Content Type: Journal Article / Publication Year: within 3 Years

401. R2P at 20: Quo Vadis? A discussion connected to the English School perspective on international relations (IR)

Author:: Tor Dahl-Eriksen
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: In September 2005 the UN General Assembly adopted R2P, the universal principle to protect all populations from mass atrocities specified as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. Now, more than 20 years later, the vision from 2005 is far from realized. Towards a rather depressive background dominated by violent conflicts where mass atrocities still frequently occur, this article discusses what went wrong and why, and it tries to use accumulated insights to search for signs that may lead to a better future. By connecting the discussion to the English School theoretical perspective on international relations (IR), the article tries to explain why different challenges often are difficult to deal with, but not by definition impossible to overcome.
Topic:: International Relations, Sovereignty, Responsibility to Protect (R2P), UN Security Council, Atrocities, and Early Warning
Political Geography:: Global Focus

402. Communication Strategies and Online Political Attack: TikTok as a Global Electoral Battleground

Author:: Daniele Battista and Alessandra Petrone
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: This research examines the strategies and tactics of political campaigns on TikTok, a rapidly growing platform, highlighting both successful methods and the ethical challenges tied to violent and polarizing content. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study identifies key strategies in successful political campaigns, such as hashtags, challenges, influencer collaborations, targeted messaging, and content adaptation. Dominant themes include "issue awareness" and "policy explanation." The study links specific TikTok strategies to campaign success while noting the negative impact of unregulated content on political discourse. The research offers practical recommendations for campaign strategists to adopt responsible strategies and calls for continued research in this evolving area of digital political campaigns.
Topic:: Communications, Elections, Social Media, Polarization, and TikTok
Political Geography:: Global Focus

403. Zeitenwende in Germany – a new realistic worldview and its implications

Author:: Melanie Carina Schmoll
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The profound changes in the global security environment have prompted a fundamental reassessment of foreign, security, and defense policy in Germany. Politically framed as a Zeitenwende (turning point), this shift is accompanied by an increased emphasis on Kriegstüchtigkeit (readiness for war), defense preparedness, and calls for a broader societal “mental rearmament.” This article examines Germany’s evolving security orientation as an expression of a transformed strategic self-understanding and situates it within the framework of realist theories of international relations. The article argues that Germany’s current security policy transformation is not driven by hegemonic ambitions, but rather by a logic of autonomy maximization. In response to a more fragile international order, growing uncertainties within multilateral institutions, and rising expectations regarding collective defense, Germany is adapting its policies in a realist manner to altered power and threat constellations. While Germany’s embeddedness in NATO and the European Union remains intact, long-standing self-imposed constraints rooted in historical experience are increasingly being reassessed. Against this backdrop, the article analyzes the societal and political tensions generated by the renewed focus on military capability. Central to this discussion are Germany’s historically ambivalent relationship with its armed forces, debates over the potential reintroduction of compulsory military service, and questions of democratic oversight and parliamentary control. Particular attention is paid to symbolic and institutional efforts aimed at re-anchoring the Bundeswehr within society, most notably the introduction of a National Veterans Day in 2025. The article concludes that the call for Kriegstüchtigkeit extends far beyond a narrow defense policy agenda. It represents a deeper renegotiation of Germany’s civil–military relations, political culture, and national identity. Whether the Zeitenwende will prove sustainable ultimately depends on the ability to reconcile enhanced military effectiveness with democratic legitimacy, societal acceptance, and continued parliamentary accountability.
Topic:: Defense Policy, NATO, National Security, and International Security
Political Geography:: Europe and Germany

404. ‘King Makers And The King Breakers’ Perspectives On The Role Of Intelligence Services In Shaping Geo-Politics And Power Dynamics At Global Level.

Author:: Matthew Mare
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The goal of the research was to demonstrate the role of the intelligence service as king makers and king breakers shape geo-politics and power dynamics at global level. The theory by Kent was the fulcrum of this research and the CIA-BRICS power dynamics were cited to bring the nexus between intelligence service and the geo-politics are at play in shaping world events. The background to the interaction between intelligence service and geo-politics was well articulated. The study relied on secondary data sources and the research went on to formulate applied theory of intelligence in global power dynamics. The study noted that, world over and western world in particular the intelligence service is the fulcrum of making and breaking kings. The major findings of the study were that countries which politicize intelligence for personal glory suffers from external interference and political convulsions than those that differentiate the two. It was also noted that, the CIA play an important role in the American foreign policy by shaping and creating the future the country, for the USA to remain a unipolar giant. The study observed that the intelligence is objective in a stable and mature democracy than in autocratic political environment. It was noted that, most countries think of security interms of military hardware and overlook intelligence. In mature democracies intelligence conduct covert and overt operations to safeguard national interests over interests and vice versa in non-democratic states. In nondemocratic states the diplomatic missions are packed with political opponents, it is a political way of dealing with perceived political opponents to the leader. Whereas in mature democracy, diplomatic missions are packed with declared and undeclared intelligence officers to push the national agenda. The study created applied Kentism in foreign policy. The study made several permutations in the global arena on how the intelligence will make and make kings through direct interference, regime change, assassinations, destabilizing weaker states, induced coups, discrediting states through NGOs and CSOs and hybrid warfare to achieve the Western interests.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Intelligence, Geopolitics, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Strategic Interests, and Power Dynamics
Political Geography:: North America, Global Focus, and United States of America

405. Cutting Through the Tangled Webs of Civil and Military Aviation Toward a Practical Cybersecurity Framework

Author:: Kristen Csenkey and Jason Furlong
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: North American defence and security require trusted partnerships to detect, deter, and defeat threats from foreign adversaries. The United States and Canada cooperate through the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) organization to build a layered network of defence that jointly enhances operational capabilities with a traditional emphasis on the air domain. However, as the aviation ecosystem becomes increasingly digitized and interconnected, it is essential that strategic and high-level policy decisions be supported with the necessary conceptual tools to keep the skies safe. We propose that one way to deepen cooperation in aviation cybersecurity is through the integration of a human-centric framework. In this article, we introduce, define, and contextualize our Inter-Organization Learning Culture Framework for policy-makers and academics alike. The integration of this framework has implications for NORAD in terms of cooperation, modernization initiatives, and the continued protection of the interlinked civil and defence aviation ecosystems.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Cybersecurity, Aviation, and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Political Geography:: Canada, North America, and United States of America

406. Examining the Transformation of Israel's Military into a Professional Force through the Lens of Huntington's Civil-Military Relations Theory

Author:: Yaron Katz
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The concept of "civil-military relations" pertains to the interaction between a nation's armed forces. Huntington's theory encompasses a normative component that defines the clear boundaries separating civilians from military personnel. The research examines if Huntington's arguments are relevant in the contemporary context of the events of October 7, 2023 and the failure of the IDF to protect the country from the south border with Gaza. It is argued that a new strategy for civil-military relations is essential because the IDF's reliance on high-tech solutions must be reconsidered from strategic and political standpoint, as examined by this research.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Civil-Military Relations, Military, and Political Science
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

407. Between Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, and Stalin: A Synthetic character of Mao Zedong’s Military Thought

Author:: Damian Winczewski
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: In modern literature on military thought of Mao Zedong, authors puts a lot of emphasis on its relationship with classical Chinese thought. Many focus on the influence of Sun Tzu, or Clausewitz. In this article I would like to focus mainly on influences of the Marxist thought, through which as I think the Chinese strategist interpreted the art of war. I will compare Mao Zedong's views on the nature and ethics of war with the statements of Marxist classics on these issues. In this way, his theses, allegedly derived from classical Chinese philosophy, gain a wider context in which the influence of Stalinist vulgarization of Marxism on Mao's philosophical reflections in relation to war is quite visible.
Topic:: War, Military Affairs, Philosophy, Mao Zedong, Carl von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Josef Stalin, and Ethics
Political Geography:: China, Asia, and Global Focus

408. The Canadian Army in Action and the Advance of the Tank: Revitalizing the Canadian War Spirit Through Film

Author:: Cameron Telch
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The 1917 The Canadian Army in Action and the Advance of the Tank was a Canadian film that depicted the actions of Canadian soldiers during the Battle of Courcelette in September 1916. The film was propagandized by different Canadian national newspapers in 1917 to highlight the fighting spirit of the Canadians in France amid the horrors of the Great War. This article will argue that the media’s representation of the film was to safeguard the morale of Canadians during a time in which most Canadians were demoralized due to the ongoing war on the Western Front.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Media, Film, and World War I
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

409. The Evolution of Japan's Limited Sovereignty: From the Era of Unequal Treaties to the Japan-U.S. Alliance

Author:: Yukio Sakurai
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This paper examines the evolution of Japan's limited sovereignty across two distinct historical periods: the nineteenth-century era of unequal treaties and the post– World War II era shaped by the Japan–U.S. alliance. In the earlier period, treaties imposed by Western powers curtailed Japan’s jurisdictional and tariff autonomy. Paradoxically, these constraints catalysed rapid modernisation and a national drive to restore sovereign equality. In contrast, the post-war period introduced a different model of limited sovereignty: one characterised by strategic dependence through the Japan–U.S. Security Treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). These legal arrangements grant the United States significant military rights on Japanese territory, including base maintenance and jurisdictional authority, raising ongoing concerns about Japan’s territorial and legal autonomy. Further tensions arise from the opaque operation of the Japan–U.S. Security Consultative Committee, whose limited transparency and perceived imbalance in representation have prompted criticism regarding undue U.S. influence. Evolving regional security dynamics and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy further complicate Japan’s sovereignty posture. Additionally, growing secrecy surrounding national security and the technical nature of defence policy hinder public deliberation and raise broader questions about democratic accountability. Employing an interdisciplinary framework that draws from international law, political science, and history, this study analyses the legal instruments and socio-political contexts that shaped these two periods. By comparing externally imposed and internally accepted constraints on sovereignty, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how nations negotiate autonomy within global power structures. This analysis, grounded in a comprehensive review of English and Japanese scholarship, offers a nuanced perspective on Japan’s evolving relationship with limited sovereignty and its implications for democratic governance and strategic positioning in East Asia.
Topic:: Sovereignty, Treaties and Agreements, Bilateral Relations, Alliance, and Autonomy
Political Geography:: Japan, Asia, North America, and United States of America

410. A New Model for Measuring the Human Development Index: A Comparison of the Organisation of Turkic States and the EU

Author:: Abdullah Zübeyr Şekerci
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: The “Human Development Index Report”, which measures the welfare levels of societies, was first prepared by the United Nations Development Programme in 1990. There are certain criteria in the preparation of this index. In our study, we propose a method that integrates the multiple linear regression equation and the exponential smoothing method to obtain this index. The ordinary least squares method is used for the multiple linear regression equation. The purpose of using multiple linear regression here is not to ignore the relationship between the input criteria and the output when reaching the Human Development Index. In addition, by using exponential smoothing, which weights the input data, the model produced an estimation with greater predictive accuracy and statistical robustness. Future estimates are made with these two methods. In this context, the level of welfare of the five main members of the Organisation of Turkish States was examined in comparison with the five leading countries of the European Union. The criteria used are selected from United Nations Development Program reports and literature. These criteria are gross national product per capita, life expectancy at birth, unemployment and CO2 emissions per capita. The selected criteria data were processed with the multiple linear regression and exponential smoothing methods in MS Excel between 1990 and 2023. With this method, it is aimed to create an equation to estimate the 2030-2040 welfare level. According to the results, the Organisation of Turkish States Region WL converges to the European Union Region WL towards the 2030-40 period. It can be said that a new method is presented for calculating the welfare level of countries.
Topic:: European Union, Forecast, Human Development, and Organization of Turkic States
Political Geography:: Europe, Turkey, and Middle East

