Policy Brief #026

Matouš Horčička’s new policy brief analyzes Iran's shifting geopolitical strategy following a turbulent 2024 marked by domestic instability and international setbacks. He highlights how Iran's weakened position opens a strategic window for Western diplomats to influence Tehran’s future direction and reduce its reliance on Russia and China. The brief explores potential diplomatic approaches to engage Iran and prevent further regional escalation.

Working paper #003

This working paper written by Robin E. Möser and Michal Onderco examines how African civil society can strengthen its role in global nuclear disarmament debates. It identifies three main barriers: restrictive visa policies, exclusionary expert language, and lack of funding. The authors propose hosting events in accessible locations, simplifying technical jargon, and providing financial support to enhance inclusivity and amplify African voices in nuclear policy discussions​.

PRCP Achieves Top National Score in the Jan Amos Comenius Operational Programme

The PRCP will play a key role in the project “Foreign Interference by External Powers in the Context of Contemporary Geopolitical and Technological Changes” (INTERFER). Launching in January 2025, the project received the highest national evaluation score and is funded by the Jan Amos Comenius Operational Programme until 2028. PRCP will contribute its interdisciplinary expertise and international network to advance research on foreign interference, ensuring the project’s scientific and policy relevance.

New publication: East Asia’s Alliance Dilemma (Public Perceptions of the Competing Risks of Extended Nuclear Deterrence)

This study, published in the Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, explores growing nuclear anxieties in East Asia. Researchers Lauren Sukin and Woohyeok Seo investigate how citizens of U.S.-aligned countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and Indonesia view nuclear threats. The study finds a delicate balance between fears of abandonment (being left undefended) and entrapment (being pulled into nuclear conflict) shaping public opinion.

New Horizon Europe Project TWIN4DEM

We are pleased to announce that the PRCP has joined the prestigious European research consortium under the Horizon Europe programme for the project entitled TWIN4DEM: Strengthening Democratic Resilience Through Digital Twins. Our team, alongside with the Centre for Digital Humanities Integration (C4DHI) is one of 11 partners from across Europe collaborating on this transdisciplinary initiative.

New publication: Historical analogies, traumatic past and responses to the war in Ukraine

This study by Irena Kalhousová, Eugene Finkel, and Jiří Kocián, explores how political leaders in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic use historical analogies to frame and justify their nations' responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Through analysis of speeches and statements, the authors reveal how each country's foreign policy narratives draw upon distinct historical traumas and national experiences, like the Second World War, the Cold War, and specific events such as the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

New publication: Elite-public gaps in attitudes towards Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

We conducted a survey of Czech citizens and members of parliament on attitudes towards Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The results show that parliamentarians are more supportive of pro-Israel policies, blame Palestinians more for the conflict and view Czech-Israel relations more positively than the general population. Our findings provide the first empirical evidence of a gap between elite and public attitudes towards Israel, contributing to debates on foreign policy preferences.

Invitation: U.S. Election Night

Invitation: U.S. Election Night

Join us for Election Night 2024, where we will analyze and discuss the results of the upcoming U.S. Presidential Elections. The event will take place on Tuesday, November 5th, from 20:00 at Kavárna na Boršově (Náprstkova 272/10, Prague 1). Together with Voxpot and the Department of North American Studies at Charles University, we'll explore the potential outcomes and stream live election results.

Don't forget to register via the provided form!