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ISN
ETH Zurich
International Relations and Security Network www.isn.ethz.ch
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This Week at ISN Our Weekly Editorial Roundup
7 11 July 2014 JUMP TO Security Watch | Blog | Video
/// Security Watch
This week, our hard power-centered Security Watch (SW) series focuses on whether Iran will be able to continue
expanding its influence through asymmetrical and unconventional military means; how Russia is attempting to counter the
spread of terrorism from the North Caucasus region; how Finland can boost its chances of joining NATO; how Arab states
are currently battling their problems with terrorism; and how Russia's strategic interests might be served by fomenting
trouble in Moldovas Gguzia region. Then in our second, more wide-ranging SW series, well zero in on the attempts of
those fleeing gang violence in Central America to secure refugee status in the United States; how North Africa is tackling
the problem of religious intolerance and cultural alienation among its youth; what history has to tell us about changing
developments on the Korean Peninsula; what are the links between arms, politics and crime in Mali; and how Europe
might benefit from ASEANs approach to soft power. More
Evolution of the Immortals: The Future of Iranian Military Power
7 July 2014
Michael McBride thinks Irans attempts to expand its influence through asymmetrical and unconventional military means
will fail. Thats because changes in modern warfare, ongoing international isolation, and tensions within Iranian society
pose major threats to Tehrans ability to stay the course. More
Should Migrants Fleeing Gang Violence in Central America Be Accorded Refugee Status?
7 July 2014
Regardless of how you might answer this question, Sylvia Longmire expects the United States to remain cautious about
granting asylum to those fleeing violence perpetrated by gangs and transnational criminal organizations. More
Home-Grown Terrorism Russias Ticking Bomb
8 July 2014
Vladimir Putins muscular foreign policy continues to divert attention away from a major security problem in Russias
outlands. Today, Maia Otarashvili and Aleksandr Fisher trace the evolution of terrorism in the northern Caucasus region
and Moscows efforts to bring a degree of stability to its restive southern republics. More
Religious Violence and the Cultural Alienation of North African Youth
8 July 2014
How can North African states make religious intolerance and violence less attractive to their youth? In addition to
promoting moderate religious and secular philosophies, Eden Almasude believes they need to spread values that are
rooted in indigenous rather than Arab culture. More
Finland Gets a Foot in NATO's Door
9 July 2014
Blatant threats from Russia and a less-than-enthusiastic public continue to complicate Finlands efforts to join NATO.
Wojciech Lorenz is nevertheless confident that current Prime Minister Alexander Stubb can turn his ambition into reality
so long as his government intensifies its cooperation with the Alliance. More
The Korean Peninsula: Yesterday and Today
9 July 2014
Why have North and South Korea become the nations that they are and what might they become in the future? Today,
Paul Dickler reflects on the Peninsulas troubled history before concluding that reunification is not a word South Korea is
going to utter anytime soon. More
The Arab War(s) on Terror
10 July 2014
Barack Obama recently declared it is the Arabs job to stop the terrorist-related violence gripping their region. So, despite
numerous problems, just what are Arab states doing to stamp out this phenomenon, both collectively and individually?
Today, Florence Gaub and Patryk Pawlak take a look. More
The New Criminal Blitz: Mali, Iraq and the Business of Asymmetry
10 July 2014
What does the ISIS insurgency in Iraq have in common with recent Islamist activity in Mali? Ivan Briscoe believes theyve
both elevated the obtaining of illicit income to new levels, thereby linking crime, J ihadism and the sectarian decomposition
of the nation-state in more unpredictable ways. More
Will Moldova Fracture? Considering the Case of Gguzia
11 July 2014
Would Russia serve its strategic interests by fomenting trouble in Moldovas Gguzia region? J ohn Haines thinks so.
Moscow would be able to strike simultaneous blows against Moldovan sovereignty, Romanias one nation, two states
politics, and NATOs already questionable cohesion. More
ASEANs Much Underrated Soft Power
11 July 2014
By slowly but surely integrating their economic and political activities together, Willem Blankert believes ASEANs
members are enhancing the organizations credibility as a soft power actor. He also thinks Europe should take note. By
heeding ASEANs example, Brussels might boost its own economic and political presence across Asia. More
/// Blog
The Ukraine Crisis and the Issue of National Minorities
7 July 2014
As an OSCE participant, is Ukraine obliged to safeguard the rights of all minorities living on its territory? The answer may
be obvious, says Stephanie Liechtenstein, but its also why Kiev should introduce greater autonomy and self-government
where its needed most i.e., in its Russian-speaking east. More
The Rise of the Humanitarian Drone: Giving Content to an Emerging Concept
8 July 2014
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are increasingly being used by international humanitarian organizations, NGOs and grassroots
movements. Many may think thats a positive development, but Patrick Meier reminds us that the concept of the
humanitarian drone remains very much a work-in-progress. More
Virtual Conflict as Cultural Catharsis: Re-fighting Vietnam 2.0
9 July 2014
Since 9-11, war-related computer games have been busy rewriting history and establishing a correct world order. Ben
Collins, however, has noticed a welcome change recently i.e., the appearance of new games that question the jingoistic
oversimplification of complex geopolitical issues. More
New Media and Latin American Violent Movements
10 July 2014
Why are Latin Americas rebel and criminal organizations increasingly turning towards social media? According to W
Alejandro Snchez and Kelly Morrison, propaganda is definitely a motive the groups are eager to share their stories and
glamorize their lifestyles. More
Long-term Declines in Violence, Short-term Declines in Peace
11 July 2014
While the level of human violence has steadily declined in the modern era, the Institute for Economics and Peace worries
that were presently in a near-term trough. The latest Global Peace Index, for example, confirms that there has been an
overall decline in world peace over the last seven years. More
/// Video
Debate on North Korean Denuclearization
In this video, two nuclear experts debate the following proposition "Resolved: The United States should continue
pursuing the complete and verifiable nuclear disarmament of the Korean Peninsula." More
Preventing Mass Atrocities: Lessons Learned from Rwanda
In this video, a mix of experts and practitioners reflect on the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the reconciliation and
peacebuilding efforts that have taken place in its wake. More
What Does the World Expect from US Leadership?
In this video, three experts discuss US global leadership from a European, Asian and Middle Eastern perspective. More
specifically, they focus on how the leadership is perceived and what is expected from it. More
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