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Although some Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, have tried to influence developments in Afghanistan from time to time, Iran-due to a long common history, geographic proximity, and cultural similarities-is by far Afghanistan's most important neighbor. In this article I seek to demonstrate that Iran, contrary to its image and often even more consistently than pro-Western countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, has since 1979 acted in favor of an independent, centrally and moderately governed Afghanistan. Therefore, Iran will probably also be a stabilizing factor rather than a spoiler in every post-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) scenario in Kabul.(As Perspective)

This thesis shows an analysis of the environmental justice demands made by community and organizations of the district of Fontibón (Bogotá-Colombia), which were affected by the second runway of the El Dorado airport. It is made a historic reconstruction in order to show the dynamics and logics of the appropriation of nature (1948 – 1995), by the construction and location of the airport. Likewise, the thesis presents how the aerial operation affected poor neighborhoods and their housing necessities. These processes generated not only environmental injustices but also social organizational strategies, by which the local people struggled by territory and environment defense to confront the construction of second runway of the El Dorado airport since 1995. In 1998, the second runway of the El Dorado started its operation, until 2015 the environmental license was modified (it was allowed 24 hours of operation). Therefore, it is analyzed the communities' local legal actions around environmental justice, and the reconfiguration of the local process of organization. These social collective actions, allowed impact on international political arenas do by legal claims, and allowed networks with national and transnational organizations in order to report the violation of their rights. These collective actions aimed to make a contribution to the affected communities by the development and construction projects related to the airport. The analytical framework was based on Urban Political Ecology and environmental justice perspectives as well as, in discussions of socioenvironmental inequalities and conflicts. I did my research arising from a qualitative methodology and my personal experience and participation in the local organizations. ; Esta tesis presenta un análisis de las demandas de justicia ambiental por parte de las comunidades y organizaciones de la localidad de Fontibón (Bogotá - Colombia), afectadas por la operación de la segunda pista del Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado. Realiza una reconstrucción histórica de las dinámicas y lógicas de apropiación de la naturaleza (1948 – 1995), en la construcción y localización del Aeropuerto; así como de las necesidades habitacionales que dan origen a los barrios con mayor afectación por la operación aérea. Estos elementos son el marco explicativo de la configuración de injusticias ambientales y de las formas organizativas, por medio de las cuales se realiza la defensa territorial y ambiental ante la construcción de la segunda pista en 1995. Para el período transcurrido entre 1998, año en el que entra en operación la segunda pista, hasta 2015, tiempo en el que se consolida la operación aérea las 24 horas de la pista, se analizan las demandas por justicia ambiental y la reconfiguración de las organizaciones sociales, quienes generan propuestas, inciden en espacios internacionales por medios jurídicos y construyen alianzas para la exigencia de los derechos vulnerados, aportes relevantes para las comunidades impactadas por obras de desarrollo. A nivel conceptual, los referentes de la investigación provienen de la Ecología Política Urbana (EPU) y la justicia ambiental, sumados a la noción de desigualdades para la comprensión del conflicto socioambiental analizado. La investigación se realizó por metodología cualitativa, sumado a la experiencia personal de la tesista en el acompañamiento de la movilización social. ; Línea de Investigación: Política Ambiental ; Maestría

World Economic Issues at the United Nations: Half a Century of Debate attempts an objective analysis of the discussions in the policy forums of the United Nations on the major issues in the world economy over the past half a century. The book opens with a brief survey of the world economy since the Second World War. The following chapter presents a bird's-eye view of the issues discussed as well as a perspective on each of the issues. Starting with the issues of growth and stability in industrial countries, the study goes on to present discussions on the evolving issues of development of less developed countries. The volume devotes a substantial chapter on the efforts at establishment of the new international economic order. The more mundane matters of food needs of developing countries and their pervasive poverty are not lost sight of. Discussions on other major issues of interest and concern to developing countries, such as those of primary commodities, and the crisis of external debt, as well as issues of international trade, occupy a substantial space in the study. Two short chapters dwell on debates relating to transnational corporations and the international monetary system, especially as they concerned developing countries. The book concludes with a substantial chapter on resources, environment and sustainable development, a subject of growing importance at the United Nations. A principal justification of the study is that these discussions and debates constituted a major body of thinking on the world economy that is worth surveying. A central aim is to follow the evolving ideas over time in each field, to describe not only what was debated but how, and in the process it throws light on the nature and limits of international economic cooperation. An all important question underlies an investigation of this nature. Many of those who were engaged in the half century of debate sought to change the world economy, some by only tinkering with it, others by radical reform. Has anything changed as a result? One would like to ponder, even though the answer may not be all that clear. The present study is offered as a modest contribution to any examination of the past achievements and future roles of the organization

