Amid increasing global fragmentation and the deterioration of multilateral cooperation, there is growing skepticism about the current structures of global governance. International decision-making bodies are deadlocked, norms and laws are being eroded, and traditional aid and development models are under pressure from funding cuts. At the same time, emerging powers are increasingly challenging the status quo. Global South-led institutions like BRICS+ are exerting growing influence in international politics, and minilateral frameworks are gaining traction, signaling a multipolar shift. Additionally, emerging frontiers in AI, space exploration, and digital governance are pushing the boundaries of existing systems. Fiker Institute’s Diplomacy & Global Governance Program aims to propose alternative models for multilateral cooperation and to advance policy recommendations on effective reform strategies. How can existing institutions be rethought and adapted, and how can global leadership become more inclusive, credible, and representative?
Ceasefires in Crisis: Geopolitical Implications from Syria and Lebanon

Ceasefires in Crisis: Geopolitical Implications from Syria and Lebanon

The architecture of ceasefire governance in contemporary conflicts has shifted from universal institutions toward selective coalitions of powerful states with profound implications for global security: Enforcement becomes selective, violations are interpreted asymmetrically, and the objective transforms from sustainable peace to strategic advantage.

Sarah El-Abd
Reforming the UN Charter

Reforming the UN Charter

Fiker Institute and the Global Governance Forum co-hosted a symposium under the theme “Reforming the UN Charter”. The symposium gathered experts to discuss ongoing debates on the influence of multilateral institutions and their role in strengthening international stability and security. 

Are Tariffs Becoming the New Sanctions? 

Are Tariffs Becoming the New Sanctions? 

States are increasingly reverting to economic coercion in international politics. The sweeping use of sanctions and – particularly since President Trump’s second term in office – tariffs to influence other states is evidence of its growing salience. Economic coercion refers to the use of economic tools – specifically economic restrictions – to coerce a foreign government, actor, or entity […]

Dr. Hana Attia
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime

The nuclear non-proliferation regime has evolved from a patchwork of agreements into an important architecture of nuclear restraint globally. Yet, the regime now faces some formidable challenges. Deep structural fractures, including inequality, the disarmament deficit, and the tolerance of nuclear latency, are compounding threats of geopolitical rivalry, lack of universality, and the challenge of new disruptive technologies.