China’s Political Priorities in the Nordic Countries: from technology to core interests
Chinese policymakers have identified a number of priorities that motivate them to observe and interact with the Nordic countries. While one can assume that the Nordic countries appear far from frequently on China’s foreign policy agenda, they have unique competences and are open to increased engagement with China. Moreover, they are perceived as being easy to deal with and have become important partners in Beijing’s effort to forge closer ties with governments across the globe. This Policy Brief is based on the author’s report, China’s political priorities in the Nordic countries, published by FOI in 2014. The report focuses on China’s political priorities in the five Nordic countries during 2007-2013. It is based on an analysis of official statements, academic papers and reports from think-tanks, as well as interviews conducted with Chinese diplomats and Nordic officials and scholars in the Nordic capitals during the autumn of 2013. The author draws the conclusion that China’s overarching Nordicwide priorities include four main areas: to utilise the Nordic region as a sounding board and door opener; to acquire technology and know-how; to promote China’s core interests; and to improve perceptions of China.
Building Bridges with the EU
The activities that NATO has undertaken to address the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean focus on intelligence and surveillance, and are designed to complement the efforts of the EU and Turkey, writes Nina Græger for European Futures.
China's Future
Professor David Shambaugh (Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University) will be speaking on the current domestic and foreign policy issues facing China today, based on his recent book, China’s Future. What are the directions the country is going under the government of Xi Jinping?
Russian nationalism on the rise
Nationalism is increasingly evident in Russian society. Researchers Helge Blakkisrud (NUPI) and Pål Kolstø (UiO) take a closer look at the phenomenon in their most recent book.
Security Community-Building in Times of Crisis: Morocco, the ENP, and Practices of Mutual Responsiveness
TTIP – implications and options for Norway
NUPI has, jointly with other research groups in Norway and abroad, analyzed the consequences for Norway of a free trade agreement between the EU and the USA (TTIP – Transatlantic Trade and Investment ...
UN Peacebuilding Architecture: The First 10 Years
Since its establishment, the UN's Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA) has been involved in peacebuilding processes in more than 20 countries. This edited volume takes stock of the overall impact of the PBA during its first decade in existence, and generates innovative recommendations for how the architecture can be modified and utilized to create more synergy and fusion between the UN's peace and development work. The volume is based on commissioned research and independent evaluations as well as informed opinions of several key decision-makers closely engaged in shaping the UN's peacebuilding agenda. It seeks to find a balance between identifying the reality and constraints of the UN's multilateral framework, while being bold in exploring new and innovative ways in which the UN can enhance the results of its peace and development work through the PBA. The research and writing of each chapter has been guided by four objectives: to assess the overall impact of the PBA; to generate innovative ideas for how the PBA can be made more effective post-2015; to analyze the PBA’s role at the nexus of the UN's peace and development work; and to consider what would be required for the PBA to increase and improve its impact in future. It will be of interest to diplomats, UN officials, the policy community and scholars engaged in the debate following the 2015 review and the implementation of its recommendations, and will be an essential resource for UN and peacebuilding scholars.
The Horn of Africa: Its strategic importance for Europe, the Gulf States and beyond
In this seminar, Alexander Rondos will address the challenges facing the region and the Horn’s strategic importance Europe, the Gulf states and other actors. A key question is how these challenges can be converted into a joint effort that will allow for the integration of the Horn of Africa into a platform of security and economic cooperation?