411. The Emergence of Hybrid Warfare and the Future of Global Security: A Comparative Study of Russian and NATO’s Hybrid Infrastructure in Ukraine

Author:: Shahzada Rahim Abbas
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: The paper discusses the dynamical nature of fifth-generation warfare, which is gradually becoming a new way of waging war. In the past two decades, there has been a fierce debate on the nature and methods of fifth-generation warfare across the international security forums. Within these discussions, the term “Hybrid warfare” has grabbed the attention of various security experts. Although the discourse of “Hybrid warfare” initially emerged in the mainstream sphere during the 2006 Lebanon war, it gained prominence after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, which triggered debates on the nature of warfare in the 21st century. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Military doctrine “Escalate to deescalate” is very clear about the Russian red line for NATO expansion on the Eastern European shores that aims at least aggression with maximum gains. The article enquires about the wider analytical and historical notions of security to sum up the discussion on the new military strategies and tactics on security. The Russian operation in Ukraine with hybrid warfare methods will be the focal point of the discussion throughout the article. The article will also discuss the well-established hybrid warfare infrastructure of Russia vis-à-vis NATO to further elaborate on the discourse of modern armed conflict. To theoretically explore the topic, this study will consider the growing challenges to international security amidst the hybrid warfare settings through the lens of strategic theory.
Topic:: NATO, International Security, Hybrid Warfare, Fifth Generation Warfare, and Security Infrastructure
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, Eurasia, and Ukraine

412. Implications of Military Aid on Global Arms Sales and Productio

Author:: Zekeri Momoh
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This study examines the implications of increasing military aid on arms sales and production. This study adopted the historical research design, with data collected from secondary sources, and content analysis was used for its analysis. The study argues that increasing military aid to especially belligerent states has influenced global arms sales and production. It equally argues that the consequences of the cumulative military aid to Israel and Ukraine include human rights violations, humanitarian crisis, growth in arms production, increasing military budgets and revenue for arms manufacturers, among others. Nevertheless, justifications of the military aid are to ensure the survival of the state and its sovereignty, as well as the survival of the political regime. Lastly, this study recommends, among other things, that the United Nations Security Council should employ a more democratic approach to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war and Russia-Ukraine war to produce a win-win outcome for the interests of international peace and security, as against the interests of conflict profiteers from military aid.
Topic:: Military Aid, War, Arms Sales, and International Security
Political Geography:: United States of America, Ukraine, Israel, Middle East, Europe, and North America

413. Liberty, Affect, and The Rise of Populism

Author:: Colin Anthony MacNairn
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: In this essay, I reinterpret Hartley B. Alexander’s early 20th-century account of liberty and democracy in light of the 21st-century populist resurgence, integrating the economic analysis of Jonathan Hopkin and Mark Blyth. By combining Alexander’s concerns surrounding the ethical collapse of democratic citizenship with Hopkin and Blyth’s diagnosis of structural economic disenfranchisement, I construct a dual account of populism’s rise as the convergence of moral atrophy and institutional decay. From Trump’s America to Modi’s India, populism emerges as a liberty weaponised against itself. I argue that populism is a condition wherein the form of democracy is preserved, but its substance is debased, thereby reduced to spectacle, demagoguery, and institutional dysfunction. Drawing on specific examples and institutional analysis, I further argue for a reconstruction of liberty grounded in moral formation and institutional responsiveness, thus offering a normative pathway beyond the populist condition.
Topic:: Economics, Ethics, Populism, Liberty, and Political Philosophy
Political Geography:: India, South America, North America, and United States of America

414. India in a Changing Global Order: Geopolitical Challenges and Strategic Interests in the Indo-Myanmar Borderlands

Author:: Manashi Parashar
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This paper examines the borderlands of India and Myanmar as a critical site of India’s geopolitical strategy in the context of its Act East Policy and broader regional ambitions. It analyses the complex security challenges arising from cross-border insurgency, narco-trafficking, and China’s growing influence in Myanmar, compounded by internal political instability across the border. The study evaluates India’s key connectivity initiatives—such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway—and their role in enhancing regional integration. A balanced approach is emphasised in this paper, which highlights the importance of bilateral cooperation in border management and counterinsurgency. It argues that India must align its security priorities with economic engagement to safeguard its interests and strengthen its strategic presence on the Indo-Myanmar frontier.
Topic:: Geopolitics, Regional Integration, Borders, and Strategic Interests
Political Geography:: South Asia, India, and Myanmar

415. Gods and Stars: The Use of Mythological Roots in the Chinese Space Program. Analysis

Author:: Krzysztof Jan Karwowski
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: This study examines the Chinese space program from a cultural perspective. The program, in previous two decades, has achieved a series of achievements, including the successful deployment of rocket launching systems, manned space missions, satellites, and space probes exploring the Moon, asteroids, and Mars. A key focus of this research is the naming convention and promotional strategies associated with the Chinese space activities. These names and symbols are rooted in a cultural tradition completely different and contrasting with the Greco-Roman heritage commonly adopted by the traditional space powers i.e. USA, USSR/Russia, and Europe. The paper involved cataloguing, classifying, and analysing the source materials— specifically, counting and explaining the mission codes developed by China. Missions were categorised into major thematic origins: (A) Mythology, cosmology, culture, (B) Political/communist-related content, (C) Astronomy, astronomers, space-inspired concepts, discoverers and science, (D) Technological jargon and (E) Other. The findings indicate that despite its history as a communist state with periods of distancing from ancient traditions, China’s space program has become a prominent platform for promoting Chinese symbolism. Cultural symbols, along with Chinese scientific and astronomical concepts, overwhelmingly dominate the other thematic categories.
Topic:: Culture, Soft Power, Smart Power, Space Program, and Nomenclature
Political Geography:: China and Asia

416. Joe Biden Administration’s Security Policy and What It Means for the Baltic States

Author:: Martinas Malużinas
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The aim of this article is to analyse the US security policy during the presidency of Joe Biden, with the main emphasis on military security and its importance for the Baltic states, which perceive the US as the main guarantor of their security. This is particularly important in the context of challenges related to China’s expansion in the region or Russia’s display of strength. Based on realist theories of international relations, using methods of content analysis, synthesis, and comparison, it was possible to analyse the role of the so-called B3 Baltic states in US foreign policy. There is no doubt that the US is positioning itself as one of the key strategic partners of the B3 states; therefore, in this context, it is necessary to consider the US strategic options toward the B3, which have evolved along with the change in the geopolitical situation in the European region. The Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine confirmed the decisive response of the B3 states, perceiving Russia as a threat to the security of the region. The time frame is limited to Biden’s four-year term in 2021–2024. For research purposes, the contemporary literature in the field of political science and security was used, as well as primary sources related to US decisions and presidential statements that are relevant to this article.
Topic:: Security, Foreign Policy, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Military Security, and Security Policy
Political Geography:: Russia, Ukraine, United States of America, and Baltic States

417. Transformations of Indian Islamism in the Background of the Activities of Abul A’la Maududi and Jama’at-e Islami

Author:: Anna Zasuń
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The article attempts a historical and qualitative analysis of Indian-Pakistani Islamism, represented by Abul A’la Maududi and formed by him movement Jama’at-e Islami. Considering the specific context in which Islamist ideas were born in India, i.e. under the influence of nationalist and secular tendencies represented by the leading political forces of the subcontinent (in particular Muslim League and National Congress), the question of the originality and at the same time distinctiveness of Indian and then Pakistani Islamism in the context of similar movements in the Middle Eastern region is fascinating. This is interesting because the Indian context in the evolution of Islamism, although influential, is outside the mainstream of Islamist tendencies. The main aim of this article is therefore to trace the genesis and evolution of Indo-Pakistani Islamism, to examine the political, social and cultural conditions that shaped its character, and then to place it in the broader context of Islamism and the concept of the Islamic state as it relates to the broader context of the Islamic world. An essential basis for the considerations in the article is the views of Maududi himself, both on the Islamic state and Pakistani politics, including nationalism, democracy and the secular system of Pakistan.
Topic:: Nationalism, Islamism, Abul A'la Maududi, and Jama'at-e Islami
Political Geography:: South Asia, India, and Pakistan

418. Economic Interactions and Competitiveness Evaluation: A Study of Romania-Poland Bilateral Relations

Author:: Oleksandra Struk
Publication Date:: 03-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The research aims to evaluate competitiveness of Romania and Poland, focusing on their bilateral relations. The primary research problem revolves around understanding the dynamics and outcomes of economic cooperation between Romania and Poland, especially in the context of their systemic transformations and integration into the European Union. The main hypotheses are the following: (1) Economic cooperation between Romania and Poland has significantly evolved post-EU accession. (2) Bilateral trade and investment have played crucial roles in the economic growth of both countries. (3) Differences in economic policies and sectoral focuses impact the competitiveness of each nation. The study employs a combination of historical analysis, trade data examination, literature review, and competitiveness indices to evaluate the economic relations between the two countries. Key metrics include trade values, investment flows, and economic freedom indices. The author highlights the deep and evolving economic ties between Romania and Poland, underpinned by robust trade relations, significant investments, and shared regional cooperation goals. While the study shows differences in economic policies between Romania and Poland, it does not comprehensively analyze the specific policies and their direct impacts on competitiveness, which could be addressed in further studies.
Topic:: Bilateral Relations, Investment, Trade, Economic Cooperation, and Economic Freedom
Political Geography:: Europe, Poland, and Romania

419. The EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Treaty and the Perspectives for Polish Investment in Viet Nam

Author:: Dmytro Skrynka
Publication Date:: 03-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The article deals with the key changes in the treaty basis of the regime for Polish investment in Viet Nam, expected after the anticipated entry into force of the Investment Protection Agreement Between the European Union and Its Member States, of the One Part, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, of the Other Part (hereafter “EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Treaty” or “New Investment Treaty”). The article also includes a brief overview of the historical background of the investment relations in Poland and Viet Nam. Some of the key obligations of the parties to the New Investment Treaty are compared with the rules of the 1994 Agreement Between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Poland for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments. For example, the article focuses on the differences in the treaty provisions on the fair and equitable treatment, as well as on the inclusion in the New Investment Treaty of the procedures for the resolution of disputes between states and of the procedures for the investor-state dispute settlement. The article contains references to works of Vietnamese and Polish researchers, legislative acts of Viet Nam, international agreements and documents of international intergovernmental organizations.
Topic:: Treaties and Agreements, European Union, Investment, and Expropriation
Political Geography:: Europe, Poland, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia

420. Silk Road legacy and China’s cultural diplomacy in Sino-Uzbek relations

Author:: Elżbieta Proń
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: In the mid-2020s, Uzbekistan became China’s primary strategic partner in Central Asia (CA). Sino-Uzbek ties’ political and economic nature has been well-researched, but there is a research gap regarding China’s cultural diplomacy towards Uzbekistan. This paper fills this gap by providing a scrutiny of China’s instrumentalization of the Silk Road legacy, the use of archaeological cooperation as a diplomatic tool, and China’s educational diplomacy towards Uzbekistan. It argues that while China’s cultural diplomacy towards Uzbekistan has been built upon China’s diplomacy in Central Asia, Beijing designed it carefully, recognizing the distinctiveness of Uzbekistan’s political and cultural traditions. China’s cultural diplomacy towards Uzbekistan has been mainly fostered via top-down initiatives from Beijing, Xi’an academic and cultural institutions, and professional and academic exchange rather than people-to-people bottom-up interactions. As such, this paper contributes to research on the legacy of the Silk Road in Chinese foreign policy, Sino-Uzbek relations, and China-Central Asian studies.
Topic:: International Relations, Foreign Policy, Cultural Diplomacy, and Silk Road
Political Geography:: China, Central Asia, Asia, and Uzbekistan

