December 2015 Review

TransConflict is pleased to present a selection of articles published during December, plus updates from the Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation.

1) The fourteenth GCCT newsletter

TransConflict is pleased to present the fourteenth Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation (GCCT) newsletter, showcasing the work of the GCCT and its members. Read on…

2) Broken states never heal themselves

Gerard M. Gallucci – Broken states never heal themselves and can only be put back together with the prolonged involvement of outsiders working together to end the violence, impose peace and rebuild societies and states. Read on…

3) Israel’s occupation is morally indefensible

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir – Israel’s occupation cannot be defended on moral grounds or in terms of national security. Israel can defend itself and prevail over any of its enemies now and in the foreseeable future, but it is drowning in moral corruption that the continued occupation only deepens. It is that—the enemy from within—that poses the greatest danger Israel faces. Read on…

4) The Genocide Convention – an unused but not forgotten standard of world law

Rene Wadlow – On the anniversary of the 1948 Convention on Genocide, it is imperative to identify a relevant existing body – such as the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) – to strengthen in order to be able to deal with the first signs of tensions, especially “direct and public incitement to commit genocide.” Read on…

5) Conflict and intervention – the role of multilateralism

Gerard M. Gallucci – There are five good reasons for the major powers – especially the US – to commit themselves to consensus decisions on multilateral intervention achieved through the Security Council in cases of communal conflict, such as Syria. Read on…

6) Bosnia-Herzegovina – 20 years later, a new political class emerges

Dr. Ulas Doga Eralp – Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new political class seems to accept that a unified country remains more of an ideal than a reality, yet are far from agreeing on a joint solution to move forward. It also remains unclear as to whether they have anything different to say than the old guard on EU reform, and whether they really listen to the demands of civil society. Read on…

7) Burundi – in the moments of crisis the wise build bridges

Rene Wadlow – The UN Human Rights Council Special Session on preventing further deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi has well highlighted the dangers. The difficulties of restoring order are strong. More basic reconciliation is even more difficult. The Expert Mission is unlikely to discover new elements. Thus we must watch the situation closely and see what means to bridge building are possible. Read on…

8) Why bombing Syria is the right decision, but not enough

Soeren Keil – The decision to intervene in Syria and to more actively fight the so-called Islamic State was right. Something needs to happen now to prevent this barbaric regime from spreading its message and promoting its inhumane practices. Yet, airstrikes alone will not be the answer. Read on…

9) Abandoning the Quartet in favor of the Arab Peace Initiative

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir – The Quartet must be abandoned in favor of the Arab Peace Initiative, which has been gaining momentum in recent months absent any other viable alternative framework for peace. Read on…

10) Lessons of the Balkan refugee crisis

Mirjana Kosic – The EU keeps reminding the countries of the region that 20 years after the end of the Balkan wars, the progress achieved in terms of reconciliation between different ethnic groups has been way too scant. However, this refugee crisis should serve as a reminder to us all that peacebuilding is not an end-process, and peace itself is not a goal that, once attained, can be considered ‘done’. Read on…

The Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation

1) Empowering Afghan women to monitor and advocate for women’s rights

TransConflict is pleased to present insights into the Bureau for Reconstruction and Development’s work to empower Afghan women to monitor and advocate for women’s rights, and to promote women in business in Afghanistan. Read on…

2) The role of women and youth in preventing violent extremism in Afghanistan

TransConflict is pleased to present insights into the work of Cooperation for Peace and Unity (CPAU), a member of the Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation, focusing on the role of women and youth in preventing violent extremism in Laghman and Kabul province, respectively; plus efforts to enhance access to mainstream religious knowledge as a means of countering violent extremism in Logar Province. Read on…