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The report finds that while the number of state-based armed conflicts and total casualties declined in 2017, non-state conflicts increased significantly. Syria remained the deadliest conflict, and the Islamic State (IS) was involved in 31% of all conflicts. The authors note a long-term general decline in warfare since the 1950s, though they warn that internationalized intrastate conflicts and religious extremism continue to pose major threats to global peace.

The document examines the shift in the perception of smartphones for refugees from humanitarian assets to instruments of state surveillance. It details how several European governments are implementing or proposing legislation to search digital devices to verify identities and conduct security screenings. The authors argue that this practice raises critical questions regarding proportionality, the right to privacy, and the digital vulnerability of migrants, warning that digital data is not a 'silver bullet' for truth and can be manipulated or misinterpreted.

The author examines how the rise of populism in Western politics, exemplified by the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and political shifts in the UK and Germany, creates risks for climate action. While some nations and entities have responded by strengthening their commitments, the author contends that overcoming political polarisation requires shifting climate communication from expert-led discourse to a values-based approach that builds broad societal consensus.

COP 23 served as a technical transition to establish the 'Paris Rulebook' for implementing the Paris Agreement. Key outcomes included the design of the Talanoa Dialogue for monitoring collective efforts, a breakthrough agreement to address agriculture and food security, and the adoption of a Gender Action Plan. However, the document notes a lack of substantial progress on long-term climate finance and 'loss and damage' funding, while highlighting a tension between official negotiations and civil society demands for climate justice and an end to the fossil fuel era.

The report analyzes the climate-security nexus in the Eastern Mediterranean, identifying the region as a climate change hotspot where rising temperatures and water scarcity interact with fragile political structures. It highlights risks including domestic resource competition, potential conflicts over the Nile, Euphrates, and Tigris rivers, and increased migration toward Europe. The author argues that while conventional security threats currently dominate government agendas, the economic and physical impacts of climate change could trigger social unrest and regional instability. The report recommends increasing the visibility of economic risks to leaders and utilizing 'variable geometry' cooperation—combining inter-governmental frameworks like the Barcelona Convention with city-to-city and civil society networks—to foster regional adaptation.

The document provides a mapping of children living in conflict settings, distinguishing between those in conflict-affected countries and those in 'conflict zones' (within 50km of fighting). In 2017, approximately 1.8 billion children lived in conflict-affected countries, while 420 million lived in conflict zones. Asia has the highest absolute number of affected children, but the Middle East has the highest proportion relative to its population. The report also notes a rise in the number of children in conflict zones since 2000 and discusses the severe impact of the denial of humanitarian access, particularly in South Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and the Central African Republic.

The document examines the Eastern Mediterranean's transition from a strategic space used by great powers to a distinct geopolitical region. It analyzes the shift toward multipolarity and the emergence of 'proto-regionalism' through trilateral partnerships involving Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. While identifying potential for an Eastern Mediterranean Cooperation Council (EMCC) based on the Gulf Cooperation Council model, the author highlights significant obstacles, including the role of Turkey, the Cyprus conflict, and energy disputes.

The document analyzes climate change as a 'threat multiplier' that exacerbates global instability and poses direct risks to U.S. military infrastructure and operations. It details how the Department of Defense (DOD) and other agencies like the DHS and CIA integrate climate risk into planning, focusing on issues such as mass migration, water scarcity, and the opening of the Arctic. The brief also outlines specific energy and resilience initiatives across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, while noting the tension between military adaptation needs and Congressional fiscal priorities.

The document analyzes the potential impact of the Trump administration's reversal of climate policies, such as the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, on U.S. emissions. It synthesizes data from seven organizations, estimating that 2025 emissions under Trump's policies would range from 5.6 to 6.8 GtCO2e, exceeding the U.S. Paris Agreement target. It also examines the potential for states, cities, and companies—represented by the 'We Are Still In' campaign—to offset these increases through clean energy transitions and local policy defense.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) views climate change as a "threat multiplier" that amplifies existing global instabilities such as poverty and political tension. The document outlines critical risks including mass population displacement, water scarcity leading to potential "weaponization of water," and shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic due to sea ice loss. Domestically, climate change threatens the readiness of DOD's vast real estate portfolio, valued at approximately $850 billion. The briefing details adaptation and mitigation efforts across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, while noting the inconsistent nature of Congressional support for climate-security policies.

