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Transnational Repression and the Eritrean Diaspora: The Persistence of State Control
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The Importance of Controlling Bagram Air Base to US Interests in Afghanistan and Surrounding Areas
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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

Transnational Repression and the Eritrean Diaspora: The Persistence of State Control

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

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Middle East

Apr 8 , 2025

Policy Brief

Omani Diplomacy and Prospects for Trump’s Presidency

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

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Terrorism & Extremism

Mar 31 , 2025

In the Media

Our Non-Resident Fellow Marta Furlan’s Upcoming Book

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

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Defense & Security, Europe & Central Asia

Mar 27 , 2025

Policy Brief

The Importance of Controlling Bagram Air Base to US Interests in Afghanistan and Surrounding Areas

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,

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Middle East

Mar 26 , 2025

Podcast

David Des Roches: The Trump Administration and Yemen -2

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

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Americas

Mar 24 , 2025

Op-Ed

Eliminating the Department of Education: The Likelihood of Future Criminality and Its Economic Cost

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

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Europe & Central Asia

Mar 21 , 2025

Policy Brief

Iran’s Foreign Affairs in the Caucasus

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.

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Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Mar 14 , 2025

Op-Ed

The AI Tool Paradox: Challenging the Use of Generative AI in Businesses

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

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Latest Research

Africa

Nov 24 , 2023

Policy Brief

Sudan: A Conflict Far from a Resolution

While the world’s attention has been focused on the Hamas-Israeli war for the past month, concerning developments have been taking place in Sudan. The confrontation that started on April 15 between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Adbel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led

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Terrorism & Extremism

Oct 17 , 2023

Policy Brief

The October War Between Hamas and Israel: A Look into Responses from the Neighborhood

“On the morning of Saturday October 7th – a day that was holy not only for being shabbat but also for being Simchat Torah 1– Israelis woke up to a horrifying reality. In an attack that was largely unprecedented for its level of strategic sophistication, Hamas launched thousands of rockets

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Democracy & Human Rights

Sep 25 , 2023

Research Report

Transnational Repression: Trends, Tactics, and Policy Recommendations

Today, at least 38 countries employ tactics of transnational repression in as many as 91 host states. In what can be called the "toolkit" of authoritarian control, the hydra-heads of transnational repression encompass tactics ranging from surveillance to harassment and intimidation, use of state media, assassinations, spyware, physical violence, abduction,

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Terrorism & Extremism

Sep 19 , 2023

Policy Brief

From the Horn of Africa to Southern Arabia: A Perilous Journey through War-Torn Yemen

Throughout history, the Horn of Africa has occupied a prominent position in international migratory flows. As early as the twelfth century, modern-day Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti were connected to the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia by trade networks. Those trade routes soon became migratory routes as well,

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Middle East

Aug 11 , 2023

Policy Brief

The Evolution of the Iran-Houthis Partnership and Its Implications for Yemen and Regional Dynamics

For eight years, beginning in early 2015, Saudi Arabia and Iran supported opposing parties in the Yemeni conflict – the internationally recognized government and the Houthi armed group respectively. While the Saudi investment failed to pay off due to the government’s limited credibility, scarce legitimacy, and deep internal divisions, the

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Africa

Jun 26 , 2023

Policy Brief

The War in Sudan: As Ceasefires Collapse, the Risks of a Prolonged and Multi-Layered Conflict Rise

On May 21, Sudan’s warring parties – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) – reached a week-long ceasefire. The agreement was mediated by Saudi Arabia, a country that has a strong interest

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