Contemporary Issues – Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law

The Policy Proposals on Strengthening the Rule of Law through the UN Security Council were launched in March and aim to enhance the Security Council’s capacity to strengthen the rule of law, particularly when it deploys peace operations, applies sanctions and authorises the use of force. They can be accessed here.

‘UNSC and the RoL: Launch of policy recommendations a success’, Security Council Analysis Network

The launch of the Policy Proposals on Strengthening the Rule of Law through the UN Security Council was held in March at the UN headquarters in New York. Presentations from the event are available here.

‘Syria peace talks to continue ‘as planned’ into next week – UN Envoy’ (22 April 2016) UN News Centre

‘Public Threats, Private Solutions’ by Brian Finlay, Stimson Center

‘There’s more to Japan-Australia security ties than submarines’ by Yuki Tatsumi, East Asia Forum

‘First Steps on the Long Slog to Peace in the Middle East’ by Ellen Laipson, World Politics Review

‘NATO Needs Deterrence and Dialogue: Defining the New Balance in View of the Warsaw Summit’ by Jeffrey Rathke and Dr. Claudia Major, Center for Strategic and International Studies

‘Security Council strongly condemns firing of ballistic missile by DPR Korea’ (15 April 2016) UN News Centre

‘The Emerging Law of 21st Century War: Third Annual Justice Stephen Breyer Lecture on International Law’ delivered by Harold Hongju Koh. Hosted by The Brookings Institute and The Hague Institute for Global Justice.

‘Pakistan After the Lahore Bombing: Shaping the Security Response’ by Colin Cookman, United States Institute of Peace.

‘Crisis Watch No 152 | Tracking Conflict Worldwide’, International Crisis Group (April 2016)

‘Global Peace Operations Review’ , The Center on International Cooperation

‘Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse’, Report of the Secretary General (16 February 2016)

The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, International Criminal Court

U.S. and International Perspectives on the New U.S. Department of Defense Law of War Manual by Ryan Harrington, American Society of International Law

‘Security Council requests options on deploying UN police in crisis-torn Burundi’, UN News Centre (1 April 2016)

‘Trends in Armed Conflict, 1946-2014’ by Scott Gates, Håvard Mokleiv Nygård, Håvard Strand & Henrik Urdal. Conflict Trends, 1. Oslo: PRIO.

Africa Peacekeeping: Lessons from a Ghanian Commander’ by Fred Stasser, United States Institute of Peace

‘A Calculated Relationship’ by Yun Sun, Stimson Center

‘Women and Peace: A Special Role in Violent Conflict’ by Fred Stasser, United States Institute of Peace

‘Brussels Attacks Show Just How Desperate The Islamic State Has Become’ by Dr. Ben Rich, Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Exploiting Disorder: al-Qaeda and the Islamic State’ by International Crisis Group

‘The Responsibility to Protect at 15’ by Ramesh Thakur, Chatham House, International Affairs

‘Studying Under Fire: Attacks on Schools, Military Use of Schools During the Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine’, Human Rights Watch For more information on the protection of schools and universities during armed conflict please see ‘Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict’ by Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack

‘Martland Act’ would empower U.S. troops to block sexual abuse on foreign soil’ by Kyle Jahner, Army Times

‘Truce Tests Relations Between Islamist Giants’ by Aron Lund, Syria Deeply

‘Why Japan’s Defense Deal with the Philippines is Unique’ by Yuki Tatsumi, The Diplomat

‘The Changing Nature of the ISIS Insurgency’ by Hassan Hassan, Chatham House

‘Conflating Terrorism and Insurgency’ by John Mueller and Mark G. Stewart, Cato Institute

‘DWP 2016: a throwback to a harder era’ by Kim Beazley, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

‘Crisis Watch Tracking Conflicts Worldwide’ (March 2016)

‘When IS is not IS: Terrorism in Indonesia’ by Thomas Murphy, Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘2016 Defence White Paper” – Australian Government Department of Defence

‘Guns mostly fall silent on first day of Syrian ceasefire’- The Guardian (28 February 2016)

‘UN Security Council endorses cessation of hostilities pact in Syria’- UN News Centre (26 February 2016)

‘32nd International Conference: Resolutions, bulletins and reports’ , International Committee of the Red Cross

‘Power of Humanity: Highlights of the 32nd International Conference’, International Committee of the Red Cross

‘A Tumultuous 2016 in the South China Sea’ by Gregory B. Poling, Center for Strategic and International Studies

