Japan and Taiwan share complex bilateral relations. An important element of this complexity is that while the dispute over Senkaku Islands is principally between Japan and China, Taiwan also claims them as its own territory.
Read More »Regional dynamics and consequences related to political instability in Chad
Violence has continued in the country despite crackdowns from government forces, and due to Chad’s strategic position in the region there are potential spill-over effects following this change in the degree of internal stability in Chad which will affect the region as a whole.
Read More »Engaging Youth in Security Reforms – a Crucial Change?
Despite being an important part of our societies with a great potential for fostering peace, youth voices often remain unheard, especially in multilateral settings. Peace and security issues were dealt with, thought through, and discussed only among senior experts until recently.
Read More »Sanctions and expulsions: how the West is taking a firmer line with Russia in 2021
The spate of diplomatic expulsions and sanctions seen over the past few months may be indicative of a failing Russian foreign policy in Europe. Russian foreign policy has always been motivated by three primary drivers – the need for security and a strong buffer; the necessity to be recognised as a great power; and the need to maintain a pragmatic relationship with the West. On all counts, one could argue that recent events have hindered these objectives.
Read More »UK House of Commons Defence Committee publishes HSC evidence to inquiry into Royal Navy
9 June, 2021 The UK House of Commons Defence Committee has published written evidence submitted to it by the HSC as part of its ‘The Navy: purpose and procurement’ inquiry. The inquiry seeks to assess the threats and standing commitments the ...
Read More »The use of civilian buildings for military purposes and the practice of “Roof Knocking”
As with previous conflicts in Gaza, this latest exchange of hostilities saw Palestinian militant groups use civilian buildings for military purposes, with subsequent Israeli attacks targeting these same civilian structures to eliminate a military threat. However, Israel employs a strategy known as “Roof Knocking”, designed to limit the number of civilian casualties caused by their airstrikes.
Read More »Female suicide bombers and the importance of cultural discourses in operational tactics
Stereotypes are often deeply rooted in our understandings of the world and intrinsically also how we engage in it. When it comes to the effects that the usage of women as suicide bombers have on the enemies and victims of the attacks, these are both cognitive and practical in terms of identifying the threat.
Read More »Human Rights Protections in Australia
Unlike other liberal democracies, Australia’s legal protection of human rights is not through a Bill of Rights or human rights legislation, but through various Constitutional, common law and statutory protections.
Read More »Doomsday Cults and Engineered Apocalypse
Pandemics are as old as humanity, but while the increasing likelihood of future natural pandemics is certainly alarming, it is not the worst-case scenario; a natural pathogen could kill tens or hundreds of millions, a designed or adapted one could threaten civilization collapse, ushering in an engineered apocalypse.
Read More »Welcome on board the Almaty-Tokyo Express: Japan’s pragmatic diplomacy in Central Asia
Owing to Central Asia’s geographical proximity and historical links to both Russia and China, it is understandable that the activities of both powers in this region receive the most attention. There is, however, one other power whose influence and activities in the region are often left out of the equation: Japan
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