Category: International Relations & Diplomacy
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The End of an Era
How does the new U.S. National Security Strategy reshape American global engagement and regional priorities under an “America First” framework? The NSS limits global leadership, revives the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere, makes European security conditional, favors deterrence in Asia, and focuses on resources and trade in Africa. Overall, it marks a return to…
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Listening to Young Europeans
Insights from the Pulse Z Youth Festival
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Trump in Asia
This article analyses Trump’s recent Asia trip and its potential impact on the broader regional dynamics. The article concludes that Trump’s transactional approach wins investments and a brief US–China pause but deepens uncertainty for allies. It recommends that the Indo-Pacific states must hedge, diversify, and prepare for long-term strategic competition.
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Interview: Minilateralism in East Asia
Main Question: How do minilateral arrangements shape East Asian cooperation? Argument: Forums like ASEAN provide broad frameworks, while minilaterals (Quad, trilateral dialogues) enable focused security cooperation alongside economic ties to China and reliance on the U.S. Conclusion: Minilaterals complement larger institutions, offering flexible, pragmatic, and targeted regional cooperation.
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Ireland’s Small State Diplomacy
Main Question: How can a small state like Ireland exert influence in the EU and globally? Argument: Ireland leverages multilateral institutions, normative leadership, and diplomatic specialisation to amplify influence. Conclusion: Through embedding in EU structures, principled stances, and diplomatic expertise, Ireland exemplifies effective small-state diplomacy and prepares for continued influence, including the 2026 EU Council…
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Europe’s Defence Minilateralism
1. Main Question: How do European countries advance defence-industrial integration amid limited EU consensus? 2. Argument: In response to US dependence and fragmented EU structures, states pursue minilateral cooperation through bilateral/trilateral frameworks. 3. Conclusion: Europe balances agility and durability in defence industrial policy by combining soft-law diplomacy for early alignment with hard-law instruments for long-term…
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NATO Hybrid Partnerships & Networked Security
Main Question: How is NATO adapting to transnational threats through hybrid partnerships and networked security? Argument: NATO expands beyond treaty-bound members via the Partners Across the Globe framework, collaborating with Indo-Pacific Four in cyber, maritime, and capacity-building missions. Conclusion: NATO’s evolution from alliance to flexible, networked security actor demonstrates that contribution and interoperability, rather than…
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Russian Digital PSYOPS in CEE
1. Main Question: How does Russian digital diplomacy and PSYOPS influence politics and security in Central-Eastern Europe? 2. Argument: Russia leverages social media, memes, fake news, and AI tools as part of hybrid warfare to polarize societies, manipulate elections, and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank. 3. Conclusion: Digital PSYOPS have tangible political and security impacts, as…
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Russia’s BRICS+ & SCO Strategy
1. Main Question: How is Russia using BRICS+ and the SCO to navigate Western isolation? 2. Argument: Following Western sanctions and exclusion, Russia pivots to BRICS+ and the SCO for economic, diplomatic, and ideological leverage. 3. Conclusion: These frameworks help Russia maintain global influence and pursue multipolarity, but dependence on partners like China limits full…
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EU-India Partnership: Trade Deal Urgency
1. Main Question: How urgent is the EU-India partnership and trade deal for both sides? 2. Argument: With U.S. tariffs and China’s assertiveness, the EU and India must strengthen trade, investment, and strategic ties. 3. Conclusion: A comprehensive FTA would enhance economic cooperation, strategic alignment, and global influence, but challenges remain in regulatory and sectoral…