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THE CORRUPTION IN
FRAGILE STATES BLOG

Bribes, Gratuities… and Passing the Buck

Bribes, Gratuities… and Passing the Buck

Bribes, Gratuities… and Passing the Buck

The United States is facing an emerging corruption problem that so far has drawn relatively little notice. Relying primarily upon federal prosecutors to check state and local corruption has always been a questionable strategy, and it is now about to become even less of a deterrent.

CORRUPTION AS A SYSTEM

Michael Johnston and Oguzhan Dincer

Apr 127 min read

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The Bangsamoro Peace Process: how Anti-Corruption Featured (or Not)

The Bangsamoro Peace Process: how Anti-Corruption Featured (or Not)

The Bangsamoro Peace Process: how Anti-Corruption Featured (or Not)

Anti-corruption was conspicuous by its absence in the 2014 Bangsomaro peace agreement.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Balázs Áron Kovács

Oct 16, 20246 min read

Two Years into the War in Ukraine: the Status of Anti-Corruption and the Challenges Ahead

Two Years into the War in Ukraine: the Status of Anti-Corruption and the Challenges Ahead

Two Years into the War in Ukraine: the Status of Anti-Corruption and the Challenges Ahead

The war in Ukraine two years on and the impact on anti-corruption efforts.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Olha Chernovol

Feb 24, 20245 min read

Spoilt for Choice: Best of 2023

Spoilt for Choice: Best of 2023

Spoilt for Choice: Best of 2023

Corruption in Fragile States blog editor Catherine Garson chooses ‘five of the best’ from 2023. Find out what makes them excellent!

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Catherine Garson, CJL

Jan 26, 20245 min read

Weaponization, Retaliation, Diversion, Mobilization, Division – Oh my!!!

Weaponization, Retaliation, Diversion, Mobilization, Division – Oh my!!!

Weaponization, Retaliation, Diversion, Mobilization, Division – Oh my!!!

Conflict sensitivity in AC programs: Preliminary research shows how AC programs can unintentionally fuel conflict

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church - CJL

Jan 14, 20245 min read

If Anti-Corruption is a ‘Different Animal’, Do the Usual Approaches to Conflict Sensitivity Apply?

If Anti-Corruption is a ‘Different Animal’, Do the Usual Approaches to Conflict Sensitivity Apply?

If Anti-Corruption is a ‘Different Animal’, Do the Usual Approaches to Conflict Sensitivity Apply?

Conflict sensitivity in AC programs: why standard approaches might not be enough.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Lara Olson, CJL

Nov 27, 20236 min read

An Editor’s Three Provocations for the Anti-Corruption Field

An Editor’s Three Provocations for the Anti-Corruption Field

An Editor’s Three Provocations for the Anti-Corruption Field

A writer and editor on the anti-corruption field’s communication problem.

CORRUPTION AS A SYSTEM

Alex Ralph, CJL

Oct 22, 20235 min read

Tired Language and Ineffective Reforms

Tired Language and Ineffective Reforms

Tired Language and Ineffective Reforms

Michael Johnston on the anti-corruption field’s stale language problem—and how it contributes to lazy thinking and ineffective reforms.

CORRUPTION AS A SYSTEM

Michael Johnston, Colgate University (Emeritus)

Oct 1, 20238 min read

Weapons Against Corruption In Ukraine: 5 Steps to Kill the Enemy Within

Weapons Against Corruption In Ukraine: 5 Steps to Kill the Enemy Within

Weapons Against Corruption In Ukraine: 5 Steps to Kill the Enemy Within

Martina Boguslavets offers a ground-level view of ongoing Ukrainian anti-corruption reforms plus essential reforms for reconstruction.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Martina Boguslavets, Institute of Legislative Ideas

Sep 1, 20236 min read

Does Anti-Corruption Do No Harm?

Does Anti-Corruption Do No Harm?

Does Anti-Corruption Do No Harm?

