By Toby Greene, Prof. Alan Johnson.

As part of the FPC's new Israel and Palestine after the Arab Spring essay series Dr Toby Green and Prof Alan Johnson from BICOM (Alan is also a longstanding FPC Senior Research Associate) give us their take on the current state of the conflict. They argue that attempts to reach a two state solution are at a crisis and Palestinian refusal to enter negotiations without pre-conditions was a key problem. They argue that the US had made a policy error in insisting on a full-settlement freeze from which it later climbed down and that the Palestinian decision to go unilaterally to the UN was an error. They argue regional change put pressure on the Fatah and Hamas to form a unity deal and the regime changes in neighbours have removed important alliances. They argue that the international community needs to work with the political reality on the ground, focus on bottom-up not top-down initiatives, set realistic expectations and look for incremental steps forward.

Download FPC Briefing: How do we create a future for two-states (430 kilobyte PDF)

By John Lyndon.

As part of the FPC's new Israel and Palestine after the Arab Spring essay series John Lyndon, Executive director of OneVoice Europe (a peace building NGO operating with communities in both Israel and Palestine) gives us his take on the state of the conflict. He argues that the Arab Spring risks the rise of new governments more hostile to Israel but that shifts to the right in Israeli policy have been 'insular' and 'troubling'. He argues that the last year has seen Israel and the international community disempower the moderate Palestinian leadership, through continued settlement building and the rejection of the statehood option, while the prisoner transfer agreement following the Shalit release strengthened Hamas. He believes support for the two state solution and hope for negotiations are at an all-time low but calls for an active response from civil-society.

Download FPC Briefing: Israel, Palestine, and the "Urgency of Now" (290 kilobyte PDF)

By Marc Herzog.

FPC Research Associate Marc Herzog explores the development of Turkey's Foreign Policy and its response to the Arab Spring, setting out the challenges faced and those still to come.

Download FPC Briefing: Weathering the crazy seasons (310 kilobyte PDF)

Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

September 2010

Download Responsibility to the poor: A new agenda for changed times (790 kilobyte PDF)

In a publication launched by the Foreign Policy Centre entitled 'Responsibility to the poor: A new agenda for changed times', the former UK Secretary of State for International Development, Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, outlines why justice not charity needs to underpin the fight against global inequality and poverty. FPC Co-President Baroness Jay provides the foreword.

• The Guardian Poverty Matters blog article about this report

Dr David Tickner, Josephine Osikena (Ed.)

May 2010 Hard copy: £4.95, plus £1 p+p.

Download Tackling the world water crisis (790 kilobyte PDF)

This new FPC publication is being launched to mark World Environment Day (5 June). The report aims to stimulate discussion and debate amongst a wide ranging audience in an effort to promote the centrality of water on today's foreign policy agenda, particularly in light of the increasing environmental shocks and stresses presented by climate change and global population growth. In an increasingly interconnected world, where cooperation is no longer an option but an imperative, how can foreign policy inform and provide a more effective response to improving the management of freshwater while ensuring reliable and sustainable access?

Contributors to the pamphlet include: Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Baroness Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Professor J.A. Tony Allan, King's College, London and School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Richard Black, BBC News; Belinda Calaguas, Director of Policy & Campaigns, ActionAid; Fiona Harvey, Environment Correspondent, The Financial Times, Dr Bruce Lankford, University of East Anglia; Bernice Lee, Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resource Governance, Chatham House; David Nussbaum, Chief Executive, WWF-UK; Dr Letitia A. Obeng, Chair, Global Water Partnership (GWP); Dan Smith, General Secretary, International Alert; Dr Martin R. Stuchtey, McKinsey & Company Inc.; Dr Camilla Toulmin, Director, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED); and Stephen Twigg MP, former Director, Foreign Policy Centre.

The report is being launched at the House of Lords on 3 June at 4.30pm. For more information, or to register, please email: events@fpc.org.uk

• Tackling the world water crisis London event

in 'US Strategy in Africa' Ed. D.Francis

Josephine Osikena

Download 'Geopolitics beyond Washington?' by Josephine Osikena (310 kilobyte PDF)

The US Government launched Africa Command (AFRICOM) on 1 October 2008. But how relevant is AFRICOM for Africans and Africa? To what extent is Africa's response to AFRICOM and broader US strategic interests, influenced and challenged by Africa's alliances with new global centres of power beyond Washington, who have competing motives and approaches to development and security? What are the implications of all this for US policy-makers?

This new article by FPC Democracy and Development director Josephine Osikena, published in 'US Strategy in Africa: Africom, Terrorism and Security Challenges' edited by Prof David J Francis of Bradford University, explores the challenges associated with AFRICOM's predominant focus on the militarisation of African security, by surveying examples of African partnerships with non-OECD actors, including: Brazil in the sphere of social development; India in terms of self-determination, sovereignty and global governance; China with regard to economic growth, particularly in the areas of commodities and infrastructural development; and finally, the emerging role that Africa has begun to play regarding food security in the Middle East.

In conclusion, the article raises a number of questions for US policymakers to consider, including: how, in a changing world with the rise of new centres of power, might US-Africa policy better connect with African people and African governments? How might a more informed and coherent US approach better serve Africa's own development and security agendas, as well as secure strategic US interests on the continent? And, indeed, it asks if this is even possible.

• Purchase 'US Strategy in Africa' by Prof David J Francis
• More from the Routledge Global Security Studies series
• University of Bradford - Department of Peace Studies

25-28 September 2011 - Liverpool

The Foreign Policy Centre is hosting a programme of three fringe events at this year's Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Please click below to download the flyer. There is no need to pre-register, however attendees WILL need Conference accreditation, as all FPC events are taking place inside secure Conference venues.

Download Foreign Policy Centre events - Labour Party Conference 2011 (100 kilobyte PDF)

18-20 September 2011 - Birmingham

The Foreign Policy Centre is hosting a programme of four fringe events at this year's Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Birmingham. Please click below to download the flyer. The events are open to all and there is no need to pre-register or to obtain Conference accreditation.

Download Foreign Policy Centre events - Liberal Democrat Conference (110 kilobyte PDF)

Date: Monday 7 March 2011

Time: 6.00-8.00pm

Venue: Wilson Room, Portcullis House

Speakers:

• Elay Ershad — Member of Parliament, Afghanistan
• Shinkai Karokhail — Member of Parliament, Afghanistan
• Dr Habiba Sarabi — Governor of Bamyan Province, Afghanistan (the first female Afghan Governor)
• Asila Wardak — Director of Human Rights and Gender, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan

Closing remarks:

• Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP, Deputy Labour Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development

Chair: Martha Kearney, Presenter, The World at One, BBC Radio 4

2011 is the centenary of International Women's Day (8 March). To mark it's 100th anniversary, the Foreign Policy Centre, in partnership with ActionAid, is hosting an event to explore some of the local challenges to and opportunities for promoting women's rights in Afghanistan and beyond, in today's global age of uncertainty.

This is an invitation only event and invitations are not transferrable. For more information, please email: events@fpc.org.uk

Download Women in Afghanistan & beyond: What have we achieved…? (160 kilobyte PDF)