Issue Briefings explore many of the issues related to violent political conflict at its various stages.

The origins of conflict often begin when a society or government fails to provide basic human rights and reasonable equality for various groups of citizens, or when governments are weak or have failed entirely.

The onset of violence can flare up as demonstrations, protests, civil disobedience, insurgency or terrorism and, in return, can provoke reform or repression, collective punishment, state terrorism, ethnic cleansing, or genocide. When violence erupts many innocent victims pay the ultimate price as they are forced to flee their homes to save their lives.

And wherever there is violence, the world relies on the bravery, honesty and judgment of reporters and the media to tell the story so the international community can decide whether to intervene to protect the victims. But does today's modern media really provide necessary insights and understanding, or does it complement state propaganda? And does the international community respond in ways that match its actions to its rhetoric?

Issue Briefings:

Information on cross-cutting issues related to causes and impacts of violent political conflict in general.

Religious Extremism

Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing

Forced Migration & Refugees

Humanitarian Protection & Intervention

Media & Propaganda

Terrorism & Political Violence

Terrorism: Underlying Causes

Terrorism: Financing

Counter-Terrorism

Intervention & Peacekeeping

War Theory & Just War

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Northern Ireland Parades

Insight & Analysis

Opinion and Commentray on foreign affairs

The Al-Qaeda Dossier
A review of the motivation, goals and objectives of the Al-Qaeda syndicate

What in the Name of God?
Religious Fundamentalism, Fear and Terrorism in the name of religion

Piracy: Terror on the High Seas
The implausible and increasing threat from Somali pirates. Once relegated to swashbucling adventure books and movies, there is a shocking resurgence of piracy on the world's oceans.

2011 Middle East Turmoil Summary

Following is a brief summary of the Days of Rage protests sweeping the Middle East in early 2011. Additional information is available in Flashpoints Conflict Briefings. Developments will be updated as available. (Courtesy of CNN)

TUNISIA

The revolt was triggered when an unemployed college graduate set himself ablaze after police confiscated his fruit cart, cutting off his source of income. Protesters complained about high unemployment, corruption, rising prices and political repression. An interim government came to power after an uprising prompted autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to leave the country January 14. Those demonstrations helped spark protests across North Africa and the Middle East.

EGYPT

Complaints about police corruption and abuses were among the top grievances of demonstrators who forced President Hosni Mubarak from office. Demonstrators also were angry about Mubarak's 30-year rule, a lack of free elections and economic issues, such as high food prices, low wages and high unemployment. Since Mubarak's departure, several thousand people have protested in Cairo's Tahrir Square to urge Egypt's new rulers to implement promised reforms. They pressed Egypt's Supreme Council to end an emergency law and release political prisoners, among other things. They also demanded civilian representation in government.

LIBYA

Protests in Libya started in February when demonstrators, fed up with delays, broke into a housing project the government was building and occupied it. Gadhafi's government, which has ruled since a 1969 coup, responded with a $24 billion fund for housing and development. A month later, more demonstrations were sparked when police detained relatives of those killed in an alleged 1996 massacre at the Abu Salim prison, according to Human Rights Watch. High unemployment and demands for freedom have also fueled the protests.

YEMEN

Protesters have called for the ouster of Saleh, who has ruled Yemen since 1978. The country has been wracked by a Shiite Muslim uprising, a U.S.-aided crackdown on al Qaeda operatives and a looming shortage of water. High unemployment fuels much of the anger among a growing young population who have suffered from poverty. The protesters also cite government corruption and a lack of political freedom. Saleh has promised not to run for president in the next round of elections.

SYRIA

Opponents of the al-Assad government allege massive human rights abuses, and an emergency law has been in effect since 1963. Earlier in March, Syrian human rights attorney Haitham Maleh -- arrested in October 2009 during a government crackdown on lawyers and activists -- was freed, his son said. The move comes amid demands by many citizens for more economic prosperity, political freedom, and civil liberty.

BAHRAIN

Protesters initially took to the streets of Manama to demand reform and the introduction of a constitutional monarchy. But some are now calling for the removal of the royal family, which has led the Persian Gulf state since the 18th century. Young members of the country's Shiite Muslim majority have staged protests in recent years to complain about discrimination, unemployment and corruption, issues they say the country's Sunni rulers have done little to address. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights said authorities launched a clampdown on dissent in 2010. It accused the government of torturing some human rights activists.

JORDAN

Jordan's economy has been hit hard by the global economic downturn and rising commodity prices, and youth unemployment is high, as it is in Egypt. Officials close to the palace have told CNN that King Abdullah II is trying to turn a regional upheaval into an opportunity for reform. He swore in a new government following anti-government protests. The new government has a mandate for political reform and is headed by a former general, with opposition and media figures among its ranks.

SAUDI ARABIA

Demonstrators have demanded the release of Shiite prisoners who they feel are being held without cause. Others have taken to the streets over the creation of a constitutional monarchy, more rights and other reforms. Late last month, King Abdullah announced a series of sweeping measures aimed at relieving economic hardship.

MOROCCO

Protesters are seeking, among other things, political reforms to limit the monarchy's power and have not accepted reforms proposed by King Mohammed VI that demonstrators say do not go far enough, according to Human Rights Watch. As uprisings swept the region, the king proposed the creation of an elected prime minister position to serve as the government's chief executive, promotion of human rights and gender equality and economic improvements.