Historical Ties Research Articles

Hegemonic Competition in South Asia: China and India's Impact on Smaller States' Domestic Politics

This paper explores the geopolitical dynamics of South Asia, focusing on the competing influences of China and India and their impact on the domestic politics of smaller South Asian countries. Grounded in theories of balance of power, power transition, and defensive realism, the study examines how regional hegemonic competition shapes foreign policy behaviors and influences domestic political landscapes. By analyzing case studies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the paper highlights the diverse ways in which China and India leverage economic, military, and cultural tools to establish influence. It reveals how smaller states navigate this rivalry by balancing relations to safeguard sovereignty, pursue development, and maintain political stability. The findings emphasize that while China’s approach often focuses on economic investments and non-interference, India’s strategy is rooted in historical ties, financial aid, and people-to-people connections. This interplay has both stabilized and polarized domestic politics in these nations. The study concludes by arguing that the hegemonic competition between China and India impacts regional power dynamics and reshapes the political trajectories of South Asia's smaller states, necessitating strategic balancing to mitigate risks and maximize benefits.

How legacy media set the tone? assessing negativity bias and agenda-setting in Honduran front pages

Introduction. This study examines how agenda-setting and negativity bias are reflected on the front pages of six Honduran legacy mass media outlets: 4 newspapers, 1 television, and 1 radio. Methods. This quantitative content analysis evaluated 166 front pages and 1,121 headlines, published during January 1 to 31 of 2024. An Excel document was created for data collection with four main categories: Thematic of headlines, front page hierarchy, type of headlines, and editorial tone. Results. Only 3% of the headlines were positive news, and 25% were negative (related to crimes). Moreover, 44% of the primary headlines were for political topics. In addition, 70% of the 1,121 headlines evaluated had a neutral tone. Conclusion. This suggests a dominant narrative's focus on negative news (fear) and political issues, simultaneously, with apparent objectivity and balanced presentation of news through the neutral tone in 7 out of 10 headlines evaluated. Future research may attempt to explain the intentions behind legacy media's prioritization of narratives about crime and politics rather than others, such as health, education, or poverty. It would also be relevant to examine whether the objectivity in the neutral tone responds to criticisms that have grown over the last decades against legacy media, especially for its historical ties to economic and political power groups, and their distinctive role in the democratic ecosystem.

Mochtar Lubis and the 1969 Push for Spelling Unity in the Malay World

This article examines the controversy surrounding standardized spellings for Malay languages, which share a common ancestry and historical ties across Indonesia and Malaysia. The issue was first publicly raised by Indonesian scholar and journalist Mochtar Lubis in 1969 through an article in the Harian Indonesia Raya daily newspaper, where Lubis later elaborated further in his role as editor-in-chief. This study is grounded in historical methodology and utilizes content analysis. Findings suggest that debates on spelling standardization stemmed from inconsistent usage of Indonesian orthography in educational and public settings. A written interview conducted by Lubis with Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman included discussions on spelling unification, which the Prime Minister supported. His response suggested the establishment of a conference and a linguistic research department comprising experts on languages spoken across both nations.

“Soft Power” and Ethnic Identity Factors in Türkiye-Kazakhstan Integration

The study explores the role of soft power and ethnic identity in strengthening Türkiye- Kazakhstan- integration, emphasising their shared heritage as a basis for modern cooperation within the Organisation of Turkic States. The study aims to analyse the current stage of integration of the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of international organisations, national institutions and government programmes that unite Turkic-speaking peoples. The study used qualitative methods to analyse historical and cultural ties, documents and cases of international institutions, as well as quantitative methods, including statistical analysis of economic indicators and comparative analysis of integration strategies. The study results showed that the integration of Kazakhstan and Türkiye is actively promoted through international organisations such as TURKSOY and the Organisation of Turkic States, which promote cultural and economic cooperation. An analysis of soft power in the policies of both countries has confirmed its significant role in strengthening mutual understanding and promoting common cultural and historical values. Economic cooperation between the two countries, although progressing, faces geographical and logistical constraints that affect the level of mutual trade. Despite the challenges, cultural and educational initiatives, such as the activities of the Turkish Academy and Ahmet Yasavi University, contribute to strengthening integration processes. The prospective significance of the study lies in the use of the data to improve the strategies of cultural and economic integration of Turkic-speaking countries, contributing to the strengthening of regional cooperation and mutual understanding.

