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251. La Ciberguerra y su impacto en el Orden Mundial

Author:
Enrique Cubeiro
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:
Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:
El ciberespacio es un ámbito artificial y en continua expansión de tal forma que el abanico de objetivos potenciales que pueden ser afectados por medio de alguna de las múltiples técnicas de ciberataque es muy amplio. El artículo explica las peculiaridades del ciberespacio, su transversalidad, la opacidad, la asimetría y el impacto del ciberespacio en las potencialidades del débil con respecto al fuerte, así como en la diversidad de las amenazas que genera, la inefectividad de la disuasión, la disociación ofensivo-defensiva, el amplio abanico de posibles daños y su efectividad en creciente progresión. El artículo explica también la dificultad de aplicación en este campo del derecho internacional humanitario donde, además, los Estados juegan con reglas diferentes, y cómo muy pocos Estados cuentan con un poder ciberespacial completo, contribuyendo, con ello, a establecer una jerarquía entre Estados en términos de seguridad.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Human Rights, Cybersecurity, and Cyberspace
Political Geography:
Global Focus

252. Geopolítica del Espacio Exterior

Author:
Josep Baqués
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:
Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:
En el campo militar hemos pasado a considerar el espacio como un dominio más, a añadir a los tradicionales (tierra, mar y aire, y, si acaso, el ciberespacio). Esto da cuenta de una novedad, que nos obliga a analizar en qué punto nos encontramos, tanto a nivel tecnológico, como en su impacto en la competición entre grandes potencias, que ha regresado al primer plano, pese a las buenas intenciones del derecho internacional. Este artículo muestra que, lejos de esas buenas intenciones, y de la letra de algunos tratados que, como el OST, aspiraban al establecimiento de un régimen cooperativo, estamos inmersos en una lógica de corte realista, que, en buena medida, traslada al espacio las tensiones existentes en los demás dominios.
Topic:
Geopolitics, Space, and Satellites
Political Geography:
Global Focus

253. Tipping the Scales: Emerging AI Capabilities and the Cyber Offense-Defense Balance

Author:
Caleb Withers
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
Abstract:
istorically, attackers have had significant structural advantages in cyberspace. While defenders must secure vast attack surfaces, attackers need only succeed once. Traditionally, artificial intelligence (AI) has helped defenders mitigate these challenges by scaling defensive activities and responding to attacks in real time. Yet new developments in frontier AI could change this dynamic. While AI will aid both attackers and defenders, emerging challenges may lead AI to disproportionately empower attackers, further exacerbating their advantage in cyber operations: Growing inference costs at the frontier of capabilities: Historically, most automated cyber tools have required relatively little computation to run. However, the most powerful AI capabilities increasingly rely on substantial computation to run AI models (including running them for longer). If this continues, it may become unaffordable for defenders to apply state-of-the-art capabilities across their whole attack surface, even as attackers can still afford to opportunistically target a given portion—mirroring the offense-favoring economics of human cyber operators. Automation of the full cyber kill chain: Future AI systems could conduct entire cyberattacks at machine speed and scale, from start to finish, without human involvement. This would make cyberattacks far more effective at achieving military and geopolitical objectives—for example, in supporting invasions—while undermining the ability of humans to de-escalate. Persistent technical reliability challenges: Defenders and responsible actors face several technical challenges in ensuring the safe and controlled deployment of AI systems. As AI becomes increasingly capable and central to cyber operations, these challenges asymmetrically advantage attackers—especially those who are more willing to tolerate collateral damage—who face less downside from failures compared with defenders. These technical challenges will intersect with broader sociotechnical challenges as countries and organizations integrate AI into their cyber strategies. Defenders will need to strike a balance between automation and maintaining human expertise, avoiding both overreliance on and overcentralization of technology. Moreover, these challenges will unfold against a backdrop of intense domestic and international competition in AI development and deployment. The net offensive or defensive advantage of AI-powered cyber tools is not predetermined. The advantage will vary across tools and their capabilities. It can also be measured and shaped through decisions about AI research, development, and deployment. As policymakers navigate the evolving landscape of AI-enabled cyber threats, they should focus on the following priorities: Double down on policies to shore up cybersecurity. Invest in AI research and development to differentially promote cyber defense. Strengthen evaluation of AI cyber capabilities and risks, including relevant U.S. government capabilities and authorities. Sufficiently resource the Bureau of Industry and Security to enforce AI-related export controls. Clarify federal regulation around reasonable care and liability for cyber harms from frontier AI. Promote information security at frontier AI developers. Promote global norms around liability for harms from automated cyber operations.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Science and Technology, Cybersecurity, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence
Political Geography:
Global Focus

254. A View from the CT Foxhole: Adam Hadley, Executive Director, Tech Against Terrorism

Author:
Don Rassler
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
CTC Sentinel
Institution:
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:
Adam Hadley CBE is the Founder and Executive Director of Tech Against Terrorism, a public-private partnership dedicated to disrupting terrorists online. Tech Against Terrorism was established as an initiative of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Hadley is also the CEO of QuantSpark, an AI innovation consultancy.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, and Interview
Political Geography:
Global Focus

255. Commentary: The Dangers of Overreliance on Generative AI in the CT Fight

Author:
Nicholas Clark
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
CTC Sentinel
Institution:
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:
The explosive rise in generative artificial intelligence (AI) use has sparked debate over its applicability in military domains such as counterterrorism (CT). This article critically evaluates the role of large language models (LLMs) in CT, arguing that their utility remains limited and potentially detrimental when applied indiscriminately. After providing a high-level overview of the mathematical foundations of LLMs, the article demonstrates how these tools can produce misleading or confidently incorrect outputs. Through case studies and empirical findings, this article underscores the cognitive risks of overreliance on AI in CT planning and intelligence operations, including reduced analytical engagement and inhibited creativity among operators. While generative AI may assist in automating routine tasks, it lacks the capacity for nuanced judgment, uncertainty quantification, and dynamic responsiveness critical to effective CT work. The article concludes by advocating for a shift in focus toward enhancing education in probabilistic reasoning, such as Bayesian inference, and building robust data governance infrastructures. Such foundational improvements are prerequisites for any effective or responsible integration of AI into CT domains.
Topic:
Counter-terrorism, Artificial Intelligence, and Large Language Models (LLMs)
Political Geography:
Global Focus

256. A View from the CT Foxhole: James Stack, Director, Great Plains Diagnostic Network

Author:
Don Rassler and Kristina Hummel
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
CTC Sentinel
Institution:
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:
James Stack, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized leader in the field of plant biosecurity. A professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Kansas State University since 2003, Dr. Stack provided leadership in the development of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) and became regional director of the Great Plains Diagnostic Network (GPDN), one of the five regional networks, soon after it was formed. From 2006 to 2008, he served as the director of KSU’s Biosecurity Research Institute, a biocontainment facility for plant, animal, and human health. Dr. Stack’s research focuses on genome-informed diagnostics for plant-pathogenic bacteria to the subspecific and population levels of discrimination, as well as research on the epidemiology and ecology of toxigenic fungi and bacteria. He speaks regularly on plant biosecurity topics, to include at the U.S. Naval War College and the National Academy of Sciences, among other forums.
Topic:
National Security, Science and Technology, Terrorism, Biosecurity, and Interview
Political Geography:
Global Focus

257. Foreign Terrorist Fighters: A Threat in Stasis

Author:
Kim Cragin
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
CTC Sentinel
Institution:
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:
This article examines the historical trajectory of “foreign terrorist fighters” associated with the Islamic State and its antecedents, al-Qa`ida and the Arab Afghans. The article argues that the threat of foreign fighters today is best understood as being in stasis. Foreign fighters continue to pursue external operations against the West. They also transfer new tactics, techniques, and procedures between conflict zones. These patterns are not new. Beyond these historical patterns, foreign terrorist fighters have become increasingly adept at reaching out to new sympathizers and serving as interlocutors between Islamic State affiliates in conflict zones and their sympathizers. FTFs also have utilized end-to-end encryption technologies, generative artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies to magnify their impact. Nevertheless, it is not yet time for alarm. Countries have strengthened their laws, intelligence-sharing, and law enforcement coordination over the past decade. If governments continue to build on this collective effort and devote resources toward mitigating foreign fighter flows, the threat should remain in stasis.
Topic:
Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, Al Qaeda, Islamic State, and Foreign Fighters
Political Geography:
Global Focus

