LACUNAS – A new podcast on science, diplomacy and culture

  We are pleased to announce the launch of LACUNAS, a new podcast at the intersection of science, diplomacy and culture. With its first episode released today, the podcast opens a space for reflecting on how these fields interact and shape contemporary societies. We know that culture can divide, but it can connect even more. […]

Externalisierte Migrationspolitik zu kurz gedacht: Die Folgen langer Zwischenaufenthalte in der Türkei für die Integration syrischer Geflüchteter in Österreich

Dieser Policy Brief untersucht die Folgen der Externalisierungsstrategie der Europäischen Union in der Türkei auf die (Arbeitsmarkt-)Integration syrischer Geflüchteter in Österreich. Ziel der Migrationspolitik ist es, Schutzsuchende zum Verbleib in der Türkei zu bewegen und irreguläre Weiterwanderung in die EU zu reduzieren. Die Ergebnisse zeigen allerdings, dass diese Strategie auf lange Sicht nicht effektiv ist. […]

Effective Counterterrorism Needs Human Rights: Evidence and Policy Options for Counterterrorism Policy

This policy brief argues that human rights and the rule of law are not external constraints on counter-terrorism (CT), but core conditions for its long-term effectiveness. It reviews evidence showing that much of the CT field rests on a limited empirical base, with rigorous evaluations remaining scarce. Building on insights from systematic reviews and subsequent scholarship, the paper highlights how rights impacts […]

The Political Economy of Contemporary Populist Authoritarianism: The Examples of Poland, Serbia and Turkey

This policy brief, based on a panel discussion with experts on Turkey, Serbia and Poland, argues that competitive authoritarianism is resurging as leaders exploit crises, legalism and personalization to hollow out democratic checks while preserving a façade of elections; Turkey’s Erdogan uses a legalistic veneer, clientelism and risky economic policy, Serbia’s Vučić combines opaque high […]