Category: International Relations & Diplomacy
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India at the Crossroads After SCO
– Can India’s participation in the 2025 SCO Summit mark a true eastward shift in its foreign policy? – The summit underscored India’s hedging strategy—seeking energy security, new trade routes, and geopolitical leverage in Eurasia while preserving ties with the West – India remains committed to balancing between power centers, using the SCO pragmatically without…
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Breaking Into Iran and Russia’s Neighborhood
In what ways does increased American diplomacy in the Caucasus demonstrate deteriorating Iranian and Russian influence abroad? Increased American diplomacy in the Caucasus shows that the Caucasian countries cannot rely on Russia or Iran for economic, security, and technological support in recent years. American influence in Caucasia is an example of how Russia and Iran…
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What Sanctions Relief Means for Syria’s Future
The easing of sanctions in 2025 offers Syria something it hasn’t had in over a decade: a genuine opening. Financial systems are reconnecting, investors are circling, and humanitarian groups finally have fewer bureaucratic barriers to work around. Yet this opportunity is fragile. Sanctions relief is a tool – not a guarantee. If Syria’s new rulers…
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Peace Through Strength
What will the new US foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific look like? The US takes a machiavellian stance in Hegseths speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue the US seeks to implement a hegemony by applying pressure to allies
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From Proxy War to Nuclear Brinkmanship
Between June 12 and 14, intense hostilities unfolded between Israel and Iran, with strikes severely weakening but not fully eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Proxy warfare dynamics shifted, with Iran-aligned groups remaining inactive or restrained due to strategic and operational hesitation. Power dynamics in the regions sharpened, specifically between Israel and Sunni Arab states, while Syria’s…
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The Lion Man’s Legacy
– What will happen in Cameroon after the death of President Paul Biya? – It is unclear what will happen after the death of President Biya and there are many possible scenarios that can play out. – The question of Cameroon post-Biya is of national, regional, and international interest.
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Russia and Japan the Archipelago of Discord?
Will the conflict between Japan and Russia over the Kurils resolved? The historic context, the presence of resources and the confrontation between Putin and Japanese ambitions halted the possible resolution. The ongoing conflict is very unlikely to be resolved as the situation stays the same.
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Why Did Moscow Recognize Afghanistan’s Taliban?
Main: Why did Russia recognize the Taliban on 4 Jul 2025 despite post‑2021 isolation, and what follows? Arg: Shared fight vs ISIS‑K; labour gaps; energy & transit deals; Soviet legacy ties. Conc: Pragmatism beats isolation—if China, Iran and others move closer. Shared values, rights and norms fade and the Liberal international order weakens.
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Papal Diplomacy
Since World War II, the Holy See has used its moral authority to engage actively in reconstruction, diplomacy, and the promotion of human rights. Pope Pius XII expanded international relations, especially with newly independent states. Vatican Ostpolitik gained momentum from the 1970s, particularly under John Paul II. Papal diplomacy does not pursue power interests but…
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Iraq’s Development Road
Iraq is planning to build a trade corridor that connects the Persian Gulf to Europe via Iraq and Turkey The project faces domestic challenges due to sectarianism and corruption in Iraqi governance and disagreements with the Kurdish Regional Government. Similar projects, such as the IMEC, are strong competitors aiming to fulfill the same purpose.