258. Realism in International Trade Relations: Limiting Judicial Activism

Author:
Dmytro Skrynka
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
he WTO dispute settlement system crisis is an important milestone in the history of international law. Since the realist school in the study of international relations is known for its attention to the limits of the functions of international law, it is quite appropriate to review the key concepts of the realist school relevant to the current crisis. The ambitious endeavor to minimize the use of political methods of dispute settlement in international trade disputes within the institutional system of the WTO has not been quite successful. As postulated by realists, the political processes prevailed over the international legal procedures. In this article, based on the realist approach, the causes of the stalemate of the WTO dispute settlement system are analyzed, and recommendations are presented for remedying the current situation. The comparative analysis method is used for this. The article translates the relevant concepts of international relations by key realists, including the classification of international disputes by Hans Morgenthau, into specific recommendations for resolving the ongoing crisis.
Topic:
International Relations, International Trade and Finance, Realism, Dispute Resolution, and Judicial Activism
Political Geography:
Global Focus

259. Anti-Terrorism Prevention in the Police: Theory and Practice

Author:
Marek Cupryjak, Marek Stefański, and Radosław Zych
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to analyse police services in terms of their preparedness to counter terrorist threats. The authors considered that one of the main areas of the research subject in the paper is the relationship between public needs and expectations and the functioning of the police and other entities of the anti-terrorist system in terms of the sense of public security. An essential part of the paper is the presented and discussed results of scientific research on preparing police services to counter terrorist threats. The conducted research clearly indicates that conducting anti-terrorism prevention training is necessary, first and foremost, in the basic professional courses of police officers, as well as in in-service training. It is better to prevent than to be surprised by a terrorist attack, which brings death, destruction, trauma, and tragedy for all those affected. Therefore, every police officer should have a basic knowledge of anti-terrorism prevention issues. The authors include the most important proposals for improving the anti-terrorist system of the Republic of Poland in the conclusions. The most important ones included: efforts should be made to continuously improve the level of training of Polish police officers and officers of counterterrorist formations. These trainings should be organized with the use of instructors and specialists from the world’s leading counter-terrorist units.
Topic:
Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, Homeland Security, Crisis Management, and Police
Political Geography:
Global Focus

260. Resilience to Online Disinformation: The Role of Civil Society Organizations

Author:
Agnieszka Bejma and Yun-Ju Kao
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
The proliferation of online disinformation poses a serious threat to democratic societies, undermining electoral integrity, fueling polarization, and eroding public trust in institutions. Addressing this complex and evolving challenge cannot be the responsibility of governments or civil society actors alone. This article argues that civil society organizations (CSOs), when engaged as co-creators in democratic governance, play a vital role in fostering information resilience in the digital age. Drawing on comparative case studies from Taiwan and Poland: two democracies that have been frequent targets of foreign disinformation campaigns, we examine how CSOs respond to these threats through fact-checking, media monitoring, digital literacy education, and public awareness campaigns. Our findings show that CSOs not only expose misleading content but also empower citizens to critically engage with information ecosystems. The study contributes to the emerging literature on co-governance by demonstrating that effective responses to disinformation require multiactor collaboration, with CSOs serving as institutional partners in safeguarding democratic resilience.
Topic:
Civil Society, Governance, Democracy, Resilience, and Disinformation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

261. The Gravity of Violence

Author:
Mathieu Couttenier, Julian Marcoux, Thierry Mayer, and Mathias Thoenig
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales (CEPII)
Abstract:
This paper presents a framework for estimating and simulating a quantitative spatial model of trade and violence. In this new theoretical and empirical setup, designed for the analysis of bilateral flows, we first model the general equilibrium interactions between the economic and fighting margins in a micro-founded setup. We then show how the structural parameters can be recovered from the data in a simple and transparent way. A central element of the procedure consists in estimating a structural gravity equation of violence. Studying continental Africa over the period 1997 to 2023, we test the key predictions of the model and uncover new facts related to spatial frictions and conflicts. Finally, the model is simulated to quantify different policy-relevant experiments in weakly institutionalized contexts where insecurity is pervasive. Positive and spatially-diffusing feedback loops between development and pacification are one of the main findings of our analysis.
Topic:
Development, Conflict, Violence, Trade, and Gravity Data
Political Geography:
Africa and Global Focus

262. Monetary Policy and Life Insurance Profitability: Bancassurance’s Edge in a Low-Yield World

Author:
Pablo Aguilar-Perez
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales (CEPII)
Abstract:
This paper examines the effects of monetary policy on the profitability of life insurers during the prolonged low-interestrate period, leveraging a novel dataset of 31 leading French insurers from 2009 to 2018. Following supervisory practice and business-model criteria, we classify firms into bancassurers (insurance subsidiaries of banking groups) and non-bancassurers (the rest of life insurers governed by the French Insurance Code). Our central contribution is to document the income channel for life insurance. Monetary policy easing boosts profitability, but the adverse effect of the low-yield era operates through the spread between portfolio returns and credited (guaranteed) rates: as this guaranteed-yield spread widens, the gain from easing attenuates. We show that this mechanism differs materially across business models. Bancassurers reduce credited rates more rapidly than peers while maintaining above-average premium growth, thereby dampening the income channel’s drag and sustaining margins. Portfolio choices reinforce this advantage: bancassurers’ profitability increases with higher equity shares, in contrast to nonbancassurers, consistent with more diversified portfolios that smooth returns. Taken together, the results reveal pronounced heterogeneity in how life insurers adapt to monetary easing and underscore the importance of business model for the transmission of monetary policy to non-bank financial intermediaries.
Topic:
Monetary Policy, Interest Rates, Profit, Financial Stability, and Life Insurance
Political Geography:
Global Focus

263. Energy and Fiscal Shocks: Reassessing Industrial Competitiveness

Author:
Carl Grekou, Thomas Grjebine, and Florian Morvillier
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales (CEPII)
Abstract:
Energy price shocks never occur in isolation: their impact is shaped by the broader macroeconomic context, in particular by governments' fiscal stance. This paper investigates how two key forces-energy price shocks and demand stimuli induced by fiscal policy-affect industrial performance in advanced economies, and shows that their effects depend critically on trade exposure. Using sector-level data for 30 countries over the period 1978-2022, we find that rising energy prices reduce manufacturing value added through both cost and demand channels, with more persistent effects in less open sectors. In contrast, demand-led fiscal expansions generate more complex dynamics: while boosting domestic sales, they simultaneously weaken external competitiveness. On average, a 1% increase in domestic demand leads to a 1.8% decline in manufacturing exports within three years. The overall effect on value added depends on the degree of trade openness - it is positive in the short term for sheltered sectors, but turns negative after two years in globally integrated ones.
Topic:
Economy, Manufacturing, Industry, COVID-19, Economic Recovery, Energy, and Competition
Political Geography:
Global Focus

