International politics and government
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on international politics and government. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 03.05.2012 | Bangladesh: the International Crimes Tribunal |
| The Government of Bangladesh has re-established a long dormant International Crimes Tribunal to try people for alleged 'international crimes' committed during the 1971 war of independence. Eight men, all senior figures in opposition parties, currently face trial. While steps have been taken to strengthen the rules of procedure of the Tribunal, there are criticisms that the process still falls short of interntional standards. | |
| 02.05.2012 | In brief: China's succession process in disarray? |
| What does Bo Xilai's recent downfall tell us about China's political trajectory as the Communist Party prepares for the handover to a 'fifth generation' of leaders in autumn 2012? Is there a danger of political paralysis at the top or has order been restored? In the longer-term, can the leadership navigate the many challenges that China faces? Will muddling through be enough? | |
| 01.05.2012 | Madagascar's political crisis |
| The continuing political crisis in Madagascar began when Andre Rajoelina successfully ousted the incumbent President, Marc Ravalomana, in March 2009 and installed himself instead, albeit formally as a transitional leader pending elections. The international community considers Rajoelina illegitimate. Regional mediation efforts to return Madagascar to 'constitutional rule' led to a peace deal in September 2011, but implementation remains fraught and the danger reamains that the process could collapse. | |
| 27.04.2012 | Sudan and South Sudan: All-out war? |
| On 9 July 2011, South Sudan formally seceded from Sudan. But many issues remain unresolved and there has been an upsurge in conflict since then in Abyei, Blue Nile and South Kordofan - known as the 'Three Areas'. This note surveys the many challenges still facing the 'two Sudans'. | |
| 19.04.2012 | The IMF's resources |
| The IMF's resources come from quotas contributed by each of its 187 Member States (around £234bn in total) and from standing credit arrangements with certain industrialised and emerging economies (currently around £215bn). |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 15.11.2011 | The Arab Uprisings |
| Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region's revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies' divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region's militaries are considered. | |
| 05.06.2009 | War and peace in Sri Lanka |
| This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised - rapidly to be dashed - that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka's future prospects, including assessing how real the Government's military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced. | |
| 24.04.2009 | Russia and the West |
| A year on from Dmitry Medvedev's succession to the Kremlin, this paper analyses the evolution of Russian foreign policy under both Putin and Medvedev. It seeks to identify the main themes, interests, and objectives of Russian foreign policy, and to appraise the role of President Medvedev in the direction of Russian diplomacy and his relationship with Prime Minister Putin. In so doing, it examines, in detail, Russia's relationship with the United States, NATO, the EU, and the UK and analyses the role of energy in relations between Russia and the West. Finally, it looks ahead at the prospects for the relationship in light of President Obama's declared intention to press the 'reset' button in US-Russian relations. | |
| 23.06.2008 | British foreign policy since 1997 |
| British foreign policy since 1997. House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/56. | |
| 06.07.2007 | Hamas and the seizure of Gaza |
| Hamas and the seizure of Gaza. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/60. |
Select Committee Reports
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 15.12.2011 | Government response to the ninth report from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on UK-Brazil relations.... |
| Government response. Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 24.03.2010 | Turks and Caicos Islands. |
| Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 18.03.2010 | Global Security: UK-US Relations. |
| Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 14.10.2009 | Cross-border co-operation between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. |
| Government response. Northern Ireland Office; Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 06.10.2009 | Global security: Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. |
| Government response. Foreign and Commonwealth Office report [Commons] |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 06.02.2012 | TREATMENT OF THE JARAWA TRIBE |
| That this House is concerned that tourists in India's Andaman Islands are treating the recently-contacted Jarawa tribe like an attraction in a human safari park; notes the ongoing media ... | |
| 06.02.2012 | 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KHOJALY TRAGEDY |
| That this House notes that 26 February 2012 represents the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy when 613 men, women and children were killed by invading Armenian forces; further ... | |
| 24.01.2012 | GABRIELLE GIFFORDS |
| That this House salutes the courage and leadership of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords over the last year; believes that she has been a shining example of democracy to people across ... | |
| 17.01.2012 | KASHMIR GRAVES |
| That this House notes with sadness and regret the discovery of over 6,000 unmarked graves in the area of demarcation known as the Line-of-Control on the border between Indian and Pakistani ... | |
| 12.01.2012 | IRANIAN DIPLOMATIC DEFECTIONS |
| That this House notes that several senior diplomats have defected from the Iranian foreign service in revulsion at the actions of the Tehran regime; further notes that in so doing they ... |
