RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, October 26, 2009, United Nations General Assembly
Since 2004 there have been encouraging trends related to internal displacement. Walter Kälin notes that the use of the Guiding Principles as the relevant framework for protecting IDPs and the development of national and regional laws and policies on internal displacement have been positive trends. However, despite such positive trends, the challenges presented by climate change, the disregard for civilian populations in conflict zones, a shrinking humanitarian space, and protracted displacement situations still remain unchanged. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ömer Taşpınar, October 12, 2009, Today's Zaman
Recent reminders have shown Turkey and Armenia to be two traumatized regions in which reconciliation will be difficult. Ömer Taşpınar believes that in order for Armenia to have Western options, it will need Turkey's help, and external conditions between the nations will relieve the weight of historical issues. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, October 01, 2009, Potomac Books, Inc.
In this chapter of Fighting Chance, prepared for a September 2007 conference, Steven Pifer assesses potential challenges posed by a more assertive Russia. Pifer examines demographic, societal and economic trends in Russia that could create strategic shocks for the region and world over the next several decades. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 24, 2009, Council on Foreign Relations
Steven Pifer joined Bernard Gwertzman to discuss Vice President Joseph Biden's recent trip to Ukraine and Georgia and how it was meant to balance President Barack Obama's Moscow summit earlier in the month. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 15, 2009, Eurasian Geography and Economics
Steven Pifer analyzes the history of Ukraine’s relations with Russia and the West since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Pifer also addresses Ukraine’s future geopolitical trajectory in the run-up to the country’s presidential elections in
early 2010, and internal problems that will command urgent attention once the political situation in the country stabilizes.
Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 06, 2009, Council on Foreign Relations
Steven Pifer writes that continuing political turmoil in Ukraine and tense relations between Kiev and Moscow have increased the potential for Ukraine to tumble into crisis with Russia. Pifer examines how a crisis may be triggered and offers suggestions how to reduce the chances as well has how to manage one should it occur. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, June 24, 2009, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Debate on Protracted Displacement in Europe
Over the last few years, the internal displacement situation in Europe has remained stagnant. Europe continues to have more than 2.5 million IDPs, over 99% of whom find themselves in situations of protracted displacement. In order to improve the situation of IDPs in Europe, Walter Kälin argues that both the adoption of the Draft Resolution before the Parliamentary Assembly as well as a national laws and policies "would radically change the fate of these forgotten people." Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Roberta Cohen and Francis M. Deng, June 08, 2009, International Security, Armaments and Disarmament in 2008, SIPRI Yearbook 2009
Massive displacement of people within and across borders has become a defining feature of the post-cold war world. It is also a major feature of human insecurity in which genocide, terrorism, egregious human rights violations and appalling human degradation wreak havoc on civilians. Though there has been a critical shift in thinking at the international level with regards to forced displacement, Cohen and Deng argue that concepts of sovereignty as responsibility and the responsibility to protect remain far ahead of international willingness and capacity to enforce them. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, Anders Åslund and Jonathan Elkind, March 01, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Ukraine and Ukrainians will be tested over the course of 2009. Anders Åslund, Jonathan Elkind and Steven Pifer discuss U.S. interests in a successful Ukraine and describe four key challenges currently facing Kyiv. They also offer recommendations for strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian relations and for helping Ukraine to meet these challenges and continue its transformation into a modern, successful European democracy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, January 31, 2009, Council on Foreign Relations
Steven Pifer comprehensively analyzes Ukraine's difficulties, related to both domestic conditions and foreign policy, and recommends ways for the United States to encourage Ukraine on a path of stability and integration with the West. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, December 31, 2008, Forced Migration Review
In this article, Walter Kälin explains that while it is hard to take an objective view on an enterprise in which you have been closely involved, he thinks that it is fair to say that over the last ten years the Guiding Principles have demonstrated their utility and impact but also their limitations. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
to
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Kyiv, Ukraine
On December 16-17, 2008, the Brookings Center on the United States and Europe, Yalta European Strategy and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosted a high-level conference in Kyiv, Ukraine as part of the “Frontiers of Europe” project. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, November 26, 2008, Council of Europe, Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population
While Africa could be considered the continent of internal displacement because it has more than 12 of the roughly 25 million displaced by armed conflict worldwide, Europe, with its estimated 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), could be called the continent of protracted displacement, since 99% of Europe's remaining displaced fled their homes some 15-25 years ago. In recent years, some governments have taken important steps to improve their situation, but overall the situation of most IDPs remains a cause for concern. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Claudine Haenni Dale and Walter Kälin, October 31, 2008, Forced Migration Review
Existing human rights obligations, according to Walter Kälin and Claudine Haenni Dale, already require states to take measures to mitigate the risks of natural or man-made disasters — including those due to climate change — and thus to prevent displacement. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Alex Mundt and Elizabeth Ferris, October 28, 2008, Enhancing Protection of Civilians in Protracted Conflicts, ARC/Austcare Symposium
Though there are important similarities in the impact of prolonged displacement on the lives of IDPs and refugees, there are also significant differences in their situations -- particularly when it comes to solutions. While return is often the desired solution for both IDPs and political actors, Alex Mundt and Elizabeth Ferris argue that local integration and return should not be seen as mutually exclusive alternatives, as they can encourage IDPs to build new lives elsewhere without having to give up the possibility of an eventual return. Read More