264. Disinformation in the City Brief #1: What is disinformation in the city?

Author:
Jessica (Ika) Trijsburg, Paul Costello, William Ridge, Elise Park, and Daniel Pejic
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS)
Abstract:
Disinformation impacts cities. In extraordinary times of rapid information-sharing, distrust, and disruption, cities are on the front line. Local authorities are the level of government most accessible to the people and are tasked with leading communities through ever more complex societal and global challenges. Among those challenges are information manipulation, disinformation, misinformation, mal-information, and information disorder: what’s the difference? The intent of content creators is important, and it distinguishes disinformation from other misleading or harmful information. In this brief, we refer to disinformation as shorthand for various kinds of information manipulation, acknowledging that such campaigns often contain elements of misrepresented truth (mal-information) and may reach wider audiences where groups or individuals unknowingly—and without intent to harm—share false information (misinformation). Disinformation is false information that is deliberately created to harm, mislead, or evoke an emotional response within a target audience. Disinformation includes what is sometimes also called “fake news”, and propaganda. Misinformation is false or misleading information shared without intent to harm, often due to unconscious bias or by accident. This means that innocent and well-meaning people can unknowingly spread false, harmful, and misleading information. The creation and propagation of disinformation, in contrast, is always purposeful. Mal-information is true information that is used with intent to manipulate or harm. Factual information can be harmful where it is used out of context or combined with mis- and disinformation. Together, mis-, dis- and mal-information represent what is called information manipulation or information disorder. In a digitally connected world, information manipulation is a highly complex challenge for decisionmakers and practitioners. Disinformation is often false information. However, through the careful use of mal-information, disinformation can also contain aspects that are truthful. The combination of fake and factual information can be confusing, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and fiction. Weaving small truths within a larger framework of lies can add credibility to disinformation, and makes it more difficult for others to refute
Topic:
Cities, Disinformation, and Information Manipulation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

265. Disinformation in the City Brief #3: Responses

Author:
Jessica (Ika) Trijsburg, Paul Costello, William Ridge, Elise Park, and Daniel Pejic
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS)
Abstract:
Disinformation impacts cities. In extraordinary times of rapid information-sharing, distrust, and disruption, cities are on the front line. Local authorities are the level of government most accessible to the people, and are tasked with leading communities through ever more complex societal and global challenges. The rise of disinformation is a complicated challenge for cities globally. As the disinformation landscape evolves, cities must evolve along with it. This will require innovation, information-sharing, and deployment of response solutions at every stage of the disinformation lifecycle. Using technology, collaboration, and community engagement, cities can, and increasingly do, curtail the harmful impacts of disinformation. Disinformation is information and media content meant to deliberately mislead or evoke an emotional response in a target audience. Disinformation is sometimes also called “fake news” or propaganda.2 The intent of content creators is relevant, and it distinguishes disinformation from misinformation. Misinformation is simply false or misleading information, which might be created or shared due to unconscious bias or accident.3 The creation and propagation of disinformation, in contrast, is always purposeful and calculated to achieve a particular goal or outcome. Cities are increasingly impacted by disinformation. In the following sections, various strategies related to cities’ responses to this growing issue are explored. “Disinformation response” refers to a suite of activities before, during, and after disinformation has been disseminated. These activities may be seen as different response phases that include preemption and early detection; spread prevention and pre-bunking; and debunking and recovery.
Topic:
Cities, Disinformation, Community Engagement, and Information Manipulation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

266. Critical Minerals and the New Industrial Order

Author:
Sophia Kalantzakos
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
LSE IDEAS
Abstract:
On 16 June 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission, 2025a) presented a rare earth permanent magnet made in Estonia at the G7 summit. The move was on point. It spoke to a major geoeconomic challenge troubling governments and industry; how to ensure uninterrupted access to critical minerals to power the global seismic green and digital shifts currently underway. Von der Leyen spotlighted that this magnet was produced by a Canadian company supported by the European Union Just Transition Fund and that the materials it contained were sourced from Australia, not China. Europe was now one step closer to building resilience and derisking the supply chains necessary to electrify transport, deploy renewables, and build its tech capacity for the fourth industrial revolution.
Topic:
Supply Chains, Geoeconomics, Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Critical Minerals
Political Geography:
Global Focus

267. Scramble for the Undersea: Challenges ahead for deep-seabed mining and submarine cables

Author:
Amaia Sánchez-Cacicedo
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
LSE IDEAS
Abstract:
This Strategic Update focuses on the geopolitical competition and challenges surrounding deep-seabed mining and submarine telecommunications cables, particularly in the context of the Indian Ocean Region.
Topic:
Geopolitics, Mining, Strategic Competition, Jurisdiction, Telecommunications, and Subsea Cables
Political Geography:
Global Focus and Indian Ocean

268. Today’s Top National Security Threat? You’re Looking at It

Author:
Karl Stoltz
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
American Diplomacy
Institution:
American Diplomacy
Abstract:
You are probably reading this article on your mobile phone or your laptop, or maybe your office or home PC. In fact, that is probably how you get most of your information today, not on pieces of paper delivered to your door or in your mail, or even via AM or FM radio or on network television. And that change in how we receive information is increasingly true all around the world. That convenient all-purpose device you’re staring at also allows our adversaries to attack us from within. It has become one of the greatest threats to our long-term national security. Over the past decade, adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran have mastered the art of burrowing into our consciences surreptitiously, planting falsehoods, disrupting elections, and undermining the fundamental institutions that safeguard democracy. These hybrid attacks were once all labeled “disinformation.” Today, they are more precisely defined as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). FIMI affects us like Rohypnol and other date rape drugs: at first, we are often not aware that we are ingesting it. We are addicted to our favorite social media sites, so we refuse to believe that our phones and PCs could be used against us. But information manipulators are master bartenders, able to mix a twist of truth into heavily distilled fictions. They mimic reputable sites in such a way that many consume these distortions without realizing they are swallowing them. And, like alcohol, manipulated information amplifies our emotions. It turns minor political differences into bitter arguments, it undermines confidence in those we should trust, and it destroys longstanding relationships.
Topic:
Diplomacy, National Security, Internet, and Information Manipulation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

269. Communicating with the People or with the Leadership Elite: A Diplomatic Juggling Act

Author:
Charles Ray
Publication Date:
02-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
American Diplomacy
Institution:
American Diplomacy
Abstract:
Different people define diplomacy in slightly different ways, but a generally accepted definition from Britannica is ‘the established method of influencing the decisions and behavior of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence.’ Many people confuse diplomacy with foreign policy, but the terms are quite different. Foreign policy establishes the goals in relationships (bilateral or multilateral) and prescribes strategies and broad tactics to achieve those goals, and it is set by a country’s political leadership. Diplomacy, on the other hand, encompasses the methods used by assigned envoys to establish or strengthen the relationships necessary to carry out the determined policy. Traditionally, diplomats, in carrying out their country’s foreign policy, have mostly communicated with their host country’s leaders or ruling elites. Currently, though, with the rise in prominence of non-governmental organizations and citizens’ groups, effective diplomacy has required that diplomats communicate with these audiences as well as with a host country’s leaders. This can present a problem, especially in authoritarian countries.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Communications, Leadership, and Elites
Political Geography:
Global Focus

270. Social Media Addiction: Yeşilay's Awareness Campaigns Against Social Media Addiction

Author:
Meryem Altıntaş
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Academic Inquiries
Institution:
Sakarya University (SAU)
Abstract:
As with other addictions, social media addiction causes the individual to be exposed to many mental and physical problems. The Yeşilayhas an important place in the fight against addiction, especially in creating individual and social awareness. In this study, it is examined what kind of studies the Yeşilay conducts on social media addiction, whether it conveys methods of combating social media addiction, and whether it informs about individual responsibilities regarding social media addiction. Within the scope of the study, a total of 5 brochures published on the official website of the Yeşilay under the name of technology addiction were analyzed. The brochures were analyzed in terms of target audience, subject, language and visuals. It was observed that the brochures provided information about technology addiction, the effects of technology addiction and methods of protection from addiction. The Yeşilay has brochures on technology addiction. However, the Yeşilay should also prepare brochures that deal entirely with social media addiction. In addition, the brochures should frequently inform individuals to receive professional psychological support within the scope of combating addiction.
Topic:
Social Media, Journalism, and Addiction
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, and Global Focus

271. Yaşam Doyumu ve Ruhsal İyi Oluşu Etkileyen Faktörler ile Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı İlişkisinin İncelenmesi

