This paper offers an in-depth analysis of the history, status, and implications of the recent air defense identification zone (ADIZ) disputes in Northeast Asia involving China, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The interests and actions of all parties are considered in light of the larger political and economic

What happens when rising sea levels submerge an island at the center of an international territorial dispute? Ishak Mia argues that it may lead to conflict resolution.

Linus Malu provides the background to the prospects for collective peace-keeping in West Africa. His report appraises conflict prevention and resolution methods employed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). First, it examines the operations of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in the region and evaluates the impact

Journalist Lawal Tsalha traces the history and context of the Mali conflict, clarifying the motivations and relationships between various parties, and offering some insight into the present situation.

Originally published by Carlos Goés at Instituto Mercado Popular. Translated by Pedro Henrique L. do Nascimento

According to new theorizing in social psychology, the main function of culture is to alleviate anxiety caused by the awareness of our eventual death. In this framework, culture and religion offer answers to the meaning of life in the face of our mortality. Faith in ones own cultural world-view provides

Nine women taking part in a polio vaccine program and three North Korean doctors working in a Yobe state hospital have been killed in northeastern Nigera. Lawal Tsalha comments on the implications of these latest killings for the fragile ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram.

Andres Jimenez discusses the ongoing violence in Syria and the fallacy of conflict resolution through further violence. Jimenez argues that the increasing participation of regional and international powers makes Syria a focal point of larger conflicting interests, frustrating peace efforts; rather, the role of the international community should be to

Social and political challenges continue to affect Aceh as the region struggles to achieve peace, justice, and reconciliation, both within itself and with the Indonesian government. Michael Cornish reports on the status of Aceh's democratic transition and the complicated political forces that have arisen in the fragile peace of the

This paper analyses the role of Afghanistan's regional neighbours in securing it's recovery and stability, as well as the wider implications of America's strategic policies in the region. Will things fall apart or hold together in Afghanistan after December 2014?