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The Great Game: The Great Power Rivalry for Dominance in Central Asia

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The Great Game: The Great Power Rivalry for Dominance in Central Asia

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has significantly impacted its influence in the Central Asian Republics (CARs), altering the geopolitical landscape and shifting perceptions among the region’s five key states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Historically, Russia has been the dominant external player in the region, but the ongoing conflict has led to a reassessment of this relationship. In contrast, this situation has created opportunities for other powers, particularly China. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has exemplified soft power by positioning itself as a generous donor and investor. This not only enhances regional connectivity but also strengthens China's influence by promoting infrastructure development and economic integration in the CARs. The growing alignment between Russia and China in the territory is perceived as a threat, contributing to a complex security environment in Central Asia. This situation raises concerns over sovereignty, potential instability from Afghanistan, and increased military dependence.The Russian invasion of Ukraine has significantly impacted its influence in the Central Asian Republics (CARs), altering the geopolitical landscape and shifting perceptions among the region’s five key states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Historically, Russia has been the dominant external player in the region, but the ongoing conflict has led to a reassessment of this relationship. In contrast, this situation has created opportunities for other powers, particularly China. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has exemplified soft power by positioning itself as a generous donor and investor. This not only enhances regional connectivity but also strengthens China's influence by promoting infrastructure development and economic integration in the CARs. The growing alignment between Russia and China in the territory is perceived as a threat, contributing to a complex security environment in Central Asia. This situation raises concerns over sovereignty, potential instability from Afghanistan, and increased military dependence.

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Lawyers, Guns and AI: Gaza´s New Urban Warfare?

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Lawyers, Guns and AI: Gaza´s New Urban Warfare?

The fighting in Gaza has divided much of the international community’s opinion, generating much scrutiny over the most polemical urban fighting battle in years. The current engagement of the Israeli Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip has introduced  measures that define a distinct approach along legal, methodological and tactical considerations. Further, the combination of new technology, new ideas and the same old battlefields and problems justifies further research into this matter. This article aims to offer a brief overview of the realities of urban warfare in the 21st century, highlighting key insights that the current conflict in Gaza may be revealing.

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Bolivia’s Political Turmoil

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Bolivia’s Political Turmoil

This article examines the persistent political instability in Bolivia and underscores the critical need to address its deep conflicts stemming from the profound division of the ruling party and the political polarisation. By analisyng key events and prominent figures, the article seeks to offer a thorough understanding of the ongoing turmoil and the governance challenges it presents.

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Geopolitical Tensions in the Indian Ocean: The Strategic Implications of a Cobalt-Rich Underwater Mountain

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Geopolitical Tensions in the Indian Ocean: The Strategic Implications of a Cobalt-Rich Underwater Mountain

The discovery of a cobalt-rich underwater mountain in the Indian Ocean has intensified geopolitical tensions between India and China, both vying for control over the critical resource. Sri Lanka, positioned at the centre of this contest, must navigate its strategic relationships with said regional powers to maintain stability and benefit economically. This briefing explores the implications of this discovery and outlines strategies for Sri Lanka to leverage its position effectively.

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Guardians of the Sky: Air Travelling and the Role of the Passenger Information Units in Handling Your Data for Security Purposes

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Guardians of the Sky: Air Travelling and the Role of the Passenger Information Units in Handling Your Data for Security Purposes

Passenger Information Units (PIUs) are specialised entities within aviation security that collect and analyse passenger data, primarily to identify potential threats such as serious crime and terrorist plots. They utilise the Passenger Name Record (PNR), a vital six-digit code on each ticket, to track and scrutinise passenger information. Operating quietly and invisibly, akin to clouds hovering in the sky, PIUs gather data from various sources, detecting patterns and anomalies that could indicate security risks. This article aims to shed light on their discreet yet vital surveillance, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding air travel, providing an essential but often unnoticed layer of security.

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Propaganda: How Russia Persecutes SOGI Minorities as Part of Its Anti-Western Rhetoric

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Propaganda: How Russia Persecutes SOGI Minorities as Part of Its Anti-Western Rhetoric

In recent years, the Kremlin has intensified its campaign against Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) minorities, identifying them as Western propaganda. However, this rhetoric has an old origin that started with the criminalisation of “sodomy” done by Iosif Stalin. Recently, tactics of attacking the LGBTQ+ community have evolved into designating it as Western propaganda. This has led to an increasing criminalisation of the community, which has become a systematic technique that involves all the elites and powers of the Russian state from Putin to Kirill and running through the judicial system. Moreover, this propaganda has spread outside the country's borders, with anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation being spread in the former Soviet space and globally, reproducing similar anti-Western rhetoric. In this environment, the condition of SOGI minorities in Russia is worrying, and the situation will likely become worse in the future.