Author:
Yasin Şenol and Ayla Akdoğan
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Bilgi
Institution:
Sakarya University (SAU)
Abstract:
Purpose - Studies that associate social media addiction with negative emotional states are cross-sectional and correlation-based, making it impossible to establish causality. The aim of this study is to test the relationship between social media use and addiction—frequently linked to negative emotions and life experiences in the literature—with positive emotional states and life experiences. If social media use and addiction lead to negative emotional states, they should exhibit strong and inverse relationships with variables indicating positive emotions and life conditions. Methodology/Approach/Design- A quantitative research method was employed, and a correlational survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 739 participants through a survey using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Findings- The analysis results indicate a strong, positive, and significant relationship between life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Social media addiction, however, exhibits a weak but significant negative relationship with both variables. These findings do not provide strong support for the association of social media with negative emotional states and life experiences. Originality/Value- This study contributes to understanding the impact of social media addiction on individuals’ quality of life and helps raise awareness regarding social media use. Instead of making broad negative generalizations about social media use, future research should adopt the uses and gratifications approach to examine how individuals use social media either to escape the distress they experience in daily life or to seize opportunities and advantages they perceive on these platforms. In this context, conducting ethnographic research on the social media habits and motivations of different demographic groups appears to be of particular importance.
Topic:
Social Media, Society, Well-Being, and Addiction
Political Geography:
Global Focus

272. More Than a Group Chat: Women’s Social Support Seeking Behaviour in Facebook Groups

Author:
Sezen Kaya-Sönmez and Ömer Faruk Zararsız
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Academic Inquiries
Institution:
Sakarya University (SAU)
Abstract:
This study examines how women seek and provide social support in a Facebook group exclusively designed for female members. The research aims to demonstrate that social support is a significant communication process not only during health-related issues and crisis situations but also as part of everyday life. A second aim is to highlight the role of social support in women’s online interpersonal communication. Using content analysis, posts shared within the closed Facebook group were thematically analysed through the lens of social support theory. The findings indicate that the majority of posts in the group contain social support elements. Informational support was most frequently observed in posts related to daily life and health, while emotional support was most prevalent in discussions about relationships and religion. Esteem support, the third most common type, was primarily found in posts concerning relationships.
Topic:
Social Media, Facebook, Social Support, Digital Platforms, and Interpersonal Communication
Political Geography:
Global Focus

273. The Associations Between Social Media Addiction, Job Stress, Performance, and Relationship Satisfaction Among Married Employees

Author:
Tuğba Özsoy
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Academic Inquiries
Institution:
Sakarya University (SAU)
Abstract:
This study investigates the relationships between employees' levels of social media addiction and their job performance, job stress, and emotional relationship satisfaction among married professionals. The research is based on data collected from 256 married participants working in various sectors of the public and private domains, gathered through an online survey. Correlation analyses revealed that social media addiction is positively correlated with job stress but not significantly related to job performance and relationship satisfaction. Additionally, it was found that women use social media more than men. Participants spent an average of 1.35 hours on social media during work hours and 4.18 hours per day in total. Multiple regression analyses indicated that only job stress significantly predicted social media addiction. The results suggest that social media use is not directly related to job performance and relationship satisfaction but is associated with job stress among married professionals.
Topic:
Social Media, Addiction, Work-Life Balance, Job Performance, and Relationships
Political Geography:
Global Focus

274. The Theological Foundations of the Right to Stay in Catholic Social Teaching

Author:
Antônio Lemos
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal on Migration and Human Security
Institution:
Center for Migration Studies of New York
Abstract:
The right to stay emerged as a fundamental principle in modern Catholic social teaching (CST) in the twentieth century, even preceding the right to migrate. This right is rooted in the condemnation of forced migration and three theological principles: 1 — salvation of souls, 2 — universal destination of goods, 3 — dignity of the human person. This paper traces the development of the right to stay within CST, identifying three distinct stages. The first stage, spanning from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century, is characterized by an implicit recognition of the right to stay, embedded in the critique of the treatment of forced migration. During this period, CST primarily addressed the concerns of Catholic migrants, offering pastoral care and emphasizing the salvation of souls as theological foundations for protection. The second stage, from the mid-twemtieth century to the 1960s, sees a growing emphasis on the universal destination of goods as a key theological principle. While the right to stay remains implicit, CST begins to advocate for the protection of all migrants, regardless of their faith. The third stage, commencing in the 1960s, is marked by the explicit articulation of the right to stay, notably by Pope John XXIII. Its theological foundation expands to include the dignity of the human person, firmly establishing the right to stay as a central tenet of Catholic migration ethics. The study concludes that the right to stay has evolved from an implicit concept to a clearly articulated principle in CST. This evolution is underpinned by a growing theological foundation, shifting from a focus on pastoral care of Catholic migrants, to a broader emphasis on the universal destination of goods and the inherent dignity of every human person.
Topic:
Migration, Religion, Catholic Church, and Right to Stay
Political Geography:
Global Focus

275. Smart Governance: A Conceptual Analysis and Integrative Model

Author:
Temoor Bin Aslam and Sobia Khurram
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
Smart Governance is an emerging theme, but its propositions are found to be varied in literature. This study is aimed to extract different propositions for Smart Governance from literature and put them together into a coherent whole with an integrative model to offer a more complete and nuanced view of this theme. Towards this end, a total of eight literature reviews were shortlisted for an in-depth review. Meta-synthesis of the propositions in shortlisted reviews helped develop an integrative model that highlights characteristics, dimensions, and components in conjunction with implementation strategies and the aspired outcomes of Smart Governance. This model can serve as a framework for understanding and applying Smart Governance in local and national contexts.
Topic:
Governance, Smart Cities, Data, and Integrative Model
Political Geography:
Global Focus

276. When Peace Starts Local, Prevention Works: Reimagining the UN’s Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Peacebuilding

Author:
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Abstract:
September 2025 marks 20 years since states gathered at the UN World Summit and unanimously adopted the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and established key components of the UN’s peacebuilding architecture. At a time of significant shifts within the multilateral system and unprecedented global conflict, this year presents a critical opportunity for the international community to understand the connections between conflict prevention, peace processes, atrocity prevention and R2P, and to recommit – with renewed urgency – to upholding the enduring individual and collective responsibility to consistently protect the world’s most vulnerable populations. In light of the 20th anniversary of R2P and the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect and Peace Direct have co-authored a policy brief that examines the essential linkages between atrocity prevention and peacebuilding. The brief highlights the shared objectives and overlapping tools of these two fields and emphasizes the central role of locally-led efforts and national ownership when designing and implementing prevention and peacebuilding programs. The publication concludes with actionable recommendations to strengthen peacebuilding practices and enhance the UN’s capacity to prevent conflict and atrocity crimes and sustain durable peace. We hope this brief will contribute meaningfully to discussions around the future of multilateral action on atrocity prevention and peacebuilding in 2025 and beyond.
Topic:
United Nations, Multilateralism, Peace, Responsibility to Protect (R2P), Peacebuilding, and Atrocity Prevention
Political Geography:
Global Focus

277. Achtung-Swarm! A Proposal for Swarm Maneuver Groups

Author:
John Bolen
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Advanced Military Studies
Institution:
Marine Corps University Press, National Defense University
Abstract:
The unmanned combat vehicle, or combat drone, is making its presence felt on battlefields around the world. Much like the tank and aircraft in World War I, drones have been employed individually or in small groups to conduct reconnaissance and precision strikes. But the Department of War’s renewed focus on large-scale combat operations warrants new thought regarding drone employment. This article is not a treatise on the technical aspects of unmanned combat vehicles, but instead a proposal for drone employment en masse as an operational maneuver force. It uses historical examples of operational maneuver, recent drone operations, and imagination to generate a new concept for combat drone employment: the swarm maneuver group. The high mobility and mass of the proposed swarm maneuver group offers the Joint Force a new means of conducting persistent deep operations to disintegrate adversary antiaccess/area-denial (A2/AD) systems and enable Joint operational access to theaters. The aim of this article is to generate creative thought, debate, and purposeful action regarding the offensive employment of unmanned combat vehicles in large-scale combat operations.
Topic:
Weapons, Drones, Innovation, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and Warfare
Political Geography:
Global Focus

278. Ontological Security with its Widening and Deepening Boundaries: An Evaluation through a Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Literature Review Lens

