International Security

Troubled Waters in East Asia and Japan’s Middle Power Diplomacy

North Korea and the December 2012 Rocket Launch: A New Deal?

On December 12 North Korea succeeded in putting into orbit a satellite (or other object) after the three stages of the Unha-3 rocket separated as planned. Contrary to the previous attempts, the launch was successful, the three-stage rocket functioned correctly and the satellite (or other object) now appears to be now orbiting the earth.

Are North Korea’s Missile Threats Credible?

Despite continuous efforts by the international community to achieve the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, time is passing and working against this goal.

The EU’s Approach to Recent Developments in the Sahelian Terrorist Sanctuary

Helping to prevent the consolidation of a jihadist condominium in northern Mali, including support for regionally concerted military action, should lead Europeans to reflect on their own responsibility in the growth of terrorism in the area.

From Multipolarity to Multinodality in International Security

Pragmatism, flexibility and effectiveness replace normativism, formalism and legitimacy as the founding principles of international security. Changes from multipolarity towards multinodality are challenging traditional mindsets, theories and mentalities.

FATA in Northern Mali?

Between April and June of 2012 three Jihadist organisations have managed to jointly impose their rigorist Islamist control over some 1.5 million inhabitants in northern Mali, a vast desert area of around 850,000 square kilometres between Mauritania, Algeria and Niger.