[Editorial] The OIIP, an Austrian think tank with unusual methods
(B2) TheÖsterreichisches Institut für Internationale Politik, the Austrian institute for international politics, published a study on the strategic compass on its website at the beginning of December. Named: The EU Strategic Compass: Challenges and opportunities for Austria (download the guide here). Very interesting study in itself, published as part of a “cooperation program” with the Ministry of Defence. Drawn from the best sources. And for good reason !
The author, LS, has copied widely from the articles and archives of B2 Pro, not only the primary sources (the original texts not made public from the compass or the press releases from the Council), but also our various analyses. All this on several pages. Speech tics and habitual convolutions of B2 understood. Without quoting at any time none of the articles on which it was based, much less the site or its authors. Nor even thank B2 somewhere. Which is not only a moral problem, but also a serious violation of all the rules governing copyright, in France, Austria or Europe.
The author contacted by B2 claims that he is “unaware” of the rules of citation and copyright! He believed that by subscribing to B2 (B2 pro) he could therefore "loot" without scruples, without even respecting the moral right of the authors to be cited! Curious for a former soldier, who was political advisor at the French OSCE embassy in Vienna, and has written several works, notably on arms rights.
As for the OIIP, it ended up promising to withdraw the study from its site (1). Following the request of B2. Without any public apologies or corrections on his site, as is the rule. Worse, she does not want to assume her responsibility in any way, at least morally, and blames her researcher entirely.
Curious methods for a renowned think tank which claims scientific rigor, in a country, Austria, where the mere suspicion of plagiarism earns its author an almost automatic resignation.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
- The study was still accessible despite everything
