The independent resource on global security

Backgrounders

Autocracy is on the rise: Should we expect military spending to follow?

Dr Diego Lopes da Silva

Autocracies are once again the global majority.

Starve nuclear weapons to death with a tritium freeze

Robert E. Kelley

A freeze on the production of tritium is a different way to manage disarmament that will gradually bring an end to nuclear weapons.

The impact of COVID-19 on critical global food supply chains and food security

Dr Jiayi Zhou and Dr Caroline Delgado

A full account of the human consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, beyond the immediate health effects, remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the global economic recession and physical, economic and social disruption are being borne by the most vulnerable.

Achieving peace and development in Central Mali: Looking back on one year of SIPRI’s work

Dr Grégory Chauzal

This Topical Backgrounder is based on the results and activities of the first year of project implementation. It presents the main research findings for each of the indices, namely security, governance and socio-economic development, and the conclusions highlight four key evidence-based recommendations that could help strengthen current stabilization efforts and pave the way to sustainable peace in the two regions.

The European Green Deal: A chance to promote a people-centred take on climate security

Dr Elise Remling

Announced in December 2019, the European Green Deal (EGD) sets out Europe’s new growth strategy with the aim of transforming the now 27-country bloc from a high- to a low-carbon economy in order to reach zero net emissions by the year 2050.

Mali: Fragmented territorial sovereignty and contested political space

Dr Virginie Baudais

On Friday 5 June 2020, the opposition to the regime proved its capacity for mass mobilization raising the fundamental question of the capacity of the regime to deal with the multiple challenges and, more generally, the ability of the Malian state to regain its sovereignty, which is fragmented, under international control and constantly disputed by domestic actors.

The impact of the Malian crisis on the Group of Five Sahel countries: Balancing security and development priorities

Dr Virginie Baudais

The so-called ‘Malian crisis’ has now become a regionally multidimensional crisis. Economic, social, political and human dimensions are fed by structural and continuing dissatisfaction of marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Importing the Malian conflict to the Group of Five Sahel countries: The case of the Ayorou refugee camp in Niger

Dr Grégory Chauzal

Since the fall of the Libyan regime in 2011, multiple and multifaceted crises in the Sahel region have greatly destabilized the local states and weakened already vulnerable populations. Located at the crossroads of three crises axes (Libya–Mali axis, Liptako–Gourma region, Lake Chad basin), Niger is particularly affected by regional instability.

From grassroots to peace talks: Women in the inter-Korean peace process

Yeonju Jung

Despite some hurdles, the last two years have seen hope return to the inter-Korean peace process. With the historic summit on 27 April 2018 following the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK, North Korea) participation in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, inter-Korean relations became significantly warmer and perhaps closer than ever.

Russia’s military spending: Frequently asked questions

Siemon T. Wezeman

According to SIPRI’s data, Russia spends less than might be inferred from the scale of its military activities and the size of its armed forces. The following answers to frequently asked questions explain the SIPRI figures for Russian military expenditure and how best to interpret them.