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India-Russia Relations: Navigating Partnership Dynamics in a Changing Global Landscape

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India-Russia Relations: Navigating Partnership Dynamics in a Changing Global Landscape

The article will delve into the evolving dynamics of the Indian-Russian relationship post-Jaishankar visit to Moscow in December 2023. Pointing to India’s neutrality during the Russian-Ukraine conflict, it underscores India's prioritisation of national interests in its foreign policy approach. Lastly, the article highlights the potential challenges India faces in maintaining a delicate balance between the West, Russia, and China, shedding light on the intricacies of its geopolitical navigation.

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The World's Fastest Emptying Nation: Eritrea

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The World's Fastest Emptying Nation: Eritrea

Eritrea has been one of the world’s largest producers of refugees since the country’s struggle for independence in the early 1960s. While the nation’s wars have contributed to this exodus, the root cause lies within the authoritarian government under the leadership of Isaias Afwerki, and the technically mandatory indefinite national service for all citizens.

If fortunate enough to survive or avoid getting injured by shots from the security forces at the border, migrants undergo perilous journeys to escape repression and forced labour. Obligated to follow irregular routes because of the government’s impediments, they risk being victims of human trafficking by criminal networks. Even after fleeing, evaders of the national service face ongoing fears of the consequences their families left behind will have to suffer.

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Nobody Does it Better. The Use of CIWS in the Red Sea and The Gulf of Aden

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Nobody Does it Better. The Use of CIWS in the Red Sea and The Gulf of Aden

Western navies have found themselves increasingly reliant on weapons systems doctrinally understood as “last lines of defence” in the Red Sea. This article investigates the nature of the Houthi threat and the operational intricacies faced by the “Prosperity Guardian” and “Aspides” coalition missions. This article serves to analyse some of the most relevant developments in the military technology and procurement fields.

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Navigating Intersecting Realities: Gender, Sexuality, and Migration Experiences from MENA to the UK

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Navigating Intersecting Realities: Gender, Sexuality, and Migration Experiences from MENA to the UK

Migration from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the United Kingdom embodies a complex tapestry of intersecting factors, notably gender, sexuality, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). This article delves into the intricate dynamics shaping these migration journeys, drawing on theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and policy considerations. By focusing on the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and SGBV, it explores the challenges faced by individuals and proposes actionable recommendations for policy and practice.

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Untangling the Gordian Knot: War-themed Video Games and Society’s Militarisation in the US

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Untangling the Gordian Knot: War-themed Video Games and Society’s Militarisation in the US

After closing the curtains of a hectic day, feeling the soft veil of tranquillity embracing your weary body on a warm afternoon, your fingers gently touch the little smartphone in your pocket: instinctively, they seek a temporary refuge from the fast-paced reality for their owner. It all happens automatically, and, without giving it a second thought, you soon find yourself immersed in the intricate universe of video games. What if you were being told instead that behind your war-themed game lies a strategic message from the US Army, aiming to encourage you to see this simulation as the only viable option for tackling international crises?

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Roots of Empowerment: the Intersectionality of Indigenous Feminism

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Roots of Empowerment: the Intersectionality of Indigenous Feminism

Indigenous feminism is a long-criticised term that still lacks a unified definition today. In a world in which intersectionality is at the very basis of every form of discrimination, native feminism fits into a framework practical for defining diverse types of battles held by indigenous women in the fight against gender and colonial discrimination, thereby tracing new roots of empowerment.

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Navigating Geopolitical Crosscurrents: China's Assertive Moves Post-Blinken Visit

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Navigating Geopolitical Crosscurrents: China's Assertive Moves Post-Blinken Visit

Through the intricate dynamics of China-Taiwan relations amidst the US Secretary of State and Antony Blinken's recent visit to China, this article examines the key issues discussed by the US and Chinese counterparts. It further delves into China's strategic manoeuvres following Blinken's departure to shed light on the complexities of maintaining stability in the region amidst competing territorial claims and diplomatic tensions.

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Beyond the Final Frontier: Emerging Powers and Private Influence in Outer Space

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Beyond the Final Frontier: Emerging Powers and Private Influence in Outer Space

The spatial domain has experienced significant transformations over time, both politically and economically. In parallel to terrestrial globalization, the advent of space programs in emerging nations implies a departure from global powers' traditional complete dominance. This shift is not only limited to state endeavors but also includes a rising number of private entities, which are particularly present in Western countries. This evolution raises several pertinent questions: Who exactly were the key players in the first new era of space exploration? To what extent do ‘the rise of the rest’ and the involvement of private enterprises represent a pivotal shift in the dynamics of Outer Space?