‘Maghreb, Sahel Struggle With Religion as Anti-Terror Policy Tool’ by Ellen Laipson, World Politics Review

‘South Sudan on ‘verge of fragmenting,’ UN officials warn Security Council’ UN News Centre (19 February 2016)

‘Iraq: launch of the “Fighter not Killer” campaign to raise awareness of the law of war among civil society and armed non-State actors’, Geneva Call (8 February 2016)

‘Prioritizing the Protection of Civilians in UN Peace Operations’ by Aditi Gorur and Lisa Sharland, Stimson Center

‘Technologies Converge and Power Diffuses: The Evolution of Small, Smart, and Cheap Weapons’ by T.X. Hammes, Cato Institute

‘Crisis Watch Tracking Conflicts Worldwide’ (February 2016) – Crisis Watch International

‘Don’t just seek to resolve war once it erupts, prevent it in the first place, says UN chief’ – UN News Centre (1 February 2016)

‘Now Comes the Hard Part: Five Priorities in the Continuing Fight against Boko Haram’ by Jennifer G. Cooke, Center for Strategic and International Studies

‘Germany and Europe’s Security: Normalisation is Overdue’ – Australian Institute of International Affars

‘Thailand: Geneva Call supports a public campaign on humanitarian norms’

‘Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding: Lessons from the UN’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Information & Security: Evolving Concepts of Security’ (Vol 33) – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

‘Towards a Principled Approach to Engagement with Non-state Armed Groups for Humanitarian Purposes’ – Chatham House

‘What is China doing in the South China Sea?’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Istanbul Bombing Reflects Whirlwind of Regional Challenges Overwhelming Turkey’ – Chatham House

‘Syria Dialogue Gets Results in Push for Local Peace’ – United States Institute of Peace

‘African Union-peacekeepers Ambushed in Darfur’ – UN News Centre (7 January 2015)

‘Revising the UN Peacekeeping Mandate in South Sudan: Maintaining Focus on the Protection of Individuals’ by Lisa Sharland and Aditi Gorur, Stimson Centre

‘Top Risks and Ethical Decisions in 2016’ – Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

‘Crisis Watch Tracking Conflicts Worldwide’ (December 2015) – Crisis Watch International

‘Improved dialogue needed between the UN and peace and police troop contributors, Security Council Stresses’ – UN News Centres (31 December 2015)

‘Islamic State’s Information Operations Strategy’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

2015 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

‘32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’ – DFAT (8 December 2015)

‘Trilateral Dialogue on Strengthening the Rule of Law in the UN, EU and OSCE’ – ZIF Centre for International Peace Operations (December 2015)

‘Iran: Threat Perceptions in the Middle East’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Syria Crisis 2015: Suffering Escalates as Winter Looms’ – International Committee of the Red Cross

‘Afghanistan and Pakistan: The Re-emergence of the Taliban and the Arrival of ISIS’ – Carnegie Council

‘Global Trends and Opportunities – November 2015’ – Crisis Watch

‘Peace Operations Update No 47: November 2015’ – ZIF Centre for International Peace Operations

‘The Future of Peace Operations: Maintaining Momentum’ – International Peace Institute (November 2015)

Rembert Boom, ‘Impunity of Military Peacekeepers: Will the UN Start Naming and Shaming Troop Contributing Countries?’ (2015) 19 American Society of International Law

‘Linking Security and Governance’ – Stimson Centre

‘Russia, Turkey and the US: Between the Terrible and the Catastrophic’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Violence in Syria Spurs a Huge Surge in Civilian Flight’ – New York Times (October 2015)

‘Security Council ‘unequivocally’ condemns ISIL terrorist attacks’ – UN Security Council

‘The Importance of Measuring Terrorism’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘The Central African Republic Is Still in Crisis. Can Peacekeepers Help?’ – Stimson Centre

‘The MENA Region After the Iran Nuclear Deal’ – Chatham House

‘Remarks at the Security Council Stakeout following the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2248 on Burundi’ – Ambassador Samantha Power, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations (12 November 2015)

‘What I Learned from Interviewing Imprisoned ISIS Fighters’ by Lydia Wilson – The Nation

‘The Disaster that is Yemen: Violence, Bloodshed and Suffering present daily challenges for the ICRC’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Paris attacks come at a dangerous moment for Europe’ – Chatham House

‘UN condemns ‘despicable’ terrorist attacks in Paris’ – UN News Centre (13 November 2015)

‘Ebola virus transmission has been stopped in Sierra Leone’ – UN News Centre (7 November 2015)

