How South Korean Agents Used Social Media to Manipulate Public Opinion and Subvert Democracy, and How the Public is Reacting
Elements of ROK’s security and intelligence services have been implicated in a controversial campaign to sway public opinion through the use of social media during last year’s presidential campaign. Chan Woo reports on the techniques used to manipulate the outcome of the election, and the international grassroots democracy movement that it has provoked.
The Campaign to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Japan for Article 9
Takuo Namisashi tells the story of Naomi Takasu’s effort to bring Japan’s peace constitution to the attention of the Nobel Prize committee, and explains how international recognition of Article 9, despite its flaws, could have a real impact on countering the rising militarism in Japan and the region.
The anniversary of Rwanda: A time for pause
Gerald Caplan calls for personal reflection on the anniversary of the Rwandan genocide – challenging us all to unlearn our hatreds and the common assumption that only “they” are capable of evil.
Chatting about Peace
An interview conducted by Vicky Rossi with Ms Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Rector of the University for Peace, and Prof. Abelardo Brenes who is Head of the Peace Education Programme, University for Peace. The interview originally appeared on the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research website, and was conducted via e-mail.
ASEAN Vision: Peace or Conflict?
Kyi Kyi Seinn discusses ASEAN Vision 2020, and looks beneath the rhetoric of peace and harmony to reveal the tensions of economic exploitation and international migration. She argues that the significant power imbalances between the original ASEAN 6 countries and the newer, less developed member states (Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines) have not been adequately addressed in the plans of economic cooperation.
Key words: regional integration, economic exploitation, migration, displacement, ASEAN Vision 2020, CLMV countries, AFTA, CEPT, ASC, AEC
India as Superpower?
India’s quest for security appears to be expanding beyond her own borders on a global scale. Can it be regarded as a welcome prospective trend? India’s upcoming military base in Central Asia may as well be an exercise in sharing United States security concerns around the world. Beginning is apparently being made at oil rich Tajikistan. Is India looking forward to be a superpower in another decade’s time? Is India changing her policy of peaceful co-existence? All these are pointers worth considering. India is already playing a predominant role in the South Asian context. Where will this new road to security end for India?
The UN’s Intellectual Challenge Today
The future is here, the world is changing, and the United Nations must as well. In view of that, the United Nations Intellectual History Project (UNIHP) nears completion. It identifies three types of challenges for the UN: Intellectual, participatory, and personnel. Louis Emmerij, co-director of the UNIHP, brings us this synopsis of the project and what it means for the UN.
Charlie Wilson’s War
Author George Crile published Charlie Wilson’s War in 2003. The former CBS journalist began researching the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan around the 1980’s. Crile investigated the life and work of Charlie Wilson, a former U.S. State Representative from Texas and former U.S. naval officer. Wilson is most known for leading “Operation Cyclone,” a CIA operation which allegedly led to the creation of the Afghan Mujahidin groups.
In a PCM interview with University for Peace Rector John Maresca, Charlie Wilson’s War was a highly recommended resource for understanding the fragile state of Afghanistan.
‘Miracle on the Han River’ Evaluated with the Perspective of Amartya Sen: The Development Case of South Korea
Hansoal Park analyzes South Korea’s historical post-war economic development process, known as the ‘Miracle on the Han River’. Shedding light on widespread abuse of labour rights as the means toward economic growth under the 18-year dictatorship of Park Chung Hee, she raises the controversial question of whether human rights repression is helpful for achieving rapid development. Comparing South Korea’s experience with Amartya Sen’s emphasis on ‘Development as Freedom’, Park concludes that “human rights should never be disregarded for the longevity of an authoritarian regime that justifies its actions for the sake of rapid development.”
The Need for Security Sector Reform in Afghanistan to Curb Corruption
This paper, on the basis of available literature and organizations’ experiences, aims to evaluate and analyze the institutional limitations and weaknesses of the police and judicial sector of Afghanistan’s security sector.
Understanding the trends and inadequate practices in the services delivery systems of the Afghan security sector will set the stage for possible policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the sector and curb corruption. Subsequently, identification of effective and feasible policy recommendations to enhance the performance of the Afghan police and judicial sector will enable other service delivery institutions to resourcefully implement development initiatives.