Asia Publications, June 2011

A list of Asia publications that were highlighted in the June issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Burma’s New Challenges
http://csis.org/publication/pacnet-32-burmas-new-challenges
The political situation in Burma is often understood in terms of conflict between pro-democracy forces (Aung San Suu Kyi and allies) and the military government. This is problematic for two reasons… Source: Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

Pakistan-U.S. Relations: A Summary
http://bit.ly/kVwgPq
This CRS report summarizes important recent developments in Pakistan and in Pakistan-U.S. relations. These include high-profile political assassinations in early 2011; the Raymond Davis affair involving a CIA operative accused of murder in the city of Lahore; and the May killing of Osama bin Laden in the city of Abbottabad, among others. Source: Congressional Research Service

Understanding Electoral Violence in Asia
http://bit.ly/lDtbf4
This report investigates electoral violence in Asia through analyses of case studies commissioned by UNDP for seven countries in South and South-East Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Multiregional Publications, May 2011

A list of recent multiregional reports that were highlighted in the May issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Civil Society Organisations in Situations of Conflict
http://www.civicus.org/news-and-resources/reports-and-publications/397-civil-society-organisations-in-situations-of-conflict-
This new report authored by CIVICUS in partnership with the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness summarises working conditions in more than 46 countries worldwide.

The Great Democracy Meltdown
http://www.tnr.com/article/world/magazine/88632/failing-democracy-venezuela-arab-spring
The truth is that the Arab Spring is something of a smokescreen for what is taking place in the world as a whole. Around the globe, it is democratic meltdowns, not democratic revolutions, that are now the norm. Source: The New Republic

Guidelines to Understanding, Adjudicating, and Resolving Disputes in Elections (GUARDE)
http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Books/2011/Guidelines-to-Understanding-Adjudicating-and-Resolving-Disputes-in-Elections.aspx
To assist international actors in the development of effective complaint adjudication systems, IFES has identified seven principles that are crucial components to any complaints adjudication process. Source: International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

The hidden crises: Armed conflict and education
http://bit.ly/iQofzL
This report cautions that the world is not on track to achieve by 2015 the six Education for All goals that over 160 countries signed up to in 2000. Although there has been progress in many areas, most of the goals will be missed by a wide margin – especially in regions riven by conflict. Source: UNESCO

The World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development
http://wdr2011.worldbank.org/fulltext
The report examines the changing nature of violence in the 21st century, and underlines the negative impact of repeated cycles of violence on a country or region’s development prospects. Source: World Bank

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Latin America & Caribbean Publications, May 2011

A list of recent reports on Latin America & the Caribbean that were highlighted in the May issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Learning to Walk without a Crutch: The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/latin-america-caribbean/guatemala/036-learning-to-walk-without-a-crutch-the-international-commission-against-impunity-in-guatemala.aspx
Despite the promising beginning made by a unique hybrid legal body established by agreement with the UN, a culture of fear and impunity still prevails in Guatemala. Source: International Crisis Group

Local Government, Taxes, and Guns: Successful Policy Innovation in Three Colombian Cities
http://www.wider.unu.edu/publications/working-papers/2011/en_GB/wp2011-026/
This paper evaluates transformative policy innovations with respect to security and taxation in the three main Colombian cities: Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Source: United Nations University, World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Asia Publications, April 2011

A list of recent reports on Asia that were highlighted in the April issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Annual Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in China 2010
http://chrdnet.org/2011/03/02/annual-report-on-the-situation-of-human-rights-defenders-in-china-2010/
The ongoing crackdown on activists following an online call for “Jasmine Revolution” protests is a chilling reminder that defending human rights is a perilous occupation in China. Source: Chinese Human Rights Defenders

Nepal’s Fitful Peace Process
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/nepal/B120-nepals-fitful-peace-process.aspx
The parties to Nepal’s fitful peace process have less than eight weeks to agree on integration of Maoist combatants and federalism before the term of the Constituent Assembly elected to draft a new constitution expires. Source: International Crisis Group

Reforming Pakistan’s Electoral System
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/pakistan/203-reforming-pakistans-electoral-system.aspx
Pakistan’s dysfunctional electoral system has hampered democratic development, political stability and the rule of law; major electoral reforms would bolster a still fragile democratic transition. Source: International Crisis Group

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

MENA Publications, March 2011

A list of recent reports on the Middle East and North Africa that were highlighted in the March issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Iraq and the Kurds: Confronting Withdrawal Fears
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-syria-lebanon/iraq/103%20Iraq%20and%20the%20Kurds%20Confronting%20Withdrawal%20Fears.aspx
Iraq’s new coalition government and the Kurdistan regional government in Erbil must start talks on disputed internal boundaries or risk an outbreak of violent conflict along a “trigger” line dividing army troops and Kurdish regional guard forces, the peshmergas. Source: International Crisis Group

The Syrian Rift
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2011/0327_syria_rabinovich.aspx
Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship is facing its biggest crisis since he inherited his father’s position in June 2000. Not long ago, in a long, thrilling interview with the Wall Street Journal, Assad spoke about the stability of his regime, in sharp contrast to the crumbling Mubarak regime. Source: Brookings

