photo: person walks across footbridge; research happening in the field; photo by Associate Professor Mona Atia

Research

Elliott School Research

Through award-winning research, the Elliott School of International Affairs strives to create knowledge, share wisdom, and inspire action. Together, our Centers, Institutes, and Research Initiatives and cross-disciplinary faculty combine in-depth analysis with practical applications to better address the future's most pressing global challenges.

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Research Spotlights

Ask the Author with Associate Professor Paul D. Williams

Russia's Domestic Security Wars — *Dr. Paul D. Williams (third from the left) on a research trip to Mogadishu.*

In his August 2018 publication, Fighting for Peace in Somalia: A History and Analysis of the African Union Mission (AMISOM), 2007-2017, author and Elliott School Associate Professor Paul D. Williams offers the first comprehensive analysis of the African Union's longest running mission. In advance of his book launch, Professor Williams reflected on research incentives, insights, and implications:

"AMISOM is now the world’s largest and most dangerous peace operation. I wanted to understand how it could stabilize one of the world’s most failed states and whether it could defeat one of the world’s most deadly insurgent groups, Harakat al-Shabaab. As well as being the African Union’s longest, largest, and most costly operation, AMISOM also exemplifies the complex challenges of 'partnership peacekeeping,' the process by which multiple international organizations and states try and work together to stabilize the host country.

In doing the research, I was most surprised by the intensity and brutality of the war against al-Shabaab as well as by the continual sacrifices made and hardships endured by the peacekeepers. I was also struck by the large gap between the capabilities given to AMISOM and the expectations placed upon it to deliver peace in Somalia.

The key takeaway is that politicians should not expect peacekeepers to deliver peace in Somalia in the absence of a viable political strategy to resolve the country’s multiple armed conflicts."

Paul D. Williams

Associate Professor of International Affairs

GWToday: Putin Uses ‘Divide and Rule’ Tactics against His Hardline Allies

Al Teich — Elliott School Professor Peter Reddaway’s new book explores how the Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained power for almost two decades. (Colette Kent/Elliott School of International Affairs)

Elliott School Professor Peter Reddaway’s new book explores how the Russian president has maintained power for almost two decades.

September 10, 2018

By Tatyana Hopkins

Though Russian President Vladimir Putin may find his exercise of power gratifying in some ways, he probably also finds it “increasingly exhausting” but fears what would happen to him if he steps down, said George Washington University Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs Peter Reddaway.

“I think he has similar feelings about retirement to what a lot of us have—that it's time to do different things,” Mr. Reddaway said. “But I think it is very difficult for him to resign or to retire at the end of a term in office because he doesn't feel safe doing it.”

Full article

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Elliott School Book Launch Series

Elliott School Associate Professor Paul D. Williams will discuss Fighting for Peace in Somalia. For more, check out Williams' analysis in The Washington Post's The Monkey Cage.

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Join us for an author lecture and Q&A in celebration of Elliott School Associate Professor Melani McAlister's newest book. Jennifer Cooke, Director of the Institute for African Studies, will offer introductory remarks.

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Elliott School Assistant Dean and Professorial Lecturer Tobias Greiff will outline his latest publication examining post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Uncover the geographical, historical, political, cultural, and geostrategic factors that drive today's Russia. Author and Elliott School Research Professor Marlene Laruelle will be joined by her co-author, Jean Radvanyi, as they introduce their newest publication, Understanding Russia: The Challenges of Transformation.

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Explore Palestinian refugees' engagement with humanitarian assistance when author and Elliott School Professor Ilana Feldman launches, Life Lived in Relief: Humanitarian Predicaments and Palestinian Refugee Politics.

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Discover the evolution of US science policy research when author and Elliott School Research Professor Al Teich introduces his new book and takes the audience In Search of Evidence-Based Science Policy.

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