Promoting Evidence-based Policy and Good Governance

Democracy & Human Rights, Middle East

Dec 3 , 2024

Policy Brief

A supposed Kurdish peace initiative that was floated in Turkey presents an intricate strategic landscape, promising to shape regional and domestic political dynamics. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan consolidates power domestically across the judiciary, media, and government institutions, often at the expense of democratic freedoms, former U.S. President Donald

Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Nov 21 , 2024

Policy Brief

Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an object of serious policy interest. Unlike other policy challenges on Americans’ plates, however, AI is lucky to have thus far avoided significant politicization. The dispassion is to its benefit. Indeed, a degradation of general political discourse hides a surprising fact: the first Trump and

Democracy & Human Rights

Nov 20 , 2024

Webinar

Orion Policy Institute will host a live webinar on Thursday, December 12 between 10 AM – 11:30 AM (EST) titled, “The Arab Spring Uprisings: Where Are We Now?” RSVP here. The panelists will be: 1. Dr. Sahar Khamis, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland.

Africa

Nov 13 , 2024

Op-Ed

In recent years, Russian mercenaries in West Africa have gained considerable notoriety for, on the one hand, propping up post-coup military juntas and, on the other hand, suffering setbacks when supporting those juntas’ counter-insurgency efforts. For example, 87 Russian fighters who were part of Africa Corps (formerly known as Wagner

Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Oct 24 , 2024

Op-Ed

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, we find ourselves at the top of another paradigm shift. Generative AI, with its remarkable ability to create novel content, has emerged as a transformative tool. It is integrating itself into our daily lives and business operations, becoming indispensable across various sectors. However,

Defense & Security

Oct 18 , 2024

Podcast

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan is joined by Kawa Hassan to discuss the Israel-Lebanon war and its implications for the region. The conversation starts with a reflection on the implications of the death of Hassan Nasrallah and other top Hezbollah leaders may have on Hezbollah as

Democracy & Human Rights, Middle East

Dec 3 , 2024

Policy Brief

A supposed Kurdish peace initiative that was floated in Turkey presents an intricate strategic landscape, promising to shape regional and domestic political dynamics. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan consolidates power domestically across the judiciary, media, and government institutions, often at the expense of democratic freedoms, former U.S. President Donald

Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Nov 21 , 2024

Policy Brief

Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an object of serious policy interest. Unlike other policy challenges on Americans’ plates, however, AI is lucky to have thus far avoided significant politicization. The dispassion is to its benefit. Indeed, a degradation of general political discourse hides a surprising fact: the first Trump and

Sudanese women protesting

Democracy & Human Rights

Oct 1 , 2024

Research

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Sudan’s modern history has been marked by protracted civil wars and non-democratic governance systems. Behind the conflicts between armed groups and militaristic rules, women and children have borne the brunt. Yet another conflict over the control of the state erupted in April 2023, leading to the largest refugee and displacement

Middle East

Sep 16 , 2024

Policy Brief

At the end of August, Egypt began sending equipment, ammunition and a small number of soldiers to Somalia, with the aim of reaching ten thousand troops in the coming months. Egypt intends to be the main force in the peacekeeping mission announced by the African Union to replace the current

Middle East

Aug 28 , 2024

Policy Brief

Iran-Turkish relations undermine U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. Turkey and Iran have mutually beneficial ties despite their regional rivalries and competition. Their partnership encompasses three objectives: energy security, international trade, and sanctions evasion. In 1934, the Shah of Iran and the Turkish President met to discuss an

Terrorism & Extremism

Aug 12 , 2024

Policy Brief

Last week, the Paris railroad system was disrupted by planned, coordinated arson attacks. This was not unique, but it signals that major cities must be even better prepared for this “softer,” less violent, but still disruptive form of terrorism. The attacks on Paris’ railroad system occurred just hours before the

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