InterRegional for Strategic Analysis

A special non-periodic publication released by InterRegional for Strategic Analysis (MIR)’s Career Development Program for Emirati Universities. InterRegional Fellows includes contributions from various members of our alumni network as well as interns. The publication reflects youth perspectives on key transformations in the Middle East, developments around the world that impact the UAE, and the policy proposals in light of these dynamics.

MIR Launches the First Issue of 'InterRegional Fellows'

New Publication:

InterRegional for Strategic Analysis held a panel discussion entitled "Driving Forces: Understanding the Recent Military Coups in Africa," featuring Dr. Samuel Ramani, a tutor in international relations at the University of Oxford and associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Understanding the Recent Military Coups in Africa (Panel Discussion)

Driving Forces:

The consecutive crises that Scandinavia has recently faced, including the rise of security threats and crime in countries such as Sweden, has undermined the prevailing image of the region. Scandinavia has traditionally been seen as very stable and at the top of international social, security, and economic indices, especially in the fields of education, health, and gender equality. However, a 2015 UN study indicated that this tolerance and good will seems to have begun to fade as cases of discrimination, violence, and organized crime increase. These incidents have particularly targeted migrants and asylum seekers, and have generally been aimed at people of color and Muslims. For example, there have been numerous cases of Qur’an burnings in Sweden and Denmark, which could be an indication that these states are no longer the same models of stability and security in Europe. The fact that NATO now stretches closer to the Russian border could also create external threats for Scandinavian countries. 

What Factors Contributed to the Decline of Security in Scandinavia?

Rising Crimes:

On August 30, 2023, InterRegional for Strategic Analysis held a discussion panel entitled, "Prague Doctrine: How Does Czechia View the Future of European Security Post-Ukraine War?" The panel was moderated by Dr. Jan Kovář, head of the Centre for European Politics, Deputy Research Director at the Institute of International Relations, and Professor of International Relations at New York University and Metropolitan University in Prague, Czech Republic. The panel discussion focused on the impact of the Ukraine war on the EU and Prague’s vision of the future of European security from a comprehensive perspective.

How Does Czechia View the Future of European Security Post-Ukraine War? (Panel Discussion)

The Prague Doctrine:

InterRegional for Strategic Analysis held a panel discussion on 14 September 2023 entitled "Alliances for Sustainability: The Future of EU-GCC Climate Cooperation." The panel featured Dr. Cinzia Bianco, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and former research fellow at the Institute for International Affairs in Italy, and was attended by researchers from our center in Abu Dhabi. The panel discussion focused on European factors that have driven opportunities for EU-GCC cooperation in combatting climate change. It also shed light on related opportunities for bilateral cooperation and examined the most important current challenges that could hinder EU-GCC cooperation in this sphere.

The Future of EU-GCC Climate Cooperation (Panel Discussion)

Alliances for Sustainability:

It is clear that rapprochement is occurring among the new military elites that have come to power in the Sahel, especially in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This marks a new stage in a series of geopolitical shifts in the region over the past three years. These ties strengthen the influence of the new military regimes at both the domestic and foreign policy levels, while dealing a major blow to French and Western clout in the Sahel and West Africa. French and Western influence in the region has markedly declined as other countries such as Russia have taken on larger roles in the region as they try to fill the current power vacuum. These shifts have been met with both governmental and popular support in "coup belt" countries, with the exception of Gabon. This will pave the way for expanding the strategic clout of Russia and other countries at their rivals’ expense.

Understanding the Rapprochement Among the Sahel’s New Military Elites

The "Coup Belt":

On 23 August 2023, Russian authorities announced that a private jet had crashed during a domestic flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg. There were ten people on board the plane, including three pilots. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency stated that Yevgeny Prigozhin had been on board the jet that crashed, along with other leaders and affiliates of the private Russian military company known as the Wagner Group. The Wagner founder was killed alongside his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin. This incident has sparked many questions about how and why the plane went down, and whether this was the Russian president’s retribution for the Wagner rebellion two months ago. In addition to questions about the killing of the Wagner leader, there are key concerns about what lies ahead. It remains to be seen how Prigozhin’s death will affect the Wagner Group and its activities at the international level.

How Will Prigozhin’s Death Affect Wagner’s Global Presence?

Moscow’s Perspective:

Africa is known for its abundant resources and has the potential to become a promising new hub for global supply chains of technology-intensive industries such as automobiles and mobile phones. As geopolitical events and tensions have disrupted global supply chains, manufacturers have sought to geographically diversify these supply chains. The following infographic outlines how Africa could become the new focus of global supply chains. A PDF version of the infographic can be viewed here.

Can Africa Become a Key Player in Technology-Intensive Industries?

Critical Wealth:

The Chinese embassy in the Central African Republic (CAR) recently utilized fighters from the Russian private military company known as the Wagner Group to rescue twelve people working in gold mines in that country. It then evacuated the miners to the CAR capital, Bangui. This occurred after intelligence emerged about attacks that militants had planned on Chinese-run mining sites located near the CAR prefecture of Ouaka, and prompted discussion about the nature of Beijing’s relationship with private security companies. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in Beijing’s use of private security companies to pursue various interests.

InterRegional for Strategic Analysis

InterRegional for Strategic Analysis

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