February 24, 2006
Elcano Royal Institute

Abstract:

The xe2x80x98transformation' of military forces into modern and effective tools for providing security in a changing world is a key concern for states and international organizations. Some xe2x80x98middle powers', with limited resources but willing to play a role in contributing to security, are adapting their forces to face new and challenging threats and the demands of closer cooperation within alliances and coalitions. This paper provides an overview of the policies designed and implemented by three mid-sized countries as relevant examples of the ongoing global debate about adjusting national armed forces' strategies and capabilities to the current international security environment. These case studies are interesting examples of how national political will and decision making remain the key driving forces behind any such mod#ernisation process....

March 31, 2005
United Nations // United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Abstract:

The work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) can be seen as intrinsically linked with human rights as those it helps are, by definition, victims of serious human rights violations. However it was only in the early 1990s that UNHCR began to actively cooperate with the UN human rights mechanisms through sharing information, lobbying experts and promoting complementary legal standards. UNHCR's current involvement with UN-based human rights bodies nevertheless continues to be cautiously limited. This may be due to the fact, to cite one reason amongst many, that UNHCR has been accused of having become xe2x80x98highly politicised and . . . limited by states' concerns regarding sovereignty'. To put it bluntly, xe2x80x98if UNHCR vociferously criticises states, UNHCR risks being thrown out of the country and losing its access to refugees'. A less dramatic occurrence is that UNHCR's advice to states, particularly when it is critical of asylum laws and practices linked to violations of refugee protection and human rights principles, can simply be ignored. Yet another consideration is that if UNHCR expresses concern about the asylum policies and practices of key supporting states it may find itself saddled with additional political and financial difficulties when support from those same states is reduced or withdrawn....

September 7, 2010
Combating Terrorism Center // West Point

Abstract:

This issue includes the following articles: Evaluating the Al-Qa`ida Threat to the U.S. Homeland by Philip Mudd; The Growing Danger from Radical Islamist Groups in the United States, by Paul Cruickshank; Manchester, New York and Oslo: Three Centrally Directed Al-Qa`ida Plots, by Raffaello Pantucci; Lessons Learned from the July 2010 Norwegian Terrorist Plot, by Petter Nesser and Brynjar Lia; American Journeys to Jihad: U.S. Extremists and Foreign Conflicts During the 1980s and 1990s, by William Rosenau and Sara Daly; American Journeys to Jihad: U.S. Extremists and Foreign Conflicts During the 1980s and 1990s, by William Rosenau and Sara Daly....

May 14, 2007
Russian Analytical Digest

Abstract:

1. "US-Russian Bering Sea Marine Border Dispute: Conflict over Strategic Assets, Fisheries and Energy Resources" Despite the universal implementation of the Law of the Sea principles in defi ning national sovereignty over coastal waters and the end of the Cold War, Russia continues to press marine border disputes with several neighboring countries. Th e most important confl icts are with the United States, Norway, and Japan. Fortunately, these are not military confrontations, but political disputes over the economically and strategically important marine regions claimed by all four countries. At stake are strategic considerations, abundant fi sh resources and large oil and gas deposits at the bottom of the sea. Th is article discusses the history of the US-Russian conflict, the viewpoints of both sides, and the impact of this dispute on access to marine living resources of the area. Author: Kaczynski, Vlad M. 2. "The Kuril Islands Dispute Between Russia and Japan: Perspectives of Three Ocean Powers" Japan and Russia have never come to an agreement over the ownership of the four southern Kuril Islands and therefore have never signed a peace treaty at the end of World War II. Russia currently occupies the islands, but Japan claims them as Japanese territory. Th e Soviet Union exerted fi rm control over the islands. Under Yeltsin, Russia's position seemed to weaken, but no progress was achieved in signing a peace treaty. Since Putin's rise to power, neither side has been willing to make concessions and the situation remains stalemated. Author: Kaczynski, Vlad M. 3. "Norway and Russia in the Barents Sea - Cooperation and Conflict in Fisheries Management" Th e Barents Sea fi sheries are managed bilaterally by Norway and Russia. Th e Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission sets quotas for the most important fi sh stocks in the area which are allocated according to a standard formula. Th e collaboration between the two countries generally functions well, but has since the late 1990s been plagued by disparity between scientifi c recommendations and established quotas, and Norwegian claims of Russian overfishing. Author: Hxc3xb8nneland, Geir...

December 6, 2006
Permanent Delegation of Norway to NATO

Abstract:

Backgrounder on Norway's contributions to the KFOR mission in Kosovo.

