Commentary

Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

Steering Tunisia away from Default

Tunisia’s socio-economic woes could get worse if it defaults on its debt. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Autumn Update, Crisis Group advises the EU to encourage a revised loan deal with the IMF but to pressure Tunis on governance and human rights.

Also available in Français
Commentary / Asia

Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: Limiting the Damage of a Protracted Crisis

The Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh looks set to drag on indefinitely. Insecurity in the overcrowded camps is growing. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Autumn Update, Crisis Group urges Europe to keep providing humanitarian assistance and increase its intake of refugees.

Commentary / Africa

Niger: Containing the Fallout from the Coup

West Africa has witnessed yet another coup, this time in Niger. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Autumn Update, Crisis Group encourages the EU and its member states to support regional efforts to de-escalate tensions with the Nigerien junta.

Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean

Colombia: Is "Total Peace" Back on Track?

Despite peace talks between the government and armed groups, levels of violence in Colombia remain high. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Autumn Update, Crisis Group outlines how the EU can promote negotiations and encourage inclusiveness therein.

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Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean

Colombie : la « paix totale » est-elle de nouveau sur la bonne voie ?

Malgré les pourparlers de paix entre le gouvernement et les groupes armés, les niveaux de violence en Colombie restent élevés. Dans cet extrait de l’édition d’automne de la Watch List 2023, Crisis Group souligne la manière dont l’Union européenne peut promouvoir les négociations et encourager l’inclusion.

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Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean

Colombia: ¿La “paz total” retoma su camino?

A pesar de las conversaciones entre el gobierno y los grupos armados, los niveles de violencia en Colombia siguen siendo altos. En este extracto de la actualización de otoño del Watch List 2023, Crisis Group explica cómo la UE y sus Estados miembros pueden promover las negociaciones y asegurar su inclusividad.

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Commentary / Europe & Central Asia

Building Momentum in EU-Türkiye Relations

Relations between Ankara and Brussels have been warming despite democratic backsliding in Türkiye. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Autumn Update, Crisis Group explains how the EU and its member states can deepen this trend, cooperating with Türkiye in areas of mutual interest.

Also available in Türkçe
Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

A Welcome Humanitarian Deal between the U.S. and Iran

Washington and Tehran have reached an accord bringing U.S. hostages home from Iran and unfreezing Iranian assets. The agreement has much to recommend it, despite what critics say.

Also available in العربية
Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

صفقة إنسانية مُرحَّب بها بين الولايات المتحدة وإيران

لقد توصلت واشنطن وطهران إلى اتفاق يعيد الرهائن الأميركيين إلى بلادهم من إيران ويرفع التجميد عن أصول إيرانية. للاتفاق الكثير من الحسنات، رغم ما يقوله منتقدوه.

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Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

Understanding Saudi Arabia’s Recalibrated Foreign Policy

Saudi Arabia and its ambitious crown prince are looking ahead to a new world in which it will enjoy a more prominent place. Yet unless the kingdom makes further changes on both the diplomatic and domestic fronts, its aspirations are likely to run into roadblocks.

Also available in العربية
Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

فهم السياسة الخارجية السعودية بعد إعادة معايرتها

تتطلع السعودية وولي عهدها الطموح إلى عالم جديد تتمتع فيه المملكة بمكانة أكثر بروزاً. لكن ما لم تُجرِ المملكة مزيداً من التغييرات على الجبهتين الدبلوماسية والداخلية، من المرجح أن تواجه تطلعاتها العقبات.

 

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Commentary / Asia

Sri Lanka Needs Truth, but Not (Yet) a Truth Commission

The Sri Lankan government has long evaded the UN Human Rights Council’s requests that it hold accountable perpetrators of atrocities committed during the country’s 26-year civil war and since. Absent changes responsive to its concerns, the Council should keep up the pressure. 

Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

UNIFIL is Needed More than Ever to Keep the Peace in Southern Lebanon

With tensions rising along the Israeli-Lebanese border, the UN peacekeeping force stationed in the area has arguably never been more important. With the mandate up for renewal, the UN Security Council and troop-contributing countries should reassert their backing for the mission in the strongest terms.

Also available in العربية
Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

الحاجة لليونيفيل أكبر من أي وقت مضى لحفظ السلام في جنوب لبنان

مع ارتفاع حدة التوترات على الحدود الإسرائيلية–اللبنانية، يمكن القول إن وجود قوة حفظ السلام التابعة للأمم المتحدة في المنطقة لم يكن مهماً في أي وقت من الأوقات كما هو الآن. مع اقتراب موعد تجديد التفويض للقوة، ينبغي لمجلس الأمن الدولي والدول المشاركة في القوة إعادة التأكيد على دعمها للبعثة بأقوى العبارات.

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Commentary / Europe & Central Asia

How to Reinvigorate the UN’s Mediation Efforts in Cyprus

UN diplomacy aimed at reunifying Cyprus has been drifting since talks broke down in 2017. The Secretary-General should appoint an envoy to draft a roadmap with sufficient incentives to bring both Greek and Turkish Cypriots back to the table.

Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

Forming a Unity Government May be Libya’s Best Bet for Healing Rift

Libyan politicians have floated a plan to put together an interim government. The UN and other external actors should support this step toward breaking the country’s political deadlock.

Also available in العربية
Commentary / Middle East & North Africa

قد يكون تشكيل حكومة وحدة وطنية أفضل رهانات ليبيا لرأب الصدع

لقد طرح السياسيون الليبيون خطة لتشكيل حكومة مؤقتة. ينبغي على الأمم المتحدة والجهات الفاعلة الخارجية الأخرى أن تدعم هذه الخطوة نحو الخروج من المأزق السياسي في البلاد.

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Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean

Trapped in the Gap: Migrants and Smugglers in the Darién

The Darién – a patch of dense jungle on the strip of land connecting Colombia and Panama – is one of the most treacherous routes in the Americas. In this multimedia commentary, Bram Ebus follows the journey of Yeimy, a Venezuelan migrant, and her sons.

Commentary / Europe & Central Asia

السياسة التركية حيال سورية بعد فوز أردوغان

منذ بدأت الانتفاضة السورية عام 2011، انجرّت أنقرة على نحو أعمق وأعمق إلى الأزمة. من المرجح أن تنزع مقاربتها الآن إلى الثبات. إلّا أن الخيارات التي تتبناها من الآن فصاعداً سيكون لها انعكاسات مهمة على مصير ملايين السوريين.

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