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The Conflict in Sudan

The Human Consequences of Economic Sanctions: A Conversation with Francisco Rodríguez

The Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Turkish 2023 Presidential Election Heads for a Run Off: Analysis and Implications

SiC Podcast Episode 4: Palestine: Solidarity and Struggle

EVENT: March 29, 2023 - Women, Life, Freedom: Whither Iran?

Please join Security in Context along with the OU Center for Peace and Development and the OU Farzaneh Family Center for Iranian and Persian Gulf Studies for, "Women, Life, Freedom: Whither Iran?" a talk with Sohrab Behdad, Professor of Economics at Denison University.

Transcript: Zapatista Stories for Dreaming An-Other World: A Conversation with Margaret Cerullo

Anita Fuentes interviews professor Margaret Cerullo, a professor of Sociology and Feminist Studies at Hampshire College and a member of the Lightning Collective, which put together the book “Zapatista Stories for Dreaming An-Other World by Subcomandante Marcos.”

IN-PERSON EVENT: March 7, 2023 - War With China: How Likely? What's Forcing It? Can It Be Prevented?

WAR WITH CHINA: How Likely? What's Forcing It? Can It Be Prevented?

EVENT: April 3, 2023 - #YemenCan'tWait: Civil Actors and Justice Work in Yemen

Please join Security in Context with the OU Center for Middle East Studies and the OU Center for Peace and Development for, "#YemenCan'tWait: Civil Actors and Justice Work in Yemen," a talk with Stacey Philbrick Yadav.

Security in Context 2023 Events Lineup!

This year, we offer an exciting lineup of online webinars, in person conferences, guest lectures, online panels, and more. Here are some of the events we have in store for 2023. This page will be updated as more events are added. As always, please check the Events section of the website for more details on each event.

EVENT: March 7, 2023 - The Quasi-Inflation of 2021-2022: A Case of Bad Analysis and Worse Policies

The Quasi-Inflation of 2021-2022: A Case of Bad Analysis and Worse Policies is a talk with Dr. James Galbraith from the University of Texas, Austin.

Security in Context Podcast Episode 6: Two Years of Security in Context

What has Security in Context achieved in the past two years? And what does the future hold for the project?

February 1: Book Launch & Discussion: Kevin Funk's Rooted Globalism: Arab–Latin American Business Elites and the Politics of Global Imaginaries

An upcoming discussion of Kevin Funk's October 2022 book, titled "Rooted Globalism: Arab–Latin American Business Elites and the Politics of Global Imaginaries".

A Transformative Participatory Approach to Addressing the Syrian Conflict

Rabie Nasser's presentation about a participatory approach to the Syrian Conflict, in the session on "Insecurity in MENA" within the inaugural Security in Context conference titled Landscapes of Insecurity.

Increased US Intervention and Global Insecurity

Joshua Landis presents his study on US intervention's relationship with global insecurity, in the session on "Insecurity in MENA" within the inaugural Security in Context conference titled Landscapes of Insecurity that was held September 16th & 17th at the University of Oklahoma Norman in collaboration with the Center for Peace and Development.

Lula wins but Bolsonarismo remains: Ana Barreto on the 2022 Brazilian election

Security in Context's Roosbelinda Cárdenas interviews scholar Ana Barreto about Brazil's general elections, the results of which were finalized on October 30th, 2022.

Gender, Global Violence, and the Killing Power of Neocolonial Narratives: How Can Higher Ed Change The Frame?

In conversation with Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini and Omar Dahi.

Woman, Life, Freedom: A Feminist Movement Reimagines the World

While there is a long history of feminist activism in Iran, this new movement is striking in its departure from the more pragmatic and reform-oriented campaigns of the last several decades. The uprising is not against Islam or the choice to wear hijab; rather the protestors are refusing conscription into regimes of patriarchal authority and gender-differentiated citizenship.

Brazil, an Authoritarian Crossroads

Inspired by Trump, Bolsonaro will exploit Brazilian elections to foment violence.

How War Survivors Experience Time

War deeply impacts the experience of time for survivors. For society to prosper, the violent past, present, and future cannot be avoided. Hence, peacebuilders should stress the idea of “remember and change,” rather than forgive and forget.

The Cuban Dilemma: Antiracism and international solidarity lost in translation

This article undertakes what Aziz Rana calls a “tailored analysis” of the Cuban case, paying attention to local histories and international entanglements in order to better engage in solidarity across borders.