Innovative Experiences of Inter-Organizational Collaboration: The Case of Reception of Ukrainian Refugees in Lombardy

This study examines Lombardy’s response to the Ukrainian migration crisis which was triggered by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It focuses on the on the innovative experience of refugee reception that emerged as the traditional system became overwhelmed. It analyzes which aspects proved effective and which did not in the development of this alternative approach and the collaboration among various actors. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 28 participants, including professionals from both traditional reception systems and new collaborative actors and entities. Results highlight four specificities of the Ukrainian migration: geographic and cultural proximity, the demographic composition (predominantly women and children), positive media portrayal, and the activation of new actors. The study delves into six motivations driving this collaborative effort, ranging from historical ties, and pre-existing communities to emotional involvement and a perceived urgency for support. The challenges in coordinating between traditional systems and new collaborative entities are also examined, including communication barriers, the need for flexibility, and the lack of clear guidelines. This study recommends establishing a steering committee for enhanced collaboration and emphasizes the importance of long-term sustainability of these collaborative efforts. The findings offer valuable considerations for managing migration emergencies and fostering collaboration between different organizations and stakeholders.

The spillover effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: labor response in a neighboring economy

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on employment in Kazakhstan due to an influx of migrants. Using a Synthetic Control Method (SCM), our study reveals a varying effect on Kazakhstan’s employment following the invasion. We find a notable effect on employment in treated cities with regional variation. We also find the heterogeneous impact of forced migration across different demographic characteristics and report that young males and males with vocational education are the most vulnerable group, which aligns with expectations based on the nature of the shock and the aggregate composition of migrant flows. Our findings highlight that ongoing uncertainty and evolving geopolitics can have lasting consequences on Kazakhstan’s labor market. This research contributes to the understanding of labor market effects in emerging economies amidst (semi-)forced migration. The historical, cultural, and economic ties between Russia and Kazakhstan, coupled with their shared membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, present a distinctive context. Our research highlights the necessity of ongoing monitoring and adaptive strategies to mitigate the long-term impacts.

The Turkic World in Turkish Foreign Policy: Dynamics of Institutionalization and the Strategic Dimension of Bilateral Relations

This study thoroughly examines the institutionalization process in Türkiye’s foreign policy towards Turkic States in the post-Cold War era. Following the end of the Cold War, Türkiye’s relations with Turkic States in Central Asia and the Caucasus have undergone a significant transformation. Beyond historical and cultural ties, Türkiye has expanded these relations into various dimensions, including economic cooperation, security, and especially institutional integration. In order to ensure institutionalization in relations, Türkiye initially activated various organizations facilitating cultural cooperation and subsequently established institutional collaboration mechanisms such as the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). These institutionalization efforts have reinforced Türkiye’s cultural and historical influence in the region while simultaneously deepening regional cooperation and integration. Cooperation in areas such as security, energy, transportation, and education has significantly contributed to regional stability and enhanced the effectiveness of institutional structures. Türkiye’s effective use of institutional mechanisms has strengthened cooperation among Turkic States and bolstered regional solidarity. Consequently, this process of institutionalization demonstrates that Türkiye has adopted a comprehensive foreign policy strategy that is not only based on cultural ties but also aligned with regional security and economic interests. Türkiye’s strategic approach has amplified its regional and international influence, highlighting the importance of institutional collaboration.

The Uyghur Diaspora’s Perception Oof Xinjiang and China's Discussions on Renaming Xinjiang

This study examines the Uyghur diaspora's perception of the name Xinjiang ‘新疆’ and adebates within China regarding a possible change to the region’s name. In 1884, the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) renamed East Turkestan “Xinjiang” to assert Chinese sovereignty and legitimize it. The name “Xinjiang,” meaning “New Frontier” or “New Territory,” implies that the region was newly incorporated into Chinese territory, which Uyghur Turks and the Uyghur diaspora view as neglecting their historical, political, and cultural identities. They reject the term "Xinjiang" as offensive and instead use “East Turkestan” as a way to resist China's domination and affirm their identity. Recent debates in Chinese media and academia about renaming “Xinjiang” reflect concerns that it implies a newly incorporated region, potentially weakening historical and cultural ties and allowing misuse by internal and external forces. There is also a belief that “Xinjiang” does not align with China’s national narrative and policies, particularly regarding concepts like “national Chinese consciousness.” Changing the name is seen as a way to better reflect and strengthen China's national identity and global strategic position, aligning with China’s historical, cultural, and strategic goals. The study examines the history, origin, and usage of “Xinjiang” based on Chinese sources, highlighting how the name has evolved and the impact of various policies on it. It then details the Uyghur diaspora's discomfort with the name due to historical and cultural reasons. The study discusses renaming "Xinjiang" in Chinese media and academia to align with China's national identity and strategic goals, suggesting it could enhance China's narrative and global stance.

