Transnational Repression and the Eritrean Diaspora: The Persistence of State Control
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David Des Roches: The Trump Administration and Yemen -2
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Eliminating the Department of Education: The Likelihood of Future Criminality and Its Economic Cost
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Iran’s Foreign Affairs in the Caucasus
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Promoting Evidence-based Policy and Good Governance

Democracy & Human Rights, Africa

Apr 15 , 2025

Policy Brief

When states have ceased to uphold democratic principles, diasporic communities become the victims of transnational repression. State surveillance and repression are inherent in many authoritarian states around the world and are used to keep their citizens under control. Eritrea is a case in point, as evidenced by the centrality of

Middle East

Apr 8 , 2025

Policy Brief

Oman, an oasis of peace and stability in the turbulent Middle East, largely attributes its foreign policy’s success to its neutrality. Omani diplomacy has the potential to help President Donald J. Trump fulfill his 2024 campaign pledge to become a peacemaker in the Middle East. Omanis stress that their neutrality

Terrorism & Extremism

Mar 31 , 2025

In the Media

We’re excited to announce that our Non-Resident Fellow Marta Furlan’s upcoming book, “Inside Salafi-Jihadist Governance: The Strategies and Characteristics of Islamist Insurgent Rule” is being published by Columbia University Press. In this book, Marta Furlan examines rebels’ experiments in governance, considering issues such as the treatment of minorities, the extent

Defense & Security, Europe & Central Asia

Mar 27 , 2025

Policy Brief

Recently, the U.S. has expressed the importance of who controls the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. In President Trump’s first cabinet meeting since returning to office, he and Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, discussed the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent loss of Bagram Air Base. In the meeting,

Middle East

Mar 26 , 2025

Podcast

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Prof David Des Roches on the recent developments in Yemen as the US revisits its approach to the country under President Trump. Prof Des Roches starts by discussing the US approach to Yemen and the Houthis, over the past

Americas

Mar 24 , 2025

Op-Ed

As proposals to reduce government spending are introduced, it is imperative to thoroughly understand their long-term implications. A significant factor to consider is the potential increase in criminality. While it may seem that criminal behavior and the elimination of the DeO (DoE) are disconnected, the reality is that this decision

Europe & Central Asia

Mar 21 , 2025

Policy Brief

Iran has different foreign policy goals for various parts of its geographical periphery. The Caucasus is a matter of national security, internal stability, and international trade. Iran is not the only country with strategic interests in the Caucasus: Turkey and Russia seek to have an established presence in the region.

Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Mar 14 , 2025

Op-Ed

Many companies excitedly jumping on AI technology are making a classic mistake such that generative AI with LLM will automatically solve all their problems. Actually, this pattern of behavioral approach to the trending technologies as a remedy for all business problems is nothing new. From the advent of spreadsheet software

Democracy & Human Rights, Africa

Apr 15 , 2025

Policy Brief

When states have ceased to uphold democratic principles, diasporic communities become the victims of transnational repression. State surveillance and repression are inherent in many authoritarian states around the world and are used to keep their citizens under control. Eritrea is a case in point, as evidenced by the centrality of

Middle East

Apr 8 , 2025

Policy Brief

Oman, an oasis of peace and stability in the turbulent Middle East, largely attributes its foreign policy’s success to its neutrality. Omani diplomacy has the potential to help President Donald J. Trump fulfill his 2024 campaign pledge to become a peacemaker in the Middle East. Omanis stress that their neutrality

Defense & Security, Europe & Central Asia

Mar 27 , 2025

Policy Brief

Recently, the U.S. has expressed the importance of who controls the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. In President Trump’s first cabinet meeting since returning to office, he and Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, discussed the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent loss of Bagram Air Base. In the meeting,

Europe & Central Asia

Mar 21 , 2025

Policy Brief

Iran has different foreign policy goals for various parts of its geographical periphery. The Caucasus is a matter of national security, internal stability, and international trade. Iran is not the only country with strategic interests in the Caucasus: Turkey and Russia seek to have an established presence in the region.

Middle East

Mar 12 , 2025

Policy Brief

Saudi Arabia’s “positive neutrality” foreign policy doctrine is serving Riyadh’s interests. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has shrewdly navigated international crises, projecting the kingdom to the “forefront of world statecraft.” This has been underscored by the important Saudi role in hosting and/or mediating talks on ending

Terrorism & Extremism, Africa

Mar 6 , 2025

Policy Brief

On February 01, 2025, the United States (U.S.) conducted an airstrike against the Islamic State.[1] This was the first major military operation under the new administration in the U.S. But what is more interesting is that the target of the attack was in northern Somalia; the semi-autonomous region of Puntland

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