News
Breaking the wave: critical steps in the fight against crime in Guatemala
January 17, 2012. With a new president taking power in January 2012, the paper examines the huge challenges facing Guatemala as it seeks to fight new waves of criminal violence, reduce one of the world's highest murder rates and save its institutions from corruption. On the basis of a review of the history of Guatemalan and Central American security and justice reforms, the paper highlights the three outstanding issues that must be tackled if any long-lasting reduction in the crime rate is to be achieved: technical sophistication, internal institutional oversight and sustainability. It also explores the prospects and dangers of a more combative, military-led approach from the incoming government, whose head was a leading member of the counter-insurgent campaign of the 1980s. Read more
Seminar on the Sudans, 19 January 2012
January 12, 2012. For Sudan, the year 2011 marked a momentous chapter in the country's history. In a referendum on 9 January, the population of Southern Sudan voted for separation from the North, leading to the establishment of an independent Southern state in July. On Thursday 19 January 2012, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Sub-Saharan Africa Department (DAF) and the Clingendael Conflict Research Unit (CRU) jointly organize a seminar that brings together a divergent group of researchers, policy makers, military officials and civil society practitioners to explore and discuss the main implications of Sudan's partition. Read more»
Consolidating Libya's New Dawn
December 5, 2011.
The Importance of Supporting Early Security and Justice. Libya's interim National Transitional Council is tasked to initiate the complex and sensitive post-conflict transition that lies before Libya in support of democratization, economic development and the rule of law. The overall effort will be a daunting one in a country where such processes were prevented or oddly and brutally interpreted by the eccentric Muammar al-Qaddafi to the benefit of his family and supporters. This policy brief articulates some of the immediate post-conflict challenges affecting security and justice sector reform in an environment that will be particularly challenging. The policy brief stresses that the international community will have to take a particular mindset and approach to providing external security and justice sector assistance. National authorities should also work closely with non-state and other domestic actors to ensure that Libya's future security and justice sector is based upon a common vision and local community-level expectations. Read more»
CRU Policy Brief: Supporting the Syrian summer
September 22, 2011.
Supporting the Syrian Summer: Dynamics of the Uprising and Considerations for International Engagement
Since the Syrian uprising started in March 2011, President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has reacted with increasing brutality against the opposition movement demanding regime change. International condemnation has steadily grown throughout the crisis, resulting in recent calls for Bashar al-Assad to step aside. Syrian protesters have shown great resilience , and continue to flock to the streets in their thousands. Outside the country Syrians have also come out to support the uprising. Syrian activists, traders and politicians in exile are preparing for a post-Assad polity.
This policy brief provides an introduction to the Syrian case, an overview of key players and an analysis of the dynamics of the uprising. Subsequently, a number of considerations are presented to the international community for engaging with the Syrian opposition both domestically and abroad, and for building a constructive response to the crisis. Read more