The Wardman Wire

A weekly roundup of publications, reports, events & articles from the leading UK think tanks.

Welcome to this week’s Think-tank Roundup. Perhaps still a little on the thin side this week as silly season draws to a close but you’ll still find worthwhile stuff on the Russia-Georgia conflict, Climate Change, Middle East negotiations from the negotiators perspective David Lammy’s thoughts on handling Cameron. No roundup next week since I’m on holiday but I’ll be sure to reflect everything I’ve missed in the next one.

As ever please use the comments for anything I’ve missed…

Reports & Publications…

• The Institute of Economic Affairs published “The Legal Foundations of Free Markets” – a collection of essays in which ‘leading experts discuss the role of law in market economies’
• Policy Exchange published “The Root of the Matter” – a look at “the role of the natural world in regulating greenhouse gases in the atmosphere: specifically, the unique role that forests peatlands have to play in the battle against rising emissions”. The report argues that changing approach would “significantly reduce the cost of tackling climate change and deliver a variety of other benefits.”

Articles, Speeches & Briefings…

• One to keep an eye on really – Chatham House has announced a new project ‘Rethinking the United States’ International Role’ and looking to “offer outside perspectives on the United States’ future capacity and potential to influence the world beyond its borders.” The project will be led by Chatham House Director Dr Robin Niblett and will report back in January 2009 ahead of the new President’s inauguration.
• The European Council on Foreign Relations have a very worthy Policy Brief on the Russia-Georgia conflict looking at the background to the conflict and the challenges facing the EU in responding. The brief argues that “short-term sanctions and punitive action against Russia would be counterproductive. Instead, the EU should follow up the six-point peace agreement with a comprehensive regional strategy for Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus”
• Also at the ECFR José Ignacio Torreblanca has a good short piece on the situation in Ossetia – “In just a few days, the entire European order has been badly shaken. Consequences will be far-reaching.”
• A shame I missed this from last weeks ‘Events’ section but the IPPR carry the audio from Friday’s event – “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: a negotiator’s perspective”. Key speaker was Moty Cristal, negotiations adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister and he “discusses the current situation on the ground in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the prospect for negotiations going forward”. Moty also looked at the US elections in November and what impact a new US President might have.
• On Progress David Lammy offers his take on how Labour should respond to the Conservatives ‘broken society’ theme…
• The Henry Jackson Society released one of their strategic briefings on the Russia-Georgia conflict…

Events & Meetings…

• The IPPR will host “A nation divided by income?” - a research and policy seminar on the relationship between housing benefit, worklessness and income segregation. Speakers will be David Cowans, Group Chief Executive of Places for People and Professor Peter Kemp, Barnett Professor of Social Policy at Oxford. The seminar is on Tuesday 2nd September, please contact Kayte Lawton - k.lawton@ippr.org – for more details.
• At the RSA Matthew Taylor will host a discussion entitled “Unjust Rewards: exposing the greed and inequality in Britain today” based on Polly Toynbee and David Walker’s recent book of the same name. As well as Polly & David Matthew will be joined by Will Hutton and David Willets MP. It’s at the RSA in John Adam St. on Thursday 4th September and there are more details here.
• Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve will launch Reform’s latest research paper ‘The Lawful Society’ on Mon 1st September at Bloomberg, City Gate House at 1200. Contact Anna Calvert by email at anna.calvert@reform.co.uk for more details.