The US Approach toward Islamic Militancy: Current Policies in Historical Perspective
Following the events of 9/11, the US declared a global war on terror and a new strategy based on preemption for defeating Muslim extremism and terrorism. However, the new US strategy so far has not been more successful than earlier strategies in combating either Muslim extremism or international terrorism. Arguably, it may even have contributed to the strengthening of the appeal of Islamic extremism and certain terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. The principal reason for this lack of success has been the historically inconsistent and contradictory approach of the US to dealing with the problem of Muslim militancy and its manipulation of it for short-term objectives.
Islam in Russia: The Politics of Identity and Security
Foreword, Ambassador James F. Collins Part I. Islam in Russia, Past and Present: An Overview 1. Islam in Russia: The Historical Background 2. Islam in Post-Soviet Russia: A Demographic, Geographic, Institutional, Socio-Economic, Ideological, and Political Profile Part II, Identity Politics in the Russian Federation: The Islamic Factor 3. The Evolution of Russia's Post-Soviet National Identity: The Impact of the Islamic Factor 4. The Evolution of Russian Federalism: The Islamic Factor 5. Democratization and Multi-Party Politics in Post-Soviet Russia Part III. Russia and Islam: The Islamic Factor in Russia's External Relations 6. The Evolution of Russia's Foreign Policy Perspectives in the Post-Soviet Era 7. The Role of Islam in Shaping Russia's Post-Soviet External Relations 8. Russian Policy Toward Central Asia and the Transcaucasus 9. Russia's Relations with the Northern Tier Countries 10. Russia's Relations with the Arab World and the Balkans 11. Russian-Western Relations Conclusion
Protection of the Marine Environment: The International and National Regulation of Deep Seabed Mining Activities
This chapter provides an overview of the international and national regulatory framework pertaining to deep seabed mining activities. It begins by discussing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the backdrop for all marine activities – be they national or international – and examines the obligations of states to protect the marine environment from the harmful effects arising from deep seabed mining. Next, the chapter examines the international regime for deep seabed mining (i.e. “activities in the Area”), explaining the “common heritage of mankind” status of the Area (i.e. the international seabed); the functions of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the international organization established to govern deep seabed mining in the Area; and the concept of state sponsorship of non-state entities (i.e. private actors) for deep seabed mining in the Area. The chapter follows with a discussion of the development of national legislation to regulate deep seabed mining, examining efforts in the Pacific region where many prospective deep-sea mining sites are located. This includes a look at the legislative regimes of several Pacific Island nations, namely, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and the Cook Islands, for whom deep seabed mining may soon become a reality – as well as New Zealand and Japan, countries with comparatively developed rule of law and legislative regimes that have undertaken or considered deep seabed mining in their national waters. Overall, the chapter critically describes and evaluates the current regulatory status in the international and national seabed areas and highlights some salient gaps that require urgent attention in order to ensure marine environmental protection and mitigate impacts on humans.