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Latest Policy Briefs and Reports
President Trump's Climate Policies: Destroying Democracy and the Global Environment
Policy Brief No.225 - June, 2025 • By Kazuo Matsushita
This report examines the impact of the executive orders, issued by President Trump since taking office on 20 January 2025, which reject the decarbonization policies pursued by the Biden administration. President Trump’s policies, such as withdrawing again from the Paris Agreement and promoting increased fossil fuel production, run counter to the trend toward decarbonization, have run roughshod over democracy and will have a major negative impact on climate action, not only in the United States but throughout the world. Other governments must maintain the global trend toward decarbonization, implement effective policies domestically, and rebuild an international partnership framework to complement the U.S. withdrawal, through re-enforcing multilateralism and a coalition of the willing.
Peace and Security in Northeast Asia
Toward A ‘Reassurance Spiral’ in US-China Relations
Policy Brief No.224 - June, 2025 • By Carla Freeman
This policy brief examines how the United States and China could initiate a ‘reassurance spiral’ to reduce escalating tensions and mitigate the risk of military conflict. Bilateral relations are deteriorating amid growing strategic and economic competition, mutual insecurity, and reduced cooperation channels and the risks of frictions igniting conflict are on the rise. Both nations face an urgent need for reassurance strategies that credibly demonstrate benign intentions without compromising deterrence capabilities. This brief argues that reassurance is possible, despite significant challenges. There are initial steps that are ‘low cost’ that could enable the two countries to reassure each other to create reciprocal positive momentum that could evolve into reduced bilateral tensions.
Democracy in the Digital Age: Reclaiming Governance in an Algorithmic World
Policy Brief No.223 - May, 2025 • By Jordan Ryan
This policy brief argues that democratic governance must evolve as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in public life, often without transparency or public consent, and as the erosion of democratic processes directly threatens sustainable peace. Drawing on lessons from the 2025 UNDP Human Development Report and the 2024 UN Pact for the Future, this brief offers a framework for democratic digital governance that supports peacebuilding. It proposes five actions: establishing independent oversight bodies with enforcement powers; embedding civic participation in policymaking; expanding critical digital literacy; enforcing the Global Digital Compact; and protecting online civic space. With such measures, AI can enhance human agency, strengthen democratic institutions, and foster sustainable peace.
Cooperative Security, Arms Control and Disarmament
A New Normal in India-Pakistan Relations in the Age of Cross-border Terrorism
Policy Brief No.222 - May, 2025 • By Ramesh Thakur
This policy brief backgrounds the killing of 26 domestic tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir by terrorists in April 2025 and the subsequent Operation Sindoor launched by India on alleged terrorist and military targets in Pakistan. It draws comparisons with the Israel-Palestine conflict, and concludes with recommendations for both India and Pakistan to work towards normalising bilateral relationships, and for international actors such as the United Nations to encourage efforts to shift the balance towards more peace and less violence.
Afghanistan’s Climate Crisis: A Call for Decentralised and Inclusive Finance
Policy Brief No.221 - May, 2025 • By Assem Mayar
This policy brief, based on new data and analysis published by the author in the Afghanistan Analysts Network, outlines Afghanistan’s escalating economic losses due to climate change and mounting adaptation costs, institutional constraints, and possible financing pathways. Fragile governance, limited fiscal space, and international non-recognition have restricted access to climate finance, forcing the country to rely on declining humanitarian aid. It argues that, without targeted international action, Afghanistan may become a harbinger of climate injustice and systemic failure in fragile states. The brief concludes with seven policy recommendations.