U.S. Policy Options for Mitigating the Negative Impacts of Climate Change

Azam Murtazaev, Boris Chumak and Noah Lichtenstein

10:30-11:30am PST.  To watch this presentation live please click here.

Climate change is a crucial issue facing future generations. The International Energy Agency estimates that current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy use will reach 35,442 Megatons by 2035; roughly 13,700 Megatons more than the amount suggested to keep atmospheric carbon concentration below 450 parts per million. More than a decade after the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, the United States (U.S.) has still not passed domestic legislation to reduce GHG emissions. This paper examines three policy options listed below that the U.S. may pursue to lower global GHG emissions: Continue reading

Are BITs the New Black? An examination to bilateral investment treaties as an economic policy tool

Sheyna Arthur and Alexandra Miller 

Bilateral investment treaties (BITs) are policy tools aimed at protecting foreign investors and their investments. Many scholars and economic development institutions contend that bilateral investment treaties (BITs) are an effective means to promote a favorable investment framework and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). As such in the past four decades, over 2400 BITs have been concluded. In light of the proliferation of BITs, Continue reading

Adapting to Change: New Approaches to Nonproliferation Challenges in International Organizations

Josh Childress, Anya Erokhina, Manuela Micoli, and Margarita Zolotova 

Shortly after the first nuclear explosion, the global community grew aware of the deadly effects and dangers of these weapons. The United Nations was the first international organization tasked with controlling the spread of nuclear arms and leading nuclear disarmament, but soon a horizontal nuclear non-proliferation process led to the establishment of numerous international organizations responsible for mitigating the risks posed by nuclear weapons and their development. Continue reading

The Role of International Organizations in Managing Transparency and Security in the Field of Nonproliferation

Karim Kamel, Valerie Lewis, Dadie Loh, and Victoria Swisher

As countries continue to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities, international organizations and think tanks have a role to play in nonproliferation efforts. Organizations’ efforts to enforce treaties, advocate new treaty ratification, and bolster verification regimes are often at odds with individual states’ security concerns and desire to protect state secrets and sovereignty. Continue reading

Armed Conflicts in the Dark Continent: Causes, Affects and Prevention

Karla Castillo, Eli Groener, Brittany Hill, and Scott Maxwell 

Across the continent, from Liberia to Burundi to South Africa, African societies are overwhelmed by the scourge of armed violence. Tragically, the number of people affected by this phenomenon has continually risen over the past decade. In fact, from 1990 to 2005, a staggering 23 states in Africa experienced armed conflict.[1] The utter devastation resulting from armed violence is not limited to state-to-state conflict, however. According to the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, armed violence is the “intentional use of illegitimate force (actual or threatened) Continue reading