‘Nuclear Security’ – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

‘Stopping the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas’ – Chatham House

‘Arms Trade Treaty-Baseline Assessment Project Launches Online Reporting ATT Guidelines’ – Stimson Centre

‘Is China Moving Towards Compromise in the South China Sea?’ – Chatham House

‘Humanitarian situation in Iraq growing more complex, UN relief wing reports’ – UN Peace and Security News (21 October 2015)

‘The Role of Police in UN Peace Operations’ – Stimson Centre

‘Back to the Drawing Board: What the Recent Peace Agreement Means for South Sudan’ – Carnegie Council (22 October 2015)

‘With high number of foreign fighters in Belgium, UN experts call for robust action to address risks’ – UN Peace and Security News (16 October 2015)

‘Briefing Report: Suppressing Foreign Terrorist Fighters and Supporting Principled Humanitarian Action’ – Harvard Law School PILAC

‘Iran: Posed to be Part of the Solution to the Middle East Crisis’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Violent Islamist Extremism and Terror in Africa’ – Institute of Security Studies Paper No 286 (October 2015)

‘Was the US attack on the Kunduz hospital a war crime?’ – Washington Post (8 October 2015)

‘Russia’s Intervention and the Fight against ISIL’ – Carnegie Council

‘Energy Security: The Answer Lies in the Sea’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Commanding Knowledge: The Line of Fire in the IHL Principle of Proportionality’ – Harvard PILAC Report

‘No Peace in Syria Without Justice – Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Crisis Watch No 146 (October 2015) – Crisis Group International

‘Central African Republic: The Roots of Violence’ – Crisis Watch

‘New Opportunities for Enhanced Security Cooperation Between Australia and India’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Libyan parties encourage to act on UN-backed peace plan’ – UN Peace and Security (22 September 2015)

International Peace Day 2015 – An Analysis – Carnegie Council

‘UN’s Smart New Way to Increase Economic Growth and Security’ – Stimson Centre

‘The Lawfare Podcast: A Band-Aid for a Bomber. Is Medical Assistance to Terrorists Protected Under IHL?’ – Lawfare Blog

‘Liberia making progress on numerous fronts, UN peacekeeping chief tells Security Council’ – UN News Centre (10 September 2015)

‘Talking Peace in Person’ – Carnegie Council

‘Turkey’s True Target’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘First Arms Trade Treaty Conference of States Parties Concludes in Cancun: Now the Real Work Begins’ – Stimson Centre

Crisis Watch No 145 (September 2015)

‘Once Again, Australians are Fighting In the Middle East, Why? – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘ZIF Study – Stress Management in Peace Operations

‘What We’re Reading Now: New Books & Reports on Peacekeeping’ by Marissa McCrone – IPI Observatory

‘Mali – two UN peacekeepers seriously injured in an explosion’ – UN News Centre (22 August 2015)

‘Drivers of State Vulnerability Monitor’ – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iraq: Assessment and Prospects’ – Carnegie Council

‘Maritime Security in the Asia-Pacific: China and the Emerging Order in the East and South China Seas’ – Chatham House

‘70 Years on, Peace Remains Incomplete’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Ban addresses top peacekeeping officials amid allegations of abuse by UN blue helmets’ – UN News Centre (13 August 2015)

‘A Way Forward for Natural Resource Conflict Resolution’ – Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs

‘The Dynamics of Violence along the Kashmir Divide’ – Stimson Centre (6 August 2015)

Crisis Watch No 144 (August 2015)

‘Peacekeeping Resource Hub’ – United Nations Peacekeeping

‘Civil Security Dossier – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

‘Syrian Safe Zones Will Undermine US Fight Against ISIS – Chatham House The Royal Institute of International Affairs (29 July 2015)

‘The Future of African Peace Operations – Time to Adjust the Operational Design’, Walter Lutz – ZIF Centre for International Peace Operations

‘A Conversation with Dr Knut Dormann on International Humanitarian Law’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Iraqi Unity & the Fight Against ISIL with US Army Veteran Asha Castleberry’ – Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs (16 July 2015)

‘Japan’s New Security Legislation: A Missed Opportunity’ – Stimson Centre

‘Full-fledged UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia would be ‘high risk undertaking’, Security Council told’ – UN News Centre (16 July 2015)

‘The Iran Nuclear Deal’ – Chatham House: The Royal Institute of International Affairs

‘Pushing the Boundaries – Territorial Conflict in Today’s World’ – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

