CEEOL - Search Result

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2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Stumbling judiciary is the cancer of BiH Society

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2020; BiH; judiciary; politics; conflict; reforms;

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the elections of local authorities were held on 15 November 2020. The results of the local elections are a prelude into tectonic changes on the political scene of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The wave of political changes has shifted from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was most prominent in the entity of Republika Srpska were the ruling regime headed by Milorad Dodik and his Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) suffered a strong political blow from the opposition, primarily in Banja Luka, the largest city in Republika Srpska, but also in major economic centers in the entity such as Bijeljina, Derventa i Brod. After the fall of the regime of Milo Đukanović (DPS) in Montenegro, the fall of Dodik's regime has become inevitable. Dodik displayed humility and attempted to curry favor with the Vice President of the European Commission and High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy Joseph Borell during his recent visit to Sarajevo when he requested financial support from the EU, which could prolong his regime for a short period of time. Hence, the question to be asked is will, this time as well, the international community financially support Dodik and save his regime from financial collapse?

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European logistics hubs of Belt and Road Initiative.Aftermath of the BRI implementation in CEEC

Author(s): Maria Smotrytska / Language(s): English

Keywords: BRI; CEE; Central and East Europe; China; 16+1; cooperation; opportunities;

The article describes the place and significance of the CEE region in the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Being a geopolitical bridge between Asia and Europe, the CEE countries provide the Chinese side with large platforms for investment and development of trade and economic collaboration. Main economic and infrastructural opportunities, provide by the BRI are analyzed in the article. Author comes to the conclusion of the position of the region in geopolitical map of the Chinese initiative.

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2020 United States of America: Foreign Policy of the New US Administration for Europe, Middle East and Western Balkans

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: USA; 2020;: foreign policy; new administration; Europe; Middle East; Western Balkans;

Joseph Biden (D) is a veteran of the political scene in the United States of America. Over half a century he held senior positions in the American political life starting from the Senate all the way to the position of the US Vice President, for two mandates (2009- 2017). According to still unofficial results, Biden won the American presidential elections, held on 3 November 2020 and will become the 46th US President. After two unsuccessful attempts of candidacy for the US presidential elections in 1988 and 2008, in November 2020, Biden crowned his long journey to the top of the political pyramid with the victory against President Donald Trump (R). Biden's victory, which marks a historical milestone for the US and the world, comes after four years of presidential mandate of Donald Trump, which was filled with political conflicts and confusion.

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2020 Bulgaria: Bulgarian ‘certification’ of identity of Macedonians and Macedonian Language?

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: 2020: Bulgaria; Macedonians; language; identity; politics;

Bulgaria is in a deep political crisis. Mass protests against crime, corruption, oligarchs and the government have been going on since July 2020. The International Institute IFIMES published on 28 September 2020 an analysis titled “Bulgaria 2020: Bulgaria exports its problems to North Macedonia”, link: https://www.ifimes.org/en/9908 . In addition to the political dimension, the current crisis in Bulgaria also has a social/economic dimension, as well as elements of recessions, financial instability, high level of crime and corruption, crisis of political representation and the existing political system, institutional ineffectiveness due to seizure of national institutions by the ruling regime.

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Brief History of Ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Author(s): Araz Aslanli / Language(s): English

Keywords: Armenia; Azerbaijan; 2020; war; ceasefire;

New escalation of war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which started on 27 September 2020, suddenly became one of the main topics in the world agenda due to the possibilities regarding involvement of Russia and Turkey in the conflict, targeting of important energy projects in the region, large-scale humanitarian crisis and other issues. Although there have been several other hot skirmishes between the two countries in recent years, this time the escalation is much more extensive and longer than expected. This immediately brings to our minds ceasefire agreements. The parties to the conflict reached agreement on ceasefire (on 10 October, 17 October 1 and 26 October 2 ). However, armed clashes have never stopped and the parties continuously accuse each other of not complying with the ceasefire. In order to fully understand the nature of the ceasefire and the possibility of complete cessation of fire in the Armenian-Azerbaijani war, it would be useful to have a look through the history of ceasefire during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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Taking for granted… be wary

Author(s): Donald Johnston / Language(s): English

Keywords: OECD; public policy; politics; geopolitics;

The title of these comments is inspired by my personal experience in important areas of public policy both as a politician beginning in the 1970s and more recently as Secretary General of the OECD from 1996 until 2006. That was a very important decade as it ushered in the period which some day we thought would be known as the beginning of globalization on a grand scale. When I took up my responsibilities in Paris at the end of May 1996 it was a time brimming with optimism about the great future ahead for our children and generations to follow! We were about to say goodbye to one of the most brutal and bloody centuries in human history. Physical human suffering was compounded by poverty and misery of hundreds of millions, especially in the developing world.

