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The Council on Strategic Risks examines the implications of the Trump administration's intention to withdraw from the 1987 INF Treaty. The authors argue that this move, alongside the potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the JCPOA, signals a profound shift in the global security environment. They advocate for new arms control strategies that focus on specific destabilizing weapon classes—particularly those with indistinguishable conventional variants—and emphasize the need for non-governmental expertise and consultation with international allies to maintain global stability.

The document argues against a sequential model of research where results are merely 'translated' for stakeholders at the end of a project. Instead, it advocates for knowledge co-creation, an inclusive process where stakeholders are involved from the design phase through data analysis and communication. Using examples from the 'Active Citizenship in Culturally and Religiously Diverse Societies' (ACT) project, the brief demonstrates how interactive workshops and conferences can facilitate the exchange of experiential and professional knowledge. It concludes that while this approach increases relevance, new evaluation mechanisms are needed to capture the unpredictable, bottom-up nature of its societal impact.

The transportation sector accounts for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in large cities. To address this, the handbook outlines several strategic actions: electrifying municipal fleets, reducing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles through bans or restrictions, managing urban freight emissions, expanding EV charging infrastructure, creating car-free downtown zones, and enhancing public transit and mobility alternatives like bikeshare and pedestrian-friendly streets.

The Carbon-Free City Handbook outlines a strategic framework for cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through immediate, economically viable actions. It categorizes recommendations into buildings, transportation and mobility, electricity, industry, and biological resources, emphasizing the importance of setting bold 100% targets to drive transformational change rather than incremental progress.

The document analyzes the first extraordinary national terror alert in Norway, issued by the Police Security Service (PST) in July 2014. It identifies three primary intentions behind the communication: to deter potential attackers, to instruct the public on behavior, and to explain the presence of increased security measures. The author argues that while the alert conveyed the reality of the threat, its vague nature and lack of concrete instructions led to unintended consequences, including a climate of suspicion and discrimination against individuals of Middle-Eastern heritage.

A coalition of civil society organizations requests that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) maintain its fossil fuel-free status by establishing a formal investment policy consistent with ESG standards and the Paris Agreement. The signatories argue that investing in high-carbon sectors poses systemic financial and reputational risks and call for the GCF to require any candidate for Permanent Trustee to commit to an ethical, fossil-free asset management strategy.

The paper explores how the roles individuals inhabit—such as professional or political positions—influence their opinions and the morality of their communication. The author distinguishes between 'ex ante' views (held before taking a role) and 'ex post' views (assumed because of a role), suggesting that many public conflicts are driven by transferable role-based loyalties rather than deep moral chasms. Using examples ranging from sports rivalries to the dispute between Hillary Clinton and the New York Times over Wikileaks, the author argues that recognizing these role-driven positions can foster more honest and civil discourse. However, the author emphasizes that this humility should not extend to hate speech or fascist ideologies, such as those of Anders Behring Breivik, which represent non-transferable violations of human dignity and require active societal confrontation.

The NATION project (2013-2017) examines national identity as a dynamic process rather than a static entity, focusing on how it is negotiated through top-down state actions, mediated public discourse, and bottom-up everyday experiences. Using data from Norway, France, and the UK, the research highlights the tension between static, often racialized conceptions of nationhood and the plural, heterogeneous reality of modern European societies. Key findings emphasize the role of 'first impressions' and race in shaping boundaries of belonging, the use of national symbols like the Norwegian King to foster inclusive identities, and the impact of religious buildings as sites of resistance and negotiation. The report argues for a plural conception of the nation to counter neo-nationalist populism and promote democratic preparedness.

The NECORE project examines the societal response to the July 22, 2011, terror attacks in Norway, focusing on the tension between maintaining national unity and allowing for democratic dissent. Research findings highlight that while societal resilience relies on trust, it is challenged by polarization in public debate, particularly regarding immigration and religious diversity. The project also analyzes the role of media in fostering a 'master narrative' of consensus while simultaneously implementing stricter controls on online dissent. Additionally, the report explores the evolution of security concepts like 'preparedness' and 'resilience' in the digital age and the ongoing negotiation of free speech and moral responsibility in a pluralistic society.

The document reports on a seminar titled 'Artificial Police Agents: Looking Awry', featuring Prof. Dr. Mireille Hildebrandt. The discussion focuses on the risks of 'predictive forensics' and machine learning in law enforcement, specifically how the choice of training sets and the inherent bias of algorithms can lead to fragile predictions and the erosion of the presumption of innocence. Hildebrandt argues for 'legal protection by design', where fundamental rights are integrated into the technical architecture of surveillance tools, and proposes the establishment of a watchdog to verify the design and operation of such systems.