‘Iran and the GCC’ – Chatham House: The Royal Institute of International Affairs

‘Still hearing the Cries from the Graves: Srebrenica, R2P and the Struggle for Human Protection – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Terror must not Trample on Tunisian Institutions’ – Chatham House: The Royal Institute of International Affairs

Crisis Watch No 143 (July 2015)

‘Mali: UN Condemns attack which killed six peacekeepers’ – UN News (2 July 2015)

‘The Extraterritorial Use of Force’ – Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict

‘Mozambique at 40: A Delicate Opportunity’ – Chatham House Royal Institute of International Affairs

Global Peace Index 2015 – Vision of Humanity

‘Countering Violent Extremism: Lessons from our Region’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘At Security Council, UN force commanders recount modern challenges of peacekeeping’ – UN Peacekeeping News (17 June 2015)

‘The Real Story Behind the South China Sea Dispute’ – London School of Economics

‘Clerical Battle of Iraq’s Streets Tests Limits of Iran’s Power’ – Washington Post (11 June 2015)

Crisis Watch No 142 (June 2015)

‘The Future of African Peace Operations’ – ZIF Centre for International Peace Operations

‘The Goals of War and War’s End’ – Harvard Law School Program on International Law in Armed Conflict

‘Drivers of Vulnerability Monitor: HCSS Centre for Strategic Studies

‘At debate, UN and Security Council renew pledge to counter foreign terror fighters’- UN News Centre (29 May 2015) UN

‘Exercising restraint? The new US rules for Drone transfers’ – Stimson Centre

‘Trident Whistleblower Case Underlines Continuing Risks of Nuclear Weapons’ – Chatham House (22 May 2015)

‘Yemen: UN rights office urges all parties to adhere to international law as civilian toll grows’ – UN News Centre (22 May 2015)

‘Yemen: Faint Hopes for Peace’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘IS/ISIL/ISIS: State of fear outgrows insurgency label’ by David Kilcullen – Sydney Morning Herald (16 May 2015)

‘In Geneva, UN envoy meets with officials from the Russian Federation and United Kingdom’ – UN News Centre (14 May 2015)

‘Stirring up the South China Sea: A Fleeting Opportunity for Calm’ – Crisis Group International (7 May 2015)

Centre for International Peace Operations, Map of Peacekeeping Operations (2014-2015)

‘Yemen: Senior UN Chief urges immediate halt to attacks against civilian and aid workers’ – UN News Centre (7 May 2015)

‘Deterrence Instability and Nuclear Weapons in South Asia’ – Stimson Centre (29 April 2015)

‘Words Speak Louder than Guns’ by William Oosterveld – EU Observer (23 April 2015)

‘Ban calls for immediate end to hostilities in northern Mali amid surge in violence’ (29 April 2015) – United Nations News Centre

[‘Australia and Indonesia: Hard Times Ahead – Australian Institute of International Law (http://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australian_outlook/australia-indonesia-hard-times-ahead/)

‘Somalia in Crisis: Famine, Counterterrorism and Humanitarian Aid’ – Harvard Law School Program on International Law in Armed Conflict

‘Medical care in armed conflict: International Humanitarian Law and State Responses to Terrorism’ – Harvard Law School Program on International Law in Armed Conflict

‘Negotiating with Terrorists: Interview with Jonathan Powell (23 April 2015) – Chatham House: The Royal Institute for Ethics in International Affairs

‘UN mission peacekeepers repel two attacks in South Darfur’ (24 April 2015) – UN News Centre

‘US-Japan-Australia Security Cooperation: Prospects and Challenges’ – Stimson Centre

Security Council Monthly Report (April 2015) – United Nations Security Council

‘UN mission condemns ‘murderous’ attack on civilians in north-eastern DR Congo village’ – UN News Centre (17 April 2015)

Crisis Watch No 140 (April 2015) – International Crisis Group

‘The Perils of Peacekeeping in Unstabilized Environments’ – Stimson Centre (21 March 2015)

‘The EU and Gazprom’ – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

‘Trapped civilians ‘more desperate than ever’ amid fighting in Yarmouk Camp, UN agency chief warns’ – UN News Centre (6 April 2015_

‘Afghanistan – Opportunity in Crisis’ – Chatham House: The Royal Institute of International Affairs

‘International Counterterrorism Efforts Index’ – Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict

‘Demanding ‘immediate’ ceasefire in Libya, Security Council extends UN mission in crisis torn country’ – UN News Centre (28 March 2015)

