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 |
|---|---|
| 01.03.2013 | North Korea: domestic developments during Kim Jong-Un's first year in power |
| This note briefly surveys domestic developments in North Korea since the death of Kim Jong-Il in December 2011 and the succession of his son, Kim Jong-Un. The nuclear issue is referred to only in passing. Insofar as we can know, Kim Jong-Un appears to have consolidated power smoothly and quickly. There are signs that the new leadership wants to shift from a 'Military First' to a 'People First' policy, which will involve economic reform measures. However, there are no real signs yet of an improvement on human rights. | |
| 27.02.2013 | China: new political directions under a new leadership? |
| A new Chinese leadership is about to take power at the National People's Congress, which begins on 5 March. Xi Jinping will take on the role of President, while Li Keqiang will become Premier. The succession of the 'fifth generation' of Communist leaders appeared to have been destabilised during 2012 following the fall of Bo Xilai, but in the end appears to have gone relatively smoothly. Commentators are now focused on whether and, if so, how Xi and Li will change China's political course. This note surveys some of the views expressed on this issue. | |
| 20.02.2013 | In brief: Malawi under President Joyce Banda |
| Joyce Banda became Malawi's president in turbulent circumstances in April 2012 and since then has sought to build domestic support and win back previously alienated Western donors through an economic and political reform programme. While she has had some successes, there is currently growing public discontent about the economy and her political position is still vulnerable. Her prospects in the 2014 elections are uncertain. | |
| 05.02.2013 | The crisis in Mali: current military action and upholding humanitarian law |
| This note describes the current military intervention in Mali, led by France, which began on 11 January as a reaction to the southward advance of militant Islamist armed groups with links to al-Qaeda. It also looks at the intervention in the context of upholding humanitarian law. | |
| 01.02.2013 | Southeast Asia: an update |
| The political and economic profile of Southeast Asia as a region continues to rise. The UK is scaling up its engagement with the region. This briefing provides country snapshots of the main events in six of the countries in the region since the start of 2012 and also looks at significant developments over the past year or so in the UK's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 06.12.2012 | Pakistan in 2013 |
| 2013 will be another important year for Pakistan. Federal and provincial elections will be held during the first half of the year. If, as seems increasingly likely, the Pakistan People's Party-led Government sees out its full term in office and hands over to a civilian successor, it will be the first time in Pakistan's history that this has happened. But the political and economic situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable. | |
| 30.10.2012 | Antarctic Bill |
| This Private Member's Bill makes provision for expeditions in Antarctica to have contingency plans to deal with environmental emergencies. | |
| 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. |
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 ... |
