Suchergebnisse

The security agreements between Ukraine and its partners contain important commitments for ensuring Ukraine's long-term defense and deterrence capabilities. Still, there is significant room to make their design more credible and durable.

"From 1954 to present, looks at the U.S.-Japanese relationship. Addresses the origins of security relations in both countries and ways these formed basis for their postwar security cooperation and examines the negotiated set of shared military, economic and political agreements and expectations which have shaped their relationship. Main focus is the way this alliance has evolved"--Provided by publisher

Bilateral social security agreements are the oldest instruments which provide social security entitlements to persons moving between the countries. EU Member States' approaches to distinctive bilateral agreements with Non-EU States are analysed herein. Bilateral social security agreements are not only the oldest coordination instruments, but remain the most important ones linking social security systems of MS and Non-EU States. They are tailored to the social security systems of the two contracting states. Nevertheless, bilateral social security agreements might be neither comprehensive in their scope of application nor complete in covering all coordination principles. Moreover, they do not create a uniform coordination system. Under the modified migration patterns - i.e. movements for shorter period of time and between many countries - a more comprehensive social security coordination mechanism might be required.

Australia and Indonesia are involved in a unique, complicated and volatile relationship. This relationship is highly conducive to periods of crisis, controversy, and cooperation. Yet despite their many differences, these two neighbouring countries are important strategic assets to one another. They live side by side in a tumultuous region, in an age where security challenges have broadened and are no longer bound by traditional state-based military threats. The Agreement between Australia and the Republic of Indonesia on the Framework for Security Cooperation is the latest development in this bilateral relationship and has been the subject of much controversy. The Agreement, which is also referred to as the Lombok Treaty, is being heralded as an innovative and forward-looking development, signifying a positive and symbolic step in the direction of a long and prosperous partnership. However, it has also been criticised for being ambiguous and negligent, and having the potential to cause future tensions. This report assesses select key issues surrounding the Lombok Treaty in light of past Australian-Indonesian relations. It provides an outline of the history and nature of the bilateral relationship, in order to demonstrate its turbulent character and to provide the background against which the Treaty was negotiated. The Lombok Treaty has been compared to its predecessor, the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on Maintaining Security (AMS), which was abrogated in 1999 by Indonesian President Habibie in the wake of the East Timor crisis. This report examines both Agreements and draws comparisons between the two. It concludes that while the Lombok Treaty has the potential to cause future tension in the relationship and meet a similar fate to that of the AMS, it could also serve as an important source of support and commitment in combating shared security challenges. One of the main issues that has emerged during the Treaty's ratification process is what the ramifications of Article 2.3 will be for West Papua, and what affect this will have on Australia's potential to intervene should human rights abuses or conflict escalate there in the future. Concerns have also mounted in regard to the impact this clause could have on the freedom of speech and freedom of association in Australia, in regard to supporting separatism in Indonesia. This report examines these issues and finds that while valid concerns have been raised in regard to the West Papua issue, it is unlikely that Australians will be prevented from protesting on Australian soil, despite the disenchantment this could engender in Indonesia. However, the potential does exist for tensions to emerge in the relationship, should human rights violations in West Papua escalate and outside intervention is required. An evaluation of the potential benefits and pitfalls of the Agreement shows that there are significant drawbacks which could in turn affect its efficacy. These drawbacks include the high level of negative public perception in both Australia and Indonesia in regard to the Agreement and the bilateral relationship in general, as well the problem of differing interpretations of the Agreement. In terms of benefits, the findings of this report demonstrate that there are many areas of security which could potentially improve as a result of having this Agreement. Indonesia is, without a doubt, Australia's largest and most important neighbour. It is in Australia's national interest to pursue closer ties and improve cooperation with Indonesia, and the Lombok Treaty is a step in this direction. It is difficult to foresee the future outcomes of the Agreement and to predict with certainty the affect it could have on issues like West Papua. However, despite the fate of its predecessor, and despite concerns that have been raised in regard to its potential drawbacks, the Lombok Treaty is a worthwhile development and the Australian Federal Parliament should proceed with the ratification of this Agreement.

Asia is now a central part of world politics, where the interests of a number of global and regional actors have collided, including India, China, Japan, the United States and Russia. With the collapse of the socialist bloc and the end of the Cold War, the U.S. embarked on a new security policy, changed its priorities, promoting a new balance of power and defining a new role for itself in the post-bipolar world. India, on the other hand, has strengthened its position in the Asian region thanks to its rapid economic growth, huge domestic market, modernization of armed forces, and practice of democratization. Given India's transformation and the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and its maritime transport routes, Washington has become interested in strengthening ties with New Delhi. As a result, India - U.S. relations are moving from the estrangement of the past to the strategic engagement of the present. Since 2004, when the document entitled "Next Step towards Strategic Partnership" was adopted, the two countries have been experiencing a phase of deep strategic convergence. This is particularly true in the area of security and defense. In the present study the author argues that Indo-US defense agreements stimulate India's offensive power, while negatively affecting regional security in South Asia and especially Pakistan's security. In the milieu of research methodology, the author uses the methods of content analysis, event analysis, and problem-chronological method.