December 6, 2006
Permanent Delegation of Norway to NATO

Abstract:

Backgrounder on Norway's contributions to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

December 6, 2006
Norwegian Armed Forces

Abstract:

Overview of Norwegian military personnel abroad.

December 6, 2006
Norwegian Armed Forces

Abstract:

480 Norwegian personnel are currently based in Afghanistan. They contribute to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and are based in Kabul, Meymaneh and Mazar-e Sharif.

December 6, 2006
Permanent Delegation of Norway to NATO

Abstract:

The Government of Norway has proposed a defence budget for 2007 amounting to NOK 31 billion. This represents a continued high budget level for the defence sector. Priority is given to the High North and international operations.

December 6, 2006


Abstract:

Official website of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.

December 6, 2006


Abstract:

Official website of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

December 6, 2006


Abstract:

Official website of the Norwegian Armed Forces.

December 6, 2006


Abstract:

Official website of the Norwegian development agency, NORAD.

December 6, 2006


Abstract:

The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) was established by the Norwegian Parliament in 1959 in order to promote a better understanding of international issues in Norway. NUPI has sought to achieve this by undertaking a wide range of research activities and by disseminating information on international issues. The Institute has an independent position in studying matters of relevance to Norwegian foreign policy and economic relations. As a small nation, Norway depends strongly on stable and open ties to the rest of the world. Consequently, the understanding of international relations and the constantly evolving international economy is a vital prerequisite when the foreign, as well as domestic policy of Norway is to be shaped. With more than 40 years of experience, NUPI is one of Norway's leading independent centres for research and information on political and economic issues....

December 10, 2007
Norwegian Refugee Council

Abstract:

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has made an agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to administer a new standby force for peace mediation. Norway will finance a standby force comprised of a group of peace mediation experts. The standby force will be administered by NRC and stand at the disposal of the UN. The group is now being recruited. he standby force will be comprised of one manager and five international experts on peace mediation. The group will cover various subject areas including security issues, transitional justice (approaches used by states to address past human rights wrongs) and human rights, via constitutions and formulating peace agreements, to the distribution of wealth and sharing of power. Together this group will support the UN’s peace mediation activities and represents a substantial strengthening of the UN’s conflict resolution abilities....

December 6, 2006
Government of Sweden // Government of Norway // Government of Finland // Government of Iceland // Government of Denmark // Nordic Cooperation Group for Military UN Matters

Abstract:

NORDCAPS is the military cooperation between the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) and was established in 1997 by Nordic Ministers of Defence. The aim was to strengthen already existing cooperation in the Nordic Cooperation Group for Military UN matters (NORDSAMFN) with regard to military peace support operations (PSO) and expand it to cover operations mandated or lead by others than the UN. NORDCAPS is an optional tool for enhanced coordination when there is a common political will between the Nordic nations to participate together in specific Peace Support Operations....

December 6, 2006
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

Abstract:

The Oil for Development initiative aims at assisting developing countries with petroleum resources (or potential) in their efforts to manage these resources in a way that generates economic growth and promotes the welfare of the population in general, and in a way that is environmentally sustainable.

March 14, 2011
Chatham House

Abstract:

• The protection of asylum-seekers in Europe is dealt with under three principal bodies of law: the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, the law of the European Union and the soft law developed by the Council of Europe.
• Member states of the Council of Europe are also bound by the judgments of the European Convention on Human Rights; although the convention makes no reference to refugee protection, its provisions and the judgments of its court in Strasbourg impose important obligations on states in respect of asylum.
• The entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty in 1999 initiated the first phase of the creation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which aimed to harmonize refugee protection among member states while enabling them to meet their international obligations in that respect.
• The harmonizing measures adopted by the EU have been subject to severe criticism and the practices of member states reveal a systemic failure to comply with international refugee protection obligations. • While there have been improvements in European refugee policy, significant challenges must be
addressed before Europe can regain its reputation as a champion of the rights of the refugee. This is given particular urgency by recent events in North Africa, which may lead to large numbers of persons fleeing violence and disorder....

February 24, 2011
International Peace Research Institute, Oslo

Abstract:

This handbook is intended to serve as a document that provides relevant information on issues that external actors who interact with diasporas in development and peacebuilding will encounter. It does not present simple replicable techniques, tools or instruments; rather, the authors aim to explain the underlying philosophy and aspects of process involved in facilitating participation of diasporas in development and peacebuilding (Pretty et al., 1995: ii). How to best apply these principles will vary from context to context. The document is based on experiences with various diaspora communities in the five European countries (Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway), though many of the examples cited focus on the Somali diaspora and, more generally, on diasporas originating from Africa. A number of those experiences are described in detail in separate text boxes....

