Security & Defense

Syria’s post-conflict transition, marked by the fall of the Assad regime and the appointment of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, will be a critical opportunity for renewal while confronting significant challenges. The country must navigate a complex landscape of political fragmentation, economic hardship, and security risks. This policy brief explores Syria’s prospects for reconstruction and long-term stability by assessing recent political reforms, economic recovery strategies, a ...

The Russia–Ukraine war, while primarily perceived as a European security crisis, has triggered deep structural shocks globally, disproportionately affecting the developing world—the “New South.” This essay explores how historical legacies, global economic dependencies, and shifting geoeconomic paradigms have converged through the war to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. It critically examines the war’s impact through four interc ...

L’extrémisme violent au Sahel trouve ses racines dans une combinaison de facteurs historique, politique et socio-économique, tels que l’instabilité étatique, la marginalisation de certaines communautés et l’influence d’idéologies transnationales. Ce Papier retrace l’émergence et l’expansion de groupes comme Al-Qaïda au Maghreb Islamique (AQMI) et l’État islamique au Grand Sahara (EIGS), ainsi que leur fragmentation, illustrée par la création de nouveaux groupes, comme le ...

تتناول هذه الورقة السياسية النزاعات العنيفة المستمرة في السودان، مع التركيز بشكل خاص على الحرب التي اندلعت في الـ15 من أبريل 2023، بين القوات المسلحة السودانية وقوات الدعم السريع. يسلط التحليل الضوء على خلفية هذا النزاع الذي نشب بفعل فشل الانتقال الديمقراطي، بعد الإطاحة بالرئيس عمر البشير سنة 2019. كانت البداية مليئة بالتفاؤل، حيث تم توقيع اتفاق لتقاسم السلطة بين الفصائل العسكرية والمدنية، ولكن هذا الاتفاق انهار سريعاً، وبلغ الانهيار ذروته بحدوث انقلاب عسكري في أكتوبر من سنة 2021. ه ...

Sudan, a nation long defined by civil strife, military coups, and an uneven trajectory towards democratic norms, now faces a devastating internal war. The eruption of conflict on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has escalated into a multidimensional crisis. This conflict, fueled by longstanding political rivalries and resource-based tensions, poses grave risks to the stability of Sudan and the broader Horn of Africa. Beyond ...

Dans le vaste domaine des études prospectives, la notion du temps se révèle être un pilier fondamental, orchestre d'une symphonie complexe et variée. Cette notion n'est pas seulement un cadre dans lequel s'inscrivent nos actions et nos pensées; elle est une boussole qui guide notre capacité à anticiper et à modeler le futur. Les études prospectives, en quête de comprendre et de préparer les futurs possibles, se basent sur cette conception du temps pour éclairer et influencer la pris ...

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the role and impact of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), formed in April 2022, in navigating the complexities of Yemen's ongoing civil conflict. The PLC was created to unite various anti-Houthi factions under a single governance framework, with the support of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and to steer Yemen toward peace and stability. However, the PLC has faced numerous obstacles, including internal divisions, resistance from ...

This policy paper examines the ongoing violent conflicts in Sudan, focusing particularly on the war that erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The analysis highlights the backdrop of this conflict, which stems from a failed transition to democracy following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Initially marked by optimism, the power-sharing agreement between military and civilian factions quickly unraveled, ...

The African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO) just concluded its 8th edition, serving as a crucial platform for discussing conflict prevention and management in Africa. APSACO has fostered a vibrant community that facilitates dialogue on Africa’s unique challenges and allows for the exchange of innovative ideas on conflict resolution. The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) is proud to be an active participant in this ecosystem, contributing to key initiatives such as ...

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ‘Zeitenwende’ in February 2022 marked a significant shift in German foreign and security policy in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This paper analyzes Germany’s new strategic direction, including increased defense spending, reduced energy dependence on Russia, and strengthened NATO and EU alliances. It examines the domestic political debates surrounding these changes and their implications for European security dynamics. The study also expl ...

History is unfolding before our eyes. These are days that could define the future of our world. The United Nations is calling for a “Summit for the Future,” promising “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.” This vision will take shape on September 23-24, 2024, in New York City. António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN since January 2017, has championed this summit as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate global action, recommit to fundamental principle ...

Negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Sudan began in Geneva this week, marking a critical step toward ending the 16-month-long conflict that has ravaged the nation. Co-organized by the United States and Switzerland, the talks focus on addressing the severe humanitarian crisis and establishing a cessation of hostilities. However, significant challenges persist, particularly concerning the uncertain participation of the key warring parties. Understanding the Conflict Sudan h ...