GSDRC newsfeed on Security and development

Between Reluctance and Necessity: The Utility of Military Force in Humanitarian and Development Operations

Robert Egnell — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Does increased civil-military integration in peace operations lead to increased effectiveness? This paper from the Norwegian Atlantic Committee examines emerging trends in civil-military integration in recent humanitarian interventions. While some integration might be appropriate, (based on careful analysis of involved actors and their interests), the benefits of greater military involvement should not be assumed. Further study is needed into the causal mechanisms of effectiveness in complex peace support operations. It may be best to preserve the humanitarian space based on the impartiality, neutrality and independence of humanitarian organisations.

The Legacy of Four Vetting Programs: An Empirical Review

Caspar Fithen — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How can vetting help to improve institutions undergoing transition? This paper from the International Centre for Transitional Justice reviews evidence from four country case studies, highlighting the important distinctions between post-conflict and post-authoritarian transitions. It argues that while vetting cannot be divorced from its institutional context, proper planning and commitment to long-term reform can override political obstacles.

New Challenges for Peacekeeping: Protection, Peacebuilding and the

Richard Gowan and Ian Johnstone — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What are the key challenges for peacekeeping operations? How might these be overcome? This paper from the International Peace Academy argues that peacekeeping should be thought of as a strategic tool, rather than a strategy, since it is not an end in itself. Many current peacekeeping missions are expected to carry out a mixture of protection, peacebuilding, and counter-insurgency. They require hybrid approaches that need to be better coordinated. A doctrine for 'peace enforcement' as the use of robust force for limited purposes must be developed.

Militarized Law Enforcement in Peace Operations: EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cornelius Friesendorf and Susan E. Penksa — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What are the causes and problems of militarised law enforcement in peace operations? How can these be addressed? This paper from International Peacekeeping examines the role of the European Union Force (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). While the military can contribute to law enforcement, such involvement is generally hindered by fear of 'mission creep' and lack of preparedness. Preferable alternatives to military involvement (such as international civil police forces collaborating with local officials) are obstructed by lack of political will. Law enforcement should be addressed early and systematically by the deployment of robust forces that avoid excessive use of force.

International Compacts: Sovereignty Strategies

Ashraf Ghani, Clare Lockhart — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This chapter from the book 'Fixing Failed States' argues that a stable world requires functioning states in order to overcome challenges to the political and economic system. Domestic and global leadership must find a new approach to transform states so that they provide security and prosperity for their citizens and also act as responsible members of the international community. The study terms this a sovereignty strategy. A long-term state-building strategy tailored to specific contexts should be an organising principle for the international community. Collective energies and capital need to be harnessed.

Understanding Criminality in West African Conflicts

William Reno — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What are the links between illicit commerce and political relationships in West Africa? How can a contexualised understanding of social relationships improve approaches to post-conflict statebuilding? This article from International Peacekeeping critiques the automatic criminalisation of armed networks, some of which have strong societal roots. It argues for a more nuanced understanding of the connection between illicit economic activities and violent conflict and a more pragmatic approach to post-conflict statebuilding. A strategy that selectively incorporates some networks, and targets the more predatory, is likely to be most effective.

Beyond Humanitarian Intervention: The New Politics of Peacekeeping and Intervention

Andrew Cottey — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How have peacekeeping and military intervention evolved since 9/11? This article from Contemporary Politics argues that Western states have become reluctant to engage in the types of humanitarian interventions they undertook in the 1990s. A new model of operations is emerging, lying between traditional United Nations peacekeeping and classical humanitarian intervention. This new generation of peace operations indicates movement towards the view that the international community has a duty to intervene in internal conflicts and crises.

Responsibility to Protect in Africa: An Analysis of the African Union's Peace and Security Architecture

Kwesi Aning, Samuel Atuobi — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What is the best way to develop �Responsibility to Protect� (R2P) norms in Africa? This article from the journal Global Responsibility to Protect argues that collaborative ventures between the African Union (AU) at the continental level, the regional economic communities (RECs) at the sub-regional level and the UN at the global level are the best options for deepening R2P norms. The AU�s attempt to solve the continent�s problems will continue to be thwarted by its lack of political will and the weakening of its norms and principles by some member states.

Donor Contributions to the Strengthening of the African Peace and Security Architecture

Stephan Klingebiel et al. — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) be strengthened? What is the role of external support? This study from the German Development Institute (DIE) analyses how external support for the new APSA is changing. African reform dynamics, the emerging international security agenda and the complex relationship between security approaches and development policy have led external actors to search for new approaches across foreign, security and development policy areas.

Can Peacekeepers Be Peacebuilders?

Jennifer Hazen — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Are peacekeeping missions equipped to handle peacebuilding tasks? The role of UN peacekeeping missions has expanded beyond traditional tasks to include political, economic, and humanitarian activities. This article from International Peacebuilding argues that peacekeeping missions are a poor choice for peacebuilding given their limited mandates, capacity, leverage, resources and duration. Peacekeepers should focus on peacekeeping, laying the foundation for peacebuilding. Peacebuilding should be the primary task of national governments and their populations.

