Polarization, Shifting Borders and Liquid Governance: Studies on Transformation and Development in the OSCE Region

This open-access book explores the security dynamics amid the polarization, shifting borders, and liquid governance that define the Zeitenwende era in Europe's eastern neighbourhood and Central Asia. Presenting various case studies, the volume unveils the intricate web of border dynamics and practices, including the nuanced interplay of border disputes within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member states. The contributions shed new light on how contested borders and liquid modes of governance have impacted the engagement of international organizations such as the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and OSCE in security crises and conflict prevention. Delving deeper, a special part dissects the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and examines European and international responses. By analyzing the stances of diverse European countries, their neighborhood, and international organizations, this section uncovers commonalities and disparities in their approaches to the Ukrainian crisis.

Anja Mihr is DAAD Associate Professor at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She is Professor of Human Rights, Governance, Public Policy, and Transitional Justice and developed training courses on ‘Transitology’. Anja is also Founder and Program Director of the Center on Governance through Human Rights at the Berlin Governance Platform in Berlin, Germany. She has held professorships at the Willy-Brandt School of Public Policy, Erfurt University, Germany, and the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), University of Utrecht, Netherlands. 

Chiara Pierobon is DAAD Visiting Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, where she teaches German and European Studies. She has held professorships and academic appointments at the American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan), Bielefeld and Magdeburg University (Germany), German Kazakh-University (Kazakhstan), Kyrgyz-National University (Kyrgyzstan), Malaya University (Malaysia), St. Petersburg State University (Russia), and University of California/Berkeley (USA). In addition, Dr. Pierobon has been active as Consultant and Trainer in organizations, NGOs, and think tanks such as DVV International, Europe-Asia Monitoring (EUCAM), the European Neighborhood Council (ENC), and the UNESCO Cluster Office for Central Asia.