November 1, 2010
Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre // Noref

Abstract:

This report addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Norway in relation to the combat against sexualised and gender-based violence (SGBV) in war and conflict situations. In presenting a map of Norwegian actors and agencies in the field, it constitutes a critical resource that both emphasises Norway’s potential to contribute and recommends proposals for improvement. The context of the report is international commitments to address, prevent and limit sexualised violence (SV) in conflict, as embodied in UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008); the efforts of relevant actors in Norway to work towards fulfilment of these goals; and the current limitations in the way of these actors achieving best practice. The content of the report is based on a qualitative mapping study conducted in Norway during spring 2010. This collates some of the work and research being done in Norway across the spectrum of issues that SGBV raises. The people interviewed represent ministries and other government institutions, the academic sector and/or civil society in various parts of Norway. The main findings are threefold. First, research on the subject is in several important respects incomplete and unsystematic. The gaps relate to the number and type of cases analysed, and the scholarly discipline that is brought to bear in this analysis. Second, although Norway’s condition is one of peace, equality and relative prosperity, including a well-functioning police and justice apparatus, it still faces a major challenge in combat various forms of sexualised violence. Third, the lack of attention towards men in all areas (research, treatment, policy, empowerment projects) is alarming. In a conflict or post-conflict setting, men and boys’ disempowerment and alienation from society should be of high importance at the international agenda to combat SV....

October 21, 2010
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

Abstract:

The Mediation Practice Series (MPS) was initiated in 2008 as part of the HD Centre’s efforts to support the broader mediation community. Based on the shared view that mediators often confront similar dilemmas although mediation differs widely across peace processes, the HD Centre has decided to produce a series of decision-making tools that draw upon the comparative experience of track one mediation processes. As mediators consider engagement with armed groups they face a variety of challenges and options – including whether it is wise to engage at all. This contribution to the Mediation Practice Series addresses engagement by those working toward peace processes which involve formal interaction between leaders. The focus is on the dilemmas, challenges and risks involved in a mediator’s early contacts with an armed group and subsequent engagement as interlocutor, message-carrier, adviser and/or facilitator – all roles that may precede and accompany formal negotiation between parties to a conflict. The armed groups considered are those whose rebellion or resistance explicitly challenges the authority of the state, rather than the full spectrum of non-state armed groups (which would include criminal organisations and gangs, as well as paramilitary actors accountable to the state). The former claim their violence is rooted in legitimate self-defence against the infringement of their rights. Political in its origin – if at times criminal in its conduct – armed action is pursued as a means to a political end. While military pressure, or other actions by security forces, may be necessary to counter it, in almost all cases a lasting resolution to the conflict will depend on some form of political accommodation or agreement. Case studies include: The FMLN and the UN in El Salvador (p. 8-13), Dilemmas of talking to the Taliban (p. 13-14), Private mediators and the GAM in Aceh (p. 15-18), Coping with pre-conditions on Hamas (p. 20-23), The ICC and the LRA in conflict at the peace table (p. 23-28), Case study : Norway and the LTTE (p. 28-29), Case study : Engaging the Maoists in Nepal (p. 31-35)....

August 13, 2010
Chr. Michelsen Institute

Abstract:

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) has been engaged in capacity building and provision of technical support to the Afghan Ministry of Mines since 2007. A part of this engagement relates to the development of the Afghan Hydrocarbons Law, and commercialization of gas and oil reserves of the northern Jowzjan province through an international bidding process. The Terms of Reference request a conflict study in relation to oil and gas exploration in northern Afghanistan, including an assessment of the relations between the northern areas and the central administration, internal relations between northern based ethnic and military organisations and the role of regional actors. Income division between central and province authorities is to be examined, as is the view of local authorities on oil and gas extraction and ways to attract local interest; ways to secure greater focus on the gender dimension; the security situation and potential consequences for industrial development; This report is based on three primary sources of information. One is a literature review on issues relating to governance and income division of natural resources and potential for corruption in such management. The second is information on the security situation in Afghanistan in general and north Afghanistan in particular, and the process that is underway for exploring and utilizing Afghan and regional oil and gas resources. The third source is a series of semi structured interviews with a wide range of informant conducted in Kabul, Maymane, Saripul and Mazar-e Sharif....