http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/rss/12 This feed contains all new content on the Chatham House website related to International Law. http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/643/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/643/ Iran's elections were a monumental miscalculation and now the Islamic Republic faces the most serious crisis of authority in a generation, writes Ali Ansari in this month's The World Today. Hard liners may have overreached in their quest for democratic approval. On climate change, Bernice Lee and Antony Froggatt write that the international community is not doing enough to deviate from 'business as usual' in tackling greenhouse gas emissions. Politics is trumping science as national interests come before a concerted global effort to do something about emissions. Economist Max Watson outlines a programme of action for the Euro area where policy often lags behind events. He argues that the Euro area cannot afford to wait and see what strains emerge over the medium term; it needs stronger policy coordination now. Full contents Iran Elections: Monumental Miscalculation, Ali Ansari Democracy: Dicing With Democracy, Richard Youngs Democracy: The Quiet Democrat, Nicolas Bouchet Engaging Iran - European Lessons for America: Tempting Tehran, Riccardo Alcaro Burma: All Change or No Change?, Richard Horsey Burma: Trust the People, Maung Zarni Climate Change Politics: Dangerous Game of Dare, Bernice Lee and Antony Froggatt Russia: Strategic Loneliness, Vadim Kononenko Central Asia: Power Plays, Graeme P Hern and Katva Palazzolo Mexico - Swine Flu: Victor or Victim?, Rodrigo Delgado Aguilera The Euro and the Global Financial Crisis: Surviving Strain, Max Watson Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:49:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1225/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1225/ 12:30, 17th July 2009 - On 12 August 1949 a diplomatic conference in Geneva approved the text of four conventions on the laws of war. Throughout their 60-year history they have faced numerous challenges, including from military occupations, operations by the UN and NATO, detention of personnel, and, more generally, the ever changing character of international politics and of war. The speaker will argue that conventions have adapted, and will need to adapt further. For more information please contact Members Events Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:28:42 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1195/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1195/ 12:00, 30th June 2009 - There will be a lunch reception from 12:30-13:00. The European Court of Human Rights has a huge backlog of cases from various countries including Russia. Russia has been blocking changes in the Court's procedures designed to deal with the crisis. With a jurisdiction of over 800 million people what is the future for the Court? For more information please contact Alis Martin. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:34:55 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/606/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/606/ In this month's issue, Dr David Heymann, Head of Chatham House's new Centre on Global Health Security, and formerly Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization, traces the means of managing the risks of influenza and outlines today's challenges for practitioners to identify emerging infections such as swine flu. Prem Shankar Jha, columnist and former editor, The Hindustan Times, argues that the Obama administration must understand that there will be no peace settlement in Afghanistan if India is left out of the process. And Kerry Brown, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House, writes on how China is rising again but faces a major task in communicating what it calls its 'benign objectives and intentions' to the rest of the world. Full list of contents: Afghanistan and Pakistan: Obama's Quagmire, Prem Shankar Jha Afghanistan and Pakistan: Taliban Toxin, Wolfgang Danspeckgruber and William Maley Health: Preparing for Pandemics, David L Heymann Health - China and Russia: Life Support, Christopher Davis Group of Eight - Aid in Africa: Party Over, Tom Cargill Group of Eight: Thinking, Not Talking, Alex Vines China: Rising Again, Kerry Brown Coal and Climate Change: Electrifying Issue, Michael Hogan Coal and Climate Change: Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Jon Gibbins Europe: Jobs for the Boys, Richard Whitman Thu, 21 May 2009 15:51:04 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/740/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/740/ This is a summary of the International Law Discussion Group meeting held on 23 April 2009 at Chatham House. Wed, 06 May 2009 14:10:18 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/735/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/735/ This is a transcript of a meeting held at Chatham House on 6 April 2009. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:20:59 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/580/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/580/ Climate of Change? Ahead of the Copenhagen summit in December, this month's The World Today looks at how China, Russia and Brazil are preparing for a post-Kyoto climate change agreement. Linda Jakobson, Senior Researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, writes on the delicate balancing act the Chinese government are pursuing: while some Chinese leaders are adamant that combating climate change must not deter economic development, they are also keen to show they are willing to shoulder international responsibilities in line with the status of a rising power. However, the view that China is a victim of climate change, rather than a country to be held responsible for it, is shared across the party. Looking ahead to Iran's presidential elections, Ali Ansari, Associate Fellow, writes that the faltering economy will be a key issue, but with political comebacks beckoning and harsh criticisms of Ahmadinejad by potential candidates rife, one thing stands out: everyone is arguing about the need for change. And, Tony Elumelu, Chief Executive, United Bank for Africa, writes on how in a world of largely negative economic growth, African stocks and shares are showing strong results. But Africa needs to get the message across that it is a continent of growing economies, with institutions and entrepreneurs willing to play important roles in providing solutions to the economic crisis. Full list of contents: Climate Change: China's Changing Climate, Linda Jakobson Russia and Climate Change: Costs or Benefits?, Anna Korppoo Brazil and Climate Change: Global Positioning, Paulo Wrobel Moldova: Question of Power, James Sherr Global Economc Crisis: Crunching Eastern Europe, Sean Hanley European Elections: Big Yawn, or Wake-Up Call?, Julie Smith Europe's Eastern Partnership: Between Europe and Russia, Georgy Bovt Council of Europe: Conscience of a Continent, Martyn Bond The Global Economic Crisis and Africa, Tony Elumelu Iranian Presidential Elections: Ghost at the Election Banquet, Ali Ansari Lebanon Elections: Into the Shadows, Hussain Abdul-Hussain Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:23:36 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/733/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/733/ This briefing note draws on a meeting of a roundtable of experts held at Chatham House on 26 February 2009 by the Africa Programme and the International Law Discussion Group. It brought together lawyers and practitioners from the military, industry and diplomatic services to clarify some of the legal concerns around combating piracy off the Somali coast. The paper draws on presentations by Agustin Blanco-Bazan of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Commodore Neil Brown of the Royal Navy and Dr Douglas Guilfoyle from University College London, and on the discussion that followed. The meeting was chaired by Elizabeth Wilmshurst of Chatham House. Read also Piracy in Somalia: Threatening Global Trade, Feeding Local Wars by Roger Middleton. More about the Horn of Africa project >> Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:55:39 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/575/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/575/ Today, navies from at least 17 states are patrolling Somalia's seas and have had some success in their primary aim of disrupting pirate activity. The 'success' rate of pirate attacks has dropped from around 1 in 3 to around 1 in 4 and captured pirates are currently standing trial in France, the Netherlands, Kenya and Puntland says a new Chatham House paper, Pirates and How to Deal With Them. However, the problem of piracy will remain until a long-term solution is found to Somalia's position as a failed state. At present, within the shipping industry there is a perception that international law leaves navies weak and unable to combat piracy. There is a well-founded concern that this perception is also shared by pirates themselves. This paper suggests that this perception is not necessarily correct and that navies have sufficient powers under current international law to combat many of the recent instances of piracy. However, the paper concludes that naval or police action alone cannot provide a long-term solution to Somali piracy. The issue is likely to continue to be a major problem for the foreseeable future and only addressing the root causes, including the internal problems of Somalia, will offer a way to end piracy. Notes to Editors Read Pirates and How to Deal With Them >> This briefing note draws on a meeting of a roundtable of experts held at Chatham House on 26 February 2009 by the Africa Programme and the International Law Discussion Group. It brought together lawyers and practitioners from the military, industry and diplomatic services to clarify some of the legal concerns around combating piracy off the Somali coast. The paper draws on presentations by Agustin Blanco-Bazan of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Commodore Neil Brown of the Royal Navy and Dr Douglas Guilfoyle from University College London, and on the discussion that followed. The meeting was chaired by Elizabeth Wilmshurst of Chatham House. Roger Middleton, author of the paper, is available for interview. He is also the author of Piracy in Somalia: Threatening Global Trade, Feeding Local Wars. Contact Roger: +44 (0)78 8692 7694 For all other media enquiries, please contact the Press Office: +44 (0)20 7957 5739 pressoffice@chathamhouse.org.uk More about the Horn of Africa project >> Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:52:38 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1135/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1135/ 10:00, 26th February 2009 - This meeting, hosted by the International Law and Africa Programmes at Chatham House, will consider the legal implications of tackling piracy. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:12:41 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/546/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/546/ Prime Minister Gordon Brown should offer to give up Britain's single seat on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the London summit as part of a fundamental consolidation of European representation on the Fund. By making this radical offer, Britain would demonstrate strong leadership on the need to reform the governance of the international financial system. It would also serve as a critical signal for immediate action by the G20 leaders to kick-start the world economy and make this summit a success. This is one of the recommendations contained in a new report, New Ideas for the London Summit: Recommendations to the G20 Leaders. The report is a joint partnership between Chatham House and The Atlantic Council of the United States which seeks to build transatlantic consensus on the summit agenda. Its recommendations are drawn from 20 papers by European and American specialists. Its overall conclusion is that G20 leaders should commit to two sets of actions at the London summit - those that will have an immediate effect on stemming the global financial and economic crisis and those that will have a longer-term structural impact. Key recommendations include: Actions for immediate impact to deal with the crisis First, rather than recommending one-size-fits-all fiscal stimulus packages, G20 leaders need to agree on how they will share the burden of the stimulus. Each national plan must be cast in a credible medium-term framework as well as having an immediate impact. Second, the US and other G20 leaders need to follow the example of Japan and the EU and provide credit lines that will immediately increase IMF lending facilities to help the most vulnerable countries deal with the crisis. Third, reject all forms of protectionism by committing to a twelve-month freeze on new protectionist measures, including those that are WTO-legal. Actions for medium and long-term impact Fourth, strengthen the international financial and regulatory architecture by agreeing to improve supervision and rules for all financial institutions and instruments, including credit derivatives and other structured investment vehicles. This regulation must be appropriate and correctly targeted. Fifth, a major increase in the IMF's financing capacity is necessary, and must be accompanied by reform of the IMF's governance to increase the voting weight and representation of emerging economies. Sixth, in order to address long-term economic imbalances, set up a 'caucus on currency misalignments' within the G20 that would include China, Japan, the euro-zone and the US, with two rotating seats for G20 countries with the largest accumulation of foreign exchange reserves. NOTES TO EDITORS Read New Ideas for the London Summit: Recommendations to the G20 Leaders >> Read Executive Summary >> EVENT Wednesday 1 April 2009 09:30 to 11:00 The London Summit: Multiple Perspectives on the G20 Dr Youssef Boutros-Ghali, Minister of Finance, Egypt; Chairman, International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) Lord Malloch-Brown, Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the G20 London Summit Stephen Roach, Chairman, Morgan Stanley Asia Dr Paola Subacchi, Research Director, International Economics, Chatham House Chair: Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House For media enquiries, please contact Nicola Norton: +44 (0)20 7957 5739 +44 (0)79 1775 7528 ENDS Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:21:31 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1111/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1111/ 12:30, 16th April 2009 - More than a third of the detainees at the US Detention Facility at Guantánamo Bay are Yemeni. Other countries, notably Saudi Arabia, have repatriated some of their nationals but Yemen has been unable to provide sufficiently firm security guarantees to satisfy the US government; hence the tricky question of the Yemeni detainees remains unresolved. Saudi Arabia's experience of counter-terrorism and deprogramming may prove valuable. The speakers will discuss this situation and explore the links between Yemen and Saudi Arabia through the growing presence of Saudi jihadis in Yemen, which reflects the increasingly transnational nature of Al-Qaeda networks in the Arabian peninsula. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:58:30 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1887/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1887/ Alliance is a serious business, as the last few years have proved. After a time in which the tendency was to treat NATO as another example of benign liberal institutionalism, useful for displays of multilateralism, reassuring conferences and some genuine integration, there is now far greater awareness that the Organisation is also about balancing adversary power and the conduct of war. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:17:13 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1105/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1105/ 08:30, 1st April 2009 - With economies around the world at a critical moment, expectations for the London Summit on 2 April are running high. However, there is a limit to what the G20 can realistically achieve. A panel of experts will ask what the leaders' key priorities should be - boosting demand, halting protectionism, reforming the IMF or agreeing new rules for international financial regulation? The event will mark the launch of the Chatham House-Atlantic Council report: New Ideas for the London Summit: Recommendations to the G20 Leaders. For more information please contact Members Events. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:00:34 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/541/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/541/ Human rights abuses on a massive scale continue to afflict the lives of millions of people across the continent of Africa. As in other parts of the world, the obstacles in pursuing justice are currently insurmountable for most victims. Against this backdrop, a new pan-African human rights court is about to open for business. The advent of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights marks the third instalment in efforts since the Second World War to create regional human rights courts. This new Court will have broad powers to enforce socio-economic rights and the collective rights of peoples. A new Chatham House briefing paper, Africa's New Human Rights Court: Whistling in the Wind? by Sonya Sceats aims to introduce the Court to a wider audience and explore the opportunities and many challenges it faces. Notes to Editors Africa's New Human Rights Court: Whistling in the Wind? Sonya Sceats, Associate Fellow, International Law, is available for interview. For interview bids and media enquiries, please contact Nicola Norton: +44 (0)20 7957 5739 +44 (0)79 1775 7528 nnorton@chathamhouse.org.uk ENDS Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:33:32 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/721/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/721/ Human rights abuses on a massive scale continue to afflict the lives of millions of people across the continent of Africa. As in other parts of the world, the obstacles in pursuing justice are currently insurmountable for most victims. Against this troubling backdrop, the African Union (AU) has decided to add a human rights section to its new court which has been agreed upon but not yet set up. This court is called the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. In the meantime, another pan-African human rights court, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, has recently opened in Arusha, Tanzania. This court will be wound down to make way for the African Court of Justice and Human Rights but is expected to operate for the next few years at least. These two courts represent the third instalment in efforts since the Second World War to create regional human rights courts. Because they have broad powers to enforce socio-economic rights and the collective rights of peoples, they may be setting an example for new developments around the world. This briefing paper focuses on the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, but it also explains key features of the interim African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. It addresses questions including: - Can victims of human rights abuses bring cases? - Will the Court be able to try African heads of state? - Will governments comply with judgments? Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:40:57 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1103/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1103/ 12:15, 23rd April 2009 - The speaker looks critically at recent reforms and reform proposals from the US and EU in intellectual property law. For more information please contact Alis Martin. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:36:04 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1093/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1093/ 08:00, 12th March 2009 - Registration and coffee will be available from 07:30. Diplomacy is one of the world's oldest professions but in today's world of high speed global communications, do we still need diplomats? The speaker will discuss the role of diplomats and foreign ministries in the twenty-first century and consider what they need to be doing differently in order to succeed. This meeting is held in association with the Young Diplomats in London. For more information please contact Charmaine Monteiro. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:12:32 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/515/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/515/ We are pleased to announce the nominees for the 2009 Chatham House Prize. The nominees are: Prince Saud Al-Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia HE Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil The Chatham House Prize is awarded to the statesperson deemed to have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations in the previous year. The winner will be announced later this year and will be presented with the crystal award. The award ceremony will take place in the autumn at a City of London venue. More about the nominees >> About the Chatham House Prize The selection process for the nominees draws on the expertise of Chatham House's research teams and three presidents - Lord Ashdown, Lord Hurd and Lord Robertson. Our members are then invited to vote for the winner in a ballot. The winner will be announced later this year. The winner is presented with a crystal award and a scroll signed by our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen at an award ceremony in the City of London in early autumn, with keynote speeches