Yemen between Reform and Revolution
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iran-gulf/yemen/102-popular-protest-in-north-africa-and-the-middle-east-II-yemen-between-reform-and-revolution.aspx
Unprecedented protests and the regime’s heavy-handed response risk pushing Yemen into widespread violence but also could and should be a catalyst for long overdue, far reaching political reform. Source: International Crisis Group

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Africa Publications, March 2011

A list of recent reports on Africa that were highlighted in the March issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Challenges faced by women in Civil Society in Africa
http://www.civicus.org/images/stories/civicus/Challenges_Faced_by_Women_in_Civil_Society_in_Africa.pdf
The report’s conclusion argues that while advancements have been made in acknowledging the role and rights of women in recent years, there remain deeply rooted cultural, religious and patriarchal perceptions that continue to inhibit the work of women human rights defenders across the continent. Source: CIVICUS.

Côte d’Ivoire: Is War the Only Option?
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/cote-divoire/171-cote-divoire-is-war-the-only-option.aspx
Côte d’Ivoire is on the verge of a new civil war. This tragedy can only be avoided if Africans and the wider international community stand firm behind the democratically elected president, Alassane Ouattara, and he launches an initiative for reconciliation and a transitional government of national unity. Source: International Crisis Group.

International Law and the Right to Nationality in Sudan
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/justice/articles_publications/publications/sudan-nationality-20110218
In the aftermath of the referendums on the status of South Sudan and Abyei, questions surrounding nationality and citizenship loom especially large in Sudan. This report, published by the Open Society Foundations, weighs in on the debate and offers specific recommendations on the criteria that should be used to determine citizenship in the new entities. Source: Open Society Foundations.

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Eurasia publications, Feb 2011

A list of recent reports on Eurasia that were highlighted in the February issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

Armenia and Azerbaijan: Preventing War
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/caucasus/B60-armenia-and-azerbaijan-preventing-war.aspx
An arms race, escalating front-line clashes, vitriolic war rhetoric and a virtual breakdown in peace talks are increasing the chance Armenia and Azerbaijan will go back to war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Source: International Crisis Group

Central Asia: Decay and Decline
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/central-asia/201-central-asia-decay-and-decline.aspx
Only a concerted effort from national governments, donors and the international community to modernise Central Asia’s infrastructure can avert the region’s decline into chaos. Source: International Crisis Group

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Asia publications, Feb 2011

A list of recent reports on Asia that were highlighted in the February issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.

China’s leaders embrace social media
http://cmp.hku.hk/2011/03/02/10346/
Given its recent efforts to assert control over dissidents and the Internet, China certainly seems on alert for some sort of “contagion” from events happening elsewhere in the world. But it’s worth pointing out as well that China’s leaders – “networked authoritarians”? – are also catching the social media cold, exploring new ways to use these tools to their advantage. Source: China Media Project

Coping with a failing Pakistan
http://www.peacebuilding.no/eng/Publications/Noref-Policy-Briefs/Coping-with-a-failing-Pakistan
As a state and a nation Pakistan has been in trouble for many years, but both now seem to be in a downward spiral. Source: NOREF

Promises Unfulfilled: An Assessment of China’s National Human Rights Action Plan
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/01/11/promises-unfulfilled-0
This 67-page report details how despite the Chinese government’s progress in protection of some economic and social rights, it has undermined many of the key goals of the NHRAP by tightening restrictions on rights of expression, association, and assembly over the past two years. Source: Human Rights Watch

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

Africa publications, Feb 2011

A list of recent reports on Africa that were highlighted in the February issue of the Democracy Resource Center Bulletin.  

Burundi: From Electoral Boycott to Political Impasse
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/central-africa/burundi/169-burundi-from-electoral-boycott-to-political-impasse.aspx
Burundi risks reversing the decade of progress it has enjoyed since its civil war ended unless the government resumes political dialogue with the opposition.  Source: International Crisis Group.

 Militias, Rebels and Islamist Militants: Human Insecurity and State Crises in Africa
http://www.issafrica.org/pgcontent.php?UID=30496
Explores how armed non-state groups have emerged as key players in African politics and armed conflicts since the 1990s. Source: Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Somalia: The Transitional Government on Life Support
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/horn-of-africa/somalia/170-somalia-the-transitional-government-on-life-support.aspx
If Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) – incompetent, corrupt and hobbled by weak leadership – does not reform within six months, the international community should withdraw support and concentrate on more effective local administrations. Source: International Crisis Group 

 Understanding Africa’s Contemporary Conflicts: Origins, Challenges and Peacebuilding Source
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/lib.nsf/db900SID/ASAZ-8B4JCA?OpenDocument
This monograph is a collection of papers that were presented at the African Human Security Initiative conference that was held in Addis Ababa in February 2008. Source: Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

Inclusion of a publication does not imply ownership or endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); rather, these are publications that the Democracy Resource Center believes would be of interest to NED staff and others interested in democracy promotion.

ICTs and Peacebuilding

Peacebuilding in the Information Age: Sifting Hype from Reality is an interesting new publication from the ICT4Peace Foundation, Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, and Georgia Tech. This publication examines the “role of information and communication technology (ICT) in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, peacekeeping and crisis response.”

Read more: http://ict4peace.org/updates/peacebuilding-in-the-information-age-sifting-hype-from-reality