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Perceiving corruption: Rethinking accountability, revolution and challenging the status quo in Lebanon

Author(s): Marie-Christine Ghreichi / Language(s): English

Keywords: Lebanon; politics; corruption; accountability; economy;

Political corruption in Lebanon traces its roots to the re-assembling in the post-civil war era, which entrenched a realm of politics dominated by war lords and militia-like mentalities operating through a sectarian discourse. The waste resulting from “confessional governance” costs Lebanon 9% of GDP each year. 1 In the early 1990s, “Lebanese political bosses either coopted or gutted institutions such as unions, professional associations and opposition parties. Public schools and hospitals were defunded.” Today, many Lebanese do not send their children to public schools or hospitals. Sukleen, the company contracted by the government to collect waste in Beirut and Mount Lebanon charges 4x more per ton of waste disposed in landfills compared to providers in the UK. 2 Nearly 40% of electricity is produced by private generators established during the civil war and partially owned by various politicians today, profiting close to $1 billion a year. Electricite du Liban, the public electricity company collects payments for only half of the power it produces.

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Netizens Alliance over the cup of Milk Tea - Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong supporting each other’s democracy quest

Author(s): Gabriela Bernal / Language(s): English

Keywords: political systems; democracy; Thailand; Taiwan; Hong Kong; alliance; human rights;

Although Hong Kong has been the main face of democracy movements in Asia over the past few years, it is not alone in its fight for political reform and fair rights. Together with Hong Kong stand its fellow Asian partners Taiwan and Thailand; both also engaging in a battle to ensure democracy not only survives, but thrives. The link between the three has reached new heights recently under a new name: the Milk Tea Alliance. The name represents a shared passion for sweet tea drinks in Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The hashtag #MilkTeaAlliance first became popular in April but the simple hashtag has now grown into a much bigger movement uniting like-minded political activists in Asia. Although the name might sound cute, the message is clear and serious: Those in power will not be allowed to overrule the will of the people and continue committing gross human rights abuses and abusing political authority.

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2020 Local Elections in BiH: Wave of political changes moves from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; local elections; 2020; politics; foreign policy; Montenegro;

Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina are to take place on 15 November 2020. The total number of eligible voters in 3,283,194. The number of voters by mail at the upcoming elections has significantly increased and amounts to 101,771. At the 2020 local elections, 30,809 candidates will compete for positions in the future local authorities. There are 543 political entities participating in the local elections. Specifically, 129 political parties, 262 independent candidates, 72 coalitions, nine lists of independent candidates and 71 independent candidates from ethnic minorities.

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The death of the Second Republic: Understanding the spark for social mobilization in contemporary Lebanon

Author(s): Marie-Christine Ghreichi / Language(s): English

Keywords: Beirut; explosion; Lebanon; politics; demonstration; corruption; negligence;

Felt across the Mediterranean on August 4th, 2020, some 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the port of Beirut exploded, killing at least 190 people and injuring at least 6,500, resulting in an estimated $10–15 billion USD in property damage, and leaving an approximately 300,000 people homeless. The ammonium nitrate gas had been stored in a warehouse without proper safety measures in place for the previous six years, after having been confiscated by the Lebanese authorities from the cargo ship MV Rhosus that had docked in Beirut and been declared unseaworthy. The official cause of the detonation is under investigation. Yet the ruling elites’ failure to address the presence of the material in the port and the subsequent explosion perhaps signifies the apex of political corruption and public negligence.

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Slovenian Foreign Policy – Way ahead

Author(s): Jožef Kunič / Language(s): English

Keywords: Slovenia; foreign policy; 2020; politics; EU;

The political balance within the EU at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly indicated a direction of significant changes. Initially it seemed that solidarity of some seemingly very friendly countries is simply not to be counted on. However, the common problem of all European countries triggered even bigger solidarity, which led to adoption of decisions on joint assistance to member countries. As the pandemic also highlighted the importance of cooperation among countries at the region level in light of their exceedingly obvious interdependence, Brussels clearly signaled that such cooperation should not undermine the common goals and values of the European Union. Although the European assistance for mitigation of consequences of the Covid19 pandemic implies new debts for member countries, for many countries it will be an important source of recovery from severe economic consequences of the corona crisis. However, some strongly advocate that the assistance should be conditioned with compliance with European values. This means that the Slovenian foreign policy should not leave a shred of doubt about its respect of EU values. The benefit of supporting the stances of specific Visegrad Group (V4) countries, which are contrary to the stances of the founding nations of the EU, is questionable. At the same time, Slovenia should develop closer relations and resolve some important issues with Croatia. This would be sensible as, in a way, Croatia would then be a regional ally of Slovenia and we could also count on each other within the framework of the EU. Resolution of the open issues is an objective interest of both countries, Slovenia and Croatia, and the time has come to resolve them.