421. Reshaping Environmental Peacebuilding: Lessons of the War against Ukraine

Author:: Nataliia Slobodian and Svitlana Andrushchenko
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: This paper discusses how the Russian war in Ukraine has highlighted the significant role of climate security in conflicts, which is often overlooked. The environmental consequences of this war, such as pollution, wildfires, and ecosystem destruction, have far-reaching implications beyond borders, impacting areas like energy and food security, social stability, and healthcare access. Ukraine’s efforts in environmental peacebuilding during the conflict emphasize democratic values, sustainability, climate protection, and justice as essential for negotiations and post-war reconstruction. President Zelensky’s focus on incorporating environmental security principles into the peace process is a unique and noteworthy approach, calling for a deeper understanding of these strategies in global conflicts for both the present and future recovery phases.
Topic:: Environment, Geopolitics, Sustainability, Peacebuilding, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe and Ukraine

422. Political Impasse and UN Intervention in Cote d'Ivoire

Author:: Henry Kam Kah
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: In this paper we argue that the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cote D’Ivoire contributed to the return of peace in the country but encountered enormous challenges and scathing criticisms. The mission was established in April 2004 with the aim of normalising the tense political atmosphere in a divided country where rebel forces (Forces Nouvelles) controlled Northern Cote D’Ivoire and government forces controlled the Southern part of the country. The mission was to build community security, trust in the people and institutions and protect human rights in a country torn apart by civil war. Prior to the 2002-2003 cease-fire agreement between belligerents, Cote D’Ivoire’s political terrain was heavily polluted with no agreement on almost every sticky issue. This widened regional and political cracks in the country and the despicable human rights situation re-ignited political violence. Besides, prior electoral concertation fuelled mistrust among politicians and indiscipline reigned supreme in the army threatening peace. Army commanders had soiled their hands in illicit natural resource exploitation and soldiers erected clandestine checkpoints to extort money from the population. Gender-based violence was rife and mercilessly gullible political hawks did not protect the population. Through a content analysis of essentially documents produced by the UN operations in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) we conclude that it was able to navigate through numerous hurdles amidst accusations, counter accusations and virulent criticisms.
Topic:: Conflict Resolution, Politics, United Nations, Peacekeeping, and Gender Based Violence
Political Geography:: Africa and Côte d'Ivoire

423. Mainstreaming Security Norms as Japanese Strategy to Gain its Global Power: A Content Analysis on ODA Documents

Author:: Surwandono Surwandono, Ratih Herningtyas, and Rizki Dian Nursita
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: Japan's defeat in World War II did not discourage its obsession to become a global power that influences the behaviour of other countries and the world order at large. Following World War II, despite being constrained by the 1947 Constitution, Japan emerged as an economic agent capable of playing a significant role on the global stage through economic and cultural instruments. Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) has become one of the key tools for Japan to actively participate and contribute to current global politics. This article aims to identify Japan's strategy in using ODA to maintain its influence as a global power. Using content analysis of 2015 ODA Charter or Development Cooperation Charter (DCC) and the White Paper on Development Cooperation (WPDC), this article finds that Japan's strategy to maintain its influence at the global level is carried out by prioritising human security norms in ODA distribution. The Japanese government consistently applies normative and operational norms regarding human security rather than national security to ensure acceptance from recipient countries. These efforts begin with the development of Japan's legal governance framework, which is designed in a smart, systematic, objective, and visionary manner. Japan demonstrates how a country facing constitutional constraints can become a stable global power.
Topic:: Security, Foreign Policy, Development, Development Aid, and Human Security
Political Geography:: Japan and Asia

424. ECOWAS Freedom of Mobility and its National Security Implications for Nigeria

Author:: Ayodeji Aduloju and Abimbola Opanike
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: This study examines the effects of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol on national security in Nigeria in the context of a wider regional and global security landscape. From primary data drawn from structured interviews and fieldwork, combined with secondary sources, the research argues that while the Protocol facilitates regional integration and regional trade, at the same time it interacts with Nigeria's narrow institutional capacity, insecure borders, and corruption and hence amplifies security vulnerabilities. However, blaming insecurity on the porousness of borders in isolation could miss the intricacy of interaction among transnational criminal networks, weak multilateral enforcement institutions, and the inherent gap between the ECOWAS integration vision and domestic enforcement realities. This study employs both functionalism and the regional security complex theory to place Nigeria's national security issues within the frameworks of regional interdependence and international systemic processes. The findings of the study propose that effective security governance in Nigeria requires not just better management of the borders but also regional coordination and institutional reforms to address both internal and external drivers of insecurity.
Topic:: National Security, Regional Politics, ECOWAS, and Insecurity
Political Geography:: Africa and Nigeria

425. Can Social Constructivism in IR Shape Foreign Policies?

Author:: Anmol Mukhia
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: From time to time, North Korea and China’s relations have been analyzed by different scholars as a byproduct or satellite state of China. We often debate power, war, and allies from a realist understanding. However, the constructivist approach has not been addressed much. The significant developments during the Korean War were symbolic, shared ideas, and the creation of identities, which were crucial to understanding the state’s choice and preference in foreign policy decision-making. In this article, I draw on the work of the constructivist approach to argue the North Korean and China relations during the Korean War. In this way, the constructivist explanation can be suitable for explaining the dynamics of North Korean and China ties because they look at the history and social dynamics within states for its outcome.
Topic:: International Relations, Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, and Social Constructivism
Political Geography:: China, Asia, and North Korea

426. Sino-Russian Cooperation and its Impacts on Central Asia

Author:: Giorgio Romano Schutte and Diego Noveli Valadares
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: This article analyzes Sino-Russian cooperation in Central Asia, examining China’s growing economic presence and the reconfiguration of Russian influence in the region. Since 2014, Western sanctions and geopolitical tensions have led Moscow and Beijing to deepen their partnership. While China expands investments through the Belt and Road Initiative, Russia maintains its central role in regional security and financial influence. The study argues that despite China’s rise, Central Asia has become a space for strategic accommodation, where both powers avoid direct conflicts and consolidate their global presence.
Topic:: Security, Foreign Policy, Economics, International Cooperation, Bilateral Relations, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and Investment
Political Geography:: Russia, China, Central Asia, and Asia

427. Foreign Policy in the Bolsonaro Government for Israel: The Two-Level Game and Pentecostal Influence

Author:: Mohammed Nadir and Pedro Henrique Thuler de Oliveira
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: President Jair Bolsonaro's government saw several ruptures in relation to the political tradition of Brazilian diplomacy, and nowhere was this as clear as in the changes that occurred in the long relationship between Brazil and the State of Israel. Using Robert Putnam's Two-Level Game theory, this work aims to understand the influence that changes in the domestic context caused by Bolsonaro's election motivated this rapprochement with the State of Israel, especially taking into account the influence that Pentecostal and neo-Pentecostal groups exerted throughout this process.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Religion, Bilateral Relations, and Jair Bolsonaro
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Brazil, Palestine, and South America

428. East Asian Cooperation Approaches Towards Latin America and the Caribbean

Author:: Carlos David Zavarce Velasquez
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: This paper analyzes and compares the development cooperation approaches promoted by Japan, China, and South Korea toward the Latin American and Caribbean region in the post 2015 period. The study applies the analytical frameworks of Lancaster (2007) — institutions, ideas, interests, and organizations — and Kragelund (2019) — vectors— relying on qualitative analysis of primary and secondary sources. The findings indicate that, while each country's cooperation approach has its own features — for instance, Japan and South Korea are OECD members, whereas China is a practitioner of South-South cooperation — all three prioritize financial cooperation over other forms of engagement.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Development, International Cooperation, and OECD
Political Geography:: East Asia, Asia, Latin America, and Caribbean

429. Changing Place: The New International Order and Brazil

Author:: Luiz Augusto Faria
Publication Date:: 02-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: The fracture of the world order and the falling of US hegemony are the context in which Brazil's national interest must be built. The possible change in its peripheric position to the place of a player with more global influence is examined. In order to do this, Brazilian relations with its Latin America and Caribbean neighbors are examined, and how they could help to redefine its place in the world order. Finally, this article will address domestic issues that affect foreign policy, by identifying the role of class struggle between different social forces that define our national social formation, its will for power in the world system and its international alliances for its repositioning in global hierarchy.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Strategic Interests, International Order, and Regional Power
Political Geography:: Brazil and South America

430. Navigating US-China technology competition among Middle Powers: study of Chilean response

Author:: Andrés Orlando Bórquez Basáez and Dorotea López Giral
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (RBPI)
Institution:: Instituto Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais (IBRI)
Abstract:: Amid intensifying US–China rivalry over digital governance, middle powers like Chile face growing pressure to navigate an increasingly fragmented global order. This article examines Chile’s response through expert interviews and analysis of three key technology cases involving Chinese firms. The findings show that Chile has adopted a Hedging Strategy, limiting involvement in sensitive tech projects aligned with US security concerns, while continuing to attract Chinese investment in areas like electromobility and renewables. The study underscores the combined impact of geopolitical tensions, domestic bureaucratic constraints, and the challenges of engaging with China, whose growing presence still requires a process of mutual adaptation. These dynamics raise questions about Chile’s priorities and the limits of its autonomy in this complex context.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Science and Technology, Bilateral Relations, Strategic Competition, and Middle Powers
Political Geography:: China, Asia, Latin America, North America, Chile, and United States of America

431. Impact of China–Latin America Transportation Infrastructure Cooperation on Latin American Economies: A Project Data Study (2009–2023)

Author:: Cao Ting
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (RBPI)
Institution:: Instituto Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais (IBRI)
Abstract:: Since the beginning of the 21st century, China and Latin American countries have actively collaborated across various fields, including politics, economy, culture, and technology. Transportation infrastructure cooperation has emerged as a key aspect of this relationship. This article analyzes the characteristics of China–Latin America transportation infrastructure cooperation using project data from 2009 to 2023 and evaluates its effectiveness and future prospects. The findings indicate that this cooperation has yielded significant achievements; however, challenges remain in areas such as communication with indigenous communities and environmental protection. Moving forward, it is essential for China and Latin America to deepen their collaboration, prioritize quality projects through strategic planning, and promote the green development and digitalization of transportation infrastructure.
Topic:: Infrastructure, Transportation, Economic Integration, and Regional Economy
Political Geography:: China, Asia, and Latin America

432. Divergent status-seeking in elite clubs: Brazil, China, and the BRICS expansion in Latin America

Author:: Luis Gouveia Junior
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (RBPI)
Institution:: Instituto Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais (IBRI)
Abstract:: BRICS increased its geopolitical reach with a recent expansion. However, a divergent status-seeking, conceptualized as antagonistic strategies to gain status, emerged in BRICS during this process. While China defended the expansion, Brazil hesitated to accept it. Focusing on Latin America, where both seek to gain status, I analyzed how Brazil’s and China’s divergent status-seeking influenced the applications of Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba, and Venezuela for BRICS. I concluded that status-seeking motivations drove the candidacies of these states. However, Brazil served as a gatekeeper, potentially hardening the acceptance of Latin American countries in BRICS due to status calculations. Argentina’s entry was more acceptable for Brazil’s strategy to garner prestige than Venezuela’s. Meanwhile, China defended a broader expansion, supporting all four candidacies.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, BRICS, Regional Politics, and Status
Political Geography:: China, Asia, Brazil, South America, and Latin America

