IISS: The Annual Assessment of Geopolitics

The new edition of Strategic Survey provides incisive analysis of the global political and security environment in the year to mid-2017.

Assessing the many alliances and strategic relationships that are coming under increasing strain, the book offers insights into the growing security threats and volatile domestic politics that now dominate relations between major powers. North Korea’s nuclear-weapons and missile programmes are proceeding at a troubling pace despite the expansion of punitive United Nations sanctions, pressure from Beijing and warnings from Washington. The presidency of Donald Trump is casting doubt on the United States’ commitment to the global trading system and decades-long alliances of which it is the chief architect and enforcer. The European Union remains preoccupied with internal challenges, not least increasing electoral volatility among its member states. Russia has reasserted itself as a major power in the Middle East and is conducting a wide-ranging information campaign to destabilise and deter its opponents in the West. Meanwhile, China is becoming increasingly extrovert and confident in its foreign policy, maintaining expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and pursuing its economic interests through the Belt and Road Initiative. Amid proliferating threats and distractions, most major powers appear to have a declining capacity to shape the political and security environment in their favour.

Strategic Survey 2017: The Annual Assessment of Geopolitics examines political and security developments region by region. It includes essays on the future of the World Trade Organization; electoral disruption and the liberal order; urbanisation and violence; and the resurgence of information warfare. The Strategic Geography section includes maps on North Korea’s illicit economic network, constitutional change and conflict in Turkey, and the burgeoning food-security crisis. The Drivers of Strategic Change section identifies the developments in each region that have the potential to trigger, stoke or dampen conflicts; alter foreign policies and the regional order; or affect the security of large numbers of people.

IISS Director-General and Chief Executive Dr John Chipman will deliver a strategic assessment of these global developments. This will be followed by a question-and-answer session with IISS experts.

Strategic Survey 2017 will be available to purchase at IISS Reception on the day. A limited number of copies will be provided to select media attendees.

To RSVP, please send an email to Anais Auvray.

This event will take place in the Lee Kuan Yew Conference Room at Arundel House, 6 Temple Place, London WC2R 2PG*.

Please join us for tea and coffee from 9am.

*All first time visitors to Arundel House are required to provide photographic ID (Passport, European ID card or Driver’s Licence) and have their photograph taken upon arrival. This will be stored on our security system to streamline access on future visits. If you would prefer that your details are not stored, please inform reception as you exit the building. Photographic ID will be required again on your next visit to IISS.

Speakers

John Chipman

Dr John Chipman CMG is Director-General and Chief Executive of The International Institute for Strategic Studies. He is Special Adviser to the Chairman of Reliance Industries (Mumbai), a member of the Board of Directors of private equity firm The Abraaj Group (Dubai) and consults widely.

Virginia Comolli

Virginia Comolli leads the Security and Development Programme, setting its research priorities and direction. She contributes to IISS research, represents the Institute at conferences internationally and in the media, and delivers briefings to government and corporates audiences.

Emile Hokayem

Emile Hokayem is the Senior Fellow for Middle East Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He specialises in political and conflict analysis, including the wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen; relations between Iran and its Arab neighbours; and the rise of non-state actors, including jihadi groups and Hizbullah.

Nigel Inkster

Nigel Inkster has worked at the International Institute for Strategic Studies since 2007. His research portfolio at IISS has included transnational terrorism, insurgency, transnational organised crime, cyber security, intelligence and security and the evolving character of conflict.

Nicholas Redman Dr Nicholas Redman is Director of Editorial at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, overseeing the Institute’s large and highly regarded publications output. He is Editor of the Adelphi book series and Strategic Survey: The Annual Assessment of Geopolitics, and he directs the continued development of the Armed Conflict Database.