Virtual Library

This WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources is an Internet directory of over 2000 annotated links to high-quality English-language sources of information and analysis in many international and global studies topics. Sites are carefully selected for their long-term value, favoring those with cost-free, authoritative information and analysis online.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS RESEARCH INSTITUTES



Directories, Databases, and Search Engine for International Affairs Research Institutes and Their Products


NOTE: Specialized research institutes are also found on the Peace, Conflict Resolution, and International Security, American Foreign Policy, Global Environment, European Union, and International Development pages of this site, among others.


Directories of Major Research Institutes Worldwide
-- World Press,
Harvard Kennedy School

Australian Policy Online-- "Easy access to much of the best Australian social, economic, cultural and political research available online... a news service and library specialising in Australian public policy reports and articles from academic research centres, think tanks, government and non-government organisations."


Global Go To Think Tank Index Reports-- From the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, descriptive and analytical results of an annual "international survey of over 1,950 scholars, public and private donors, policy makers, and journalists who helped rank more than 6,500 think tanks using a set of 18 criteria developed by the TTCSP."


Harvard Kennedy School Library Think Tank Search-- "A custom Google search of more than 680 think tanks and research centers... [i.e.] institutions affiliated with universities, governments, advocacy groups, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and businesses that generate public policy research, analysis, and activity." Note the useful "Related Links" list on this page.


Navigating Through Turbulence: Think Tanks' Impact on Policy in a Rapidly Changing World-- Broad-ranging, comprehensive, and evaluative study by FP Analytics, the independent research division of Foreign Policy magazine. "FP Analytics conducted an in-depth survey and semi-structured interviews with think tank personnel to highlight the experiences and viewpoints of the think tank staff working on the ground to advance democracy, economic openness, human rights, and poverty reduction in their home countries."


Top Influential Think Tanks-- From Academic Influence, a ranking and description of the top 50 highly influential think tanks in the world today.



Some Major International Affairs Research Institutes


Atlantic Council-- "Promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the Atlantic Community's central role in meeting global challenges." Up to date news and analysis with policy papers, reports, and more online. Note the various policy analysis blogs.

British American Security Information Council-- An independent research organization that  analyzes government policies in defense, disarmament, military strategy, and nuclear issues.

Brookings Institution-- The oldest think tank in the U.S., seeks to improve the performance of American institutions, the effectiveness of government programs, and the quality of U.S. public policies, including foreign policy. The Foreign Policy section provides international analysis and commentary. There is an international affairs blog.

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs-- Fine large site from an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit U.S. organization dedicated to research and education in the areas of international ethics, war and peace, global social justice, and religion in politics. Posts a wide range of videos, "research papers, articles, and annotated collections of materials."

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace-- Conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy, and publishes the quarterly journal Foreign Policy. Specialties are "particularly in the areas of Russia and Eurasia, China, the Indian subcontinent/South Asia, globalization, nonproliferation and security affairs." Many publications are posted online, such as policy briefs, working papers, and reports. The Carnegie Endowment has other centers with diverse publications in Beirut, Beijing, and Brussels (for the EU), as well as a Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.


Center for European Policy Analysis-- Washington-based, with the mission "to ensure a strong and enduring transatlantic alliance rooted in democratic values and principles with strategic vision, foresight, and impact. Through cutting-edge research, analysis, and engagement, we provide innovative insight on trends affecting democracy, security, and defense..."


Center for Strategic and International Studies-- Leading U.S. public policy research institution, with many online studies and multimedia resources on country and regional situations and key functional areas, such as international finance, U.S. domestic and economic policy, and U.S. foreign policy and national security issues. Features Topical, Regional, and Analysis sections.


Center for Transatlantic Relations-- At Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, "a non-profit research center that engages opinion leaders on contemporary challenges facing Europe and North America. The goal of the Center is to strengthen and reorient transatlantic relations to the dynamics of a globalizing world." Posts articles, policy studies, conference proceedings, and news on the topic.


Centre for International Governance Innovation-- "Independent, nonpartisan [Canadian] think tank that addresses international governance challenges... supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate, builds capacity, and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements." Site posts blogs and CIGI's research products in many forms.

Chatham House-- Home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, this is the UK's foremost, world-class institute for international affairs research and is publisher of The World Today and International Affairs. Posts many briefing papers, reports, news, and press releases on global and regional matters.


