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The document provides a comprehensive overview of critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy technologies and a low-carbon future. It explains that 'criticality' is context-dependent, defined either by supply security (import dependence) or strategic valuation (leveraging abundance). The text highlights the specific role of rare earth elements (REEs), the massive increase in mineral demand for electric vehicles and decarbonization, and the growing importance of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) alongside emerging sources like deep-sea mining and phytomining. It concludes by weighing the economic opportunities of value chain development against risks such as production concentration, price volatility, and the 'Dutch disease'.

The report finds that while the French information ecosystem showed relative resilience during the 2022 elections, there was a significant rise in domestic anti-system narratives and far-right mobilisation. The limited impact of destabilisation efforts is attributed to the war in Ukraine diverting Russian resources, institutional pressure from the French government and EU (specifically the Digital Services Act), the regulated nature of the French electoral system, and the continued influence of traditional media. However, the authors warn of a growing trend of distrust in democratic institutions and the normalisation of polarising rhetoric by far-right actors using coordinated inauthentic behaviour and astroturfing.

The report concludes that while the French information ecosystem remained relatively resilient in 2022, there was a notable shift from foreign interference to domestic-led anti-system and far-right mobilization. The authors attribute this resilience to the war in Ukraine (which diverted Russian resources), institutional pressure (including the Digital Services Act and Viginum), the structural nature of the French electoral system, and the continued influence of traditional media. However, the report warns of a growing threat from structured anti-system communities and the normalization of polarizing rhetoric on social media.

The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) monitored the 2022 French elections, finding that while Russian state-backed influence was limited due to EU bans, domestic non-state actors and far-right figures effectively leveraged social media to spread anti-establishment narratives. Key tactics included coordinated inauthentic behaviour by Éric Zemmour's campaign, the cross-platform monetisation of fake vaccination passes, and the mainstreaming of the 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory. The report highlights significant gaps in platform content moderation, particularly regarding online abuse of candidates and voter fraud narratives, and recommends stronger regulatory oversight and data transparency from social media companies.

The report examines the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Cyprus and Kosovo, highlighting a gap in 'hard' security integration in Cyprus compared to the more comprehensive approach in Kosovo. It analyzes the roles of UNFICYP, UNMIK, EULEX, and KFOR, arguing that while participation of women in peacekeeping is high in both regions, the integration of gender perspectives into core security and defence policy remains underdeveloped, particularly in the Republic of Cyprus.

The report examines how AI, as a dual-use technology, is being integrated into military capabilities and regulated through export controls in China, the US, and the EU. It highlights China's 'military-civil fusion' strategy and the US's efforts to maintain technological leadership, while the EU focuses on ethical standards and 'trustworthy AI'. The authors argue that the intangibility of software makes trade controls difficult and that the competition for AI dominance creates a 'dual-use security dilemma' that could destabilize strategic relations and nuclear deterrence.

The analysis of UN votes, regional organization statements, and public diplomatic interactions from February 20 to June 19, 2022, indicates that no global pro-Russia or pro-authoritarian bloc has emerged. Instead, most states in the Global South prefer to remain non-aligned, although there is evidence of diplomatic competition for influence between Russia and Western powers, particularly in Asia.

The document argues that the war in Ukraine is causing a diversion of development aid from the Global South. This occurs through three primary mechanisms: the use of the OECD '12-month-rule' to count domestic refugee-hosting costs as ODA, the reallocation of national budgets toward increased military and defence spending, and the anticipation of massive post-war reconstruction costs in Ukraine. The authors warn that this shift undermines the quality and extent of aid, potentially leaving root causes of instability in vulnerable regions unaddressed.

Reclaim Finance challenges Crédit Agricole's commitment to net-zero goals, citing the bank's role as a top financier for companies like TotalEnergies and Saudi Aramco. The document questions the bank's failure to stop financing new oil and gas expansion, its inadequate exclusion policies for non-conventional fuels and Arctic projects, and its indirect support for the EACOP project. It also addresses the bank's ties to Russian fossil fuel activities, alleged infractions in its coal policy, and the voting behavior of its asset management subsidiary, Amundi, regarding the climate plans of oil majors.

The report analyzes the 2019 HRC voting records of 13 African member states, finding a significant lack of unity within the African Group. While South Africa, Rwanda, and Burkina Faso emerged as the strongest supporters of international human rights, Egypt, Eritrea, and Cameroon were the most opposed. The analysis highlights a recurring contradiction where many African states strongly support resolutions condemning Israel while opposing or abstaining from resolutions targeting other rights-abusing regimes. Overall, the report suggests a general unwillingness among African states to defend international human rights, with a noted decline in support since 2017.