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Lebanon 2020: From “The Pearl of the Orient” to failed state?

Author(s): Corneliu Pivariu / Language(s): English

Keywords: Lebanon; 2020; explosion in Port of Beirut; politics; security; evaluation;

Before the explosion of the Port of Beirut (the biggest one in an urban area in the last decades), on August 4, 2020, the situation in Lebanon was circumscribed to the regional focus only while the disaster caused by the blast (around 200 dead, more than 6,000 wounded and damages estimated to 11/15 billion-dollar) brought again the small country of the cedars to the international focus as it happens in fact with any other country where an event of such proportions takes place. Yet Lebanon is in a peculiar situation since the developments in this country represent, as I presented on numerous occasions, a signal concerning possible future evolutions in the Middle East and even in a more extended area.

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2020 Azerbaijan – Armenia conflict: Historical conflict or conflict with geostrategic dimensions

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Azerbaijan; Armenia; conflict; geostrategic dimension; politics;

The strong conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the autonomous Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, which is under the control of Armenia, was renewed recently. The latest conflict between the two countries has escalated and there are no indications that it will calm down, at least not in the foreseeable future. The question being imposed is why is this old conflict, which was at a standstill (frozen conflict) after the serious fights between 1988 and 1994 and in April 2016, being renewed now. Armenia, which controls the disputed region, is satisfied with the status quo, while Azerbaijan, which is rich in energy resources and whose defense expenditures exceed the entire Armenian budget, now threatens to use military force to regain control over the lost region.

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2020 Bulgaria: Bulgaria exports its problems to North Macedonia

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Bulgaria; 2020; North Macedonia; export; problems; politics; corruption; crisis;

In early 2020 Bulgaria entered a deep political crisis. The protests organized in the capital of Sofia and several other cities have been going on since July this year. They began after the prosecutor raided the building of the president of the state and Hristo Ivanov's spectacular action on the coast of the Black Sea in which together with two supporters he motored up to a luxurious residence of Ahmed Dogan (DPS), one of the most influential persons in Bulgaria. The goal was to draw attention to the illegal fencing of public facilities and unlawful engagement of security guards from civil service at the residence. The action triggered mass protests in Bulgaria against corruption, oligarchs and the government. After the arrest of two of his aids (presidential commissioner for fight against corruption and security advisor), Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (independent) accused the state prosecutor of being linked with the mafia. The conflict between the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov (GERB – Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) and the Bulgarian President Rumen Radev intensified.

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How to Spend it: An Austro-Franco-German Proposal for a European Covid-19 Recovery Programme

Author(s): Tereza Neuwirthová / Language(s): English

Keywords: Austro-Franco-German proposal; Europe; COVID-19; recovery; programme;

The conference named “75 years of Europe’s Collective Security and Human Rights System”, which took place on the 1st of July at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, brought together experts related to the reality of the Old Continent and its Union over the course of the past 75 years of its post-WWII anti-fascist existence. It was jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, International Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, numerous academia supporting and media partners).

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China and Nuclear Arms Control Possible Implications of China’s Involvement in Nuclear Arms Talks

Author(s): Alexander G. Savelyev / Language(s): English

Keywords: China; nuclear arms; control; diplomacy; policy; security;

In December 2019, the United States officially invited China to enter into a strategic security dialogue. The White House said it hoped Beijing’s consent to this proposal might become the first step towards an international agreement encompassing all nuclear weapons of the United States, Russia, and China. As expected, this proposal was rejected. China said its nuclear arsenal was much smaller than those of the United States and Russia, and it would be able to participate in such talks only when their nuclear potentials were brought to parity with its own.