NATIONAL TRAGEDY AND BORDER RESETTLEMENT: KAZAKH MIGRATION TO XINJIANG IN THE 1930S

The main purpose of the work is to study the historical events of the mass famine of 1931-1933 through the memories of eyewitnesses, their descendants and representatives of the Kazakh diaspora, as well as the introduction of new archival and oral data into the scientific turnover. Research methods - surveys and interviews, archival research, analysis of literary, critical and historical sources, digitalization and creation of a database, comparative analysis, as well as the study of works in Chinese languages. Scientific novelty lies in the inclusion of interviews with descendants of Kazakhs who moved to China during the famine of 1931-1933 and archival data. The analysis of Chinese archival documents - administrative papers, border control and migration reports - allows revealing the peculiarities of refugees' migration and their living conditions. Clarification of regional historical connections contributes to a comprehensive understanding of historical-ethnic and border relations between Kazakhstan and China. The use of Kazakh-language periodicals makes it possible to study public opinion and information space of the 1930s-1950s. Trans-international historical experience examines the life, cultural and religious preservation of Kazakhs who moved to China during the famine from the perspective of transnational historical processes. As a result of the study: new archival and oral data on the famine period are introduced into the scientific turnover; for the first time, memories of descendants of famine victims and historical evidence are used comprehensively; historical and ethnic ties between Kazakhstan and neighboring countries are supplemented with specific data.

A Comprehensive Methodology for Pairs Trading Strategy and Performance Evaluation

This study outlines some integrated approaches for pairs trading and portfolio analysis, focusing on the performance in generating consistent returns under varying market conditions over one year. The relationships between returns and some relevant factors are also explored. Steps for pairs trading involve selecting securities with strong historical associations or return correlations, normalizing their price series, calculating related price statistics, and employing a strategy based on Z-score to identify trading opportunities. Regression analysis of performance metrics across thousands of pairs highlights the significant relationship between the standard deviation of spread and profitability, whereas the return correlation is insignificant. The chosen portfolio exhibits low volatility, a high Sharpe ratio, and minimal drawdowns. Incorporating trading costs reveals a break-even point where the overall profit is zero. This confirms the strategy's robustness and real-world feasibility. In this paper, our result is against the weak form of the market efficiency theory, showing that strategies based on past information can generate consistent returns.

RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA SOB O OLHAR EDUCATIVO: UM INTERCÂMBIO ENTRE BRASIL E PORTUGAL

Exchange programs provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and personal, cultural and professional knowledge. In the field of education, the main objective is to include pedagogical knowledge that enriches professional practice. This study addresses the experience of an exchange program and its contribution to teacher training, analyzing the close relationships established with people from different countries during the master's degree period. Collaboration allows teachers, managers and students to have access to different perspectives on the teaching and learning process, in addition to promoting the development of joint projects, research and the internationalization of educational institutions. In addition, exchange programs contribute to strengthening cultural and historical ties, in this case, between Brazil and Portugal. Therefore, this work presents an experience report, as it is a production of knowledge focused on intercultural academic experience in education. The exchange experience at a Portuguese university, with visits to schools and hospitals with a group of professionals working in education from various countries, such as Angola, Cape Verde, Italy, Portugal and Brazil, had a pedagogical and formative bias, achieving the objective of dialogue between theory and practice among the disciplines, theoretical and field study. In conclusion, it is possible to state that, in addition to achieving the objectives proposed for the study, there were numerous benefits resulting from the development of this activity.

Kerja Sama Militer Brunei Darussalam-Inggris dan Dampaknya terhadap Stabilitas Regional Asia Tenggara

This paper examines the military cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom, as well as its impact on regional stability in Southeast Asia, focusing on Brunei's non-alignment strategy as a small state. Using a descriptive analytic method based on a literature review, this paper explores descriptive data on the dynamics of Brunei's foreign policy strategy in building bilateral relations, the role of the UK post-Brexit through the Global Britain strategy in strengthening bilateral relations with ASEAN member countries, and the implementation of Brunei and British military cooperation in maintaining regional security stability through the presence of British Forces Brunei since 1963. This is supported by historical ties and the Garrison Agreement to strengthen the security of the country and the region without confrontation. Therefore, this paper shows that Brunei has managed to balance military cooperation with the UK and economic cooperation with China in the midst of great power rivalries and tensions over the South China Sea dispute, as well as its implications for regional stability.