Author:
Sevgi BALKAN-ŞAHİN and Özge Çetiner
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
All Azimuth: A Journal of Foreign Policy and Peace
Institution:
Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research
Abstract:
Using rigorous bibliometric and systematic methodologies, this article comprehensively reviews academic studies on ontological security. Based on a Web of Science (WoS) retrieved dataset of 163 articles in International Relations and Political Science journals, the article has examined issues such as keywords, authorship, citation networks, and countries through bibliometric analysis. This quantitative analysis revealing the “widening” dimension of ontological security is complemented by a qualitative overview based on a systematic literature review to highlight the “deepening” dimension of ontological security. Together with an assessment of Turkish academia’s contribution to this widening and deepening literature, the article provides a map of ontological security for future studies.
Topic:
International Relations, Political Science, Literature Review, Bibliometric Analysis, and Ontological Security
Political Geography:
Global Focus

279. Conscientious Centaurs: Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, Human-Machine Teaming, and Moral Enmeshment

Author:
Jonathan Alexander
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Advanced Military Studies
Institution:
Marine Corps University Press, National Defense University
Abstract:
In modern warfare, lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) introduce artificial intelligence–enabled capabilities that may execute lethal actions without final human judgment. Their development envisions human-machine teams (HMT) that combine machine precision with human situational awareness in what has been termed “centaur warfighting.” Although some argue that autonomous weapons will shield personnel from the psychological burdens of combat, others contend that such systems risk morally distancing human operators from lethal outcomes. This article instead examines how humans may become “enmeshed” with machines within HMT sociotechnical structures, producing new forms of moral exposure and potentially contributing to morally injurious experiences at the tactical level.
Topic:
Weapons, Morality, Autonomous Weapons Systems, Human-Machine Team (HMT), and Moral Injury
Political Geography:
Global Focus

280. The Rise of the Authoritarian Populist Right: The Illiberal Defenders of Freedom?

Author:
Péter Krekó
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
In recent years, political forces promoting exclusionary, nationalist, and illiberal ideologies are undeniably on the rise—not only in authoritarian regimes, but across the democratic world as well. Symbols once believed to be buried in the past, such as the Nazi or Roman salute, have resurfaced in mainstream political movements. For instance, in 2018, members of the far- right group Generation Identity were filmed performing the Roman salute in Austria, reminiscent of historical fascist movements.1 In 2024, members of the youth wing of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s governing party were caught on tape making Nazi salutes.2 Similarly, far-right activists and politicians in the United States have been seen engaging in or defending such gestures, thus normalizing them in contemporary politics.3 As recently as January 2025, prominent U.S. public figures—including Elon Musk and Steve Bannon— have used the salute, only to deny it afterward. But this game only adds to the gesture’s theatrical appeal, turning it into a secret expression of one’s “true” beliefs under supposed ideological oppression. This flashy shift in symbolism has occurred alongside the growing prevalence of overtly racist and exclusionary rhetoric. In countries such as Hungary and Italy, mainstream politicians have adopted narratives that frame migrants as existential threats to national identity, often using openly racist language previously thought to be taboo. Prior to this decade, mainstream far-right parties typically used softer, more “politically correct” ethno-nationalist language, blaming certain cultural patterns and traditions (e.g., the treatment of women among Muslims) instead of making explicit references to the color of skin.4 But many politicians no longer feel the need to mask their agenda behind subtle or restrained language. For example, in July 2022, Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, made his point clear when he declared, “We [Hungarians] are not a mixed race ... and we do not want to become a mixed race.”5 Meanwhile, in the American media, figures like journalist Tucker Carlson have promoted the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory—a set of unsubstantiated claims that the “globalists” are deliberately replacing white Americans with immigrants and people of color to erode traditional American values and deprive “old America” of political power. This theory, previously confined to the fringes of white supremacist circles, became a cornerstone of the politics of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán as an official explanation for the demographic trend in Europe. Conspiracy theories now flourish at the highest levels of political decision-making, shaping policies on immigration, public health, and election integrity, among others, in Europe and the United States.
Topic:
Authoritarianism, Populism, Right-Wing Politics, and Illiberalism
Political Geography:
Global Focus

281. Unravelling the Nexus Between Organ Trade, Transplantation, and Global Health

Author:
Saja Abusulttan, Emma K. Massey, Dennis A. Hesselink, and Frederike Ambagtsheer
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
Organ transplantation is a highly specialized medical practice that has saved and prolonged the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients with failing or- gans.1 Despite strong advancements in medical technologies and the increase of transplantation activities globally, there remains an alarming shortage of organs.2 The total number of transplants performed worldwide is estimated to be less than 10 percent of the global need.3Estimates suggest that 15 million organs are needed annually to meet the global demand.4 This scarcity has led to the proliferation of a global organ market that largely consists of trade in living donor kidneys.5 Although reliable figures for the trade’s scope are lacking, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that between 3,000 and 6,000 transplants are performed illegally every year.6 With an estimated annual profit of up to $1.7 billion, the organ trade ranks amongst the top 10 most lucrative international organized criminal activities.7 The trade’s global proliferation brings forth numerous challenges for criminal justice and health policy.8 In this essay, we examine the interlinkages between the organ market, organ transplantation, and global health, and we assess the implications of these links for health policy. Our main argument is that contrary to popular depictions of the trade as an underground organized criminal network, the organ trade is a socio-medical problem that is embedded within healthcare systems. This convergence of the legal and illegal has numerous implications for health policymakers and criminal justice practitioners in limiting the organ trade and ameliorating its associated harms. In what follows, we explore this embeddedness and its implications in more detail. First, we introduce definitions of organ trade and its prohibition. Next, we describe how the global expansion of living donor kidney trans- plantation has coincided with the proliferation of illegal living donor kidney transplantations. We describe the various dimensions of this market, followed by an assessment of the trade’s associated harms. We conclude by offering reflections and recommendations for policy.
Topic:
Global Health, Policymaking, and Organ Transplants
Political Geography:
Global Focus

282. Global Health Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Current Geopolitical Climate

Author:
Rebecca Katz
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Institution:
Brown Journal of World Affairs
Abstract:
The global COVID-19 crisis and the shifting geopolitical climate are challeng- ing global cooperation in health security. New alliances amongst nations are forming: lower and middle-income country blocs are strengthening, while some nations are reorienting their disease governance away from multilateral institu- tions and towards regional entities. Meanwhile, bilateral funding in global health is drying up, and global financing mechanisms, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (The Global Fund), Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and the Pandemic Fund, are all competing for the same, shrinking pot of development assistance dollars. Member States of the World Health Organization agreed to the text of a new international agreement to strengthen global governance of pandemics, but the negotiations were strained by issues of equity and access to medical countermeasures—issues that will continue to be debated even after the agreement is formally adopted. All these events are reshaping the global order and challenging the future of global health security. This article reviews key components of global health security, discusses evolving disease threats, addresses recent developments in the field, and presents chal- lenges, opportunities, and predictions for the future. Global health security (GHS) must be considered as part of the broader landscape of international relations and foreign policy. This consideration is critical because the state of international politics impacts the stability of global health security. The unpredictability of world leaders, potential future vulner- abilities from cyberattacks, trade disputes, unsustainable migration flows, and continued political divisions within nations all destabilize the current world order.1 More specifically, humanitarian crises in the Middle East, ongoing con- flict between Ukraine and Russia, and escalating tensions between China and Taiwan have all shaken the foundations of international cooperation. These geopolitical tensions influence the creation and effectiveness of collaborative, multilateral health efforts.
Topic:
Security, International Cooperation, Geopolitics, Multilateralism, COVID-19, and Global Health
Political Geography:
Global Focus

