Disengagement or delusion?
By (25/06/2008)
Irish voters’ rejection of the Lisbon Treaty has sent shockwaves through the EU.
Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images
In this Comment article Irish Times journalist Tony Kinsella explores the political blunders which made it possible for the “No” camp to secure victory, despite all five of the main political parties throwing their support behind the treaty.
The European-Latin American Summit: towards selective bilateralism?
By (27/05/2008)
The results of the Fifth European-Latin American Summit on 16-17May in Lima were not spectacular, but they were concrete. Among others developments, it is worth underlining the idea to create a European-Latin American Foundation and to consider the possibility of signing bilateral association agreements that run contrary to the traditional EU focus to negotiating primarily with groups of states.
Fifth European-Latin American Summit
Considering the future of the international system
By (09/04/2008)
In this Comment article Gelson Fonseca, of the Brazilian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, explores the opportunities and challenges that face those engaged in international politics in a rapidly changing world. He examines the increasing multipolarity of the global system and asks how international institutions and civil society alike can learn from past successes and failures in order to create a more secure and prosperous future.
The United States and the UN: democrats versus Republicans?
By (07/04/2008)
Both within the Republic ranks and among Democrats, a great many feel that the international leadership exercised by the United States since the end of World War II has been profoundly weakened by the Bush administration. In this comment article María Avelló explores the varying positions of the 2008 presidential candidates and the ramifications their respective policies may have for the US and the world at large.
An uncertain future: law enforcement, national security and climate change
By (08/02/2008)
Climate change will have serious environmental, socio-economic and security consequences for both developed and developing nations alike. This Comment explores these consequences and demonstrates that they will present new challenges to governments trying to maintain domestic stability. Those agencies tasked with protecting and sustaining national security will need to adapt to better cope with a changing global environment.