IBSA Regional Security Dimensions: The South African Perspective

M. Soko — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) initiative can play a crucial role in South-South cooperation in addressing conventional non-traditional security threats in the contemporary global order. This paper, published by the Centre for Policy Studies-Johannesburg, examines the challenges facing South Africa in its efforts to secure regional security and as an IBSA contributor. South Africa's future leadership role will depend upon the ability of regional political elites to balance addressing international and regional obligations while responding to critical domestic issues.

Planning and Evaluating Development and Humanitarian Interventions in Conflict Zones

T Paffenholz and L Reychler — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What is the best way to introduce peace and conflict sensitivity to development and humanitarian programmes? This study from the Center for Peace Research and Strategic Studies provides a guide to planning development and humanitarian interventions in conflict zones. It suggests that while peace and conflict sensitivity has been successfully mainstreamed as a topic of discussion, the international community has not yet arrived at an automatic, systematic peace and conflict sensitive aid policy and operational implementation. There needs to be a systematic link between the analysis of the conflict and peacebuilding environment and the implementation of interventions. The theory of conflict transformation should combine with professional operational requirements for programme planning.

The Impact of Armed Civil Conflict on Household Welfare and Policy Responses

P Justino — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How does armed conflict impact on households and how do they respond to and cope with it? This paper from the Institute of Development Studies examines the direct and indirect effects of conflicts and shows that the indirect effects are channelled through markets, political institutions and social networks. Until there is more research on the fundamental processes linking armed civil conflict and household welfare, it will be difficult to develop effective policies for preventing and resolving conflicts.

Protecting Whom? Approaches to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Operations

K Jennings — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Is the zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation and abuse having a positive impact on UN peacekeeping missions? This report, prepared for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviews evidence from UN peacekeeping missions in Haiti and Liberia and concludes that the policy is yielding mixed results. It contends that the policy's difficulties stem from implementation problems and contextual challenges that would be eased by better communication and clarity as to the intents and purposes of the zero-tolerance approach.

If Only There Were a Blueprint! Factors for Success and Failure of UN Peace-Building Operations

Jaïr van der Lijn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How do principles from the literature on UN peacekeeping compare with lessons emerging from UN peace-building operations? This Journal of International Peacekeeping article identifies from the literature eleven clusters of factors for success and failure and tests these against four case studies - Cambodia, Mozambique, Rwanda and El Salvador. Although results largely confirm the factors for success and failure found in the peacekeeping literature, theory on UN peacebuilding operations still needs adjustment. The non-use of force by the operation and the need for a clear and detailed mandate are of less importance than the literature suggests.

Civil-Military Coordination and UN Peacebuilding Operations

Cedric de Coning — Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Can UN civil-military coordination (CIMIC) policies that have been developed to manage the relationship between humanitarian actors and military forces during the humanitarian emergency phase of conflict, be applied to manage the relationship between all civilian actors and UN military units during peacebuilding? This research from the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) suggests that UN CIMIC actions can make a positive contribution to the overall peacebuilding process if the military components? resources, energy and goodwill can be positively channelled in support of the overall mission objectives.

Who Governs Kabul? Explaining Urban Politics in a Post-War Capital City

Daniel Esser — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Wars, particularly civil wars, are increasingly focused on cities. How can they best be tackled? This study, published by the Crisis States Research Centre, reviews the history of city politics in Kabul and the processes of governance that occur at different levels. Multi-layered conflicts in capital cities can concentrate political attention and overload urban development and governance agendas. It should be understood that, in post-war capital cities, conflicts at the fault lines of local, national and international institutions shape political and economic agendas for the city.

Angola: 'Failed' yet 'Successful'

David Sogge — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What are the causes of state weakness? How best can the international community help weak states move forward? This research from the Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) argues that the ranking of states in terms of weakness has little value. Furthermore, the political problems that come with natural resources are more complicated than it might appear. In the case of Angola, developmental change is unlikely as long as powerful and poorly-regulated offshore incentives continue to shape elite motivations.

Cities, Terrorism and Urban Wars of the 21st Century

Jo Beall — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What impact do acts of terror have on cities in the global South? This paper examines the largely negative implications of terrorist activities for development and the potential of cities for propelling reconstruction and peacebuilding. While specific challenges faced by cities in the global South cannot be under-estimated, urban terrorism is breaking down any sense of a rigid binary between the 'developed' and 'developing' worlds. The 'them' and 'us' attitude is misleading and damaging to both development cooperation and global security.

The Challenges of Restoring Governance in Crisis and Post-Conflict Countries

Dennis A. Rondinelli — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

International assistance organisations are crucial to helping governments increase their capacity to perform essential functions during post-conflict recovery. This book, from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), examines the challenges of restoring effective governance in crisis and post-conflict countries. Because the challenges facing these countries are complex and varied, governments and international organisations cannot rely on universally applicable approaches to restoring governance.