MAY 2015
International Publications Digest
In this extensive digest edition you will find a diversity of topics: from Twitter Jihad to Arctic cooperation and Arctic Council reform, economic dilemmas in the Asia Pacific to sustainable infrastructure and aquaculture, migration in the United Arab Emirates and Twitter diplomacy.


Image credit: http://guitarcraze.deviantart.com

Twitter and Jihad

by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI)

The rapidly crawling Islamic State reveals how weak our international relations system is. Or whether there is one which is of a truly international nature. What differs supporters of the IS from other extremists groupings is that they are online and viral. They post entries and tweet thus drawing attention of many vulnerable youths who are joining the extremists to fight for their righteous cause. The Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) features an April E-book on "Twitter and Jihad". Their communication project shows to be a massive weapon which they are already using to spread their ideology and widen their army. Find out more about their communication toolbox, objectives of propaganda and indoctrination.

Arctic Melt

by the Arctic Institute Center for Circumpolar Security Studies

With a little shift to the North we are reviewing a report from the Arctic Institute Center for Circumpolar Security Studies based in Washington, DC. Entitled "Arctic Melt" this paper focuses upon how to turn resource extraction into human development routine. Starting with the challenges of the freshly commenced US chairmanship in the Arctic Council, the author then moves to various investment tracks which are underrated in the Arctic. Climate change coupled with volatile resource prices such as oil and gas create a unique opportunity field for the investors. A chance not to be missed unless we want to regret it dearly.

by Carnegie Endowment

Following up Arctic track – here is a list of recommendations for the Arctic Council future routine brought together by Carnegie Endowment. Bullet points are divided into different contextual sections ranging from geopolitical background of the US chairmanship, social and economic well-being, education to diplomacy and science. Hit the link to get familiar with the guidelines.

New Observers Queuing Up: Why the Arctic Council should expand - and expel

by the Arctic Institute Center for Circumpolar Security Studies

To draw special attention to one of the Arctic Council's governance challenges – a looming reform of this organization – we highlight a rather brisk essay from the Arctic Institute Center for Circumpolar Security Studies "New Observers Queuing Up: Why the Arctic Council should expand - and expel". This is a strong position op-ed calling for widening and expanding the range of Arctic Council members.

Sri Lanka, China and India - a tangled tale

by Asian Century Institute

A brief glimpse on the Asian-Pacific region has already become traditional. A small country which has been in the shadow of India for so many years has now all the chances of making its entry – Sri Lanka has recently seen presidential elections which shifted political leverages significantly. Asian Century Institute makes an opinion essay on how Sri Lanka can make its way into the China and India complicated knot.

China's Financial Paradoxes

by Asian Century Institute

Yet another op-ed by the Asian Century Institute, this time dedicated to the matter of Chinese financial home difficulties. China is now making a show of its financial powers in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) while dealing with internal economic issues. This is a paradox indeed – how can a country manage to challenge the IMF and World Bank while having financial stumbling blocks at home?

by The Think 20 Turkey
Infrastructure Working Group


In we think globally, there is a lot to be done on the area of infrastructure financing and sustainable development. The Think 20 Turkey Infrastructure Working Group features a report on this particular matter. Multiple studies have shown that infrastructure is a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable growth and for poverty reduction. Yet there is a large shortfall in infrastructure financing globally, and this is particularly acute in developing countries given the urgency of their sustainable development needs. Find out more.

Strengthening the Global Trade System

by International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development

Swiss-based International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development has featured a special "think piece" within a series of essays "Strengthening the Global Trade System" with a focus on fisheries and oceans. This is a comprehensive piece which analyses the evolution of fish local markets and how seafood has become an industrial product with a specific impact on trade system of various countries.

United Arab Emirates' Legal Framework of Migration

by Gulf Research Center

Gulf Research Center has issued an explanatory note "United Arab Emirates' Legal Framework of Migration" which gives an outline on the main legislative texts including laws, regulations, and cabinet and ministerial decisions, which govern the inward migration of foreigners to the United Arab Emirates and some elements of the outward migration of Emirati citizens.

Global Markets of Misery

by Modern Diplomacy

If you wish to grasp the bigger picture of world economy and state of markets, start with the small parts. Modern Diplomacy analyses the humanitarian state of the world affairs in the view of the coming UN Humanitarian Summit scheduled for 2016. With the manifold challenges such as climate change, ecological disasters, financial recessions and political turbulences the world is highly exposed to dangers right now. Humanitarian sphere tends to mend the consequences of catastrophes. This is why it is vital we pay special attention to humanitarian domain.

by European Leadership Network

Impossible to avoid the Ukrainian crisis when discussing updates in the international affairs. Here is to sum up the lessons learned from the first year of the OSCE mission in the field, the European Leadership Network features a short report.

Reinventing Asian Populism

by East-West Center

A very insightful piece on Asian populism viewed from the Indonesian prism is presented by East-West Center. Jokowi Widodo who won the presidential election in Indonesia in 2014 has introduces a new form of populism in his country. He is a pragmatic politician focused on practical decision within his country, not on the political grandeur. Find out more.

In addition
To draw a line to this digest edition here are two very entertaining yet educational papers on twitter diplomacy.

Twiplomacy Study 2015

by Matthias Lufkens

First publication is a blog entry by Matthias Lufkens who lists various examples of how political leaders and high representatives communicate with each other via 140 characters. Hashtag diplomacy, Francois Hollande's selfies, Michelle Bachelet's edgy tweets – everything what makes politics and diplomacy dynamic and reachable online is given in this post. Not to miss.

Twitter fpr Diplomats

by DiploFoundation

DiploFoundation goes online with a guidebook for diplomats who want to tweet their ideas. Why choose Twitter instead of Facebook? What are the risks and challenges of twitter diplomacy? Here are the answers.
Special thanks to Regina Glejm, RIAC intern, for helping make this digest even more diverse.
Produced by Maria Gurova and Alexander Teslya
© 2015 Russian International Affairs Council
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