283. Informe sobre Sostenibilidad en España 2025: Competitividad y Justicia Ambiental

Author:
José Luis de la Cruz Leiva
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
La transición ecológica representa el mayor desafío de nuestro tiempo, una encrucijada donde convergen la urgencia climática, la necesidad de competitividad y un clamor por la justicia social y territorial. Este informe analiza en profundidad esta compleja interacción en España y Europa, cuestionando si el actual modelo de transición está logrando ser verdaderamente justo e inclusivo. A través de sus páginas, se revela una realidad paradójica: mientras avanzan los objetivos de descarbonización, crecen también las desigualdades y los conflictos. Desde la brecha entre la retórica y la realidad en los Convenios de Transición Justa, hasta el sentimiento de agravio en los territorios rurales por el despliegue de renovables, pasando por la insostenible huella de consumo de las grandes economías, las desigualdades en la gestión de residuos o el impacto de la pobreza energética en los hogares más vulnerables , el estudio documenta cómo las cargas de la transición recaen de forma desproporcionada sobre las comunidades y territorios con menos recursos. Frente a este diagnóstico, el informe sostiene que la justicia ambiental no puede ser un mero apéndice de las políticas de competitividad, sino su eje vertebrador. Propone un cambio de paradigma basado en la planificación anticipada, una gobernanza que garantice la participación ciudadana y la obtención de una «licencia social» para los proyectos. Solo así, integrando la equidad como pilar fundamental, la transición ecológica dejará de ser una fuente de conflicto para convertirse en un verdadero motor de cohesión, prosperidad compartida y resiliencia para el futuro.
Topic:
Climate Change, Human Rights, Economy, Political Science, Global Warming, Sustainability, Industry, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
Europe, Spain, and Global Focus

284. La regulación de los productos relacionados con el tabaco

Author:
María Mercedes Serrano Pérez and Yolanda López Nieto
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
La protección de la salud constituye una exigencia de la persona y de la sociedad y a la vez una obligación a satisfacer por los poderes públicos. El vapeo representa un elemento que incide directamente en el campo de la salud, por lo que su fabricación, comercialización y uso ha de ser objeto de regulación. Del estudio efectuado en el presente informe se desprende la existencia de políticas públicas proclives a adoptar el vapeo como medida alternativa pero transitoria para abandonar el cigarrillo tradicional y por ello tendentes a liberalizar su comercialización, junto a políticas que continúan apostando por medidas más tradicionales para ello y que inciden en la falta de evidencias sólidas que avalen la ausencia de perjuicios del vapeo para la salud. Los marcos regulatorios analizados en el estudio han sido seleccionados atendiendo a las diferentes perspectivas con las que afrontan la adopción de acciones públicas dirigidas a conseguir como objetivo la reducción del consumo de tabaco. Los países estudiados constituyen un buen laboratorio de pruebas que muestran la pluralidad de criterios existentes en torno a esta materia. Todos aportan valiosas conclusiones en el contexto de la elaboración del PRD.
Topic:
European Union, Economy, Public Policy, Tobacco, Public Health, and Industry
Political Geography:
Global Focus

285. Emprendimiento Digital Femenino: Motivaciones, desafíos e impacto

Author:
Beatriz Arias, Carolina Quintero, Celia Fernández, and Isaac Pozo
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Fundación Alternativas
Abstract:
La cuarta revolución industrial afecta de manera diferente a hombres y a mujeres y se corre el riesgo de que las desigualdades existentes se agranden y perpetúen. Estudios recientes (2023) revelan que la participación de la mujer en el ecosistema digital es minoritaria y su representatividad parece empeorar año tras año. Corremos el peligro de que el nuevo rumbo que está tomando nuestra sociedad deje al margen a una mitad de la población, la femenina. Según el Informe 2022/2023 sobre emprendimiento femenino del Monitor Global de Emprendimiento (GEM, por sus siglas en inglés), las mujeres juegan un rol fundamental a la hora de impulsar el crecimiento económico y la promoción del desarrollo social en sus países y comunidades. Sin embargo, las mujeres también enfrentan desigualdad en el hogar, ya que soportan una carga más pesada de responsabilidades familiares, lo que contribuye a una mayor dependencia económica y una disminución del poder y privilegios personales. Con base en todo ello, y sin pretender abordar la magnitud del reto que la desigualdad hombre-mujer supone, este estudio se centra en el posible papel multiplicador de la digitalización en el emprendimiento femenino, el impacto personal y profesional de la emprendedora y todos los elementos que pueden responder a la pregunta de si está siendo la digitalización la solución completa para la conciliación familia-trabajo. Y ¿debe serlo?
Topic:
Entrepreneurship, Digital Policy, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Labor Market, Women, and Inequality
Political Geography:
Global Focus

286. Crowdsourcing for security in the age of hybrid threats

Author:
Imre Dobák
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The study explores emerging forms of crowdsourcing solutions in cyberspace for security and national security purposes. It aims to systematise the main types of crowdsourcing solutions that involve civilian participation and contribute to the overall security of society in an increasingly broader context. The study begins with international examples of crowdsourcing, which can be visible in various areas of security. Identifying their specific features as they appear on open platforms helps to frame and examine the issue. Nowadays, the multitude of international security conflicts and processes indicate that the use of information and communications technology tools available at the individual level can effectively support the (national) security use of knowledge and expertise available in a distributed manner as a concentrated resource. The examples examined in this study indicate that the crowdsourcing approach can play a significant role in security and national security strategies across various areas. However, the adoption and effectiveness of crowdsourcing solutions in the voluntary contribution of individuals to security will undoubtedly be influenced by the nature of security events and the open involvement of members of society.
Topic:
Intelligence, National Security, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Hybrid Threats, and Crowdsourcing
Political Geography:
Global Focus

287. Artificial intelligence as a moral agent: regulatory implications and a relational–contextual extension of Moor’s classification

Author:
Maciej Czyszczoń
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
This paper reassesses the regulatory value of James Moor’s four-level typology of machine morality, considering the European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) and the forthcoming European Union (EU) liability directives. It asks whether Moors categories—ethical impact, implicit, explicit, and full moral agents—still capture the morally relevant properties of today’s generative, adaptive AI, and, if not, whether adding a relational−contextual dimension can better anticipate responsibility gaps. To address this gap, we introduce a novel relational–contextual dimension and a three-factor Responsibility Index (RI₃) that refines Moor’s typology by cross-classifying AI systems according to complexity, autonomy, and behavioural predictability for regulatory use. Adopting a strictly conceptual design, the study combines analytic philosophy with illustrative comparisons drawn from recent EU policy debates and high-profile incidents. It refines key terms, tests their coherence against statutory risk tiers, and distils the analysis into a three-factor matrix—complexity, autonomy, and predictability—that can be operationalised by lawmakers. The evaluation confirms that Moor’s typology remains a valuable baseline for distinguishing between passive and decision-making artefacts. Nevertheless, it also highlights how moral accountability is distributed within socio-technical networks. The proposed relational−contextual dimension, in conjunction with the regulatory matrix, aligns more closely with the AI Act’s risk logic and highlights scenarios in which moral agency is effectively delegated to the system. Moor’s framework should be retained but augmented: only by integrating relational criteria can legislators close emerging accountability gaps surrounding large-scale, autonomous AI. The matrix offers a pragmatic tool for aligning philosophical insight with concrete legal duties.
Topic:
Security, Regulation, Artificial Intelligence, Moor's Typology, Relational Agency, and European Union
Political Geography:
Global Focus and Europe

288. The hero in military education and media narrative: Possibilities of development of values by media education

Author:
Pedro C. Magalhães
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
From the perspective of imaginary studies, as manifested in diverse mythologies, the hero is the one who seeks to prove personal value in the face of hostile conditions, confronting apparently invincible opponents to defend people and/or communities. In this regard, we investigated whether the construction of the hero figure in media narratives is congruent with the archetype of the hero as manifested in the military model of professional training, which is based on tradition and the ethics of sacrifice, from the point of view of military ethos. The research method involves bibliographical research and an analysis of media narratives, which led to an elaborate set of guidelines for carrying out media education in the armed forces (in military training courses) to foster the military ethos. This research concludes that the concept of the hero was transformed after the Cold War, giving rise to the anti-hero, who does not defend collective values but contrasts with the figure of the hero typical of military culture. Considering the characteristics of new generations and the current challenges of media culture, this work proposes some guidelines for developing military values through media culture: role-playing exercises, production of media on historical figures, and analysis of moral dilemmas based on historical and fictional narratives. The use of narratives includes, but goes beyond, educational approaches focusing on media skills, since, in addition to promoting skills aimed at understanding and producing media messages, such narratives also emphasise the methodologies and techniques aimed at developing students’ ethics and vision of the world with regard to military training courses.
Topic:
Education, Media, Narrative, Heroism, and Military
Political Geography:
Global Focus

