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Author: John L. Hirsch

by John L. Hirsch

John L. Hirsch is a Senior Adviser at the International Peace Institute.
More articles by this author →

  • Perspective: South Africa and the ANC’s Uncertain Future

    June 7, 2019by John L. Hirsch

    As Ramaphosa enters his second term, it is unclear what he will be able to accomplish, especially in relation to taking effective action against those in the government, the ANC, and other parties charged with corruption.

    Further Readingafrica
  • In South Africa, a Push to Change Euro-Centric University Curriculum

    September 11, 2018by John L. Hirsch

    Demands for changes in how universities in South Africa teach and function have been raised over many years by students and recent efforts are a continuation of these attempts.

    Analysisafrica
  • Remembering Winnie Mandela

    April 18, 2018by John L. Hirsch

    Winnie Mandela will be remembered as a person of great courage who worked for a greater cause throughout a very difficult life.

    Further Readingafrica
  • A Democratic Transition and the Return of an Ex-Military Leader in Sierra Leone

    April 12, 2018by John L. Hirsch and Lidia Cano

    In Julius Maada Bio’s favor is the pragmatism that he has thus far demonstrated, though there should still be no doubt about the magnitude of the challenges ahead.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • Sierra Leone’s Election: New Opportunities, New Challenges

    March 20, 2018by John L. Hirsch and Lidia Cano

    The winner of the presidential election’s second round on March 27 will have much to do to move the country ahead.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • Africa in Transition

    January 9, 2018by John L. Hirsch

    Africa’s men and women are now faced with the question of whether they can bring about a new African polity based on the principles of democracy and human rights or whether the politics of entrenched and often corrupt leaders who stayed in power for decades will continue.

    Further Readingafrica, african union
  • As October Election Approaches, Kenyans Ask: Will it Be Fair, Verifiable?

    October 6, 2017by Sheila Kinya Gitonga and John Hirsch

    Given its central position in IGAD and the EAC as well as at the African Union Kenya’s electoral approach will have a significant bearing on ongoing efforts by the African Union and the United Nations to strengthen peace and security in the East African region.

    Analysiselections, Kenya
  • South Sudan: What Options Remain?

    May 10, 2017by John L. Hirsch

    Absent some unforeseen new initiative, or the fulfillment of those initiatives currently underway, any prospect of improving the lives of the South Sudanese in the foreseeable future unfortunately seems remote.

    Analysisafrica, south sudan
  • Somalia “Pregnant with Possibility” Ahead of Election: Q&A with Michael Keating

    February 7, 2017by John L. Hirsch

    Michael Keating, the United Nations’ special representative for Somalia, discusses the political and security situation in the country.

    Interviewselections, somalia
  • Gambian Gamble: Rare Intervention a Win for African Democracy

    January 25, 2017by John L. Hirsch and Michael R. Snyder

    Barrow’s victory now adds him to the list of freely elected rulers in West Africa, alongside President Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana, and President Sall of Senegal.

    Analysisafrica, elections
  • Next →

This week

  • How the UN Can Help Ensure Non-State Armed Groups Protect Civilians

    April 16, 2021by Luciana Vosniak

    The UN is strategically positioned to engage with non-state armed groups in many issues relevant to civilian protection.

    Analysishumanitarian…
  • A Decade of Developments in Peace Operations

    April 14, 2021by Paul D. Williams

    A closer look at the last decade of peace operations highlights ten macro-level trends.

    Analysis

Trending

  • Human or Machine? Lessons from the Use of Technology in the Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

    April 12, 2021by Andreas Wittkowsky

    Peace operations, as well as humanitarian and development actors, are increasingly using technological means, which raises the question of how much of a “human touch” is still essential.

    Analysiseurope, technology
  • Impunity and Police Brutality Characterize Rise in Femicides in Mexico

    April 7, 2021by Gema Kloppe-Santamaría

    The recent murder of a woman refugee in Mexico sheds light on the violence experienced by women, undocumented migrants, and the economically disenfranchised.

    Analysisamericas, police
  • Key Global Events to Watch in April

    April 1, 2021by the Global Observatory

    A list of key upcoming meetings and events that have implications for global affairs compiled by the Global Observatory.

    Key Events
  • The Exclusion of Women’s Voices from Afghan Peace Talks Remains the Norm

    March 30, 2021by Masooma Rahmaty

    As the peace talks gain momentum again, ensuring that women’s voices are sufficiently represented in peace efforts should be a top priority.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia, peace processes
  • Growing Insurgency in Mozambique Poses Danger to Southern Africa

    March 26, 2021by Philip Obaji Jr.

    A lack of concrete action could turn southeast Africa into an unstable region akin to parts of West Africa.

    Analysisafrica, terrorism
  • To End Violence Against Women, We Need to Imagine New Futures

    March 25, 2021Marie Berry and Milli Lake

    Any conversation about eliminating violence against women needs to look clearly at the police as a source of insecurity and violence in women’s lives.

    Analysispolice, women peace and…
  • Looking Beyond Conflict to Address Climate Change Impacts in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

    March 19, 2021by Evyn Papworth

    An understanding of the gendered insecurities entrenched by natural disasters points to the need to expand the scope of the WPS agenda in order to address the structural violence of the climate crisis.

    Analysisclimate change, women peace and…
  • Rising Politicization Risks Splitting Somali National Army

    March 17, 2021by Colin Robinson

    The developing electoral crisis over the past few months has led to greater misuse of forces.

    Analysis
  • Securing a Plan for Ending the War in Afghanistan

    March 16, 2021David Cortright and Madhav Joshi

    The alternative to a negotiated peace agreement and new security arrangements is a continuation of the present war with its devastating human consequences.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia
  • Climate Change Must Be Tackled as a Global Security Risk

    March 10, 2021Joshua Busby, Morgan Bazilian, and Florian Krampe

    We live in an age where challenges to peace and security come not only from agents intentionally trying to do us harm, but also from climate change and pandemics.

    Analysisclimate change, security counci…
  • Identifying and Neutralizing Afghan Peace Spoilers

    March 5, 2021Annie Pforzheimer, Andrew Hyde, and Jason Criss Howk

    Afghanistan’s future is at stake and the vital importance of containing spoilers while encouraging a broad and productive debate on peace cannot be overstated.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia
  • Where is UN Counterterrorism Headed 20 Years After 9/11? 

    February 26, 2021Eric Rosand and Alistair Millar

    Our knowledge of the threat of violent extremism and how to address it will continue to increase. The size of the UN’s bureaucracy should not have to grow with it.

    Analysisterrorism, united nations
  • Regional Special Forces Pose Threat to Peace and Security in Ethiopia

    February 22, 2021by Bereket Tsegay

    The peace and security arrangement between federal and regional states has allowed special forces to instigate conflicts in unique ways.

    Analysisafrica, peace and secur…
  • The Tigray Conflict in Ethiopia: Post-War Ramifications and International Response

    January 25, 2021by Jon Abbink

    Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his government are wary of the interference, complaints, and demands made by the international community.

    Analysisafrica, conflict
  • How Will Sino-Indian Competition Impact India’s Tenure on the Security Council?

    July 2, 2020by Waheguru Pal Singh Sidhu

    India’s election to the Council was the easy part. It’s tenure, however, will be more challenging.

    Analysissouth asia
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on the Protection of Cultural Heritage

    June 17, 2020by Nadia Al-Said

    While there is a pressing need to invest in the future given the pandemic’s impact, this is not fully possible without incorporating cultural heritage.

    Analysiscoronavirus, cultural herita…
  • UN Peacekeeping and the Protection of Civilians in the COVID-19 Era 

    May 22, 2020by Namie Di Razza

    Protection threats are expanding and aggravating in the time of the pandemic.

    Analysispeacekeeping, protection of…
  • Will Lessons from Cholera in Haiti Be Applied to COVID-19?

    May 6, 2020Adam R. Houston and Beatrice Lindstrom

    While the UN is making efforts to apply lessons from the cholera epidemic, there are reasons to question whether the reforms are adequate.

    Analysispeacekeeping
  • How Has the WHO Responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

    April 30, 2020by Lucia Mullen

    What is clear from the range of interventions and steps taken is that the WHO has been involved in almost all aspects of the response.

    Analysis
  • How Has the UN Mission in Kosovo Delivered on Action for Peacekeeping?

    January 22, 2020by Pushkar M. Sharma

    UNMIK has made remarkable progress in realizing the A4P agenda as it works to consolidate peace in Kosovo and offers valuable lessons for peacekeeping globally.

    Analysispeacekeeping

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The Global Observatory provides timely analysis on peace and security issues by experts, journalists, and policymakers. It is published by the International Peace Institute. The views expressed here represent those of the contributors and not IPI.

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