclear proliferation, increasing mulipolarity in global power, and terrorism. The article concludes that the cold war logic of nuclear deterrence cannot be used to justify continued development and maintenance of nuclear weapons systems.
The Current Global Paradigm: Obsession with Production
“For the rich to live on the backs of the poor,
the poor need to have backs that will not break.”
– Unknown
Break this statement down into context. In the context of globalization, socio-economics, and social politics, this statement can be rewritten as: “To continue exploiting a resource, that resource must be limitless.” When I first began critically analyzing this sentence, I focused on proving how it represented an economical and political fallacy. I had a rhetorical paper, full of morals and ethics when I finished. It was full of how this neo-slavery paradigm was immoral and therefore it must constitute an overall negative impact when it came to global politics and economics. How could anything that was immoral prosper? I grabbed my laptop and began my web-search. I turned up with nothing; a few blogs, a few anti-globalization organizations, and vague articles from unknown sources.
It was then that I realized that this statement, no matter how morally disgusting it sounds, not only represents an efficient means for a productive outcome for economies and their governmental policies, but it also represents the current global ideology. The following paper will demonstrate how the above statement: “For the rich to live on the backs of the poor, the poor need to have backs that will not break” summarizes the current globalization paradigm. The contents will accurately highlight society’s current obsession with production, and discussion will continue on why it is important to understand this sentiment when it comes to exploring alternative paradigms that support economies and governments that exist for the benefit of the people, all people, globally. After consideration of all of these points, this paper will conclude with the question of if our current global paradigm should continue, or if it is time for a global frame shift in ideology.
The Conflict in Chechnya: Confronting the Threat of State Disintegration and the Right to Self-Determination
This article focuses on the right of the Chechen people to self determination. It examines the legitimacy of the Chechens’ claim to self determination and assesses the policy actions of the Russian government toward the minority populations of the Caucasus. It also assesses the various aspects related to the legitimacy of the movements that fight for self-determination in the context of the global war on terror as well as the problem of violations of minority group rights. The author argues that current policies of the Russian government in the Caucasus do not lay the foundation for the long-lasting peace and stability in the region and are, in large part, conducive to the continuation of separatist tendencies.
Keywords: Russia, Chechnya, self-determination, state-building, repression, human rights, identity rights
The African Court of Justice and Human Rights: Future Political and Jurisdictional Realities and Challenges
Thompson Ugiagbe analyzes the African Court of Justice and Human Rights by examining the court´s use of ratione materiae, ratione personae and ratione temporis . After a careful examination of the challenges the court faces, including accessibility, accountability and unclear provisions, Ugiagbe stresses the need for the Court to base its decisions on principles while being pragmatic in awards, so as to ensure legitimacy. He argues for the revitalization of the African Human Rights Commission as well as building the court´s capacity through training exchange programmes and internships.
The 9/7 Boko Haram Attack on Bauchi Prison: A Case of Intelligence Failure
The Nigerian-based Boko Haram Islamic sect revolted in July 2009, marking a period of intense violence. In September 2010, members of the sect organized a prison break to free those who had been incarcerated following last year’s revolt. This article reviews the circumstances of the revolt and prison break, offering some suggestions for security and intelligence reform within the Nigerian state.