Human Security Centre Human Rights and International Security Research

Spurred by an increasing interest in space and the inevitability of other countries making the leap as well, the United Nations (UN) in 1967 adopted the Outer Space Treaty (OST), the first in a series of Cold War era international space laws, much of which has become inadequate for the 21st century.

Addressing the human security of the different ethnic groups will be vital in the ongoing negotiations, or they risk causing a potential cease-fire agreement to fail and cause the established pattern of violence continuing.

With the fragile new Syrian government, uncertain security situation in the region, ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, and with continuous threats from Iran, Israel is unlikely to be willing to give up Mount Hermon at all.

The label of an “Arms Race” is an exaggerated view on current events in the western Balkans. Croatia and Serbia both have legitimate cases to modernize and strengthen their armed forces in light of war in Europe and the desire for strengthened EU and NATO integration. It is the decision of politics to turn to historical animosity to justify the ongoing developments of both armed forces for domestic purposes.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania saw the signs that Russia was preparing its society for a large-scale war with the West, and they knew it could have occurred in their countries – but it was Ukraine who fell victim to Russia’s expansionist ambitions.

Power game conundrums, widespread corruption, and an active peace support mission are all considerable barriers for any country seeking to enter the EU.

In the end, Qatar’s criticized leniency and support of Hamas will take a back-seat as the country will likely play a key role in finding a resolution to the war, giving it the credibility it needs to continue maintaining some degree of ties with a near globally recognized terrorist group.

While the UN-mandated, NATO-backed, and EU-led Peace Mission EUFOR-Althea continues to maintain peace and stability, it is up to the political process to find a lasting solution to a clearly unresolved frozen conflict.

Even if Israel eventually succeeds in rooting out the organization and the international community is able to make sustainable post-conflict arrangements for the territory’s governance and reconstruction, this does nothing to mitigate the immediate human security challenges.

It will take decades, if not centuries, to completely clear Ukraine of landmines, throughout which people will continue to be injured and killed.