Clingendael-- The leading Dutch international affairs research organization. "Special attention is devoted to European integration, transatlantic relations, international security, conflict studies, policy making on national and international energy markets, negotiations and diplomacy, and to the United Nations and other international organisations." Posts many studies and online newsletter.

Council on Foreign Relations-- The most influential private organization in U.S. foreign policy, whose ranks include nearly all past and present senior U.S. government officials who deal with international matters, renowned scholars, and leaders of business, media, human rights, humanitarian, and other nongovernmental groups. This excellent site posts Council studies, with much current and archived analytical material online. The Center for Preventative Action posts a Global Conflict Tracker map and highlights "conflicts to watch" and "what to worry about" in annual reports. The Council's prestigious journal Foreign Affairs has contents and some full-text articles and book reviews online, with archive, plus links to related online resources.

Danish Institute for International Studies-- Financed mainly by the Government of Denmark, posts many insightful studies in European and world topics from its "multidisciplinary research on globalisation, security, development and foreign policy." One of the world's top think tanks on international affairs.

European Council on Foreign Relations-- "Award-winning international think-tank that aims to conduct cutting-edge independent research; provide a safe meeting space for policy-makers, activists and intellectuals to share ideas; offer a media platform to get Europeans talking about their role in the world."


European Leadership Network-- "Works to advance the idea of a cooperative and cohesive Europe and to develop the collaborative European capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security policy challenges of our time." Posts reports, publications, news, and other resources on the topic.

European Union Institute for Security Studies-- An autonomous agency of the European Union, this institute conducts many insightful and thorough studies, posts them online, and offers a newsletter about security issues of interest to the EU.


Freedom House-- Many online studies ranking countries on measures of freedom, such as the annual Freedom of the Press, the annual Freedom in the World, informative backgrounders and other publications, are offered by this nonprofit, nonpartisan U.S. organization dedicated to promoting democracy around the world.

Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations-- From Mumbai, a "foreign policy think-tank... to engage India’s leading corporations and individuals in debate and scholarship on India’s foreign policy and its role in global affairs... independent and non-partisan... based on intellectual scholarship." Posts much information and analysis on the topic.


German Council on Foreign Relations-- "Germany’s network for foreign policy. As an independent, non-partisan, and nonprofit membership organization, think tank, and publisher the DGAP has been promoting public debate on foreign policy in Germany for over 50 years." Posts policy-oriented research products, blogs, and the online Internationale Politik Quarterly.


German Institute of Global and Area Studies-- Major research institute focusing on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, in the context of major global questions about democracy, globalization, global power shifts, governance, emerging powers, violence and security, and other systemic issues. Posts many studies on these matters.


Henry L. Stimson Center-- Nonprofit, nonpartisan U.S. institution "devoted to enhancing international peace and security through a unique combination of rigorous analysis and outreach." Posts publications in the research areas of transnational threats, regional security, and effective institutions.

Heritage Foundation-- A conservative U.S. think tank aiming to spread the ideas of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Policy papers online. Note the Index of Economic Freedom, "a practical reference guide to the world's economies. It includes country-by-country analyses and the most up-to-date data available on foreign investment codes, taxes, tariffs, banking regulations, monetary policy, black markets, and more,"co-published with The Wall Street Journal.

Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace-- U.S. public policy research center at Stanford University, on domestic and international affairs, with ongoing programs of policy-oriented research in economics, political science, history, international relations, law, and other disciplines. Note the Hoover Digest, which "offers informative writing on politics, economics, and history by the scholars and researchers of the Hoover Institution..."

Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses-- From India, "a non-partisan, autonomous body dedicated to objective research and policy relevant studies on all aspects of defence and security. Its mission is to promote national and international security through the generation and dissemination of knowledge on defence and security-related issues." Posts many insightful studies on Indian foreign relations and world affairs.

Institute for Security and Development Policy-- From Stockholm, "dedicated to expanding understanding of international affairs, particularly the interrelationship between the issue areas of conflict, security and development. The Institute’s primary areas of geographic focus are Asia and Europe’s neighborhood," with many publications online.

Jamestown Foundation-- Nonpartisan U.S. research institute aiming to "inform and educate policy makers and the broader policy community about events and trends in those societies which are strategically or tactically important to the United States." Main emphasis is on terrorism and the Eurasian region. News items, many insightful publications by a global network of experts.