To do good without doing harm: Lara Olson calls for anti-corruption programs to embrace conflict sensitivity.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Lara Olson, CJL

May 26, 20238 min read

Polygamous relationships: how conflict and peacebuilding fuel corruption

Polygamous relationships: how conflict and peacebuilding fuel corruption

Polygamous relationships: how conflict and peacebuilding fuel corruption

In a follow-up post, Scharbatke-Church and Chigas examine how peacebuilding can fuel corruption.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Diana Chigas, CJL

Apr 13, 20239 min read

The role of illicit wealth and power in driving conflict: Six Takeaways

The role of illicit wealth and power in driving conflict: Six Takeaways

The role of illicit wealth and power in driving conflict: Six Takeaways

Yes, corruption worsens conflict, but Scharbatke-Church and Chigas call for greater emphasis on knowing how and why.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Diana Chigas, CJL

Apr 3, 20239 min read

Eight assumptions that should never appear in a FCAS logframe

Eight assumptions that should never appear in a FCAS logframe

Eight assumptions that should never appear in a FCAS logframe

Assumptions matter: Scharbatke-Church and Chigas offer eight key don’ts to improve anti-corruption programming in FCAS.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church - CJL

Feb 19, 20238 min read

"Corruption is Governance": Reflections on the failure to address corruption in Afghanistan

"Corruption is Governance": Reflections on the failure to address corruption in Afghanistan

"Corruption is Governance": Reflections on the failure to address corruption in Afghanistan

On the anniversary of the US withdrawal, Arne Strand finds lessons in the collective failure to address corruption in Afghanistan.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Arne Strand, Chr. Michelsen Institute

Sep 9, 20227 min read

Hasty marriage or open-ended courtship: What do anti-corruption & peacebuilding communities need?

Hasty marriage or open-ended courtship: What do anti-corruption & peacebuilding communities need?

Hasty marriage or open-ended courtship: What do anti-corruption & peacebuilding communities need?

Two friends, Lara Olson and Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church, debate the obstacles to a stronger union between peacebuilding and anti-corruption.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Lara Olson, CJL

Jul 21, 20228 min read

Peacebuilding & Anti-Corruption: Five Steps to Further the Conversation

Peacebuilding & Anti-Corruption: Five Steps to Further the Conversation

Peacebuilding & Anti-Corruption: Five Steps to Further the Conversation

To combat corruption and conflict, the Berghof Foundation’s Calum Humphreys argues for a new joint peacebuilding/anti-corruption agenda.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Calum Humphreys, Berghof Foundation

Jul 14, 20227 min read

Putin and the Pinstripe Army

Putin and the Pinstripe Army

Putin and the Pinstripe Army

Patrick Alley argues democracy’s fate depends both on defeating Putin in Ukraine and the pinstripe army of enablers in the UK and beyond.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Patrick Alley, Global Witness

Jun 17, 20228 min read

Accomplishing the Impossible: How Ukraine Advanced Anti-Corruption Reforms in Defense & Security

Accomplishing the Impossible: How Ukraine Advanced Anti-Corruption Reforms in Defense & Security

Accomplishing the Impossible: How Ukraine Advanced Anti-Corruption Reforms in Defense & Security

Huss and Musiiaka detail how Ukraine’s anti-corruption defense and security reforms are inextricably connected to its military resilience.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Oksana Huss, Bologna University

May 2, 20228 min read

Frank Vogl on Corruption’s Role in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Frank Vogl on Corruption’s Role in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Frank Vogl on Corruption’s Role in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

My interview with Frank Vogl, or what I learned about Putin’s Russia and new possibilities to forcefully counter global corruption.

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Alex Ralph, CJL

Mar 30, 202211 min read

Strategic Corruption as a Threat to Security and the New Agenda for Anti-Corruption

Strategic Corruption as a Threat to Security and the New Agenda for Anti-Corruption

Strategic Corruption as a Threat to Security and the New Agenda for Anti-Corruption

Oksana Huss and Joseph Pozsgai-Alvarez on how Russia weaponizes strategic corruption - and what’s at stake for our human security and rights

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Oksana Huss, Bologna University

Mar 16, 20229 min read

From Talk to Action: 5 changes that I hope result from the USG’s prioritizing anti-corruption

From Talk to Action: 5 changes that I hope result from the USG’s prioritizing anti-corruption

From Talk to Action: 5 changes that I hope result from the USG’s prioritizing anti-corruption

Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church on why her recent State Department discussions gave her hope—and how we advance the global anti-corruption fight

CORRUPTION AND PEACEBUILDING

Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church - CJL

Mar 2, 20226 min read

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