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Principal Search Engines, Libraries, Databases, Networks, and Directories
NOTE: Also check the many relevant links in the United States Government Information Sources, American Foreign Policy, International Relations Journals and Magazines, and Research Institutes sections of this Web site, among others.
AERADE
(AERospace And DEfence)-- From Cranfield University,
U.K., searchable directory to thousands of quality
aerospace and defense information sources worldwide ("web
sites, specialist databases, full text technical reports,
engineering design data, conferences and news"), plus other related AERADE services.
Combined Arms Research Library--
From the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort
Leavenworth, "The intent of this website is to introduce
the resources available at CARL and to extend our services
and support to military scholars worldwide by providing
access to a selection of our resources." Note especially
the Online Public Access Catalog.
Facts on International Relations and
Security Trends (FIRST)-- A project of the
International Relations and Security Network and the
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, to
provide free databased information on international
relations and security issues, by state, year, and
subject. "The integrated database system contains clearly
documented information from research institutes around the
world. It covers areas in the field of international
relations and security, such as hard facts on armed
conflicts and peace keeping, arms production and trade,
military expenditure, armed forces and conventional
weapons holding, nuclear weapons, chronology, statistics
and other reference data."
Global Terrorism Database-- From the University of Maryland, "open-source database including information on terrorist events around the world from 1970 through 2010 (with annual updates planned for the future). Unlike many other event databases, the GTD includes systematic data on domestic as well as international terrorist incidents that have occurred during this time period and now includes more than 98,000 cases."
International Relations and Security
Network-- World-class
searchable clearinghouse for resources in the field of
security and defense studies, peace and conflict research,
and international relations, with a large digital library.
"The world’s leading open access information service for
international relations and security professionals," from
the Center for Security Studies at the
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich.
Military Education and Research Library
Network (MERLN)-- The searchable joint site of
military education libraries in the United States (mainly)
and Europe, providing access to the library holdings and
online information resources of the "largest and most
comprehensive collections of military information
resources in the world." The Professional Military Journal Reading
Room features annotated links to online U.S. and
Canadian military journals. The Military Policy Awareness
Links are current listings of quality online information
and analysis sources, posted by the National Defense
University Library as a current awareness service on major
topics of U.S. military policy.
Navigating the Military Internet-- From the Dudley Knox Library, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, links to major United States military Internet sites, plus IGOs, think tanks, and research centers in the security issues area.
Peace
and Collaborative Development Network-- "Free
professional networking site that works to foster dialogue
and sharing of resources in international development,
conflict resolution, gender mainstreaming, human rights,
social entrepreneurship and related fields." Posts
"fellowship/scholarship opportunities, information about
relevant academic programs, training opportunities, news
about new publications... questions about new or ongoing
research projects, discussion of conflict regions, videos
and photos, and more."
Research Centers in International
Relations on the Web-- Very useful world list
maintained by the United States Institute of Peace
Library.
SearchMil.com-- Searches over one
million military (.mil) Web pages, indexed and ranked in
order of popularity.
Uppsala Conflict Data Program-- From Uppsala University's Department of Peace and Conflict Research, "information on a large number of aspects of armed violence [and peacemaking] since 1946," in the form of widely-referenced downloadable databases, a Conflict Encyclopaedia, definitions of concepts, country profiles, maps, charts, graphs, and publications.
Other Sources
• Arms Control Association-- National
nonpartisan membership organization promoting public
understanding of and support for effective arms control
policies, with online fact sheets, papers, full-text
documents, arms control briefings, subject and country
directories, and the journal Arms
Control Today.
• Beyond Intractability-- Searchable
online database of texts, articles, interviews,
references, and links about practical approaches to
resolving intractable conflicts.
• Bonn International Center for Conversion--
Clearinghouse on practical conversion experiences and
projects, to support and promote the process by which
resources are shifted from the military or the defense
sector towards civilian purposes. Posts many online free
"reports, briefs, and papers which analyze the
international conversion process, report on conversion
projects and experiences, and offer scientific as well as
practical know-how."
• British American Security Information
Council-- An independent research organization that
analyzes government policies in defense, disarmament,
military strategy, and nuclear issues. Many analytical
studies online.
• Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists--
Focus on "global security issues, especially the
continuing dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of
mass destruction, and the appropriate roles of nuclear
technology." Online copies of parts of the Bulletin,
the famous nuclear Doomsday Clock, and other information
about international security and nuclear issues.
• Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace-- Conducts
programs of research, discussion, publication, and
education in international affairs and U.S. foreign
policy, and publishes the quarterly journal Foreign
Policy. Specialties are "particularly in the areas
of Russia and Eurasia, China, the Indian
subcontinent/South Asia, globalization, nonproliferation
and security affairs." Many publications are posted online, such
as policy briefs, working papers, and reports. The
Carnegie Endowment has other centers in Moscow,
Beirut, and Brussels,
the latter for the EU.
• Center for International Development and
Conflict Management-- At the University of Maryland,
a research group that focuses on "the dynamics of conflict
and conflict resolution, with a special emphasis on the
role of economic development and information technology in
conflict-prone societies." Many publications and datasets
are available free online in full-text. Note especially
the excellent "Peace and Conflict" series that details
"major [global] trends in armed conflict,
self-determination movements, and democracy" and provides
a Peace and Conflict Ledger.
• Center for International Policy--
Policy organization in Washington, D.C. "promoting a U.S.
foreign policy based on international cooperation,
demilitarization and respect for basic human rights."
Posts International Policy Reports and a newsletter on
human rights, international security, and conflict
resolution issues.
• Center for Nonproliferation Studies-- At the Monterey Institute of International
Studies, this is the world's largest non-governmental
organization devoted to combating the spread of weapons of
mass destruction. Lots of resources on general and
headline topics.
• Center for Security Policy--
Conservative U.S. organization to stimulate and inform
national and international debate about all aspects of
security policy, especially those bearing on the interests
of the United States. Online publications and links to
current news items.
• Clingendael
Conflict
Research Unit-- Part of theNetherlands
Institute of International Relations, focusing on the
study of intrastate conflict and conflict management,
especially in the developing world. Studies, papers, and
seminar proceedings are online.
• Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)-- An excellent collaborative
multi-media database of resources relevant to teaching and
research on the Northern Ireland conflict, at the
University of Ulster.
• Country Reports on Terrorism-- U.S. Department of State yearly reports on terrorism around the world, submitted to the U.S. Congress.
• CRISE Network-- Based at Oxford University, an "association of scholars and practitioners concerned with the fundamental economic, political and cultural causes of violent conflict. Its particular focus is on the role of "horizontal inequalities" (inequalities among salient identity groups) in causing conflict, and in policies to correct such inequalities." Posts many papers on this topic.
• Defense-aerospace.com
offers the latest security and aerospace news and
analysis, plus a comprehensive defense link directory.
• Economics of Conflict-- Results of
completed World Bank research project on economic and
political causes and consequences of civil war, terrorism,
and violent crime in developing countries, and policies to
reduce their incidence.
• Federation of American Scientists--
A policy organization whose Board of Sponsors includes
over 55 American Nobel Laureates, AFS is engaged in
analysis and advocacy on science, technology, and
public policy for global security. Note the different
programs, such as the Intelligence Resource Program, the Nuclear
Resources Page, and the Arms Sales Monitoring Project. The
Federation of American Scientists posts links to the
excellent Congressional Research Service Reports
on international security issues.
• Fund for Peace-- Non-profit research
and educational NGO whose mission is "to prevent war and
alleviate the conditions that cause war" by specializing
in "the diagnosis and resolution of conflicts associated
with weak and failing states and on foreign policy
responses." Many insightful publications are posted,
including analytical reports, "The Failed States Index,"
and country profiles.
• Geneva Centre for Security Policy-- "International foundation established in 1995 with over 40 member states for the primary purpose of promoting the building and maintenance of peace, security and stability through training, research and dialogue." Posts studies on global and regional security issues.
• Global Peacebuilders-- "An
international network of conflict resolution, conflict
transformation and peacebuilding initiatives. By
connecting organisations, researchers, academics and
individual practitioners, we offer a solid platform for
learning, exchange of best practice and development of
international partnerships for reconciliation and
peacebuilding."