The report details a presentation by Professor Roger Clarke on the contested meaning of 'security' and a case study of Australian national security initiatives. Clarke argues that 'security' is often used ambiguously to justify the erosion of human rights. He presents survey results showing that Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) in Australia are rarely conducted and, when they are, are typically deficient, failing to protect civil liberties from intrusive government measures.

The study explores 'practiced citizenship' among Polish migrants in Oslo, Bergen, Bristol, and Sheffield, arguing that integration is a multi-layered process of 'balancing acts' between local, national, and transnational dimensions. While both countries show similar reliance on social networks for migration, the UK is perceived as more accommodating of socio-cultural diversity, whereas Polish migrants in Norway reported exclusionary experiences related to their names and a lack of trust in state institutions, specifically the child protection services. Socio-economic patterns differ by demographic, with the UK attracting more young, highly educated graduates and Norway seeing a higher proportion of skilled male construction workers. Political engagement is frequently mediated through online platforms, particularly in the UK, where some migrants view the political environment as more enabling than in Poland.

The guidelines establish a 'first green, then smart' approach, where smart technologies are used to optimize the outcomes of sustainable urban design. The framework covers six smart categories: telecommunications, mobility, governance, energy management, safety, and public services, supported by global case studies to demonstrate economic and environmental viability.

The author discusses the deep distrust immigrant families in Norway have toward the Child Welfare Service (Barnevernet), noting that this fear often outweighs the understanding that some children need protection. This crisis of confidence has evolved into a foreign policy issue, with countries like Lithuania, Poland, and India becoming involved. The author argues that the state's communication measures have been insufficient and that trust in such institutions is essential for a democratic society and the successful integration of immigrants.

The document examines how Islamic charity, specifically zakat, intersects with migrant remittances and organized diaspora development efforts among Pakistani-origin Muslims in Oslo. It argues that these religious motivations create lasting transnational ties across generations but remain largely invisible or misunderstood by mainstream Norwegian society and the Global North's development sector. The authors suggest a need for greater recognition of religious frameworks in development and a critical re-evaluation of who defines 'development' activities.

The briefing argues that the use of nuclear weapons from one UK Trident submarine would cause massive smoke generation and sharp climate cooling, resulting in global crop failure and threatening 1 billion lives, alongside over 10 million immediate deaths from explosions.

The report details the outcomes of a conference on the legacy of wartime rape, emphasizing that sexual violence in conflict is a complex societal issue affecting victims, families, and communities. It identifies significant gaps in research regarding perpetrators and the long-term life histories of victims and children born of war. The document advocates for a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to support, the development of international guidelines for the rights of victims, and increased political pressure to prosecute perpetrators.

The document argues that urban biodiversity is essential for human quality of life and ecosystem services, but is often undermined by development pressure and inadequate planning. It outlines the legal obligations of Estonian municipalities under international conventions and EU directives, such as Natura 2000. The guide provides a framework for local governments to integrate biodiversity into strategic plans, manage municipal lands and green networks, and engage the community. It details a five-step process for considering nature values in planning and presents case studies from cities like Edinburgh, Oslo, and Malmö to illustrate successful implementation of biodiversity strategies, green roofs, and sustainable drainage systems.

The author argues that historiography in the Israel-Palestine conflict is inherently political, as both nations fight for a dominant narrative to legitimate their actions and claims. The text contrasts the Zionist narrative of survival and liberation with the Palestinian narrative of neo-colonialism and ethnic cleansing. It specifically examines the 'broadcast theory' used by Israel to deny responsibility for the 1948 refugee crisis, noting that academic consensus now attributes the flight of approximately 750,000 Palestinians to the actions of the Haganah/IDF, Irgun, and Stern Gang. The author also critiques the 'terrorism as the primary obstacle to peace' thesis, arguing it is ahistorical and ignores Israeli violence and the timing of suicide bombings. Finally, the document highlights the paradox where the Holocaust is used for Israeli legitimacy while the Nakba is denied, noting that the Israeli state bears responsibility for the latter.

The report examines the role of the Somali diaspora in Norway in supporting political actors and peace processes in Somalia. It finds that while ideological support exists for national actors like the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), the most impactful financial contributions occur at the sub-clan level to fund either conflict or reconciliation. The authors recommend that the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs adopt a more proactive approach to diaspora engagement and support decentralized peacebuilding initiatives.