by leading figures in international affairs. Previous winners include: President John Kufuor of Ghana (2008), HH Sheikha Mozah, Chairperson, Qatar Foundation (2007), HE Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique (2006) and HE President Victor Yushchenko of Ukraine (2005). More about the Prize and previous winners >> Contact Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager +44 (0)20 7957 5739 +44 (0)79 1775 7528 nnorton@chathamhouse.org.uk Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:45:36 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/706/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/706/ Download executive summary This report by Director of Chatham House Dr Robin Niblett draws on Chatham House's international expertise and contacts to offer an in-depth analysis of President Obama administration's ambitions to renew US leadership in the world. The report explores how the Obama administration can promote US global leadership at a time when many of the pillars of its international role have been weakened. Looking at how the US will need to craft new ways of using its unique power and capacity to influence others, the report's key conclusions are as follows: America needs to change how it uses its power by sharing leadership where partners have as much - or more - to offer. America needs to focus less on its 'opponents' and more on supporting its friends and allies in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. America needs to place less emphasis on individual leaders and parties and more on governance and political processes. More information on Chatham House project - Rethinking America's International Role >> Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:34:02 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/509/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/509/ A major new Chatham House report, drawing on our international expertise and contacts, offers an in-depth analysis of the Obama administration's ambitions to renew US leadership in the world. One month into Barack Obama's presidency, Chatham House is publishing a major new report, Ready to Lead? Rethinking America's Role in a Changed World. It explores how the Obama administration can promote US global leadership at a time when many of the pillars of its international role have been weakened. The report concludes that America must change the way it uses its power. The spread of democracy that US governments have championed over recent decades - and that reinforces its claim to international leadership - has stalled. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 has left the US directly entangled in the instability of Middle East rather than an external contributor to its security. Further, China and the EU are challenging US leadership regionally and on global issues such as climate change and international financial coordination. Dr Robin Niblett, Director of Chatham House and the report's author, says: 'In just four weeks, President Obama has moved rapidly to address questions about the legitimacy and the future direction of American foreign policy. However, restoring America's leadership role will be far more difficult.' This report looks at how the US will need to craft new ways of using its unique power and capacity to influence others. Its key conclusions are as follows: America needs to change how it uses its power by sharing leadership where partners have as much - or more - to offer.President Obama has promised to strengthen multilateral cooperation. He can do so if he chooses to share leadership in certain areas, such as tackling climate change and the global financial crisis, or even serve as one among equals in others. The US needs to focus less on its 'opponents' and more on supporting its friends and allies in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. The actions of many of America's principal competitors or opponents, such as Russia and Iran, are driven by internal political calculations over which current US policy has little or no influence. By focussing more on how it supports its allies, America will play to its strengths. America needs to place less emphasis on individual leaders and parties and more on governance and political processes.From the Clinton administration's relationship with Boris Yeltsin and Hosni Mubarak to the Bush administration's support for Pervez Musharraf or Ahmed Chalabi, successive US administrations have over-emphasized relationships with particular individuals. President Obama should not recreate the same reliance on personal relationships which blighted parts of the Bush administration's foreign policy. Notes to Editors Read the report: Ready to Lead? Rethinking America's Role in a Changed World >> More information on Chatham House project, Rethinking America's International Role >> Dr Robin Niblett is available for interview. For media enquiries please contact the Press Office: +44 (0)20 7957 5739 pressoffice@chathamhouse.org.uk Keith Burnet +44 (0)20 7314 2798 +44 (0)7714 200 920 ENDS Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:53:24 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/704/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/704/ This short report is a summary of a joint workshop held by Chatham House and the Atlantic Council of the United States on 5/6 December 2008. With the change of administration in the US, the workshop reflected on both the differences and commonalities in practice and policy of international law between the US and EU States. The workshop aimed at contributing to an ongoing dialogue regarding issues of international law. The value of cooperation to the relationship between the US and European States has been critical to healthy relations and the progress of international law and policy. The report includes summaries of the discussions including recommendations for policy and cooperation which emerged from some participants. This paper should be read in conjunction with the 'Issue Brief', Beyond Closing Guantanamo: Next Steps to Rebuild a Transatlantic Partnership in International Law, published by the Atlantic Council of the United States in association with Chatham House. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:20:46 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/699/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/699/ This is a summary of the International Law Discussion Group meeting held on 22 January 2009 at Chatham House. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:25:47 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1064/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1064/ 17:30, 23rd March 2009 - Against the backdrop of human tragedies in many countries of the continent, a new pan-African human rights court is about to open for business. The advent of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights marks the third instalment in efforts since the Second World War to create regional human rights courts. This new Court innovates in important ways, including its ability to enforce socio-economic and collective or 'group' rights. On the eve of its first cases, this event aims to introduce the Court to a wider audience and explore the opportunities and many challenges it faces. A new briefing paper by Sonya Sceats, Associate Fellow, International Law, Chatham House, will be launched at this event - Africa's New Human Rights Court: Whistling in the Wind? THIS EVENT IS FULL. REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:12:07 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/480/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/480/ Recent falls in food prices are no more than a temporary reprieve and are set to resume their upward trend once the world emerges from the current economic downturn. This is one of the conclusions of a new Chatham House report, The Feeding of the Nine Billion: Global Food Security for the 21st Century, which urges policymakers to start planning now for a future 'food crunch'. The report assesses the outlook for global food supply in a long term context of expanding population, increasing affluence, climate change concerns and growing resource scarcity. The report's author, Alex Evans, says: 'The 20th century Green Revolution made incredible advances in improving crop yields. Now, we need a 21st century Green Revolution to repeat that success. Although enough food is produced today to feed everyone, nearly a billion people are undernourished - about the same number as are overweight. 'Food supply will have to grow by 50% by 2030 to meet projected demand but climate change, water scarcity and competition for land will make it much harder to achieve this demanding target. A return to high oil prices will also increase food prices, as more crops are converted into bio-fuels.' The report recommends investing more in agriculture, with a focus on small farmers; improving importer countries' security of supply through changes to trade rules; and a new 'International Energy Agency For Food' to manage a global system of food reserves and help protect against future price spikes. Sam Bickersteth, Head of Programme Policy at Oxfam, said: 'This report should act as a wake-up call for all those who believe that the food crisis of the last two years is over. World leaders have a window of opportunity to act to prevent a further escalation of the crisis. They must produce coordinated action now and reverse decades of under-investment in agriculture to prevent millions more people falling into hunger.' Notes to Editors Read The Feeding of the Nine Billion >> Alex Evans is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on International Cooperation, at New York University, where he runs CIC's work on climate change and global public goods. From 2003 to 2006 he worked as Special Adviser to Secretary of State Hilary Benn at the UK Department for International Development. For interview bids please contact: Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager Direct: +44 (0)20 7957 5739 Mobile: +44 (0)7917 757 528 Email Nicola Norton Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:28:29 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/479/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/479/ Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House says: 'It is just possible that the country's financial meltdown will now give President Obama the chance to carry out one of the largest investments in America's economic regeneration in over 70 years. If so, America could once again lead principally by example rather than by diplomatic weight and military force. Conscious of the responsibility that he carries and the intentions of some of America's enemies, he reminded Americans that 'our nation is at war'. The critical difference is that he did not say America was at war against terrorism -which is, after all, a dogma - but against 'a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Overall, it is to be hoped that the magnanimous