Holding the borders, holding the centre: the EU and the refugee crisis
What has come to be called the ‘refugee crisis’ is the latest in a series of crises bedevilling the European Union – the four-fold monetary, budgetary, economic and financial ‘Euro-crisis’; a geopolitical security challenge posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war in Syria and incursions into NATO airspace, and a looming Brexit, combined with the possible fragmentation of old EU member states like the United Kingdom and Spain. The ‘refugee crisis’ is the most serious of all. It encapsulates the EU’s failings and failures that other crises laid bare: the lack of long-term prevision and strategy, an overburdened decision-making system, and an outmoded conception of sovereignty. It goes to the very heart of the EU, for three reasons: Firstly, the cleavages it creates between member states add to those that have been dividing the EU since the early days of the Euro-crisis; secondly, the massive displacement of populations gives rise to complex problems, sparking controversies that weaken the social and political fabric of individual member states and feed into populism and xenophobia; and, thirdly, the German Chancellor, who has played a crucial role in alleviating, if not solving, other crises, is facing domestic and European rebellions for her handling of the refugee issue. Will the agreement that the EU and Turkey concluded on 18 March 2016 manage to limit the influx of refugees, patch up differences, and re-establish Angela Merkel’s authority in Germany and in the Union
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 ...
Offshore – only for the big and very wealthy?
There are more people involved in offshore activities than hitherto known.
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?
Food Security in India: the Interactions of Climate Change, Economics, Politics and Trade (FOODSEC)
Climate change threatens the food production systems and livelihoods of a significant proportion of the population in India....
Trade Integration, Geopolitics and the Economy of Russia (TIGER)
The project analysed how trade integration is related to geopolitics and Russia's possible turn towards Asia....
Developments in the Russian Far East (RFE)
The project "Developments in the Russian Far East" looks at Russian decision-making and international engagement around development of Russia’s Pacific coast....
Humanitarian Changes, Humanitarian Challenges and the Protection of Civilians
This seminar will discuss possible conflicts between humanitarian principles and local realities.