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Navigating Troubled Waters: the Escalating Crisis in the Red Sea

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Navigating Troubled Waters: the Escalating Crisis in the Red Sea

Emerging from Yemen’s civil war, the Houthi militia is disrupting vital global shipping routes with its actions, creating the necessity of finding alternative routes and exacerbating costs for companies. This conflict has further created humanitarian and environmental consequences, which added to the economic ones, have profoundly affected the interests of Western powers, notably the United Kingdom and the United States, who support Israel. These countries sought to secure the region with the creation of several different operations, such as Operation Prosperity Guardian or Operation Poseidon Archer, aimed at securing the area. Concurrently China and Russia managed to reach an agreement of safe passage with the Houthis. This article delves into the complexities of the conflict, emphasising its far-reaching global repercussions, and the challenges it poses.

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An Orwellian Fortress: The Pegasus Spyware

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An Orwellian Fortress: The Pegasus Spyware

The gentle clatter of hooves made by Pegasus sounds magical in the Greek mythical world where nature bloomed under his majestic wings. However, in our contemporary society, the name of this divine winged horse carries a darker significance, unveiling a concealed dystopian society hiding in plain sight. Dubbed as one of the most sophisticated cyber weapons, the Pegasus spyware is used to suppress dissent and opposing views, targeting the individuals who advocate for human rights and justice or simply expose state crimes.

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Unravelling the Nexus: Gender, Sexuality, and Settler Colonialism in Palestine-Israel

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Unravelling the Nexus: Gender, Sexuality, and Settler Colonialism in Palestine-Israel

This article undertakes a comprehensive examination of the intricate intersections between gender, sexuality, and settler colonialism within the context of Palestine-Israel dynamics. Drawing upon insights from Palestinian studies and queer theory, it delves into the multifaceted manifestations of pinkwashing and homonationalism, critically analysing their implications. Through in-depth exploration and nuanced discourse, it navigates the complexities of Palestinian queer activism, resistance strategies, and the challenges faced in post-Oslo Palestine. Ultimately, it envisions a future where intersectional struggles for liberation and social justice prevail.

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The Grim Reality: Myanmar Junta's Aggressive Surge in War Crimes

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The Grim Reality: Myanmar Junta's Aggressive Surge in War Crimes

The military junta’s takeover of Myanmar in February 2021 has resulted in massive human rights violations in the country, including arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings. This article, therefore, elucidates the intensification of violence sparked by the junta's brutal crackdown on non-violent protesters and the resultant launch of ‘Operation 1027.’ It will also uncover the response of international actors, including the legal complaints filed in the Philippines.

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Understanding the Chinese Private Security Contracting Industry

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Understanding the Chinese Private Security Contracting Industry

In the wake of the geopolitical shocks, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) faces notable challenges. This article examines Beijing’s response to security concerns within the BRI framework, with a specific focus on the exploration of Private Security Companies (PSCs) as a viable solution. Highlighting the distinctions between PSCs and Private Military Companies, the article traces the evolution of the legal landscape governing Chinese PSCs, noting a shift towards a change in policy in their favour. Against the backdrop of the BRI’s global expansion, often in regions with precarious security conditions, China’s consideration and deployment of PSCs are explored. Despite challenges and limited combat experience, Chinese PSCs are gaining preference from Chinese companies operating abroad. Recent discussions in Beijing suggest an assertive global posture, hinting at an expanded role for PSCs in safeguarding overseas interests and influencing global politics. The article concludes by emphasising the dynamic significance of this evolving aspect within China’s global engagement.

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Harmonies of Influence: Exploring the Political Dimension of Eurovision

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Harmonies of Influence: Exploring the Political Dimension of Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is a cultural phenomenon that, since its creation in 1956, has transcended its original purpose of a European Song Contest, becoming a platform for soft power politics, diplomacy and ideological messages. The increase in complexity in Europe and the Middle East, along with the growing audience of the ESC, has made this century's edition increasingly political. The ban on Belarus in 2021 and Russia in 2022 are two recent examples of the politicisation of the competition, and controversy currently surrounds Israel's participation in this year's edition (2024). Given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, it is likely that the Swedish edition of the ESC will feature a higher number of political messages on the stage and an increase in strategically using points for diplomatic purposes.