self-confidence and pragmatism which were the themes of President Obama's inaugural address will also now be the hallmarks of his presidency.' Read full comment >> Experts available for comment: Robin Niblett +44 (0)207 957 5702 Robin Shepherd +44 (0)7875 446 698 Richard Whitman +44 (0)7951 541 890 Event Thursday 22 January 2009 17:30 to 18:30 Regaining the Initiative: Opportunities for the US Under President ObamaDr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House, will evaluate current US foreign policy, assess promising areas of future US influence, and suggest specific ways for US engagement to impact on global and regional challenges. Articles The Limits and Potential of Obama's Foreign Policy: Living Up To Expectations, Dr Robin Niblett, The World Today, January 2009 US Policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Antidote to Insurgency Ayesha Khan, The World Today, January 2009 Bringing Hegemony Back In: The United States and International Order Ian Clark, International Affairs, January 2009 United States Presidency and Europe: Over to You, EuropeDr Robin Niblett, The World Today, December 2008 Transcript Major Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next US PresidentZbigniew Brzezinski speaking at Chatham House on 17 December 2008 For all media enquiries, please contact the press office: Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager nnorton@chathamhouse.org.uk +44 (0) 20 7957 5739 +44 (0) 7917 757 528 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:53:45 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/692/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/692/ This is a summary of the International Law Discussion Group meeting held on 4 December 2008 at Chatham House. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:44:45 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1035/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1035/ 18:30, 21st January 2009 - Chatham House Under 35s Forum, in association with the Barbican, will hold a private viewing of the Barbican's current exhibition This is War! Robert Capa at Work/ Gerda Taro/ On the Subject of War. The evening will showcase three unique exhibitions which each deal with representations of war and conflict through the work of internationally renowned photographers and video artists. Members will also hear an introduction to the exhibition by Corinna Gardner, Assistant Curator, Barbican Art Gallery, as well as learn about the benefits of Barbican Membership. A cash bar will also be available. This special event for the Chatham House Under 35s Forum invites members to attend the exhibition (usually £8) on this evening with a guest free of charge. To reserve tickets please call the Barbican Box Office on 0845 121 6823. More information about the exhibition >> Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:36:54 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/477/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/477/ Chatham House has been named as the No. 1 think tank based outside of the United States in a major survey published in the new issue of Foreign Policy magazine. Chatham House is also listed in second place behind the Washington DC-based Brookings Institution on the survey's world ranking of Security and International Affairs Think Tanks. The survey, Think Tank Index, is undertaken by the international relations programme at the University of Pennsylvania and offers the first comprehensive ranking of the world's top think tanks. Classifying itself as 'the insiders' guide', it is based on a worldwide survey of hundreds of scholars and experts. The index is published in full in the January/February issue of Foreign Policy. Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House said, 'I am delighted that Chatham House's work has been recognized in this way. We have worked hard in recent years to ensure that Chatham House is in a position to offer independent analysis and influential ideas on what we consider to be the major new challenges to international security and prosperity. This survey confirms that we are living up to the goals we have set ourselves'. Top Non-US Think Tanks 1 - Chatham House 2 - International Institute for Strategic Studies 3 - Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 4 - Overseas Development Institute 5 - Centre for European Policy Studies Top Security and International Affairs Think Tanks 1 - Brookings Institution 2 - Chatham House 3 - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 4 - Council on Foreign Relations 5 - International Institute for Strategic Studies Chatham House is also listed in one of the survey's five categories of think tanks, named 'The Scholars' which are described as: 'the stars of the think tank world, these powerhouses of policy are regularly relied upon to set agendas and craft new initiatives'. Notes to Editors READ FULL SURVEY RESULTS HERE Contact Nicola Norton, Media Relations Manager +44 (0) 20 7957 5739 +44 (0) 7917 757 528 ENDS Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:13:54 +0000 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1027/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1027/ 13:00, 22nd January 2009 - A lunch reception will take place from 12:30 - 13:00. This event will discuss the recent Kadi case and the problem of reconciling the imposition of Security Council sanctions with the need to secure due process rights. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:04:55 +0000