[wanabidii] Responses to the Paris attacks, plus...

...Palestine and the ICC, US foreign policy

Dear Colleague,

In the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Paris, Jane Kinninmont examines the risk that they could distort Western policy in the Middle East and North Africa, while Quentin Peel argues that the public reaction could ultimately support political parties that resist populism.

Following Palestine's accession to the International Criminal Court, a new expert comment and meeting summary explore the implications. Plus, Peter Trubowitz examines the turn in President Obama's foreign policy fortunes and Quentin Peel looks at the relationship between David Cameron and Angela Merkel, following the German chancellor's visit to London.

Responding to the Paris Attacks

Following the terror attacks in France, Western governments should avoid the temptation to see relations with MENA solely through the lens of counterterrorism, writes Jane Kinninmont. The attacks have prompted renewed denouncements of multiculturalism in some quarters, but the mood could ultimately support political parties that resist populism, writes Quentin Peel.

Read 'Paris Attacks May Distort Western Policy Focus' >

Read 'An Opportunity for the Politics of Tolerance' >

Palestine's ICC Accession: Risks and Rewards

While Palestine's accession to the International Criminal Court is a risky venture given political tensions, it may deter future war crimes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and marks another step towards statehood, writes Miša Zgonec-Rožej. A meeting in December explored Palestine's prospective accession to the Rome Statute and other implications of the UN General Assembly's decision to accord it the status of non-member observer state.

Read the expert comment >

Read the meeting summary >

Obama's Foreign Policy Revival

From a climate deal with China to rapprochement with Cuba, Barack Obama's foreign policy fortunes improved in late 2014. Peter Trubowitz asks whether the president can build on these gains.

Read the expert comment>

New Year's Honours List Acknowledgement

Dr Robin Niblett, director of Chatham House, was awarded the CMG in the New Year's Honours list for services to the promotion of the UK as a global centre for foreign policy.