The document investigates whether Russia exerts significant influence over African states in the UN Security Council (UNSC) by analyzing voting patterns between 2014 and 2020. It argues that Russia's influence over the A3 is often exaggerated, as statistical evidence shows that African member states remain more aligned with the P3 (US, UK, and France) and are largely independent of Russian vetoes and abstentions. While the A3 have increasingly sought to present unified positions on African peace and security issues, their voting behavior on non-African files shows a declining coincidence with Russian positions over time.

The document investigates whether Russia exerts significant influence over African states in the UN Security Council (UNSC) by analyzing voting patterns between 2014 and 2020. It argues that Russia's influence over the A3 is often exaggerated, as statistical evidence shows little coordination and a trend of increasing divergence. While the A3 are increasingly presenting unified positions on African issues, their voting behavior remains more aligned with the P3 (US, UK, and France) than with Russia. The brief concludes that Russia's role as a 'loud dissenter' has not translated into a strategic alliance with the African grouping.

The document presents a set of principles for communication in the digital age aimed at achieving social justice. It advocates for equitable access to communication infrastructure, inclusive governance of digital platforms, and the protection of privacy and cultural identity. Notably, it links digital rights to environmental sustainability by asserting the right to sustainable power sources, such as solar and wind energy, to operate electronic media.

The paper surveys 29 long-term climate strategies (LTSs) submitted to the UNFCCC, representing 42 countries and 28% of global emissions. It finds a growing trend toward net-zero targets, an increasing focus on the fundamental economic and societal shifts required for transition, and a reliance on both natural and technological carbon removals. The analysis highlights that while most strategies include midcentury goals and modeling, the level of detail regarding adaptation and just transition varies, and some parties acknowledge gaps between their most ambitious scenarios and their final targets.

The document details user experiences with three existing climate tools—the Global Climate Monitor, World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, and Copernicus Climate Information Portal—and provides a set of design recommendations for the upcoming ClimVis tool. Key user preferences include the need for national language support, intuitive layered complexity, high-quality metadata, and the ability to compare real-time weather data with long-term climate trends.

A small number of countries, primarily Turkey, Ukraine, and those in the Western Balkans, are responsible for the majority of coal power air pollution in Europe. Ukraine dominates PM10 emissions, while Turkey leads in NOx pollution. The report highlights that most of the most polluting plants are over 30 years old, though Turkey is an exception with some young plants among the top polluters. Many Energy Community countries failed to meet 2019 emission ceilings, and the report argues that subsidies and rehabilitation costs should instead be redirected toward the region's significant renewable energy potential.

The document argues that transport is a critical driver of development but a major source of emissions, accounting for 23% of energy-related CO2. It defines sustainable transport as safe, affordable, and efficient mobility that minimizes environmental impacts. The report details the evolution of international policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the Sustainable Development Goals, and provides examples of successful interventions, such as Jakarta's BRT system and various cities' shifts toward active mobility (cycling and walking). It specifically notes the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for structural changes in urban transit, though it warns that 30 major economies continue to provide significant subsidies to fossil fuels over clean energy.

The document analyzes the historical development of the 'WMD paradigm' in the United States, which primarily equates WMD with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. The author argues that while this framework provided bureaucratic stability during the Cold War and post-9/11 era, it now creates a 'failure of imagination' by excluding other technologies—such as cyber weapons, drones, and synthetic biology—that can produce similar mass-casualty or mass-destruction effects. The text highlights a disconnect between the WMD paradigm and the actual historical record since 1990, noting that violent non-state actors often rely on conventional means and state actors frequently use CBRN for targeted assassinations or psychological impact rather than mass destruction.

The document describes the decline of the Ukrainian coal industry and the subsequent social and economic challenges in the Donetsk region. It highlights two primary initiatives for transition: the grassroots Platform for Sustainable Development of Coal Towns of Donetsk Region, which seeks economic diversification and green enterprise development, and the national Coordination Center for Transformation of Coal Regions. While the government aims to reduce state-owned coal production by 25% and create 40,000 new jobs by 2027, the document notes significant challenges, including a lack of concrete action plans, insufficient public engagement, and political instability due to armed conflict.

The Council on Strategic Risks proposes a tailored, nuclear-only successor to the INF Treaty to address the destabilizing trend of intermediate-range nuclear forces. The authors argue for an initial bilateral agreement between the United States and Russia to ban nuclear-armed ground-launched cruise missiles (500 to 5,500 km), which could later expand to include other nations and ballistic missiles. This approach aims to reduce the risk of unintentional escalation and miscalculation, particularly in Europe and East Asia, while avoiding the complexities of banning conventional systems. The proposal emphasizes the feasibility of modern verification technologies and suggests a phased approach, starting with a moratorium on conventional ground-launched intermediate-range missiles in Europe and potential unilateral political declarations if a formal treaty is not immediately feasible.