The author argues that the traditional vision of urban abundance is no longer realistic given systemic risks. By synthesizing theories from David Holmgren and the authors of 'Resilient Cities', the text outlines four potential futures: the Ecotechnic city (successful green transition), the Ecovillage city (radical semi-ruralization), the Enclaved city (authoritarian divide), and the Collapsed city (systemic breakdown). The author suggests that industrialized cities, including those in Europe, may soon reach a 'peak of urbanity' requiring a shift toward depopulation and economic relocalization.

The document highlights the inadequacy of current refugee definitions for environmental migrants, who lack legal protections under the 1951 Refugee Convention. It warns that climate change could displace tens of millions, with the U.S. likely seeing a significant influx from Central and South America, including an estimated 6.7 million people from Mexico by 2080 due to agricultural declines. The brief emphasizes the need for the U.S. to support resiliency initiatives abroad and expand its humanitarian aid capacity, noting that the U.S. military is already a primary provider of such assistance.

The author examines the relationship between rising global military spending and international stability, arguing that the logic of deterrence often fails to eliminate threats like terrorism and can instead trigger security dilemmas. The text highlights a negative correlation between military spending and GDP growth, particularly in OECD countries, and suggests that diverting funds toward social policy could reduce radicalization. It proposes that the EU should prioritize integrated defense instruments, such as EU battlegroups, and strengthen arms control regulations to mitigate the risks of an inflationary arms race.

The United States Climate Alliance, formed on June 1, 2017, is a bipartisan group of 13 states and one territory committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 26-28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. This effort is part of a broader movement including the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, the "We Are Still In" coalition, and the Under2 MOU, all aimed at filling the policy void created by the Trump Administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. These subnational actors seek to maintain targets such as keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and achieving 100 percent renewable power in some cities, though they face challenges regarding funding and the lack of a federal mandate.

The U.S. Climate Alliance, formed in June 2017, consists of 13 states and one territory committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 26-28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. This bipartisan effort is complemented by city-led initiatives like the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda and the 'We Are Still In' coalition, which includes businesses and universities. These subnational actors aim to maintain U.S. alignment with the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, despite the lack of federal mandate or funding.

The author contends that European security requires a shift from simple integration to a multifaceted approach combining 'soft, hard, and smart power'. Key priorities include meeting the 2% GDP defense spending target through joint capabilities, securing external EU borders, supporting state-building in fragile neighboring countries, and investing in green technology and development in Sub-Saharan Africa to mitigate migration and instability caused by climate change.

The statement asserts that the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement isolates the country and threatens global efforts to limit temperature rise. It argues that climate protection is essential for the 2030 Agenda, job creation, and the protection of marginalised groups. The signatories call for Germany, the European Union, and middle-income countries in the South to intensify their implementation of the Accord and strengthen international climate alliances to counter the U.S. exit.

RMI asserts that while the U.S. federal withdrawal from the Paris Agreement undermines global efforts, the transition to clean energy will continue through the actions of American states, cities, and businesses. The organization highlights the growth of the solar industry and the ability of subnational entities to form an alternative 'societally determined contribution' to maintain climate leadership.

Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the World Resources Institute, states that a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would be a "deeply misguided decision" that ignores the preferences of 70 percent of Americans and over 1,000 major companies and investors. He argues that such a move would cause the U.S. to relinquish global leadership and abandon 21st-century economic opportunities in favor of outdated thinking.

The text analyzes the strategic objectives of the Islamic State (IS) in Europe—escalation, creating insecurity, and exploiting social divisions—and argues that restrictive anti-terrorism laws actually support these goals by fueling islamophobia and eroding civil liberties. It contends that IS is often portrayed as more cohesive and powerful than it is, noting that its core leadership consists of pragmatists from the Ba'ath party rather than global jihadists. The author advocates for a progressive response that rejects the 'clash of civilizations' narrative, opposes racial profiling, and views the expansion of civil rights for minorities as the most effective way to delegitimize IS and ensure genuine security.