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2020 US-Serbia-Kosovo agreement: New era of Serbia-US political and economic relations

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: USA; Serbia; Kosovo; 2020; economic relations; foreign policy;

In Washington, on 4 September 2020, Serbia and Kosovo signed separate agreements with the United States on “economic normalization”. The agreements have no bearing on the existing dialogue that is underway between official Belgrade and Priština and mediated by the European Union. The Washington agreement is a new political reality not just for Kosovo and Serbia but also for the entire West Balkans region, and even the EU itself. It is a product of long and hard work, which included strong engagement of the US special envoy for the dialogue between official Belgrade and Priština, Ambassador Richard Grenell. The agreement envisages, inter alia, establishment of direct air and rail connections between Belgrade and Priština, construction of the Niš–Priština highway and a number of other economic and energy projects. The signatories to the agreement undertook to suspend for a year the campaign for recognition, that is withdrawal of recognition of Kosovo.

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Political will is needed to foster multilateralism in Europe – Dr. Franz Fischler says

Author(s): Guidoneth Lanfranchi / Language(s): English

Keywords: Europe; multilateralism; politics; change; 2020;

On July 1st 2020, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the conference “From Victory Day to Corona Disarray: 75 Years of Europe’s Collective Security and Human Rights System”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, International Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe in the wake of its old and new challenges.

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Belt and Road in the Central and Eastern EU and non-EU Europe: Obstacles, Sentiments, Challenges

Author(s): Maria Smotrytska / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU; Europe; China; international affairs; economy; security;

Today at a broader diplomatic and strategic level, the BRI has become a symbol of China's growing importance in international affairs, changing regional dynamics in geographical areas close to or even within Europe. At the most basic level, the strategic implications of expanding China's policy in the EU stem not so much from a set of projects with a single link, but from its comprehensive nature. China-related initiatives, such as the AIIB and the BRI, – it is ample clear – have already changed the global financial development landscape. Similarly, in the sphere of security relations, there is a need to protect assets and citizens abroad leading to the “securitization” of Chinese BRI participation abroad, which is likely to significantly change China's role in the regions of European interests. Within Europe, and in conjunction with sub–regional “mini-initiatives” in China, such as CEE 16 + 1, the BRI also contributes to changes in the policymaking landscape in Europe and China.

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2020 Parliamentary elections in Croatia: Croatia in-between the past and the future

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Croatia; 2020; parliamentary elections; past; future;

On the occasion of the 10th (early) parliamentary elections in the Republic of Croatia, since its declaration of independence, which are scheduled to take place on 5 July 2020, the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) prepared an analysis of the pre-election developments. The last regular parliamentary elections were held on 8 November 2016. Representatives in the Croatian Parliament are elected directly, by secret ballot and application of the proportional system according to which each party or candidate, get a number of parliamentary mandates that is proportionate to the number of votes won. The election threshold is 5%. A total of 140 members of the Parliament will be elected from the territory of the Republic of Croatia, which is divided into 10 geographical electoral districts, which means that 14 representatives are elected from each electoral district. These are the third parliamentary elections at which the preferential voting can be applied. So far, little has been done on promotion of preferential voting.

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Series:IFIMES Research Papers

2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Stumbling judiciary is the cancer of BiH Society

European logistics hubs of Belt and Road Initiative.Aftermath of the BRI implementation in CEEC

2020 United States of America: Foreign Policy of the New US Administration for Europe, Middle East and Western Balkans

2020 Bulgaria: Bulgarian ‘certification’ of identity of Macedonians and Macedonian Language?

Brief History of Ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Taking for granted… be wary

Perceiving corruption: Rethinking accountability, revolution and challenging the status quo in Lebanon

Netizens Alliance over the cup of Milk Tea - Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong supporting each other’s democracy quest

2020 Local Elections in BiH: Wave of political changes moves from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The death of the Second Republic: Understanding the spark for social mobilization in contemporary Lebanon

Slovenian Foreign Policy – Way ahead

Lebanon 2020: From “The Pearl of the Orient” to failed state?

2020 Azerbaijan – Armenia conflict: Historical conflict or conflict with geostrategic dimensions

2020 Bulgaria: Bulgaria exports its problems to North Macedonia

How to Spend it: An Austro-Franco-German Proposal for a European Covid-19 Recovery Programme

China and Nuclear Arms Control Possible Implications of China’s Involvement in Nuclear Arms Talks

2020 US-Serbia-Kosovo agreement: New era of Serbia-US political and economic relations

Political will is needed to foster multilateralism in Europe – Dr. Franz Fischler says

Belt and Road in the Central and Eastern EU and non-EU Europe: Obstacles, Sentiments, Challenges

2020 Parliamentary elections in Croatia: Croatia in-between the past and the future