433. Cinema as soft power: China’s strategic narratives in Brazil

Author:: Paulo Menechelli
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (RBPI)
Institution:: Instituto Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais (IBRI)
Abstract:: This paper examines how China leverages cinema as a soft power tool in Brazil, focusing on film festivals, co-productions, and Confucius Institute initiatives. Adopting a poststructuralist approach, it analyzes the strategic narratives embedded in these efforts and their reception by Brazilian audiences. While initiatives like the Looking China Youth Film Project show promise, challenges persist, including Hollywood’s dominance and limited audience reach. The delayed 2017 co-production agreement underscores the complexity of bilateral cultural engagement. By highlighting both the potential and limitations of China’s cinematic strategy, the paper contributes to understanding the cultural dimensions of China–Latin America relations.
Topic:: Diplomacy, Soft Power, Cinema, and Strategic Narratives
Political Geography:: China, Asia, Brazil, and South America

434. A Costly Illusion of Control: No Winners, Many Losers in U.S.-China AI Race

Author:: Paul Triolo
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The aggressive U.S. approach to China risks triggering conflict between the two nations while upending any progress to a global framework for AI safety and security
Topic:: Conflict Prevention, Security, Science and Technology, Bilateral Relations, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence
Political Geography:: China, Asia, North America, and United States of America

435. Tehran’s Red Lines, Trump’s Maximum Pressure, and Regime Survival

Author:: Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Progress toward a potential nuclear deal between the United States and Iran stalls, amid a high-stakes process for Tehran and others
Topic:: Nuclear Weapons, Treaties and Agreements, Donald Trump, and Regime Survival
Political Geography:: Iran, Middle East, North America, and United States of America

436. Great Power Competition Makes Its Exit as Middle Eastern AI Ambitions Grow

Author:: Vincent J. Carchidi
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: As the Trump Administration downgrades the policy importance of science and technology, Middle Eastern states are pursuing tech autonomy
Topic:: Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Donald Trump, Autonomy, Strategic Competition, and Great Powers
Political Geography:: Middle East

437. Silicon Borders: The Global Justice of AI Infrastructure

Author:: Johannes Himmelreich
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Washington uses ‘chokepoints’ to restrict global access to AI development, but this approach may threaten U.S. national security while creating significant moral dilemmas
Topic:: Development, National Security, Infrastructure, Borders, and Artificial Intelligence
Political Geography:: North America and United States of America

438. The Future of Democracy in the Age of Deepfakes

Author:: Hany Farid
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: AI-generated content has already begun to work against us, rather than for us. To ensure this technology brings benefits rather than harms, we must institute immediate changes
Topic:: Science and Technology, Democracy, Artificial Intelligence, and Deepfakes
Political Geography:: North America and United States of America

439. What Counts as Legal Knowledge in the Age of AI?

Author:: Thomas Skouteris
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: AI is here—like it or not. Educators need to create new ways to facilitate the entrance of this technology into legal and academic spaces
Topic:: Education, Law, Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Academia
Political Geography:: Global Focus

440. Recognizing a Palestine State: What’s New—and What’s Not

Author:: Bidisha Biswas
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Australia is the latest G8 nation to pledge recognition of an independent Palestine, but long before Western capitals took action, recognition of the Palestinian state echoed across India, Indonesia, South Africa, and much of Latin America in a shared sentiment of justice rooted in anti-colonial solidarity
Topic:: Solidarity, Palestinians, Anti-Colonialism, Recognition, and G8
Political Geography:: Middle East, India, and Palestine

441. Governing AI Under Fire in Ukraine

Author:: Anna Mysyshyn
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Ukraine offers an opportunity to examine how democracies may balance innovation, accountability, and human rights in the age of autonomous warfare
Topic:: Human Rights, Governance, Democracy, Accountability, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Russia-Ukraine War, and Autonomous Weapons Systems
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

442. Artificial Intelligence Offers Learning Opportunities in the Global South

Author:: Javaid Sofi and Junaid Nabi
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: A pilot program for AI-assisted instruction in Nigeria indicates a promising avenue for democratizing access to education around the world
Topic:: Democratization, Education, and Artificial Intelligence
Political Geography:: Africa, Nigeria, and Global South

443. Beyond Automation: Managing the Integration of AI into Human Civilization

Author:: ChatGPT
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: As AI transforms education, law, and global policy, how can we integrate it wisely—balancing innovation with ethics, equity, and human agency in everyday life?
Topic:: Education, Law, Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Equity, Agency, ChatGPT, and Global Policy
Political Geography:: Global Focus

444. From Symbolic Victories to a People’s Victory: How Gaza Forged Global Recognition of Palestine

Author:: Ramzy Baroud
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: A story of two tracks: the symbolic quest for a state and the daily reality of a people fighting for their existence
Topic:: Self Determination, Zionism, Resistance, and Palestinians
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

445. Gaza: Israel’s AI Human Laboratory

Author:: Anwar Mhajne
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Israel’s use of artificial intelligence has wreaked horrific destruction on Gaza; this technology will likely be sold across the globe in the near future
Topic:: Science and Technology, Weapons, Artificial Intelligence, Armed Conflict, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

446. Hybrid Writing: Authority, Ethics, Agency

Author:: Thomas Skouteris
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Though generative artificial intelligence has facilitated the emulation of form, it cannot take responsibility for what is written. Agency remains at the heart of writing once all else can be automated
Topic:: Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Authority, Writing Center, and Agency
Political Geography:: Global Focus

447. Ending the War In Gaza: What Must Be Done Now

Author:: Gershon Baskin
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Israel’s military juggernaut will not be stopped in Gaza without significant international pressure and a range of conditional sanctions
Topic:: Sanctions, Armed Conflict, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

448. Lebanon: Political Imagination, Accountability, and a New Roadmap for Regional Stability

Author:: Ayman Mhanna
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Independent media, some syndicates, civil society organizations, student movements, reform-minded entrepreneurs, and the diaspora continue to carve out spaces of accountability, even as national institutions flounder.
Topic:: Accountability, Armed Conflict, 2023 Gaza War, and Regional Stability
Political Geography:: Middle East and Lebanon

449. Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Author:: Raphael Cohen-Almagor
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Building a new future for Israelis and Palestinians will require flexibility, compromise, and dedication from both sides as well as the international community.
Topic:: Conflict Resolution, Diplomacy, Negotiation, and Israeli–Palestinian Conflict
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

450. Trump’s Peace Plan for Gaza: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown

Author:: The Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The most recent ceasefire deal proposed by the U.S. president makes big promises, but can it deliver?
Topic:: Donald Trump, Ceasefire, Armed Conflict, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

451. Ukraine: Socio-Political Challenges of the Transition from War to Peace and Post-War Recovery

Author:: Yuri Yakymenko and Razumkov Centre
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: National Security and Defence
Institution:: Razumkov Centre
Abstract:: Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022, is now in its fourth year. Ukraine and its international partners are making considerable efforts to halt russian aggression and to achieve a just and lasting peace. However, progress towards this goal is complicated by the unpredictable and personalised policies of the United States — one of Ukraine’s main strategic partners, as well as by turbulent shifts in the geopolitical landscape amid dangerous trends of militarisation and polarisation within the international community, by the detachment of countries of the Global South from the Ukraine war, by the growing «rightward shift» in political sentiment across the EU and the increasing influence of radical populist forces. The main obstacle to peace in Ukraine, however, remains russia’s aggressive neo-imperial policy and the aggressor’s persistent unwillingness to end the war.
Topic:: Politics, Recovery, Society, Post-Conflict, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

452. The Impact of Trump’s Anti-Immigration Discourse on Asylum Applications in the Balkans (2017–2021)

Author:: Vasil Pavlov and Siddharth Kanojia
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: Immigration has become an increasingly contentious political and social issue in Europe over the past decade. The growing influx of asylum seekers has been driven by deteriorating security conditions, armed conflicts, and political and economic instability in various regions, alongside the comparatively higher living standards in Europe. As a global hegemon, the United States has indirectly shaped migration patterns in peripheral regions such as the Balkans. This paper examines how President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration discourse during his first term (2017–2021) coincided with an approximately 45% decrease in asylum applications from the Balkans. Drawing on official statistics and employing Critical Discourse Analysis, the study explores how US rhetoric influenced regional policy emulation. The findings underscore the transnational impact of populist discourse and call for a critical reassessment of migration governance in key transit regions.
Topic:: Migration, Immigration, Populism, Donald Trump, Asylum, and Securitization
Political Geography:: Eastern Europe and Balkans

453. Consular Protection in Crisis: Vietnam’s Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author:: Hanh Thi Nguyen and Linh Hoang Vo
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: Consular protection represents a core function through which states uphold their responsibilities and deliver essential services to citizens residing or traveling abroad, particularly during times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to these efforts, testing the capacity of governments worldwide. Vietnam, despite being a middle-income country with limited resources, mounted an effective response to protect its citizens overseas. This article presents Vietnam’s experience as an instructive case study, analyzed through the lens of Tindall and ’t Hart’s general analytical framework for consular protection in emergency situations. The findings highlight the importance of adapting existing theoretical frameworks to better reflect the constraints faced by developing countries and to address the complexities introduced by globally disruptive crises.
Topic:: Developing World, Crisis Management, COVID-19, Middle-Income Countries, and Consular Protection
Political Geography:: Asia, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia

454. Securitization Theory Insights on the Formation of an EU Army

Author:: Iva Zutic
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This paper analyzes the narrative securitized by Eurofederalists in support of establishing an EU army. The main objective is to identify and categorize the assertions employed by securitizing actors in their speech acts, examined through the framework of securitization theory. To assess the impact of this securitized narrative, the study evaluates its reception among the EU public before and after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The research reveals that securitizing actors cluster their assertions around four advantages: strategic, political, societal, and economic. Furthermore, the findings indicate that by framing these advantages within their narrative, securitizing actors have successfully influenced public opinion in the EU to favor the establishment of an EU army.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Public Opinion, European Union, Economy, Army, Securitization, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe

455. The Weaponization of Energy Resources: Fossil Fuels as Instruments of Geopolitical Leverage in the EU–Russia Context

Author:: Nataliia Khoma and Maiia Nikolaieva
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This paper examines how energy functions as a strategic instrument of geopolitical coercion, focusing on Russia’s prolonged weaponization of natural gas and the European Union’s evolving response. Building on Soviet-era infrastructure, Moscow has employed price increases, supply cuts, and control of pipelines to pressure states. At the same time, the EU has countered with sanctions, diversification of suppliers, and accelerated investment in renewable energy. For more than fifty years, energy has served as leverage that blurs the boundary between economics and security, imposing heavy economic and political costs on both producers and consumers. Interdependence amplifies these vulnerabilities, allowing energy to operate as a “weapon” on both supply and demand sides. Although the EU plans to end Russian gas imports by 2027, Moscow’s continuing circumvention efforts demonstrate that energy remains a critical tool of power and national security worldwide.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, European Union, Fossil Fuels, Energy, Russia-Ukraine War, and Weaponization
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

456. Protecting Fundamental Freedoms and Promoting Gender Equality: The Case for Binding Quotas on Macedonian Corporate Boards