• Human Security Report Project--
Independent research centre affiliated with Simon Fraser
University in Vancouver, Canada. Excellent site "tracks
global and regional trends in organized violence, their
causes and consequences... Research findings and analyses
are published in the Human Security Report, Human
Security Brief series, and the miniAtlas of
Human Security... [and]... electronic newsletters on
global security issues." The Security Stats section presents
current and historical data on organized violence around
the world and the related death tolls. The Human Security Gateway is a "rapidly
expanding searchable online database of [thousands of]
human security-related resources including reports,
journal articles, news items and fact sheets. It is
designed to make human security-related research more
accessible to the policy and research communities, the
media, educators and the interested public."
• Institute for Economics and Peace-- "In conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit and with the guidance of an international team of academics and peace experts, [IEP] has compiled the Global Peace Index. The Index is composed of 23 indicators, ranging from a nation’s level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights [and] ranks the nations of the world by their peacefulness and identifies some of the drivers of peace." Posts considerable analysis of the concept, survey findings over several years, teaching materials, and publications on related peace topics such as the Global Terrorism Index Report.
• Institute for Science and International
Security-- Non-partisan research organization that
provides technical analyses of nuclear weapons programs
around the world, promoting nuclear transparency and
government accountability, and strengthening international
efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Online
publications, country studies, satellite imagery, and
mailing list.
• International Action Network on Small
Arms-- "The global network of civil society
organisations working to stop the proliferation and misuse
of small arms and light weapons," with much information on
the small arms proliferation issue and the campaign
against them.
• International Boundaries Research Unit--
At the University of Durham, "works to minimise conflict
associated with international boundaries on land and at
sea around the world."
Especially useful are the Boundary
Resources.
• International Campaign to Ban Landmines--
Information on the landmines issue and the campaign
against them. Note especially the extensive annual Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor
reports, country profiles, and other data.
• International Crisis Group--
"Independent, non-profit, multinational organisation...
working through field-based analysis and high-level
advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict." Quality
factual and analytical information on crisis spots in
reports, briefings, and databases. Offers CrisisWatch,
a bulletin on "all the most significant situations of
conflict or potential conflict around the world."
• International Institute for Counter-Terrorism-- Based in Israel, this site is a comprehensive resource on international terrorism and counter-terrorism, featuring an extensive database on terrorist organizations and attacks, an interactive forum, news updates, and many articles on international terrorism.
• International Peace
Institute-- "Independent, international
not-for-profit think tank with a staff representing more
than 20 nationalities, located in New York across from
United Nations headquarters... dedicated to promoting the
prevention and settlement of conflicts between and within
states by strengthening international peace and security
institutions." Many publications and videos on that topic.
• International Security Information
Service, Europe-- "Brussels-based independent
research and advisory organisation working on aspects of
security, defence and peace policies of the EU and NATO.... facilitates parliamentary and
inter-institutional dialogue with all stakeholders and
provides policy input to strengthen common approaches to
conflict prevention, crisis management, peace building,
arms control and disarmament.."
• Internet
Service on Conflict Resolution and Ethnicity-- INCORE, of the University of Ulster and the
United Nations University, is a large essential
world-class resource and search facility for those in the
area of conflict resolution and ethnic conflict. Their Conflict Data Service is "an entry
point to an information network in the field of Conflict
Resolution and Ethnicity, providing quick and
user-friendly access to quality information." The Internet Country Guides "provide
information about internet resources on conflict and
ethnicity specific to particular countries and regions."
Copies of the Ethnic Conflict Research Digest are
online.
• MIT Security Studies Program--
"Graduate-level research and educational program based at
the Center for International Studies at MIT." Site posts
an annual report, research journal, newsletter, working
paper series, and conference series.
• National Defense University-- Many
publications, policy news and views, and links from the
top school of the U.S. military services. Note the many
sectors of the NDU complex, each of which has online
information in its specialized area. The complex includes
the National
War College, Institute for National Strategic Studies,
and the William
J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies,
among others.
• Nonproliferation Policy Education Center--
"Project of the Institute for International Studies... a
nonpartisan, nonprofit, educational organization founded
in 1994 to promote a better understanding of strategic
weapons proliferation issues. NPEC educates policymakers,
journalists, and university professors about proliferation
threats and possible new policies and measures to meet
them."
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization--
NATO is attempting to participate in the development of
cooperative security structures for the whole of Europe.
This site has a complete archive of all official documents
and both general and specific NATO publications. Note
the NATO Review magazine. The NATO
Defense College posts publications and studies on
topics related to the alliance.
• Nuclear Threat Initiative-- Founded
by Ted Turner and former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, "to
strengthen global security by reducing the risk of use and
preventing the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical
weapons." Large site posts a WMD news service, tutorials,
country surveys, maps, policy papers, documents, media
materials, and databases.
• Online
Encyclopedia of Mass Violence-- Multi-university
project that "provides chronological indexes, case
studies, analytical contributions on socio-political
violence in a given country, a glossary of the terms most
often used in genocide studies as well as theoretical
papers written by the most representative authors in the
field... a regularly updated electronic database focusing
on massacres and genocides of the 20th century."
• Project on Defense Alternatives--
Offers critical analysis of U.S. defense policy, as well
as those of other nations, to adapt military policy to the
circumstances of the post-Cold War era, with pragmatic,
cost-effective alternative defense policy options that
support progress toward more cooperative means of
attaining security. Thousands of studies and reports are
linked or posted online.
• Pugwash Conferences on Science and World
Affairs--International scientific organization
dedicated to eliminating nuclear weapons and war, reducing
the danger of armed conflict, and seeking cooperative
solutions for global problems. Features reports and
statements, publications on key global security issues
including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons,
regional conflict, and science and society.
• Royal United Services
Institute-- World-class "independent think tank
engaged in cutting edge defence and security research," in
London, with expertise "utilised by governments,
parliament and other key stakeholders." Posts
authoritative studies online-- "rigorous, expert and
objective analysis of current trends and developments"--
some free and some for members only.
• Saferworld--
"Independent
non-governmental organisation [based in the UK] that works
to prevent and reduce violent conflict and promote
cooperative approaches to security... through advocacy,
research and policy development and through supporting the
actions of others." Posts "research reports, briefing
papers, articles and training packs."
• Small
Arms Survey Project-- From the Graduate Institute of
International and Development Studies, Geneva, a
multinational effort to spread information and analysis
about the proliferation of small arms and light weapons
around the world. Many publications and resources online,
including the annual Small Arms Survey.
• Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute-- One of the foremost institutes of its
type in the world, SIPRI excels in the collection and
analysis of data on weapons developments, arms transfers
and production, and military expenditure, as well as on
arms limitations, reductions and disarmament. Large
quantity of information and analysis online.
• Terrorism,
Transnational
Crime and Corruption Center-- "The first center in
the United States devoted to understanding the links among
terrorism, transnational crime and corruption, and to
teach, research, train and help formulate policy on these
critical issues," from the School of Public Policy at
George Mason University. Emphasis on the CIS, with many
studies and links posted online.
• United Nations Institute for Disarmament
Research-- This UN organization provides
information, summaries, and some full-text results of
research on nuclear, biological, chemical, missile, small
arms, landmine, peacekeeping, and education issues.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime--
Much news, information, and analysis on illicit drugs,
drug abuse, drug trafficking, organized crime, criminal
justice, terrorism, corruption, and human trafficking.
Note the annual "World Drug Report."
• United Nations Peace and Security Page--
Master page for all United Nations sites on peace and
security, with full documentation and activities.
• United Nations Peacekeeping Operations--
Much information on current and completed missions, from
the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
• United
States Army War College-- The top school in the U.S.
Army educational system, with many excellent international
affairs and security studies accessible online. The Library provides useful military and
security resources, including topical bibliographies. Note
the Parameters journal and the Strategic Studies Institute pages.
The U.S.
Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
may be of interest.
• United States Institute of Peace-- The mission of the USIP is to strengthen the
nation's capabilities to promote the peaceful resolution
of international conflicts. Institute project reports,
briefings, event summaries, and news items are available
online, with archives and extensive links on conflict
topics. Note the Publications & Tools section and
the Research Centers in International
Relations on the Web directory, by country. Peace Terms is an "extensive
glossary [that] provides short definitions of a wide range
of complex and often confusing terms used in the field of
conflict resolution."