289. Theoretical foundation of a proposed methodology and analysis framework for political instability risk assessment

Author:
Zisis Kyrgos and Ippokratis Daskalakis
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The last decade has seen the most cases of political instability and internal security incidents among all the decades of the 20th and 21st centuries so far. This fact alone indicates a necessity to address the factors contributing to the phenomenon in a way prospectively usable in decision and policy-making procedures. An analysis methodology taking into consideration the factors contributing to such cases would be a valuable tool to achieve the above necessity. Consequently, the objective of this research is to specify these factors. The methodology used to determine these factors involves a case study of historical cases of internal state unrest and instability. Fifteen cases were selected for analysis at random, based on the data obtained from the Uppsala Conflict Data Programme. The cases selected were analysed based on the parties involved in the conflict, the conflict’s historical and political contexts, factors contributing to its occurrence according to relevant bibliography, actions taken by the rival groups, potential external involvement in the conflict, and other points of interest relevant to the study. The factors determined include the social entity’s relative size, denial of rights, information flow, geography, leadership, means of projecting power, environmental conditions, repression/freedom of action, and triggering event. The above factors were cross-referenced with different theories relevant to the subject under examination.
Topic:
Security, National Security, Instability, and Risk Assessment
Political Geography:
Global Focus

290. Basic Needs and the American Paycheck: New Indicators of Pay Quality and Group Disparities, 1979-2019

Author:
David R. Howell
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract:
A defining feature of the post-1979 American economy has been increasing pay inequality, but for many working families, far worse than falling further behind those at the top has been the growing threat to living standards made possible by a full-time job: falling pay quality. There are many good inequality metrics but no intuitively transparent indicators of the pay quality distribution. This paper constructs these by anchoring different points in the wage distribution to the living standards each wage makes possible with a single regular full-time job using evidence from basic-needs family budget calculators. This approach is illustrated with three anchored thresholds for the lowest-cost household type—a single-adult household without dependents: a decent-pay (living-wage) threshold that distinguishes low-pay from decent-pay jobs supplemented by poverty-pay and good-pay thresholds that define the bottom tier of low-pay jobs and the upper tier of decent-pay jobs. Pay quality (PQ) indicators measure the distribution of employment across these tiers of the PQ hierarchy for workers stratified by age, education, gender, race, and nativity between 1979 and 2019 using CPS-ORG data. Main findings include 1) substantial decoupling of decent-pay jobs (number and incidence) and GDP growth; 2) a striking narrowing of gender PQ gaps—whether measured by decent-, poverty-, or good-pay incidence—that reflect large absolute declines in PQ for men, particularly young (18-34) men without a college degree; 3) a modest rise in the overall racial poverty-pay gap between 1979 and 2019, driven by an increasing gap between white and nonwhite women that has dominated a declining gap between white and nonwhite men; and 4) the disappearance by 2019 of the large poverty-pay gap favoring native- over foreign-born young less-educated workers, both men and women. These findings document profound long-term shifts in paycheck-based living standards across American demographic groups with important political and social implications.
Topic:
Economy, Economic Inequality, Labor Market, and Wages
Political Geography:
Global Focus

291. In Defence of Social Security Against National Security: A Lotka-Volterra Model of Military Expenditures and Civilian Expenditures

Author:
Benjamin Levy and Adem Yavuz Elveren
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract:
This paper introduces a novel application of the Lotka-Volterra model to analyze the dynamic interplay between military and civilian government spending in the United States from 1960 to 2019. Drawing on the classical ‘guns versus butter’ framework, we conceptualize military spending as a predator and civilian spending as prey, both constrained by GDP as a shared resource. By constructing a system of nonlinear differential equations, we model inter-sectoral competition, long-term memory effects, and time-varying growth and carrying capacities. The model reveals strong asymmetries in budgetary interaction: military expenditures exert a disproportionately negative impact on civilian spending, while being more sensitive to shared constraints, suggesting a prey-like vulnerability. Using a genetic algorithm for parameter estimation, we demonstrate that shifts in growth rates and sectoral capacities correspond closely with historical inflection points, such as the Cold War and the War on Terror. Our findings offer compelling evidence of Lotka-Volterra-like oscillatory behavior in public budget allocation, underscoring the strategic dominance of military priorities over social investments. This dynamic modeling approach provides new insights into the systemic trade-offs embedded in fiscal policy and raises critical questions about the sustainability of militarized economic strategies.
Topic:
National Security, Military Spending, Social Security, Social Spending, and Modeling
Political Geography:
Global Focus

292. Financialization: New Palgrave Dictionary

Author:
Gerald Epstein
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract:
“Financialization” is the latest, and probably most widely used term by analysts trying to “name” and understand the contemporary rise of finance and its powerful role in our economy, politics and society. The term had been developed long before the crisis of 2008 but, since the crisis hit, it has become even more popular. This vast and rapidly expanding literature on financialization has a number of important strands. Some of the literature focuses on clarifying the definition of financialization, and assessing whether it is a dominant cause of the ills confronting capitalism or is just a symptom of other, deeper causes; some asks whether financialization is a new “phase” of capitalist development, perhaps a new “mode of accumulation”, or considers whether it is just one among a number of important developments along with “neo-liberalism”, “digitization” and “globalization”; other literature tries to measure the nature and extent of financialization; and still other work attempts to analyze the impact of financialization on important phenomena such as financial crises, productive investment, productivity growth, wages and income distribution; and finally, other literature focuses on policies that can improve finance’s role in the economy. In recent years, the term “financialization” has become popularized and has currency far outside of academia; it has also become less specific and less well defined and, for that reason, may have outlived its usefulness as an academically informative category.
Topic:
Economy, Macroeconomics, and Financialized Capitalism
Political Geography:
Global Focus

293. The Risks of Unregulated “Private” Credit Funds

Author:
Lenore Palladino and Harrison Karlewicz
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract:
The “private” financial industry—which contains financial instruments not traded on open exchanges and financial institutions that are underregulated—is no longer an ‘alternative’ to open financial markets. Between 2020 and 2023, assets in private funds grew by 34 percent, from $20.8 trillion to nearly $28 trillion. While private equity funds have been subject to attention from academics and policymakers, another institutional formation is growing rapidly and has received far less scrutiny: private credit funds. The private credit market has drawn borrowers who cannot secure credit from regulated banks—raising questions about their suitability for such unregulated market transactions. While borrowers benefit from flexible lending terms, these terms come at a higher cost. The private nature of these loans offers another key advantage: unlike corporate bonds, the loan terms remain confidential. The global industry of private credit has $1.8 trillion in assets under management, up from $500 billion in 2015. This article examines the history of this evolution in credit provision and the risks to limited partners and the broader financial system posed by unregulated private credit funds.
Topic:
Governance, Regulation, Finance, Industry, and Financial Institutions
Political Geography:
Global Focus

294. Stabilizing Cobalt Markets: A Price Floor for U.S. Minerals Security

Author:
Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Abstract:
Achieving economic viability for minerals security is one of the most pressing hurdles facing U.S. minerals security objectives. While this challenge spans the entire critical minerals landscape, it is particularly acute for cobalt. Despite cobalt’s central role in both energy security and the defense industrial base, its market remains highly distorted in the critical minerals ecosystem. Prices have swung wildly over the past decade, driven less by supply-and-demand fundamentals than by strategic behavior, particularly persistent oversupply from People’s Republic of China (PRC) producers that dominate global mining, refining, and processing. Between May 2022 and May 2025, cobalt prices plunged 59.5 percent, falling from $41 to $16.62 per pound. This sharp decline coincided with China Molybdenum Company Limited (CMOC) nearly doubling its annual cobalt production in 2024, reaching record output levels despite market prices falling more than 60 percent. The surge in PRC output has pushed several Western operations out of the market. In 2022, Jervois opened the United States’ only cobalt mine in Idaho, only to shutter it that the following year as prices cratered. While cobalt prices have begun to show upward momentum after a long period of weakness, the benchmark price for refined cobalt remains around $22.30 per pound as of late November 2025. But this relief is fleeting. The DRC has already signaled that it will move away from an export ban—an action that will flood the market once again and put renewed downward pressure on cobalt prices. To avoid another collapse that forces non-PRC producers offline, the United States and its allies must move quickly to deploy price support mechanisms that keep Western mines operating and prevent the market from reverting to PRC dominance.
Topic:
Security, Markets, Supply Chains, Cobalt, and Critical Minerals
Political Geography:
Global Focus and United States of America