Author:: Emilija Gjorgjioska, Margarita Janeska, Tatjana Spaseska, and Aneta Risteska Jankuloska
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This paper analyzes gender balance on the boards of companies listed on the Macedonian Stock Exchange (MSE). Despite formal equality, statistics reveal persistent vertical segregation in top management. A comparative assessment places North Macedonia favorably within the Western Balkans and the European Union; however, further progress is still needed. Adopting a legal gender quota, as outlined in Directive (EU) 2022/238, would help close the gap, fulfill obligations under CEDAW, and reinforce the country’s commitment to the United Nations’ fifth Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality, ensuring that fundamental freedoms, gender balance, and equal remuneration are upheld in practice rather than merely acknowledged.
Topic:: European Union, Sustainable Development Goals, Corporations, Gender Equality, and Macedonian Stock Exchange (MSE)
Political Geography:: Europe, Eastern Europe, and North Macedonia

457. Accessing Foreign Policy Information in the Digital Age: Evidence from Greece

Author:: Péter Kacziba
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: The digitalization of governance and media has increased the visibility and accessibility of foreign policy, reshaping how citizens engage with international affairs. However, limited research exists on how digital platforms influence the way foreign policy information is accessed and evaluated in specific national contexts. This study addresses this gap by examining the case of Greece. Drawing on a nationwide online survey conducted in February 2024 (N = 800), this analysis investigates citizens’ source preferences, perceptions of credibility, and engagement patterns across socio-demographic groups. The findings reveal that digital platforms have emerged as the dominant sources of foreign policy information. Nevertheless, traditional dynamics of political polarization, selective trust, and fragmented media consumption remain prevalent. These results underscore the constraints of digitalization in expanding democratic participation and highlight the need for foreign policy research and practice to pay greater attention to public opinion and societal dynamics.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Public Opinion, Democracy, Media, Polarization, and Digitalization
Political Geography:: Europe and Greece

458. Freedom and Personal Autonomy as the Foundation of Private International Law and the Cornerstone of Individual Rights in the AI Era

Author:: Antoni Abat i Ninet
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: An examination of private international law manuals and relevant legislation demonstrates that the autonomy of the will constitutes a fundamental epistemological principle underpinning the field. However, this freedom is neither absolute nor unbounded. The binding force of pacta sunt servanda, the limitations imposed by public law, the operation of mandatory rules (lois de police), the demands of public policy (ordre public), and the necessity of protecting weaker parties all constrain its exercise. In contemporary private international law, the principle has evolved into a pervasive and dynamic norm, deeply embedded in legal practice while continuously adapting to new challenges. In the emerging era of artificial intelligence, the autonomy of the will must be reaffirmed as a cornerstone of individual rights, ensuring the preservation of personal freedom amidst technological transformations.
Topic:: International Law, European Union, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Freedom, Immanuel Kant, and Individual Rights
Political Geography:: Europe

459. Strategic Trade Diversification: Engagement of the Visegrad Group with the Western Balkans

Author:: Lubica Zubalova, Kristina Drienikova, and Nastasia Matusova
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: The Visegrad Group countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia) and the Western Balkan countries share strong historical trade and cultural ties, and their trade relations are becoming increasingly significant in the context of geopolitical changes and economic transformations in the region. Recent trends indicate growing mutual trade, and analysis of the Trade Complementarity Index reveals high trade compatibility, confirming the potential for effective cooperation. The Trade Intensity Index also shows high values, particularly for Hungary. This paper evaluates trade exchanges and examines the intensity and compatibility of economic relations, with a focus on the Visegrad Group countries’ trade with Serbia, their key trade partner. The results suggest that enhanced cooperation between the regions could bring substantial economic benefits and strengthen regional stability and competitiveness.
Topic:: Regional Cooperation, International Affairs, Trade, Visegrad Group, and Regional Stability
Political Geography:: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, and Western Balkans

460. Artificial Intelligence and Politics: Legal Dilemmas and Risks to Democracy

Author:: Daniele Battista and Gabriele Uva
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: The rapid progress of AI has raised questions about its political, ethical, and legal impact, particularly regarding institutional transparency and citizens’ privacy. This study examined the implications of AI in European politics, evaluating whether it enhances democracy or fosters algorithmic manipulations that contravene ethical and legal norms. Adopting a deductive approach, it examined narratives, scenarios, and expectations regarding the use of AI in decision-making and governance mechanisms. The aim was to offer a critical perspective on the dynamics at play, highlighting the risks, opportunities, and legal protections available. The study contributed to the academic debate on the ethical and regulatory implications of AI in governance, providing insights for future regulation and public policy.
Topic:: Politics, European Union, Democracy, Ethics, Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Decision-Making
Political Geography:: Europe

461. Constitutionalizing the Environment in 21st Century Europe: Innovations for Greener Constitutions

Author:: Goce Kocevski
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This paper analyzes and systematizes innovations in the constitutional entrenchment of environmental protection provisions, moving beyond the mere recognition of the right to a healthy environment or the affirmation of general policy declarations. Using the comparative constitutional method, it examines relevant provisions in the constitutions of France, Montenegro, Hungary, Austria, and Slovenia. The findings reveal significant diversity in the scope and manner of environmental constitutionalization, contrasting with the similarities observed among constitutions adopted in the 1990s. Identified approaches include the integration of environmental law principles, the constitutional recognition of procedural environmental rights, and the establishment of institutions dedicated to environmental protection. These constitutional innovations demonstrate significant potential for broader adoption, thereby strengthening frameworks for environmental protection and enhancing the safeguarding of human rights and liberties.
Topic:: Environment, Human Rights, Constitution, Innovation, and Amendment
Political Geography:: Europe

462. Libertarian Perspectives on Social Change: The Overton Window and the Role of the State in Macedonian Society

Author:: Nikola Lj. Ilievski
Publication Date:: 04-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This paper analyzes public opinion on the state’s role in Macedonian society. The Ideological Carreau and the Overton Window of Political Possibilities frameworks visually represent the findings. The primary objective was to develop a reliable tool for measuring public attitudes and monitoring potential shifts in political culture. To gather the necessary data, an online political quiz was created. The responses were analyzed using arithmetic means to determine public opinion’s central tendencies and position them within the Ideological Carreau. The analysis revealed that public attitudes toward the state’s role predominantly align with the conceptual model of the liberal democratic state and the ideological orientation of modern liberalism.
Topic:: Public Opinion, Ideology, State, Liberalism, Libertarianism, Social Change, and Overton Window
Political Geography:: Europe and North Macedonia

463. Criminal Dimensions of Forced Sterilization of Romani Women: A Focus on Gender-Based Violence and Deprivation of Liberty

Author:: Olga Koshevaliska and Roze Surlovska Ristevska
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This paper examines the forced sterilization of Romani women as a serious violation of human rights and a fundamental denial of personal liberty. Drawing on legal, sociological, and feminist frameworks, the analysis demonstrates how this practice reflects intersecting forms of racial and gender-based discrimination within healthcare systems and state institutions. Romani women in vulnerable socio-economic circumstances have been systematically denied autonomy over their reproductive choices, highlighting broader patterns of structural exclusion. The findings emphasize the need to address forced sterilization not only as a criminal offense but also as a form of institutionalized violence that requires urgent legal, policy, and institutional reforms to protect personal liberty and advance reproductive justice.
Topic:: Women, Gender Based Violence, Roma, Discrimination, Systemic Racism, Liberty, Antigypsyism, and Forced Sterilization
Political Geography:: Europe

464. India–Japan Defense Partnership in the Indo-Pacific: Geopolitical Prospects and Challenges Under Trump

Author:: Yen Pham Thi
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This article examines the India–Japan defense partnership in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on its geopolitical prospects and challenges under the Trump administration. Strengthened by shared concerns over China’s rising influence and the convergence of their Indo-Pacific strategies, the partnership has evolved beyond symbolic engagement to include joint exercises, technology sharing, and defense dialogues aimed at preserving a free and rules-based regional order. At the same time, India’s reliance on Russian defense equipment, Japan’s dependence on US security guarantees, and the “America First” policy under Trump pose significant constraints. To sustain and deepen cooperation, both nations must enhance bilateral mechanisms, pursue strategic autonomy, expand multilateral engagements, and promote regional norms. These steps are essential for building a resilient, sustainable, and strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific amid a shifting US foreign policy landscape.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Partnerships, Geopolitics, and Donald Trump
Political Geography:: Japan, China, India, Asia, and Indo-Pacific

465. Crossroads of Peace: Advancing Regional Integration and Global Trade Through Post-Conflict Cooperation

Author:: Gevorg Papoyan and Albert Hayrapetyan
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This article examines the potential economic benefits of the Crossroads of Peace (CoP) initiative proposed by the Government of Armenia. To assess regional trade dynamics, three indicators were applied: the Export Similarity Index (ESI), the Trade Complementarity Index (TCI), and the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA). The findings reveal that the ESI between Armenia and its regional partners, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, is 0.25, indicating minimal competition in export markets. In contrast, the TCI score of 0.5 from the region to Armenia suggests a relatively higher degree of complementarity, highlighting stronger opportunities for regional exports to Armenia than vice versa. Furthermore, Armenia’s projected trade volume with Türkiye in 2024 is estimated at USD 787 million, underscoring the initiative’s potential to foster significant economic exchange.
Topic:: Exports, Trade, Regional Economy, Freedom of Movement, and Post-Conflict
Political Geography:: Turkey, Caucasus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan

466. The Portrayal of Religious Freedom in Media Discourse: Evidence from Kosovo

Author:: Ilmije Kuqi and Lulzim Esati
Publication Date:: 07-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
Institution:: Institute for Research and European Studies (IRES)
Abstract:: This study examines how religious freedom is portrayed in Kosovo’s media and how citizens perceive related tolerance and hate speech. A quantitative survey (N = 150) was conducted from March to April 2025 across six regions using simple random sampling. While 90% of respondents affirmed that religious freedom exists in Kosovo, only 35% rated media coverage as very good or excellent. Sixty percent believed Muslims receive the most media attention, and half noted that ethical standards in religious reporting are only partially upheld. The findings reveal a gap between the legal guarantee of religious freedom and its representation in the media, with negative narratives and online hate speech undermining democratic values and social cohesion in post-conflict Kosovo.
Topic:: Public Opinion, Media, Hate Speech, Social Cohesion, Society, Freedom of Religion, and Post-Conflict
Political Geography:: Europe, Kosovo, and Balkans

467. Capabilitarian Social Justice in EU: Care, Dependency, and the Conception of the Person

Author:: Elisabeth Schöyen
Publication Date:: 01-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Goettingen Journal of International Law (GoJIL)
Institution:: The Goettingen Journal of International Law (GoJIL)
Abstract:: While the European Union (EU) is nominally committed to the promotion of social justice by virtue of Article 3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), the substantive meaning of this objective remains an open question. By first presenting an ideal of social justice for the EU, and then comparing it to the acquis, this paper hopes to make a small contribution to a (necessarily larger) debate about the substantive content of the social justice objective and about the place of political philosophy within legal scholarship more broadly. To do so, Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach (CA) is used as a starting point. Nussbaum proposes a list of ten central human capabilities, all of which must be ensured (at least) at a threshold level in order for a given polity to be considered minimally just. Rather than considering the individual capabilities, the analysis focuses on the conception of the person underlying Nussbaum’s CA, contrasting it with the conception which emerges from the analysis of the legal subject in EU law. It argues that the latter is not only unrealistic but unjust. Focusing on the construction of the disabled legal subject, as well as its intersections with the statuses of ‘worker’ and ‘migrant’, the paper contrasts EU law and policy with Nussbaum’s normative ideal. It finds that the conception of the person underlying the construction of the EU legal subject is insufficiently receptive to care and vulnerability as constitutively human traits, and moreover struggles to conceive of personhood outside of a productivity framework.
Topic:: Migration, European Union, Social Justice, Disability, and Person
Political Geography:: Europe