What is Security in Context?

An introduction to the SiC initiative, an international research initiative on peace, conflict, and international affairs.

TRANSCRIPT: The Russian War in Ukraine: An Interview with Eric Draitser

Anita Fuentes interviews independent political analyst Eric Draitser about the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, discussing the roots and implications of the war.

TRANSCRIPT: The Russian War in Ukraine: An Interview with Arlene B. Tickner

Anita Fuentes interviews professor Arlene B. Tickner about her perspectives on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, bringing her knowledge of Latin America into the conversation.

Surveillance and Securitization of Queer Bodies in Egypt

In January 2022, an Arabic version of the film Perfect Strangers became the focus of public outrage. The uproar was about more than just a controversial movie, however, and, upon closer analysis, revealed the role of undergarments in the injustice perpetrated against queer subjects.

Colombia’s stakes at the polls: from pervasive fear to "Vivir Sabroso"

TRANSCRIPT: The Russian War in Ukraine: An Interview with Noha Aboueldahab

Anita Fuentes interviews author and professor Noha Aboueldahab about her perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly drawing from the Middle East perspective.

Forum Arms Trade

The Military Industrial Complex and the Middle East: A mutual extortion racket? Jodi Vittori, Samer Abboud, and Omar Dahi discuss different aspects of US foreign policy in the Middle East. Hosted by Clare O'Brien.

Security in Context Podcast Episode 4: Palestine: Solidarity and Struggle

Climate Responsibility and Industrialization: A New Asian Dilemma?

Poetry, Peace, and Truth: Lessons from Columbian Young People with Dr. Kate Vieira

Security in Context Podcast Episode 3: Toxic Politics of Climate Change

"The American Way: Stories of Invasion": A Discussion

Identifying the Policy Levers that Generated Wage Suppression in the US

Landmine Clearance, Rats, and Peacebuilding in Cambodia

Climate Change in an Unequal World with James K. Boyce

An Interview with Fouad Touzani

Interview with Haidar Reda

Security in Context Podcast Episode 2: The Socio-Economic Impacts of Covid-19

You Have Not Been Defeated: The Politics of Abolition

Omnia Khalil is joined by Laila Soueif, Ruth Wilson-Gilmore, and Hend Nafea to discuss Alaa el-Fattah's book "You Have Not Been Defeated."

Does Aid Target the Poorest? Professor Ryan Briggs

Cultural Attitudes and Vaccine Resistance

The Meaning of Blue: Climate Change and the Maldives

Security in Context Podcast Episode 1: Afghanistan: White Feminism and Geopolitics

Legacies and Aftermaths of the US "War on Terror"

Legacies and Aftermaths of the US "War On Terror"

Security in Context and the Orfalea Center for Global Studies at UCSB present: Legacies and Aftermaths of the US "War On Terror."

Climate Change in an Unequal World with James K. Boyce

A discussion with James K Boyce.

"Sucked Dry" Interview Transcript

The following article is a transcript of the interview with the authors of "Sucked Dry", Annika McGinnis and Fredrick Mugira, conducted by Nayifa Nihad. Please visit our youtube page for the full video interview.

Launch of Latin East Working Group

Latin East Webinar

"Sheikh Jarrah and Jerusalem in Historical Perspective" Professor Issam Nassar

Genocide and Healing: A Discussion with Contributors to the book "Art From Trauma"

Book Panel February 18th: Inter-imperiality by Laura Doyle

Please join us for a panel to discuss "Inter-imperiality: Vying Empires, Gendered Labor, and the Literary Arts of Alliance" with author Laura Doyle, Kate Bedford, & Scarlett Cornelissen & moderated by Mark Laffey.

Mega Dams and Human Insecurity in East Africa: A Discussion with Edward Stevenson

Join us for a discussion with Edward Stevenson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Durham University

Teaching International Relations in the Periphery

Global Carceral States: Violence, Transgressions, and Methodologies of Imprisonment

This conference on May 21-22 2021 presents an opportunity for scholars to contribute to our understanding of prisons, torture, violence, securitization and related issues..

Infrastructural Brutalism: Art and the Necropolitics of Infrastructure

Book Discussion with Michael Truscello

Construction Jihad, Iran's Foreign Development Agency: Eric Lob

Firat Demir spoke with Dr. Eric Lob, a member of the SiC multipolarity working group and associate professor of International Relations at Florida International University, about his research on Iran's Foreign Development Agency "Construction Jihad."

