The Yazidi Crisis: Conflict and the Consequences of Sexual Violence

The plight of Yazidi women in Iraq speaks to the need for a better understanding of and more effective ways of countering sexual violence in conflict (free access)

Tackling Myths in Order to Tackle Transnational Organised Crime

Recent research into organised crime challenges a number of established perceptions relating to the structures of the entities involved, links to corruption and violence, and the role of ‘customers’ in illegal markets

Central Europe: We Need to Talk About Counter-Terrorism

Faced with a growing threat from terrorism, it is now time for Central European states to go further towards meeting NATO and EU obligations, while creating tailored solutions of their own

The Peshmerga: Guerrilla Force or National Army?

The Peshmerga have so far succeeded where the Iraqi army has failed, but whether they will be formalised as an army – as desired by the Kurdistan Regional Government – will depend on more than success on the battlefield

Germany's Middle Ostpolitik: No Longer on the Sidelines

Germany’s unexpected decision to become involved, indirectly, in the fight against ISIS raises fundamental questions about what a fully fledged German policy on the Middle East might look like

Arctic Spillover? Russia, the West and Ukraine

The West’s relations with Russia have been put on ice as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but what will this mean for the Arctic?

The Hydra-Headed Challenge of Al-Shabaab's Financing

Tom Maguire

Despite extensive efforts to close down its international sources of funding, Al-Shabaab continues to find new means to finance its activities from more diverse, localised and criminalised income streams

Foreword - January 2015 Newsbrief

Jonathan Eyal and Cathy Haenlein

Welcome to the first issue of Newsbrief of 2015, bringing you expert analysis of recent events, trends, and their significance to the defence and security community.

Learning From Ebola in Sierra Leone

Ashlee Godwin and Cathy Haenlein

The performance of Sierra Leone’s security forces under the severe test posed by Ebola reveals substantial lessons for future security-sector reform efforts

Fending For Themselves: Al-Qa'ida Affiliates and the Crime–Terror Nexus

Clare Ellis

As robust counter-terrorism financing measures post 9/11 have forced Al-Qa’ida affiliates to diversify their sources of income, greater attention needs to be paid to the nature and complexities of specific groups’ links to organised crime.

The Terrorism Challenge Facing France and the Rest of Europe

Jonathan Eyal

The Paris attacks exposed deep-rooted social and political issues which the French government must address if it is to prevent further terrorist incidents on its soil

China's Relations with India: What Prospects in 2015?

Edward Schwarck

Entering 2015, China must learn that strong economic ties are an insufficient basis for a good bilateral relationship with India