‘The Abe Push Behind the Australian Sub Deal’ by Aurelia George Mulgan – Australian Institution of International Affairs

‘UN Envoy outlines progress in DR Congo from ‘shattered’ country to ‘proud nation’ – UN News Centre (19 March 2015)

‘Yemen: What’s at Stake for the United States?’ by Rachel Stool and Shannon Dick – Stimson Centre (18 March 2015)

‘A chronic protection problem: the DPRK and the Responsibility to Protect’ – Chatham House Institute for Ethics in International Affairs

‘Chinese Public Opinion on the East China and South China Seas’ by Graham Dobell – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Security Council delegation assesses progress in Central African Republic’ – UN News Centre (11 March 2015)

‘Cyber Security – Designing Future Stabilisation Efforts’ – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

Crisis Watch (February 2015) – Crisis Group

‘UN condemns terrorist attack in Mali that injured Mission personnel’ – UN News Centre (7 March 2015)

‘What Obama’s Drone Export Policy Really Means’ – Stimson Centre

‘Security Council strongly deplores ISIL’s ‘barbarism’, says resolved stiffened to defeat group’ – United Nations News Centre

‘Future Trends in the Gulf’ – Chatham House The Royal Institute for International Affairs

‘The Arms Trade Treaty and Human Security: Cross-Cutting Benefits of Accession and Implementation’ – Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs

‘Technology Boost for UN Peacekeepers essential in rapidly evolving, complex world’ – UN News Centre (19 February 2015)

‘Mapping Bangladesh’d Political Crisis’ – International Crisis Group

‘Iran and the Future of the Nuclear Order’ by Rod Lyon – Australian Institute for International Affairs

‘UN rights chief calls for ‘one time only’ deferral of key report on Sri Lanka conflict’ – UN News Centre (16 February 2015)

‘The Afghan Challenge’ by Zahir Tanin and Joanne Myers – Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs’

‘Choosing the Next SG – Australian Institute of International Affairs’.

‘Kosovo: UN Convoy calls on parties to engage in dialogue, make ‘hard choices’ for regional stability’: UN Peacekeeping/PeaceOps

‘Yemen Conflict Alert: Time for Compromise – Crisis Group International

International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch (January 2015)

Peace Operations Update (January 2015)

‘Post-Conflict Justice: The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Preventative Medicine: Ebola and Security Sector Reform in Liberia’ – International Relations Security Network (ISN)

‘Sudan and South Sudan’s Merging Conflicts’ – International Crisis Group

Security Council Report – Status Update (January 2015)

‘Expert Commentary – Terrorist attacks are hard to predict’ (23 January 2015) – Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

2014 PUBLICATIONS/LINKS

‘The Search for Missile Defence Consensus’ (17 December 2014) – Friends of Europe

‘Can ISIL be Copied?’ by Florence Gaub – European Union Institute for Strategic Studies

‘Protecting Civilians in Armed Conflict – From Concept to Norm’ – International Peace Institute

‘Congo – Ending the Status Quo’ – Africa Briefing Note No 107 – International Crisis Group

‘Why is Iran a Pressing Danger?’ by Rodger Shanahan – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Beyond Crisis in the DRC: The Dilemmas of International Engagement and Sustainable Change’ by Ben Sheperhd (December 2014) Chatham House Institute of International Affairs

‘The Thais that Bind Us: Ten Years after TAFTA’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘New Zealand: Getting Around the Security Council Table’ by Terence O’Brien – Australian Institute of International Affairs

‘Areas Under ISIS Control’ – New York Times (2 Jan 2015)

‘How Joining the Arms Trade Treaty Can Help Advance Development Goals’ – Chatham House (15 December 2014)

‘Sydney Hostage Incident was a Classic Case of Grassroots Terrorism’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs (18 December 2014)

‘The Rise of ISIS: Implications for US Strategy, Interests and Values’ – Carnegie Council (9 December 2014)

At crossroads’, humanitarian system must engage earlier, more systematically – UN Deputy Chief’ (UN News)

Video Lecture: ‘Fixing Failed States: From Theory to Practice’ (December 2014) Chatham House

Adam MacDonald, ‘Is the Myanmar regime splintering?’ (December 2014) Australian Institute of International Affairs

Jason Browder, ‘Lawlessness: Malaysia and its Law of Rules’ (3 December 2014) Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs

‘Being a Top 20 Defence Player’ – Australian Institute of International Affairs

[‘The Middle East in Crisis – The View from Israel’ – Carnegie Council](http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/studio/multimedia/20141009/index.htm