The independent resource on global security
Backgrounders
Organized environmental crime: Why it matters for peace operations
Dr Marina CapariniOrganized environmental crime has become one of the fastest-growing types of organized crime. In many conflict-affected contexts, it is the primary source of financing for non-state armed groups. In the light of this, how can peace operations and other multilateral actors respond to conflicts which are driven or sustained by activities that involve illegal exploitation and trade in natural resources?
Child development and resilience in war, conflict and displacement
Dr Jonathan Hall and Abeer AhmadApproximately 452 million children were living in a conflict zone in 2020, and almost half of the roughly 80 million forcibly displaced people worldwide are children. Many of the countries most affected by conflict are developing countries with a young and growing population.
A matter of speed? Understanding hypersonic missile systems
Kolja Brockmann and Dr Markus SchillerThis SIPRI Topical Backgrounder seeks to improve the understanding of hypersonic speed, the nature of hypersonic missile systems, as well as their key subsystems and technologies.
SALW-related assistance to states in sub-Saharan Africa: Hitting the target or missing the mark?
Mark Bromley, Giovanna Maletta and Ruben NicolinThis Topical Backgrounder presents recommendations for both future research and steps that could be taken by states, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations to improve the coordination and effectiveness of SALW-related assistance efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Missile Technology Control Regime at a crossroads
Kolja BrockmannThe Missile Technology Control Regime is a cornerstone of states’ efforts to control the development, proliferation and use of missiles and other unmanned delivery systems. However, it faces serious structural, operational, membership and technology-related challenges that call for new initiatives and a strengthening of the regime’s resilience.
Time to factor missile defence into nuclear arms control talks
Dr Tytti Erästö and Matt KordaHopes run high that the possessors of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals—Russia and the United States—might finally resume negotiations on nuclear weapon reductions after over a decade of diplomatic deadlock.
20 years of US military aid to Afghanistan
Dr Nan TianThis SIPRI Topical Backgrounder presents data on the military aid given by the USA to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2020.
Multilateral peace operations in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021
Dr Claudia Pfeifer and Dr Jaïr van der LijnThis SIPRI Topical Backgrounder gives an overview of the four multilateral peace operations that were active in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. It presents SIPRI data on the number and categories of international personnel deployed in each operation, drawn from the SIPRI Multilateral Peace Operations Database.
Transfers of major arms to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2020
Alexandra Kuimova and Siemon T. WezemanThis SIPRI topical backgrounder gives an overview of known international flows of major arms to the Afghan armed forces between 2001 and 2020.
Social media: A tool for peace or conflict?
Dr Simone BunseHuman rights activists have used social media technology to organize peaceful protests and defend democracy for more than a decade. More recently, peacebuilders have discovered it can be a tool to understand conflict dynamics and counter extremism better.