JASON Institute

🔹JASON Magazine: Challenges to Democracy 🔹 We are excited to announce the release of the latest issue of the JASON Magazine: Challenges to Democracy. This year, nearly half of the world’s population will vote, making 2024 the biggest election year in history. As such, 2024 is not just any year for democracy: it might be the year for democracy. In this issue, several authors seek to explore what drives democratic backsliding and how we can protect democracy. Join us as we navigate the trials and triumphs of global democracy in edition #49 of the JASON Institute Magazine. Many thanks to Hugo Morrison, Daniel Somart, Aiyana Vittoria Amplatz, Myrthe Mullié, Nick Psomas, Tessa Cuppens, Boris Ninov, Gabriela Szymczak, Stefan Bojilov, the JASON Editorial Committee and of course, our Editors in Chief: Naledi Tilmann and Stijn Willem van 't Land for your valuable insights and perspectives! Read the magazine on our website: https://lnkd.in/exkyTibG

Full equality between Israelis and Palestinians is necessary to bring down Israeli dominance, according to עומדים ביחד نقف معًا Standing Together. As the largest Jewish Arab grassroots movement in Israel, Standing Together wants to create an alternative to the current reality. Alon-Lee Green, a Jewish Israeli activist, and Rula Daood, a Palestinian Israeli activist, will explain how they work from the principles of solidarity and collectivity towards justice. What tactics does Standing Together employ, what are the struggles on the ground? And how do they deal with the variety of views on ending occupation and with people hostile to their message? Programme creator: Zara Toksöz 📅 DI 24 SEPT / 20:00 / EN 🎟️ Get your tickets via https://lnkd.in/e4tTGTcY or visit debalie.nl 📺⬆️ Watch the live stream wherever you are on the same page

🔹 Exploring The Field of Close Protection and Surveillance: Emerging Threats and Ethical Dilemmas 🔹 Join us at Wijnhaven for a thought-provoking conference on the 27th of September from 16.00 until 18.30 on the Field of Close Protection and Surveillance (Bewaken en Beveiligen)! Through workshops you will get the opportunity to engage even more with our expert speakers Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker, Esther Tossaint, Markwin van Helsdingen and others, who will delve deeper into topics such as psychology, threat assessment and up and down scaling related to Close Protection and Surveillance. Explore the full event description, learn about the speakers, and sign up for the event via our website: https://lnkd.in/eZhvNxMK Location: Wijnhaven, Universiteit Leiden (Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP, Den Haag) Room: 3.60 Date & Time: 27 sept. 16:00 - 18.30 with closing drinks afterwards 

📣 VACANCY ALERT 📣 The JASON Institute is looking for motivated writers and editors to contribute to our biannual publication and online content. These roles offer a great chance to explore global security issues, gain experience as a writer or editor, and to make your voice heard. Read the full job description via the website: https://lnkd.in/g7cqC7iH If interested in either position, send your CV and writing sample to redactie@stichtingjason.nl by September 10, 23:00. We hope to hear from you soon!

Looking for a challenge to complement your studies? Join the JASON Institute as our next PR Officer! This is your chance to gain valuable board experience, manage our website and social media channels, and play a key role in shaping the future of an organisation dedicated to international peace and security. If you’re creative, proactive, and passionate about global security issues, we want to hear from you! Read the full vacancy via our website: https://lnkd.in/g7cqC7iH. Send your motivation (Max 1A4) and CV (Max 1A4) before August 26th to Eva Akkersdijk (pr@stichtingjason.nl).

Two weeks ago, the JASON Institute hosted its last event of the academic year. In partnership with De Balie, the institute organized a live broadcasted panel debate on the escalating geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea. The event took place in De Balie’s beautiful and sold-out Salon in Amsterdam. The JASON Institute and De Balie brought together top experts Dr. Frans-Paul van der Putten, Ms. Benedetta Girardi, Dr. Anoma Phichai van der Veere PhD, and Colonel (ret.) Niels Woudstra to dissect the high-stakes geopolitical showdown in the South China Sea. Featuring perspectives from news correspondents, geopolitical analysts, and a Dutch Navy official, the panel delved deep into the power struggles and strategic interests at play. The full report on the event is online now: https://lnkd.in/efirmT2H If you missed the event, you can find the recording under the following link: https://lnkd.in/eKHjPjxb.

📖 SUNDAY READ 📖 - The Rise of the Houthis: Transforming Yemen's Political Landscape Yemen has been plagued by civil war since 2015, leading to a power vacuum filled by the Houthis, a Shiite Zaydi armed movement. Controlling areas with 70% of the population, including Sanaa, they provide basic services and have formed a parallel government. However, the Houthis' rule is also marked by human rights abuses such as arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, and severe restrictions on women. Recently, their attacks on over 40 container ships in the Red Sea, purportedly in retaliation for Israeli actions in Gaza, led the US to redesignate them as a global terrorist organization. This situation underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of Yemen's political landscape and the significant role of non-state actors in shaping its future. Relying on Charles Tilly’s theory of state formation, where armed conflict drives the development of new governance structures, Hugo Morrison reflects on the transformative governance by non-state actors like the Houthis in Yemen, a country that is often labeled a failed state. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eBHbq53w

🚨 VACANCY ALERT 🚨 Are you looking for a new challenge in the upcoming academic year? Do you enjoy organizing activities and events and have a passion for international peace and security? The JASON Institute has two exciting vacancies where you can develop your organizational skills while expanding your network in the field of international security. Both the Activities Committee and the Jubilee Task Force offer you these opportunities! In case you are interested, please check out the full job descriptions for both positions via the website: https://lnkd.in/g7cqC7iH

📖 SUNDAY READ 📖 - Rising to the Challenge: Building Democratic Resilience and Countering Pessimism In an era of democratic backsliding and rising authoritarianism, this article by Sara Lehtiniemi explores how political systems can remain resilient against anti-democratic challenges. By focusing on examples from the US, Turkey, and several other EU countries, this piece argues that optimism is essential for fostering democratic resilience, which can be promoted by increasing historical awareness, combating mis- and disinformation, as well as fostering education to reinforce democratic values and citizen participation. Read the full article via the website: https://lnkd.in/ejVWrFuX

📢 JASON PODCAST ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 - China's Global Play: Power Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific In this episode, produced by JASON member Lucas Bastiaansen, we explore China's interest in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea with Dr. Frans-Paul van der Putten, former head and co-founder of the Clingendael China Centre. Discover how China perceives the increased U.S. military presence in the region, why it has changed its nuclear strategy in recent years, and what motivates the actions of China and other key players in the area. Learn about China's view of its position both regionally and globally, and what its economic relationships with other regional players mean for the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Listen to the full podcast through the following link: https://lnkd.in/e-CJsXfd