Globalization of China's Development Finance: Bo Kong

Professor Bo Kong, a member of the SiC Multipolarity working group discusses his research on the globalization of China's Development Finance Model particularly in the Energy Sector.

Infrastructural Brutalism: Book Panel with Michael Truscello

On March 24th, 2021, Security in Context's Endemic Infrastructures working group hosted its first public event, a discussion with Michael Truscello on his book Infrastructural Brutalism: Art and the Necropolitics of Infrastructure (The MIT Press, 2020).

Resource Radicals and Left Politics in Ecuador: Thea Riofrancos

Omar Dahi interviewed Thea Riofrancos, assistant professor of political science at Providence College, about her latest book Resource Radicals: From Petro-Nationalism to Post-Extractivism in Ecuador (Duke University Press, 2020).

Mega Dams and Human Insecurity in East Africa: Jed Stevenson

Chinese Belt and Road from a Comparative Perspective: Min Ye

Firat Demir spoke with Professor Min Ye about her work with the Security in Context Multipolarity working group.

OilCraft and Racism's Raw Materials: Interview with Robert Vitalis

Omar Dahi interviewed Bob Vitalis about his latest book "OilCraft: The Myths of Scarcity and Security that Haunt US Foreign Policy", as well as his involvement with Security in Context multipolarity working group through his ongoing research titled "Racism's Raw Materials."

Self-Devouring Growth: Dr. Julie Livingston

Dr. Julie Livingston discussed her latest book "Self-Devouring Growth: A Planetary Parable As Told From Southern Africa" as part of the collaboration between the University of Oklahoma's Center for Peace and Development and Security in Context.

Using GIS mapping to reframe post-conflict aid distribution- Sri Lanka as a case study

In post-conflict Sri Lanka, aid has not been directed towards areas inhabited by politically and ethnically marginalized groups. As Nara Sritharan explains, the overlap of areas destroyed by the 2004 Tsunami and those most affected by civil conflict allows for an opportunity to study the uneven allocation of aid in more than one instance.

Self-Devouring Growth: A Lecture with Dr. Julie Livingston

Join SiC and OU CPD for a lecture with Dr. Julie Livingston, author of "Self-Devouring Growth: A planetary Parable as Told From Southern Africa" (Duke University Press, 2019)..

The Kolbers of Rojhelat (Iranian Kurdistan) with Dr. Ahmad Mohammadpour

Part II of a discussion with Dr. Ahmad Mohammadpour about his ongoing research in Iran on Kurdish issues, including pioneering research on the cross border traders knowns as the Kolbers.

Women as War Criminals- Dr. Izabela Steflja

Dr. Izabela Steflja discusses her co-authored book, Women as War Criminals.

Clements Hoffman on The Geopolitics of Decarbonization in the Middle East

Dr. Clemens Hoffman, a member of the SiC political economy of multipolarity working group, discusses his research project on the geopolitics of decarbonization in the Middle East.

Dr. Heidi Peltier on Falling Profits, Monopoly Power and Arms Manufacturers

Inter-Imperiality: Vying Empires, Gendered Labor, and the Literary Arts of Alliance: Book Panel

Security in Context hosted a panel to discuss Laura Doyle's book Inter-imperiality: Vying Empires, Gendered Labor, and the Literary Arts of Alliance.

Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe on Women's Empowerment in Uganda

Activist and educator Sister Rosemary Nyirube speaks of her work with women in Northern Uganda, the various insecurities they face, and her work to empower women socially and economically.

Women, Human Rights and Insecurity in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones

Join the Oklahoma University Center for Peace and Development and Security in Context this Friday, February 5 (1-2 PM CST/ 2-3 PM US Eastern time) for a lecture with Dr. Izebela Steflja (Tulane University) on 'Women, Human Rights and Insecurity in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones. The event will be moderated by Dr. Zermarie Deacon, Associate Professor of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma.

Global Uprising: Policing as Politics, Policing as War

Paul Amar, Nadia Abu El-Haj, Stuart Schrader, and Nikhil Pal Singh discuss global police and military structures as similar coercive bodies subject to differing levels of scrutiny.

Military Spending and the Profit Rate under Capitalism: Adem Elveren

In this video, Professor Adem Elveren, a member of the Security in Context Financialization and Militarism working group, presents the main findings of his latest book The Economics of Military Spending: A Marxist Perspective (Routledge 2019).

