Lauren Sukin and colleagues show that U.S. restraint in the Russo-Ukrainian reassured allies and partners more than displays of force. Based on novel data from a survey of 27 250 people in 24 countries, the study finds that caution and indirect support boosted trust, challenging assumptions favoring military resolve.
New article on narrative research in International Relations
Zuzana Krulichová’s new article in Cooperation and Conflict reviews narrative approaches in IR, distinguishing between agency-centric and structure-centric perspectives. She calls for more focus on their interaction, noting that longitudinal or historical studies could sharpen analysis and theory.
New policy paper on Israel, Gaza, and the failure of Czech human rights policy
Michal Smetana and Daniel Prokop’s policy brief examines the Czech Republic’s uncritical support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, despite mounting evidence of severe violations of international law. They argue that this selective approach undermines Czechia’s human rights credibility, fuels dehumanization, and aligns the country with extremist policies opposed even within Israel.
New article on democracy and state support for arms control
Tobias Risse’s first global quantitative study of the relationship between states’ level of liberal democracy and their support for arms control finds that democracies back conventional arms control regardless of the initiator but support nuclear control only if led by democracies.
New article on public support for arms control in the third nuclear age
Michal Smetana, Marek Vranka, and Ondřej Rosendorf explore public support for arms control in the third nuclear age, arguing its complexity lowers awareness. People rely on simple heuristics, making opinions elastic and open to “elite cues” from experts and politicians shaping attitudes.
Our Ph.D. student Zakir Rzazade was awarded the EISS Best Paper Prize
We are thrilled to share that Zakir Rzazade has been awarded the Best Paper Prize for Ph.D. students and early-career scholars at this year’s European Initiative for Security Studies (EISS) annual conference. Congratulations, Zakir!
Výdaje na obranu: Scénáře efektivního navýšení
Vyšší výdaje na obranu jsou nezbytným předpokladem pro posílení obranyschopnosti Česka. Očekává se však výrazné navýšení závazku NATO z 2 % HDP až na úroveň 5 % HDP do roku 2032. Jakým způsobem to efektivně financovat, představuje nová studie Centra veřejných financí a PRCP.
New research on interstate rivalry and state support for arms control
Do rivalries with major powers undermine global arms control? Tobias Risse reveals how power imbalances shape negotiations, discouraging non-major powers from supporting arms control when pitted against stronger rivals. His analysis uncovers a crucial role of power relations in arms control negotiations.