468. Autopsiadel asalto a la frontera de Ceuta en2021: entre lazona grisyla gestión de crisis

Author:: Luis de la Corte Ibáñez
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal on International Security Studies (RESI)
Institution:: International Security Studies Group (GESI) at the University of Granada
Abstract:: This paper analyses a significant incident that took place on the border of Ceuta between 17 and 19 May 2021, when more than 10,000 people entered the Spanish city from Morocco without authorisation, causing the most serious border crisis experienced in the city during the democratic era. The article begins with a diplomatic contextualisation of the crisis, linked to the deterioration of relations between Spain and Morocco, and sets out its immediate background. It then describes the development of the assault on the Ceuta border in all its relevant aspects. The incident is then analysed from three perspectives. The first offers a strategic reading of the border crisis, based on the hypothesis that the crisis should be interpreted as the result of an operation promoted by the Kingdom of Morocco, within the framework of an escalation in the grey zone, with the aim of influencing Spanish foreign policy. The second perspective offers a detailed analysis of the different phases and dimensions of the border crisis management process. This analysis is based on the hypothesis that, at the time of the crisis, the Spanish state did not have specific mechanisms and protocols in place to deal with incidents that could jeopardise the integrity of either of the two Spanish cities in North Africa, Ceuta or Melilla. The third perspective applies two approaches from the social sciences: the black swan and the gray rhino. The article concludes with an assessment of the diplomatic consequences of the border crisis and a reflection on its strategic implications for Spanish security policy.
Topic:: Security, Crisis Management, Borders, Gray Zone, and Irregular Migration
Political Geography:: Spain and Morocco

469. Ceuta y Melilla: ¿casus belli España-Marruecos?

Author:: Daniel Sansó-Rubert Pascual
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal on International Security Studies (RESI)
Institution:: International Security Studies Group (GESI) at the University of Granada
Abstract:: Spanish-Moroccan relations have traditionally been characterized by a complex relationship from a political, geographical, economic, social, and strategic perspective. This relationship is often misunderstood and not always peaceful, especially in relation to sovereignty and territory, generating crises and tensions. Specifically, Morocco, practically since its establishment in 1956, has maintained a demanding and unilateral position toward Spain regarding Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the other Spanish territories located on the North African coast. To the question of whether a military confrontation between Spain and Morocco over these territories is feasible, the answer must be that, although highly unlikely, it is by no means an impossible scenario. Therefore, in the face of an act of Moroccan aggression, the legal response is unquestionable: the legitimate defense of the territory under international law would allow Spain to repel an illegitimate armed attack, using force and invoking the solidarity clauses that protect it as a member of the European Union and NATO.
Topic:: Geopolitics, Defense Policy, Lawfare, Hybrid Warfare, Armed Conflict, and NATO
Political Geography:: Europe, Spain, North Africa, and Morocco

470. La inmigración en Ceuta y Melilla: más allá del fenómeno coyuntural

Author:: Enrique Ávila Pérez
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal on International Security Studies (RESI)
Institution:: International Security Studies Group (GESI) at the University of Granada
Abstract:: Irregular immigration is one of the main challenges facing Western societies, but there is no continuity in national governments to establish effective policies, possibly because of its ease of manipulation by different actors, both State and NGO. Due to its geographical location, Spain and especially the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, are points of mass arrival of irregular immigrants, mainly of Maghreb and sub-Saharan origin.
Topic:: Immigration, NGOs, and Borders
Political Geography:: Maghreb, Sahel, Ceuta, and Melilla

471. Ceuta: dos escenarios bélicos que desafían la política militar y de defensa española

Author:: Juan Carlos Fernández-Rodríguez
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal on International Security Studies (RESI)
Institution:: International Security Studies Group (GESI) at the University of Granada
Abstract:: The threat to Spanish sovereignty over its African territory is a reality connected to regional security challenges and the military issue. Therefore, in this document, we will explore the various military scenarios we consider most relevant to highlight its nature.
Topic:: Sovereignty, Islamic State, War, and Regional Security
Political Geography:: Spain, Morocco, North Africa, and Europe

472. Ceuta y Melilla:aspectos militares alo largo de la historia

Author:: Luis Feliu
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal on International Security Studies (RESI)
Institution:: International Security Studies Group (GESI) at the University of Granada
Abstract:: This essay, dedicated to the military aspects related to the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, includes, after a necessary introduction, the historical background of the cities and also of Morocco to understand the framework of their historical claims, which are mainly the reason for the permanent military presence in the cities.
Topic:: History, Rif War, Politics, NATO, and European Union
Political Geography:: Morocco and North Africa

473. Science Diplomacy in Horizon Europe Program: Taiwan’s TSMC as an Example for strengthening EU-Taiwan Relations

Author:: Adolfo Yinshi Wu
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: In this article, the author first introduces Taiwan's science diplomacy and its initial involvement in the EU's Horizon Europe programme, the EU's current flagship initiative for scientific innovation. Given the requirements of the programme and the market — namely, that the EU seeks to secure the semiconductor supply chain and that Taiwan is a major semiconductor manufacturer — closer cooperation between the EU and Taiwan could enhance the competitiveness and logistical resilience of EU chip production and supply in the global market. Given the current relationship, the Taiwanese government could develop significant research programmes under Horizon Europe and adopt regulations such as the EU Chip Act to gain access to the European market. The author concludes that Taiwan's TSMC could boost the EU's digital innovation and play a role as a science diplomacy tool in Taiwan–EU relations..
Topic:: Diplomacy, Science and Technology, European Union, Innovation, Supply Chains, and Semiconductors
Political Geography:: Europe, Taiwan, and Asia

474. Between humanitarian imperatives and political legitimacy: a critical analysis of United Nations engagements with the Afghan Taliban (2021–2025)

Author:: Abdul Wasi Popalzay and Bawa Singh
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This study analyzes the United Nations’ engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan between 2021 and 2025, examining how they navigated the tension between humanitarian imperatives and concerns about political legitimacy. The UN's efforts mitigated suffering amid economic collapse and poverty, achieving successes in disaster relief and maintaining the participation of female aid workers through a gender-sensitive approach. However, the Taliban’s human rights violations, including restrictive gender edicts, arbitrary detentions and repressive morality laws, jeopardise these gains and risk delegitimising the regime, which is bolstered by increased revenues despite sanctions. Sanctions have failed to drive policy change due to being weakened by regional actors such as China and Russia. Critiques from civil society highlight the UN’s limited inclusion of Afghan women and the lack of accountability mechanisms, and urge the establishment of an independent investigative body. While counterterrorism cooperation has yielded security benefits, donor fragmentation and funding shortfalls undermine the humanitarian impact.
Topic:: Humanitarian Aid, United Nations, Taliban, Humanitarian Crisis, and Political Legitimacy
Political Geography:: Afghanistan and South Asia

475. Resilience Factors of Islamic State Supporter Movements in Indonesia: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Author:: Aprison Mandela, Arthur Josias Simon Runturambi, Margaretha Hanita, and Muhammad Syauqillah
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Since emerging as a global extremist movement, the Islamic State has expanded its influence in Indonesia, where its supporters persist despite intensive counter-terrorism efforts. IS-related recruitment and attacks have been ongoing since 2014. Through in-depth interviews with 33 convicted or active IS supporters, as well as insights from Indonesian security personnel, including representatives from BIN, BNPT, Densus 88 AT and BAIS, the study has identified thirteen factors that enable these networks to endure. These factors fall into two main categories: nine dominant factors that directly underpin the organisational and ideological survival of the group, and four supporting factors that provide flexibility and localised adaptability. The findings emphasise the importance of shifting counterterrorism strategies from a reactive approach to proactively disrupting ideological, technological and community-based support systems.
Topic:: Terrorism, Violent Extremism, Counter-terrorism, Islamic State, and Resilience
Political Geography:: Indonesia and Southeast Asia

476. Instruments of Hybrid Warfare: Dissemination of Pro-Russian Propaganda Narratives Through Populist Politicians in the Slovak Republic

Author:: Martin Solik, Dalibor Velký, and Jan Graf
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This article uses thematic discursive analysis to examine selected pro-Kremlin populist politicians in Slovakia. The enforcement of one-sided propagandist thoughts and opinions, primarily through radical anti-system politicians and 'alternative' media outlets freely available on the internet, has become one of the most important aspects of hybrid warfare in today's world. This paper aims to identify the specific goals of Russian propaganda and clarify how populist politicians spread propaganda on social media through language resources. The results of the analysis are presented at the end of the paper, along with the word resources used by these politicians. The results prove that pro-Kremlin populist politicians use word and language manipulation to help spread unilaterally focused and distorted information in Slovakia. This article aims to build on and complement existing research on pro-Kremlin anti-system politicians and their role in Russia's hybrid warfare in Europe.
Topic:: Politics, Media, Populism, Propaganda, and Hybrid Warfare
Political Geography:: Russia, Eastern Europe, and Slovakia

477. Aproximación a las estrategias y políticas de la Unión Europea en el Sahel: el dilema pendiente de Bruselas

Author:: Francisco José Marcos Martín
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Este artículo analiza las políticas y los documentos estratégicos dentro del área de seguridad y defensa elaborados por la Unión Europea para el Sahel, estudiando su evolución y el estado de ejecución en el que se encuentran. El análisis de los documentos estratégicos y de la actuación de la Unión Europea concluye que ha habido diversas etapas en la ejecución de estas estrategias europeas. Algunas etapas fueron fructíferas y prometedoras; otras han estado marcadas por desencuentros, algunos de los cuales no se han superado aún. La situación actual en el Sahel es extremadamente complicada ya que no se han alcanzado los objetivos principales que se marcaron desde Bruselas en sus distintas estrategias y la región corre el riesgo de entregarse a terceros actores o incluso de colapsar. Sería, por tanto, deseable abrir el debate sobre el diseño e implementación de las estrategias de la Unión Europea y la actuación de los estados miembros.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Treaties and Agreements, Bilateral Relations, and European Union
Political Geography:: Africa, Europe, Mali, and Sahel

478. International Diplomacy at the Rambouillet Conference (6 February –18 March 1999)

Author:: Armand Krasniqi
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The Rambouillet Conference, which took place from 6 February to 18 March 1999, was a pivotal moment in international diplomacy during the Kosovo crisis. Convened by the Contact Group, the conference aimed to negotiate a settlement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanian leadership amid escalating violence and mounting humanitarian concerns. The proposed agreement included provisions for substantial autonomy for Kosovo and the deployment of NATO forces to oversee its implementation. It was accepted by the Kosovo Albanian delegation, but rejected by the Yugoslav authorities. Led by Slobodan Milošević, Yugoslavia opposed the presence of foreign troops on its territory, viewing it as a violation of sovereignty. Ultimately, the failure of the negotiations resulted in NATO's military intervention on 24 March 1999, marking a pivotal moment in the Kosovo conflict..
Topic:: NATO, Diplomacy, Sovereignty, Humanitarian Intervention, Negotiation, and Rambouillet Conference
Political Geography:: Eastern Europe, Kosovo, and Yugoslavia

