Publications Review 05.09.2014. International monetary system, Trans-Pacific partnership, ISIS extremist activities, Ukrainian crisis

This digest is a comeback from our summer break. A variety of topics is presented here: International monetary system, Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, US Strategic Partnerships in Asia-Pacific Region, ISIS extremist activities in the Middle East, China in the Middle East, Ukrainian crisis and arms control and a bit more.

A very recent and comprehensive paper issued by Korea Institute for International Economic policy will guide you through twisted system of International monetary system. Time for change? suggests that the IMS could and should be modified. Confused with the USD and EUR and many others? How and at what expense can be the IMS transformed? – find the answers and ideas here.

CSIS is reknown for its very insightful analytical papers and short commentary pieces. Here is another one on Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which is a mystical phenomena to many international affairs experts. What can be expected from this framework? How will it be administered? When it will be launched and how long will it last? For this and other additional info click the link.

 Institute of Southeast Asian studies based in Singapore has issued an extensive paper on US Strategic Partnerships in Asia-Pacific Region. Here you will find how the US managed to establish such strong presence in the region and what Washington aspires to gain from them. Regional power is hard to maintain, even harder to build up. You may find the artcile by clicking the link, scrolling down the page, in the Contents section below the Articles the 4^th line (the free one).

 One of the hot topics of the recent couple of months are the ISIS extremist activities in the Middle East. The Kurdish peshmerga are fighting the black sodiers in Iraq but the situation is not changing dramatically – the ISIS is moving steadily into the country. Has ISIS already made its way through Syrian territory? On top of the civil war Damas is now facing a major terrorist threat. An interview on the topic follows.

What major world actors have to say about the Middle East crisis and turbulence? Take for example China. The country is famous for its strong economic presence in the region. What can be said about Chinese ties with the countries? What Bejing has in mind about the future cooperation with them and on what terms? Shanghai Institues for International Studies has issued Is China really a free rider in the Middle East with some tips on the issue.

A little bit on never-ending Ukrainian saga. ELN has featured yet another publication on European Security Policy, this time with a focus on Arms Control Following Ukraine and INF Controversy. Ukraine has certainly managed to pave the road to Euro-Atlantic groud shifts. What was left of the old system is now crambling in front of our eyes. This raises a lot of alarming questions, such as what will happen to the arms control treaty system. To be continued here.

In addition.

The following two pieces are ad hoc and just for those who are curious and a bit fed up the dry academic writing.

Looking at the world trough neo-liberal eyes is a blog entry managed by one of the senior experts at Adam Smith Institute in Edinburgh it is a series of tips for those who are trying to get his/her mind around Neo-liberalism. A short and fun way to look at it.

 International Focus: What Do We Really Know About Russia?

What do we really know about this country? Spend 30 minutes by watching this video and find the answers.

Digest Editor: Maria Gurova.