Publications

A Legacy of Strategic Research

Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) has built a distinguished record of research through its publications. These studies explore the long-term forces shaping conflict, cooperation, and global change. At the same time, they examine emerging challenges and identify opportunities for constructive action. Our first report, The Future of Pakistan (2002), launched a programme to anticipate future risks and develop policy options. In doing so, it established the foundation for SFG’s distinctive approach to strategic analysis. Since then, SFG has published extensively across a wide range of global issues. Moreover, every publication combines forward-looking research with practical recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders. As a result, this commitment has remained central to our work.

Addressing Global Challenges

Over more than two decades, our research has addressed both regional and international challenges. For example, we have explored the future of South Asia and analysed the costs of conflict in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East. Through these studies, we have highlighted the human, economic, and political consequences of instability. At the same time, we have identified pathways towards greater cooperation and lasting peace. In addition, our Blue Peace publications have examined water cooperation in the Middle East, the Nile Basin, and the Indian subcontinent. Importantly, they demonstrate how shared water resources can become a foundation for trust, dialogue, and regional stability. More recently, our research has expanded to address the opportunities and risks created by new technologies. Specifically, this includes studies on artificial intelligence in nuclear command systems and the broader implications of advanced AI for global security.

A Resource for the Future

Together, these publications reflect the evolution of SFG’s research and its response to a changing world. Presented chronologically, they offer a clear record of our intellectual journey and policy engagement. Furthermore, they provide a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, journalists, students, and anyone interested in global affairs. Ultimately, they demonstrate how ideas have developed over time while responding to emerging global priorities. Above all, they reflect SFG’s enduring commitment to evidence-based analysis that supports informed decisions on the world’s most complex challenges.

Water and Violence: Attacks on Water Infrastructure

The Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace called for protection of water resources and infrastructure from violent conflicts and terrorist acts. In this volume, we look at how attacks on water infrastructure have been carried out since ancient times by state as well as non-state actors.
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Attacks on Water Infrastructure

Interview with Danilo Turk

The Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace called for protection of water resources and infrastructure from violent conflicts and terrorist acts. The Panel submitted its report to the United Nations and the international community in September 2017. On the second anniversary of the release of its report, we interview Danilo Turk, Chairman of the Panel and former President of Slovenia, on various aspects of the Panel’s recommendation on protecting water resources from violent conflicts.
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Interview with Danilo Turk

Water and Violence: The Euphrates

The Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace called for protection of water resources and infrastructure from violent conflicts and terrorist acts. In this volume, we examine the region around the Euphrates River and the possible role that it could play in finding a future solution in Syria.
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EUPHRATES

Protection of Water: Local Solutions

The bulletin explores traditional means of conflict resolution that have been successful in resolving localised conflicts over water. Furthermore, it describes certain unresolved water related conflicts that could potentially be resolved using more local-level forms of conflict resolution.
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Protection of Water_ Local Solutions

Regional Water Protection Framework

There are a plethora of legal instruments including the Geneva Conventions that address the issue of protection of water resources especially during armed conflicts. However, its implementation is relegated to the realm of domestic polices of state parties. The protection of water resources and related infrastructure more often than not require collective, regional or basin level measures by states. This is therefore an attempt to lay down guidelines that states can adopt towards cooperative and collective security measures to protect water resources and infrastructure against acts of violence by terror groups or during international and non-international armed conflicts.
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Regional Water Protection Framework

Water and Violence: Somalia

In the drought and conflict stricken Somalia, water is often indiscriminately targeted or used as a weapon of war primarily by Al-Shabaab. Destruction of water infrastructure, blocking of access to rivers and other water sources, poisoning of wells of both civilians and peacekeepers are but some tactics deployed by the terror group. A holistic and coordinated response by the Somalian government, key countries such as Ethiopia, regional actors like the AU and the AMISOM peacekeeping forces could go a long way in helping the nation grapple with their water woes and protecting their dwindling resources.
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WATER AND VIOLENCE SOMALIA

Conference Reports

P5 Experts Roundtable- Online on AI- Nuclear Nexus

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P5 Experts Roundtable on Nuclear Risk Reduction