Japan Institute of International Affairs-- "Private, nonpartisan policy think-tank focused on foreign affairs and security issues. In addition to a wide range of research projects, the Institute promotes dialogues and joint studies with other institutions and experts at home and abroad, examines Japanese foreign policy and makes proposals to the government, and disseminates information on international relations to the public." Posts many studies in English, reflecting Japanese perspectives on international issues.


Lowy Institute for International Policy-- "An independent, nonpartisan international policy think tank located in Sydney, Australia. Ranked as Australia's top think tank, the Institute provides high-quality research and distinctive perspectives on the trends shaping Australia and the world and fresh policy options on these questions."


LSE Ideas-- The "foreign policy think tank" of the London School of Economics and Political Science, "a forum that informs policy debate and connects academic research with the practice of diplomacy and strategy" and posts excellent studies on a wide range of international affairs topics.


Migration Policy Institute-- "Independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Washington, D.C. dedicated to the study of the movement of people worldwide," with much data and analysis online, including country profiles. Note their Migration Information Source for "fresh thought, authoritative data, and global analysis of international migration and refugee trends... [and] useful tools, vital data, and essential facts on the movement of people worldwide."


Open Canada-- "Canada’s hub for international affairs," from the Canadian International Council, to "advance debate on international issues across academic disciplines, policy areas, and economic sectors." Posts features, topics, and other relevant Canadian content.


Peterson Institute for International Economics-- A highly-regarded, private, nonprofit, nonpartisan American research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy, especially in anticipating emerging issues and offering "practical ideas, presented in user-friendly formats, to inform and shape public debate." Many working papers, policy briefs, speeches, testimonies, and so forth are online.

Population Reference Bureau-- Superb for authoritative data and analysis on world, regional, and national population and demographics trends. Features a large multimedia repository. The data section is very good. Note their Annual Report and their annual World Population Data Sheet for "up-to-date demographic, health, and environment data for all the countries and major regions of the world."

RAND Corporation-- A nonprofit U.S. institution providing research and analysis for policy and decision making. Sign up for e-mail notices about the free online RAND Review and other features, such as articles and news about RAND research products. Numerous excellent studies about international issues are posted, so check the publications page, among others. RAND publishes an international affairs blog and some of its conference proceedings. For a European issues perspective, check the website of RAND Europe, based in the UK.

Royal United Services Institute-- World-class "independent think tank engaged in cutting edge defence and security research," in London, with expertise "utilised by governments, parliament and other key stakeholders." Posts authoritative studies online-- "rigorous, expert and objective analysis of current trends and developments"-- some free and some for members only. 


Russian International Affairs Council-- Organization whose mission is "to facilitate the prospering of Russia through its integration in the global world... a link between the state, expert community, business and civil society in an effort to find foreign policy solutions." Large site posts studies on Russian foreign policy, Russian views of world affairs, and general analysis.


Stanley Center for Peace and Security-- U.S. research institute that is "focused on promoting and building support for principled multilateralism in addressing international issues." Pursues policy initiatives on several major current issues and posts many conference reports and bulletins.

Transparency International-- Transparency International is the "leading global non-governmental organisation devoted to combating corruption." Their many corruption surveys, indexes, and reports rank "the home countries of the payers of international bribes" and rank "countries in terms of the degree to which they are perceived to be the homes of bribe-takers-- public officials who abuse their office for personal gain."

United States Institute of Peace-- The mission of the USIP is to strengthen the nation's capabilities to promote the peaceful resolution of international conflicts. Institute project reports, briefings, event summaries, and news items are available online, with archives and extensive links on conflict topics. Note the Publications section. Peace Terms is an "extensive glossary [that] provides short definitions of a wide range of complex and often confusing terms used in the field of conflict resolution."

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars--  Offers fellowships for scholars in residence in Washington, D.C., and researches issues of concern to official policy, hosting seminars and conferences, and producing publications and broadcasts. Site has information about these programs and projects, and many of their publications.



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This section of the WWW Virtual Library system was created, and is edited and maintained, by Dr. Wayne A.Selcher, Professor of International Studies Emeritus, Department of Political Science, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2288  U.S.A., as a volunteer and non-profit public service. This website copyright 1997-present by Wayne A. Selcher. E-mail: wayneselcher@comcast.net