295. The Depleting Missile Defense Interceptor Inventory

Author:
Wes Rumbaugh
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Abstract:
The prolific use of missiles and drones in the June 2025 war between Israel and Iran illustrated the growing role of these weapons in modern conflict. The significant expenditure of air and missile defense interceptors, especially by the United States, over the course of the 12-day conflict highlighted both the scarcity and importance of these critical military capabilities. Estimating interceptor inventories presents certain challenges, but examining the available budget data allows for a better contextualization around reported expenditure numbers. This data raises concerns about the inventory of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, in particular, suggesting the need to invest in additional capacity. Nevertheless, these investments must be coupled with measures to provide a more sustainable demand signal to industry if the goal is to build a more resilient and responsive industrial base for air and missile defense interceptors.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Drones, Missile Defense, Defense Spending, and Interceptors
Political Geography:
Global Focus and United States of America

296. A New Era in Health Security: A Call to Action from the CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security

Author:
J. Stephen Morrison, Michaela Simoneau, Katherine E. Bliss, Enoh T. Ebong, Elizabeth Cameron, and Paul Friedrichs
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Abstract:
The CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security has evaluated the policy changes unfolding in the past several months as a new era in national, economic, and health security begins. This call to action is an appeal to the administration and Congress to protect and strengthen investments in health security programs, which make Americans safer, stronger, and more prosperous. The first order of business is to restore confidence and trust in health security policies and their execution. To that end, the alliance calls on the administration and Congress to (1) stabilize and modernize core health security capabilities; (2) secure and sustain U.S. leadership in science and biomedical research; and (3) accelerate innovations in financing that enable efficient, effective, and accountable health security investments. Together, these actions will ensure Americans remain protected, U.S. innovation remains competitive, and U.S. government programming is more efficient and sustainable going forward, assured of strong support among Americans.
Topic:
Infectious Diseases, Global Health, and Health Security
Political Geography:
North America, Global Focus, and United States of America

297. High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions: Myths and Reality

Author:
Scott Pence and Adam F. Reynolds
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Abstract:
Thankfully, no party has used nuclear weapons in war since 1945. Treaties limiting nuclear tests and weapon inventories during the Cold War highlighted the pragmatism of world leaders. As memories fade, and nascent nuclear states mature, the potential for their use (or misuse) rises. In a strategic environment with multiple nuclear-armed states of various sizes and incentives, it is important to understand the science underlying the use of nuclear weapons in novel and unexpected ways. As opposed to the ground bursts of World War II, their use in the sky has potential to achieve certain objectives without catastrophic loss of life. Due partly to the lack of testing and partly to a somber reluctance to consider this potentiality, many misunderstandings persist. There is a need to address prevailing myths about the use of high-altitude nuclear explosions and provide realities rooted in the existing research on the subject.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Nuclear Weapons, and Missile Defense
Political Geography:
Global Focus

298. Assessing the Policy Ecosystems and Scaling Pathways of Direct Lithium Extraction

Author:
Milo McBride, Tom Moerenhout, and Diego Rivera Rivota
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), Columbia University
Abstract:
Lithium plays a critical role in the global energy transition. It is the core ingredient of lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs) and are used in stationary energy storage systems. Due to its unique properties, lithium cannot be easily substituted when high performance is required—and that is unlikely to change with technological developments in the foreseeable future. For these reasons, forecasters expect lithium demand to rise precipitously through 2030 and then remain on an upward trajectory. Meeting this fast-growing demand will require the development of many new lithium extraction projects. Developing any type of mine is a complex endeavor that often requires considerable time. But the lithium industry faces a set of structural, economic, and environmental challenges that compounds the difficulty of scaling production. Specifically, the lithium sector is small relative to many other mining industries, and fluctuating lithium prices are making it hard to attract investment. This in combination with long lead times can make it complicated to respond to short-term demand fluctuations. This report, part of the Critical Materials program at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA, explores the policy ecosystems supporting the development of a newer set of lithium production technologies based on direct lithium extraction (DLE), which involves the selective extraction of lithium ions from subsurface brines. If DLE technologies are scalable and mature, they could help meet lithium demand in the medium and especially the long term. In theory, DLE can be more efficient, effective, and sustainable than conventional lithium mining technologies, though more research is needed to demonstrate when and how. The report focuses on the fiscal and regulatory mechanisms in place in the countries or regions that are developing DLE technologies, including the US, Canada, Chile, Bolivia, China, and Europe. These mechanisms have been effective in driving DLE development and deployment to date, but higher levels of support and novel policy maneuvers will be needed if governments want to continue to support efforts to scale DLE and potentially make it competitive with legacy forms of lithium production.
Topic:
Climate Change, Energy Policy, Mining, Lithium, Electric Vehicles, and Energy Transition
Political Geography:
Global Focus

299. Maternal and Child Mortality: How Do U.S. States Compare Internationally?

Author:
Evan D. Gumas, Munira Z. Gunja, and Irene Papanicolas
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Commonwealth Fund
Abstract:
In the United States, the risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes is more than four times higher for someone giving birth in Louisiana than in California, and a child born in Mississippi is nearly three times more likely to die before age 5 than a child in Massachusetts. National averages can obscure this dramatic variation, much of which stems from state-level policy choices around Medicaid, reproductive health, hospital regulation, and social welfare, among others. To examine variations within the U.S., this brief compares maternal and child mortality rates at the national, state, and racial and ethnic level to 200 countries. Comparing disaggregated U.S. rates to nations with similar population sizes and economies can illuminate how different policy environments shape health outcomes. Historically, states that invest more in health coverage, reproductive care, and social protections tend to have better health outcomes, in some cases on par with high-income countries, while states that invest less and pass more restrictive policies have outcomes similar to low- and middle-income or politically unstable countries.1 Disaggregating by race and ethnicity is critical for a full picture of maternal and child mortality in the U.S. as state and national mortality rates often mask worse outcomes for Black, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN), and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. This brief draws on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national registries, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) (see “How We Conducted This Study” for more details).
Topic:
Race, Public Health, Child Mortality, Disparity, and Maternal Mortality
Political Geography:
North America, Global Focus, and United States of America

300. A Roadmap to Catalyze Methane Abatement in the Oil and Gas Sector Using Debt Financing

Author:
Luisa Palacios, Gautam Jain, and Preetha Jemarthan
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), Columbia University
Abstract:
Human-caused methane emissions have contributed to at least one quarter of global warming since the preindustrial era.[1] Since methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) in trapping heat over the first two decades after its release, abating methane is considered a critical near-term strategy for reducing emissions.[2] Even with the urgent need for action, methane emissions from the energy sector reached a near-record high in 2023, largely driven by the oil and gas industry.[3] To limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, methane emissions from the oil and gas sector must fall by at least 75 percent by 2030. This is a pivotal condition for the global energy sector to reach net zero by 2050, as outlined in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario).[4] The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has identified methane abatement from the oil and gas sector as one of the most cost-effective strategies to rapidly reduce the rate of warming and contribute substantially to global efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.[5] However, capital deployment for methane abatement is falling short of the pace needed to meet the 2030 reduction conditions despite favorable economics and recent policy support. In response to the growing urgency to address methane emissions, a strong consensus emerged at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai regarding the critical need to increase investments in methane abatement efforts within the oil and gas sector.
Topic:
Climate Change, Debt, Oil, Gas, Methane, and Debt Financing
Political Geography:
Global Focus