The use and proliferation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in West Africa has intensified over the past two decades. Until now, the study of these phenomena and their impacts has rarely provided an overview of the status and evolution of IEDs proliferation and use in the sub-region. Through the implementation of a quantitative and qualitative incident methodology, this paper aims to establish a baseline of the state of proliferation intensity and a perspective on the nature of IEDs use in West Africa from 2010 to mid-2022. The results of this work shed light on how IEDs have proliferated in the sub-region through a geographical, strategic, operational, technical and contextual intensification of their uses. The paper thus provides a historical overview, while exploring potential future trends in the field.
Received: 2022-11-22Revised: 2023-01-24
Located in the heart of Europe, isolated in the middle of the mountains, Liechtenstein, one of the richest countries in the world, is gradually trying to find a place in the European Union. Between historical diplomatic heritage and global financial economy, relations between Liechtenstein and the European Union are very much influenced. Often considered a "micro" Swiss in terms of its European policy, the interest of research is to discern the complexities of the European integration of this country and the differences between Switzerland and Liechtenstein from an economic, political and European integration point of view. By analysing the historical and modern relations of Liechtenstein within Europe, as well as between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and with the European Union, with the help of economic and legal tools, this article aims to the factors that have influenced and still influence Liechtenstein on its European integration, as well as the factors that distinguish Switzerland from Liechtenstein. The results show that Liechtenstein is more advanced in terms of European integration than Switzerland and that Liechtenstein has gradually emancipated itself from Switzerland's political "guardianship".
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.