Three participants of the Core Group colloquium on enhanced cooperation as key to effective foreign & defense policy for Europe in Belgium share their ideas on the EU European Security & Defense Policy, NATO, & strategies for achieving international cooperation. A. Siegel

For decades Americans have described China as a rising power. That description no longer fits: China has already risen. What does this mean for the US - China relationship? For the global economy and international security? Seeking to clarify central issues, provide historical perspective, and demystify stereotypes, Maria Adele Carrai, Jennifer Rudolph, and Michael Szonyi and an exceptional group of China experts offer essential insights into the many dimensions of the world's most important bilateral relationship. Ranging across questions of security, economics, military development, climate change, public health, science and technology, education, and the worrying flashpoints of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Xinjiang, these concise essays provide an authoritative look at key sites of friction and potential collaboration, with an eye on where the US - China relationship may go in the future. Readers hear from leading thinkers such as James Millward on Xinjiang, Elizabeth Economy on diplomacy, Shelley Rigger on Taiwan, and Winnie Yip and William Hsiao on public health. The voices included in "The China Questions 2" recognize that the US - China relationship has changed, and that the policy of engagement needs to change too. But they argue that zero-sum thinking is not the answer. Much that is good for one society is good for both - we are facing not another Cold War but rather a complex and contextually rooted mixture of conflict, competition, and cooperation that needs to be understood on its own terms

Postinternational politics -- Theory and method -- Political space and time -- States and other polities -- Identities in a postinternational world -- A postinternational world economy -- War in a postinternational world -- Technology and change -- The future

The study's purpose is to critically analyse approaches to international communi- cation in the global environment and clarify the specifics of processes that char- acterize the asymmetry of foreign-policy communication because the contem- porary communication tools allow forming both a positive perception of foreign policy initiatives and a negative attitude of politicians or the world community toward foreign-policy actions. As a result, the research focuses on studying the transformation of the EU foreign-policy communication tools; analysing the practice of foreign-policy communications of Germany and Ukraine; detecting the impact of destructive communications on the image of the EU, Germany, and Ukraine in the international information space. The main conclusions of the research are such statements: the aggravation of Ukrainian-Russian relations has demonstrated an imbalance in the existing for- eign-policy orientations; the EU leaders rethought the political impact of supra- national formation on the contemporary system of international relations; Germany's practice in foreign-policy communication concerns the preservation of the position as a world leader that is able to influence the solution of complex international political and security issues.

"What can be done if the United Nations Security Council fails to protect people from mass atrocities? At a time of inaction and political paralysis at the United Nations, this book explains the legality of alternative action beyond the Security Council. This book takes a fresh look at the responsibility to protect and offers new and compelling insights into the powers and limits of the UN Security Council. It argues that the Security Council's responsibility to maintain international peace and security, and its responsibility to protect, do not die with its own failures. Other actors can and must take up responsibility to save those in need. In a persuasive and detailed examination of the legal framework, this research identifies options for coercive measures to be taken beyond the Council that could be used to break the deadlock, including through the General Assembly and regional organisations. The book provides a must-have resource for students, academics, and researchers on key principles of international law. It also offers insight for governments, policy-makers, and other international actors on how they can uphold their legal responsibilities, maintain peace and security, and prevent their failures from undermining the very existence of the UN itself"--