479. Turkish Foreign Policy and the Kosovo War: Discussions on the Kosovo Issue in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (1998-1999)

Author:: Majlinda Misini and Ibrahim Gashi
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The Balkans were one of the most important issues on Turkey's foreign policy agenda during the 1990s. When the war in Kosovo began, Ankara adopted an active policy, demonstrating that, as a Balkan country, Turkey embraced the Kosovo issue, took responsibility for it, and fulfilled its moral obligations. In line with its geostrategic partners, the Turkish state emphasised the need to reduce tensions and balance the demands of the parties involved, initially adopting a moderate stance in relation to other potential political solutions for Kosovo. However, as Serbian repercussions in Kosovo increased, Turkey reconsidered its foreign policy, adopting a tougher stance on the Kosovo issue. This article examines the influence of these actors on the final positioning of Turkey, highlighting discussions on the Kosovo issue in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, NATO, History, Media, and Kosovo War
Political Geography:: Turkey, Kosovo, and Balkans

480. Transición Geopolítica Global: Conectividad, Competición y Fragmentación. Introducción

Author:: Soledad Segoviano and Antonio Marquina
Publication Date:: 05-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Este número especial de la Revista UNISCI se centra en una de las cuestiones relvantes de la trasnformación que está aconteciendo en el sistema internacional, la transformación geopolítica y la rivalidad creciente entre Estados. Se puede decir que el orden internacional creado tras la segunda guerra mundial y reforzado tras el fin de la guerra fría se está disipando en medio de una profunda división y fragmentación geopolítica.
Topic:: Climate Change, European Union, Geopolitics, Maritime, Space, Strategic Competition, BRICS, Connectivity, International Order, and Energy Transition
Political Geography:: China, Europe, United States of America, and Global South

481. Multicrimen, Economías Ilícitas y su Impacto en la Gobernanza y Democracia. Caso Nariño, Cauca y Valle del Cauca.

Author:: Germán Nicolás Pataquiva
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Colombia evidencia un patrón de reconfiguración patológica de la gobernanza en regiones como Nariño, Cauca y Valle del Cauca, donde el crimen organizado viene desarticulando el tejido social, imponiendo regímenes locales de terror y desplazando las autoridades legítimas. Estas dinámicas reflejan que se enfrenta una amenaza asimétrica hibrida, en el que estructuras trasnacionales del crimen y de economías ilícitas penetran el Estado, acelerando la erosión democrática. Tal como ocurre en otros contextos iberoamericanos, la convergencia entre violencia armada, cooptación de instituciones y debilitamiento del Estado de derecho generan escenarios en los que actores ilegales disputan con enormes ventajas el monopolio estatal de la fuerza, la tributación y el imperio de la ley. Con lo que se plantea un desafío critico a la seguridad ciudadana y la gobernabilidad por lo que se propone implementar un enfoque multinivel y la creación de una “Fuerza Intermedia”
Topic:: Non State Actors, Governance, Armed Forces, Democracy, Violence, Organized Crime, and Illicit Financial Flows
Political Geography:: Colombia and South America

482. Diálogos con las Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia -AGC-. De clan a ejército ¿paz para todos?

Author:: Deborah Presta Novello
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Las Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia -AGC-, también conocidas como Clan del Golfo y, recientemente autodenominados Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia -EGC-, pueden ser consideradas como el actor armado más importante en el escenario criminal de Colombia, tras la firma de los Acuerdos de paz con la extinta guerrilla de las FARC-EP. En agosto de 2024 se hizo pública la exploración de diálogos con este grupo por parte del Gobierno colombiano, abanderando su política de Paz Total, bajo la que pretende negociar con cada uno de los grupos armados que operan en el país. En este estudio, se pretende resaltar la importancia de este diálogo, así como abordar las incertidumbres que presenta el futuro de las negociaciones con este grupo, debido a la notable expansión del mismo, sus enormes recursos financieros y su falta de estatus político reconocido.
Topic:: Non State Actors, Armed Forces, Peace, Paramilitary, Dialogue, and Social Control
Political Geography:: Colombia and South America

483. Ready to negotiate? The difficulty of peace talks with the National Liberation Army in Colombia

Author:: Leidy Bedoya and Jerónimo Ríos
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This article examines the factors that influenced the ELN's readiness to commit to a settlement during the Colombian peace process of 2023–24. By analysing structural changes within the ELN between 2016 and 2024, the study identifies four key variables: territorial occupation, resources and capabilities, internal cohesion, and alliances. Using a comparative conflict research design and qualitative approach, the study highlights the ELN's transformation following the FARC-EP's demobilisation in 2016, and assesses the implications of these changes for President Gustavo Petro's “Paz Total” peace initiative. The study concludes that the ELN is not yet structurally prepared for unified peace negotiations, which casts doubt on the success of the 'Paz Total'.
Topic:: Non State Actors, FARC, Peacemaking, National Liberation Army (ELN), and Demobilization
Political Geography:: Colombia and South America

484. The Global State of al-Qa`ida 24 Years After 9/11

Author:: Colin Clarke and Clara Broekaert
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: Al-Qa`ida has evolved considerably over the past four decades. Today, it is no longer a hierarchical organization with charismatic leadership, but rather a decentralized network of franchise groups dispersed throughout Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond. The group has not conducted spectacular external operations (EXOPS) for many years, but instead has been focused on patiently rebuilding, dedicating its resources and manpower to forging relationships with regional affiliates and championing their grievances, which are often locally focused. Al-Qa`ida Central, including its senior leadership, has been attenuated, but the organization’s branches in Somalia and the Sahel are gaining momentum, and there is growing concern that al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is also looking to rebound. All of this is occurring against a backdrop of decline in the overall tempo of Western counterterrorism efforts, signaling the end of more than two decades of the Global War on Terrorism. Even in its diminished form, 24 years after the 9/11 attacks, al-Qa`ida and its global network of affiliates pose a serious latent security threat, including to the West, which takes these groups for granted at its own peril.
Topic:: Security, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, and Al Qaeda
Political Geography:: Africa, South Asia, Middle East, and Global Focus

485. Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?

Author:: Matthew Levitt
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: Hamas has never carried out a successful terrorist attack outside of Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza—but not for lack of plotting. Over the years, the group came close to carrying out attacks abroad several times, but these were either thwarted or aborted before execution. Now, recent criminal cases in Germany and Denmark reveal that Hamas set in motion contingency planning for possible attacks in Europe several years before the October 7 massacre, including stashing small arms in weapons caches in multiple European countries. In the context of planning for the October 7 attacks, Hamas planned to make these weapons available to operatives in Europe, according to German authorities. Following the October 7 attacks, leaders of Hamas’ Qassam Brigades based in Lebanon sent operatives to find these weapons, while others in Denmark were tasked to work with a European organized crime group to procure drones and plot attacks in Denmark or Sweden. With Hamas’ operational capabilities in Gaza decimated, and the group looking to find other ways to carry out attacks, European and Israeli officials fear that Hamas has taken the decision to go global and carry out plots abroad, marking a significant departure from the group’s prior modus operandi.
Topic:: Terrorism, Non State Actors, Counter-terrorism, and Hamas
Political Geography:: Europe, Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

486. Inside Hamas: How It Thinks, Fights, and Governs

Author:: Magnus Ranstorp
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: Hamas has evolved from a Muslim Brotherhood-rooted social-religious movement into a hybrid actor that governs, polices society, and wages organized violence. The October 7, 2023, terrorist attack marked a watershed for Israel and the world. Against that backdrop, this article maps how Hamas thinks, operates, fights, and governs—from its origins to the present—showing how a religious structure and social-welfare dawa network hardened into an organized war machine. Based on first-hand interviews with senior figures, including its founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, it details the ideology, organizational architecture, and decision-making that drive both the dawa apparatus and the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The analysis tracks pivotal inflection points—from the First Intifada and Marj al-Zuhr deportations through Gaza’s 2007 takeover, successive wars, and Iranian/Hezbollah backing—to October 7. It concludes by assessing Hamas’ degraded yet durable capabilities, internal factional dynamics, and implications for Gaza’s ‘day after.’
Topic:: Ideology, Hamas, October 7, and Armed Resistance
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

487. A View from the CT Foxhole: Zohar Palti, Former Director, Policy & Political-Military Bureau, Israel’s Ministry of Defense

Author:: Assaf Moghadam and Don Rassler
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: Zohar Palti is the Andrew Viterbi Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Washington, D.C.; Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University; and a consultant for private companies in the United States. Palti retired from Israeli government service in 2022 after four decades in some of the most sensitive positions in Israel’s national security establishment. These included serving as the Director of the Policy & Political-Military Bureau at Israel’s Ministry of Defense, where his responsibilities included conducting and leading Israel’s defense ties with strategic partners around the world. Prior to that, Palti led the Mossad Intelligence Directorate (in a rank equivalent to a major general), and before that, he was the counterterrorism chief of the organization. Prior to his service in the Mossad, he served for 25 years in the intelligence corps of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Topic:: Defense Policy, Counter-terrorism, Interview, and Hamas
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

488. Rise of the E-Militias: Designated Terrorist Groups Infest Iraq’s Digital Economy

Author:: Michael Knights
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: Iraq’s digital economy is one of its fastest-growing sectors, driven by an expanding youth population, a transition to e-governance services, and the potential for Iraq to become a regional data transit hub. As with militia monetization of Iraq’s oil sector, the telecommunications industry is attracting the attention of U.S.-designated terrorist groups. They have two motives: to generate threat finances and to control and monitor data to strengthen their grip on the population and on Western diplomatic, military, and commercial entities inside Iraq. In the year before Iraq’s November 2025 elections, the outgoing government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed the extent of militia penetration of the sector by awarding sensitive telecoms contracts to a now-sanctioned militia economic conglomerate, while also offering U.S.-origin equipment to militias and channeling lucrative 5G mobile telephony licenses exclusively to militia businessmen.
Topic:: Terrorism, Digital Economy, Telecommunications, and E-Government
Political Geography:: Iraq, Iran, and Middle East

489. Ten Years Later: The Legacy of the Paris Attacks on Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks in the West

Author:: Alexandre Rodde
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: A decade ago, the terrorist attacks in Paris illustrated the risks and challenges posed by complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTA) in a Western capital. These marauding attacks, striking multiple scenes in quick succession, were different from the bombing of public transport in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005. This article explains the evolution of the Western law enforcement response while facing such attacks, and how the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2015 Paris attacks led to operational and tactical evolutions in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The 2024 Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow demonstrates the continuing threat posed by CCTA outside of the West. The constantly evolving modus operandi used by terrorists requires a strong anticipation effort by law enforcement agencies in order to prepare for a potential return of CCTA in the West.
Topic:: Security, Terrorism, Law Enforcement, and Counter-terrorism
Political Geography:: Europe, France, North America, and United States of America

490. The Future of the Illicit Captagon Drug Trade

Author:: Caroline Rose
Publication Date:: 10-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: The fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria in December 2024 may have disrupted large-scale production of the illicit drug captagon, but the trade has, by no means, disappeared from the black market. Instead, a new, post-Assad Syria marks a shift in this illicit trade, from state monopoly over production and trafficking to non-state entrepreneurialism in the captagon trade. The remnants of the captagon trade now lie in the hands of warlords, tribes, prominent families, armed militias, and terrorist organizations seeking to engage in captagon production and trafficking as a lucrative alternative revenue stream. With the Assad regime no longer holding a monopoly over the supply of captagon, new non-state actors are seeking to fill a vacuum both inside and outside of Syria, moving production and trafficking sites to new contested areas. The result is not an eradicated captagon trade, but a more complicated, challenging landscape for regional governments.
Topic:: Syrian War, Bashar al-Assad, Illicit Financial Flows, Drug Trafficking, and Captagon
Political Geography:: Middle East and Syria