Public Launch: Security in Context

Join us for our online public launch where we will discuss the Security in Context initiative and its various components, as well as introduce some of the people and networks involved. Click below for the full event video.

War on Development in Syria: Interview with Omar Dahi

Project Director Omar Dahi discusses the 2011 uprisings, the Syrian refugee crisis, and emerging South-South relations.

NACLA, CLACSO, ACSS, and SiC: Latin America-MENA Workshop

The Turn to the Right Wing, Intervention, and Insecurity

A two-day conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 7th and 8th, 2020. Co-sponsored with CLACSO, ACSS, and the Latin East Initiative

Daniel Mains "Under Construction: Technologies of Development in Urban Ethiopia"

Daniel Mains of the University of Oklahoma is interviewed by Firat Demir about his new book, Under Construction: Technologies of Development in Urban Ethiopia (2019 Duke University Press).

Bringing Context to 'Security': the Launch of a New Project

Dominant security narratives in the West tend to obfuscate how security and insecurity are experienced and produced around the world. Centering global perspectives, often marginalized, is essential to understanding the different contexts, scales and registers of global security realities.

Kurdish Movements Panel

The causes and consequences of Turkish invasion of northern Syria specifically on the future of Kurdish movements featuring Omar Dahi, Utku Balaban, Ahmet Tonak, and Zumray Kutlu. Hosted by Clare O'Brien.

Security Climate Change

Does the United States military see climate change as an immanent threat? This podcast presents a critical discussion of US military plans for climate change featuring Michael Klare, Betsy Hartmann, and Anne Hendrixson. Hosted by Omar Dahi.

Interview with Kamal Soleimani and Ahmad Mohammadpour

Firat Demir hosts Kamal Soleimani, El Colegio de Mexico, and Ahmad Mohammadpour, UMass Amherst

Interview with Philippe Frowd

Philippe Frowd on borders and his book: Security at the Borders: Transnational Practices and Technologies in West Africa

Dr. Giulia El Dardiry on the Beirut School of Critical Security Studies and SiC

Dr. Giulia El Dardiry discusses the work of the Beirut School of Critical Security Studies collective, a working group within the Arab Council for the Social Sciences

Dr. Shana Marshall explains Financialization and Militarization

Dr. Shana Marshall explains the Financialization and Militarization research track of Security in Context

Dr. Lisa Hajjar Presents Legacies of the Global War on Terror Thematic Track

Dr. Lisa Hajjar, Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Barbara, provides an overview of the Legacies of the Global War on Terror thematic track.

Professor Paul Amar presents Orfalea Center and SiC Collaboration

Professor Paul Amar, Director of the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies and Professor of Global Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara on the Center's collaboration with SiC

Professor Firat Demir on CPD at OU and SiC Collaboration

Firat Demir, Professor of Economics at the University of Oklahoma Norman and project director at the Center for Peace and Development explains the collaboration between the CPD and SiC

Professor Fikret Adaman on Boğaziçi University and SiC Collaboration

Professor Fikret Adaman of Boğaziçi University discusses the collaboration between the Human Development Research Center and SiC.

Professor Nicole Grove Presents Endemic Infrastructures Research Track

Professor Nicole Grove, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Hawai'i Manoa presents an overview of the "Endemic Infrastructures" thematic track.

Professor Zaynab El Bernoussi Presents Dignity, Democracy, Development Research Track

Professor Zaynab El Bernoussi, assistant professor of international politics at Sciences Po Rabat, discusses collaboration with SiC around her research on Dignity, Democracy, Development

Global Insecurity is the online magazine for the Security in Context initiative. Global Insecurity draws on the expertise of SiC scholars and highlights research, interviews, and briefs from SiC research projects. Global Insecurity also publishes outside contributors and serves as a forum for analysis and debate on pressing global issues.

We will consider articles that are analytically compelling and related to a topic on global (in)security, broadly defined. This could include, but is not limited to, critical international relations and political economy; multipolarity; great power competition and the global South; race, gender, and (in)security; transnational war economies; and critical security studies.

Potential authors should send a one- to three-sentence pitch to submissions@securityincontext.org. You may also send complete articles, but pitches are preferred. We do not have the capacity to respond in detail to each submission, but a Global Insecurity editor will be in touch if your entry is accepted.

Commentary pieces should be between 500 to 750 words, and analytical articles range between 1000 and 2500 words, although, in some circumstances, essays may exceed that limit. Links to reputable sources should be embedded in the text.