How can intelligence agencies be held accountable without compromising their ability to act quickly and effectively? This book presents how, since 2017, Canada has reshaped its oversight of the CSIS and CSE intelligence services. It describes how the new oversight bodies - the NSIRA, the NSICOP, and the Intelligence Commissioner - work together to review, monitor, and guide intelligence operations. Using open-source reports and data, the book conducts case studies and international comparisons to evaluate whether these reforms have increased transparency and accountability while...

This open access book is the outcome of a unique multinational effort organized by the Hamburg-based Defense AI Observatory (DAIO) to portray the current state of affairs regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by armed forces around the world. The contributions span a diverse range of geostrategic contexts by providing in-depth case studies on Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK, and the United States. The...

This edited volume provides a multidisciplinary analysis of the failure of democratic state building in Afghanistan. Encompassing insights from diverse perspectives and different theoretical viewpoints—most importantly, those of Afghan nationals—the chapters address complex issues, including the extent of global hegemonic power, the efficacy of nation-building strategies, the clash between modernization and cultural legacies, and the intricate task of establishing enduring institutions amid pervasive clientelist networks. The volume is divided into sections addressing a key aspect of...

This book examines the political, diplomatic, and financial responses to the Russo-Ukraine War through the lens of Realist international relations theory. Analyzing the origins and ongoing dynamics of the conflict, the book sheds light on how the West - especially the EU and NATO - has reacted to the war and discusses the implications of its strategy. It critically explores the influence of national populism and internal disunity within the West, particularly against the background of rising Trumpism.

The book offers a fresh perspective on the geopolitical shifts reshaping power...

This monograph addresses the role of criminal non-state actors in South America. In a departure from traditional analysis, the author notes that non-state actors that affect political and social life in the Global South are not always terrorist actors or the result of political disputes. In several countries,...

This open access volume explores Ukraine's challenges post-war, focusing on economic revival and sustainable development. Addressing scholars, policymakers, and practitioners the book discusses pivotal issues for the rebuilding of Ukraine, such as institutional changes, economic hurdles, social stability, and environmental rejuvenation.

The book highlights the inevitable need for Ukraine's institutional transformation, essential for EU and NATO integration. It goes on to examine the global geopolitical and economic repercussions and emphasizes the pivotal role of energy...