491. A View from the CT Foxhole: Admiral Frank Bradley, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command

Author:: Don Rassler
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: Admiral Frank M. Bradley has been the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) since October 2025. Originally from Eldorado, Texas, ADM Bradley is a 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He has commanded at all levels of special operations, including Joint Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command Central, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has multiple tours in command of joint task forces and was among the first to deploy into Afghanistan following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Military Affairs, and Interview
Political Geography:: North America and United States of America

492. Protecting Employee Privacy and Security in the Age of Digital Performance Monitoring: A Legal Comparative Analysis of Post-Communist Countries – Poland, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia

Author:: Dorota Domalewska, Sanja Tišma, and Katerina Veljanovska Blazhevska
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: In the context of rapidly increasing digital performance monitoring in the workplace, concerns over employee privacy and ethical considerations arise. This tension between organizational control and employee privacy becomes especially complex in postcommunist societies like Poland, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia, which have a history of state surveillance and control. Drawing on various academic sources and employing a doctrinal-legal method, this study examines how cultural, historical, and legal factors shape perceptions and protections of privacy. It also analyzes the legal frameworks of privacy rights in the workplace. The research reveals that post-communist legacies influence public attitudes towards digital privacy, which is reflected in a low interest in digital privacy in these countries and legislation that lags behind rapid technological advancements. Despite their EU-aligned legislation that provides guidelines for ethical data collection and surveillance, an ambivalent perception of privacy exists among citizens, influenced by their history of state surveillance and control. All three countries have specific legislations that encompass civil, criminal, administrative, and labor law to protect privacy in the workplace. The study concludes with policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for ongoing legislative scrutiny to strike a balance between privacy protection and a stable and secure work environment.
Topic:: Ethics, Privacy, Surveillance, Monitoring, Digital Performance, GDPR, and Post-Communism
Political Geography:: Europe, Poland, Croatia, and North Macedonia

493. A Glimpse of Environmental Procedural Democracy in Poland: Thwarting the Civil Society’s Pursuit of Legal Action Against Environmental Plans

Author:: Karolina Karpus
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: Public participation in environmental matters through access to justice is an indispensable aspect of environmental democracy. It has become increasingly evident that this type of democratic social control over the activities of public authorities should also encompass legislative acts. This poses a significant challenge for the contemporary political-legal system, as is demonstrably evident in the case of Polish environmental plans. Civic control of the legality of such general acts, enacted by public administration bodies in legislative or special procedures, is implemented in two steps. Firstly, it takes the form of participation through comments or questions on the draft of a plan submitted by civic society during the preparatory stage of the law-making process. Secondly, the control focuses on the plans after they are enacted. At this point, it takes the form of legal actions brought by members of the public before national courts in order to investigate the material and procedural legality of environmental plans. However, at present the access to justice in this respect is limited. The aim of the article is to analyse the legal reasons for this deficiency of Polish environmental procedural democracy and to assess it in the light of Poland’s international obligations.
Topic:: Civil Society, Environment, Democracy, Legislation, Justice, and Political Participation
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

494. Media and Democracy in Crisis. A Comparative Analysis of Images of the Riots in the USA in the Public Media of Germany, Poland, and Russia

Author:: Dagmara Głuszek-Szafraniec and Patrycja Szostok-Nowacka
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: This article presents a diverse European perspective on democracy and freedom of expression. The research was conducted on 73 public television materials after the storming of the Capitol in Germany, Poland, and Russia. The content analysis employed 75 categories in the categorization key. The German perspective focused on stabilizing the democratic system after Biden’s win and on respect for democratic values in the USA. The narrative style is centered around change, a natural process in a democracy. Polish public television dominated an atmosphere of anxiety, but the criticism of the democratic opposition in Poland found an analogy between the actions of media corporations and opposition politicians. The materials in the Russian service were biased and directed against American democracy in general. Criticism was levelled at the hypocrisy of the authorities, the inefficiency of democratic procedures, and the lack of respect for political traditions. The portrayal of crisis events in the USA depended on the level of democracy in the country and, to varying degrees, also served as a pretext for criticizing democracy in general and referencing events in the country being analyzed.
Topic:: Democracy, Media, Narrative, January 6, and Public Media
Political Geography:: Russia, Poland, Germany, and United States of America

495. Reflection on Two Levels: Stalemate at COP28, Stakes at COP29

Author:: Majid Asadnabizadeh
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: This article analyzes the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Dubai in 2023 and COP29 in 2024. Some outcomes of COP28 were optimistic, while others require reassessment at COP29. The author identifies four essential issues for COP28 using literary language analysis. Two favorable terms, “financial support” and “food system”, were found, along with two challenging terms, “Loss and Damage” and “Global Stocktake” (GST). The second level of analysis focuses on the situation leading up to COP29. GST is highlighted as a crucial issue, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine, which has raised doubts about the transition away from fossil fuels. The author suggests that during COP29, energy independence pioneers, such as the EU, and proponents of energy dependence, like India and China, may face conflicts, complicating cooperation between industrialized and developing countries. Additionally, the US situation poses challenges for international cooperation, with uncertainty surrounding the 2024 elections and the potential return of Donald Trump. The Republicans, under Trump, are less likely to support energy independence, particularly given the roles of China and India and their continued reliance on fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, after 2022.
Topic:: Climate Change, Energy, Conference of the Parties (COP), COP28, and COP29
Political Geography:: Global Focus

496. Deception as Process and Content: Mapping Research on Deception Published in SJR’s Top-Ranked Communication Studies Journals

Author:: Barbara Cyrek, Malwina Popiołek, Jenna Peltonen, Leslie Corbo, and Maxim Gorbachevsky
Publication Date:: 09-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: This paper reviews the recent literature in the field of communication sciences in terms of analyzing the research on deception, misinformation, and information misuse. A scoping review of the literature presented here focuses on deception studies published in top SJR journals in the years 2020–2022. Two research approaches can be distinguished in this field: analyzing the process or analyzing the content. For the most part, researchers analyze deception from the perspective of the communication process, there are far fewer studies on the content of deceptive messages. Original papers comprise the majority of studies on deception in the communications field, and, among them, dominate the research on social media. In recent years, research on instant messaging services such as WhatsApp has been increasingly popular, but there has been a lack of studies on Telegram, which is growing in importance for communication processes. This work contributes to the literature on deception by introducing a novel literature sampling method and investigating two dimensions of deception analysis, of which one is far more represented in communication studies.
Topic:: Communications, Disinformation, Misinformation, Fake News, and Deception
Political Geography:: Global Focus

497. The Idea of War in the Culture of the Russian Nation

Author:: Piotr Gawliczek, Jacek Mrozek, and Andrzej Soboń
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: Mentality is the result of social processes and is shaped by life experiences, as well as values and norms passed on during socialization. In the case of Russia, history, literature, art, and spirituality play a significant role in shaping the national identity and, consequently, the perception of war. The image of war is often presented in a selective or idealized way. In Russian historical discourse, the positive aspects of one’s history are often emphasized, while, simultaneously, controversial or negative factors are often ignored or minimized. The methodology employed in the paper involves a qualitative comparative method, which involves analyzing the concept of war in Russian culture, describing the characteristics of a nation’s mentality through various aspects of an ethnic group’s spiritual life, and understanding the ideology underlying Russia’s foreign policy. The article concludes that analyzing the concept of war within the Russian nation’s culture is not possible without understanding the general mentality of the entire society. The Russians are less willing to take up the problem of crimes committed in that period by soldiers of the Red Army, which is also the case during the occupation of Ukraine.
Topic:: War, Armed Conflict, and Security Culture
Political Geography:: Russia and Eurasia

498. Evolution of Budget Expenditures on Agriculture in Poland Over Two Decades of Membership in the European Union

Author:: Ryszard Kata, Marcin Czyżniewski, and Anna Matuszczak
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: This article analyzes changes in fiscal policy in agriculture in Poland from 2004 to 2024, as captured through the prism of budget expenditures on agriculture. The analysis focused on the volume, dynamics, and structure of total agricultural budget expenditures, including national budget funds and EU funds allocated to the European budget. It was found that during the two decades of Poland’s membership in the European Union, agricultural budget expenditures were strongly influenced by the volume of European funds allocated to agriculture and rural development under the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy. Changes in agricultural budget expenditures, were mainly due to the adjustment of the national fiscal policy towards agriculture to the structural changes taking place in the agricultural sector. They also resulted from specific state fiscal interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of destabilizing agricultural markets and crises caused by natural-climatic and geopolitical factors. Poland’s agricultural budget expenditures were subject to both evolutionary changes resulting from modifications to agricultural policy, as well as changes in the government’s response to the current challenges and problems of the agricultural sector and the agricultural market.
Topic:: Agriculture, Budget, European Union, and Fiscal Policy
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

499. Post-Military Politics and ‘Emi Lokan’ Democracy in Nigeria

Author:: Remi Chukwudi Okeke
Publication Date:: 06-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: This paper interrogated post-military politics and ‘Emi Lokan’ democracy in Nigeria. It is a significant contribution to the ongoing academic focus on consolidating democracy in the country. According to the research hypothesis, post-military politics in the country still contain some unnecessary military-governance propensities that have not been fully identified for invalidation. The study examined the meaning of ‘Emi Lokan’ democracy. It investigated its democratic implications. The work was based on a qualitative research design, embedding the consultation of secondary sources of non-numeric data. A key message of the contribution is that the influence of military culture in the current democratic order in the country has remained undiminished. The work found that the ‘Emi Lokan’ political belief in Nigeria owes its distasteful origin to the interference of the military in the governance affairs of the nation. It is concluded in the paper that the undesirable ‘Emi Lokan’ democracy can only be stopped in the country by the coming together of a manifestly new breed of politicians. An auspicious attempt was made in this regard during the 2023 presidential election in the nation.
Topic:: Democracy, Domestic Politics, and Military
Political Geography:: Africa and Nigeria

500. Reacting to Instrumentalization of Migration through Reframing of Asylum Norms in the European Union: Strategic Normative Triaging as a Contestation Practice

Author:: Dorota Heidrich
Publication Date:: 12-2025
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:: Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:: This article examines how the European Union (EU) and member states have responded to the instrumentalisation of migration by reframing core asylum norms within both the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and national legislation. While the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum formally reaffirms long-standing commitments to solidarity, human rights, and refugee protection, it also introduces a set of exceptional measures that allow states to restrict or temporarily suspend asylum obligations when migration is portrayed as instrumentalised. Building on this framing, countries such as Poland, Finland, and Greece have adopted domestic laws enabling emergency derogations, border closures, and practices that, in effect, facilitate pushbacks. These reforms are typically justified through narratives of hybrid threats and heightened security concerns. The paper conceptualises these developments through the lens of strategic normative triaging – a mode of norm contestation in which states selectively elevate security-related norms while downplaying humanitarian obligations, presenting these choices as necessary responses to extraordinary circumstances. Drawing on contestation theory in International Relations, the paper argues that this process contributes to a gradual weakening of asylum protections across Europe and, most notably, to the incremental erosion of the non-refoulement principle.
Topic:: Migration, European Union, Norms, and Asylum
Political Geography:: Europe

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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS