Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world
Rogue States Conference
The group will discuss the commonalities of and policy dilemmas posed by Belarus, Burma, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe. The case studies will be introduced by their authors and responded to by one or two discussants (the papers have already been distributed to participants), after which the floor will be opened. By the conclusion of the meeting participants will attempt to develop some generalizations about these types of states, together with policy options. A book will doubtless emerge as the final product of this meeting.
Among the several issues that the participants will consider are:
-Are these really the worst of the world's nation states? By what criteria?
-Which ones are better than others? Again, what are the criteria? How does one distinguish between terrible and abysmal?
-These are repressive states: How does one measure the extent of repression?
-Who benefits within these states? Who are the looters? Can the extent of misfeasance and corruption be measured?
-How do these states function? Who provides support (from within and from without)?
-What are the components of leadership, either individually or in a group? How much is the nature of leadership decisive?
-How do these states relate to their neighbors and world order?
-Policy recommendations: How should the U.S. deal with these countries? Not at all? Gingerly? Strictly in terms of what they can do for us?