Perbandingan Sistem Hukum Indonesia dan Malaysia

Indonesia and Malaysia, as two Southeast Asian nations with shared historical and cultural ties, possess distinct legal sistem shaped by their colonial legacies. Indonesia adheres to a civil law sistem (derived from Dutch jurisprudence), while Malaysia follows a common law framework (inherited from British rule). Nevertheless, both jurisdictions incorporate Islamic law and customary legal traditions into their national legal sistem. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the legal sistem of both countries, with a particular focus on criminal law, civil law, and judicial structures, while also examining the challenges and opportunities for legal harmonization in the context of ASEAN integration. The research employs a normative juridical methodology, utilizing statutory and doctrinal legal analysis. Findings indicate that the primary distinctions lie in their legal sources (codification versus precedent) and the role of judicial institutions, while similarities emerge in their recognition of legal pluralism. Harmonization efforts face structural, substantive, and cultural challenges, yet potential exists in areas such as digital law, environmental law, and Islamic inheritance law.

Historical and Cultural Connection of Restoration of Museum Objects with Traditional Crafts

Purpose. The article analyzes the restoration methods of archaeological finds in museums of Kazakhstan and the historical connection of restorers with traditional artisans, jewelers; the current state of jewelry art passed down from generation to generation, actual problems of the current relationship between the historical relic and traditional methods in the past jewelry art; and the state of application of methods in the restoration literature of the Soviet period. The purpose of the article is to analyze the historical and cultural relationship between traditional jewelry art and modern restoration in our country, to demonstrate the methods and techniques used by restorers in the restoration of ancient crafts, to identify the state of the use of ancient jewelery methods by restorers in the restoration of museum objects. Consideration of special research papers to determine the purpose set out in the research article, study of the restoration work of exhibits in museums, description of the genetic, historical and cultural ties of restorers with ancient jewelry.Results. A lot of scientific literature was analyzed regarding the methods of restoration of museum items together with their museum classification. The connection of the methods used by modern restorers in their daily work with jewelry art and crafts has been established. The continuation of this art in the intergenerational relations of restorers was described.Conclusion. The article describes the existing methods of restoration of modern museum objects, and reveals the points that are still reflected in ancient jewelry methods. At the same time, it was found that restorers are descendants of artisans who passed down their craft art from one generation to another on the male line.

POWER BALANCE IN CENTRAL ASIA: EXTERNAL POWERS IN THE REGION

This article explores the evolving balance of power in Central Asia through an in-depth examination of external state actors and the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It begins by establishing the theoretical framework of the balance of power in international relations, highlighting its historical evolution and its application in contemporary geopolitical contexts. The core of the article is divided into two main analytical sections.The first section examines the involvement of external powers – primarily Russia and China – in Central Asia. It details Russia’s enduring influence through historical, economic, and military ties, including its use of energy infrastructure and regional security cooperation frameworks like the CSTO. China’s growing footprint is assessed through the lens of the Belt and Road Initiative, large-scale infrastructure investments, and increasing trade and energy cooperation. The paper outlines how both powers strategically compete and sometimes cooperate in shaping Central Asia’s political and economic future.The second section delves into the SCO’s institutional role in recalibrating regional geopolitics. It assesses the organization’s contributions to regional security, economic cooperation, and multilateral diplomacy. The article argues that the SCO serves as a stabilizing framework that helps mediate external influence while offering Central Asian states a platform to assert collective interests.Using historical analysis, contemporary data, and institutional review, the article concludes that Central Asia’s balance of power is dynamically shifting, with China gaining increased influence alongside Russia’s traditional dominance. The SCO, while often perceived as an extension of Chinese and Russian interests, also offers a mechanism for regional countries to navigate these power dynamics with greater agency.

Walking towards enlightenment as artistic practice in the Himalayas

This article describes an experiment in experiential learning using walking-with others to explore ideas about walking artists, place, nature and enlightenment in the context of Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayas of Nepal. The authors, two university artist/educators and their students, used the action of walking-together as a methodology for investigating various notions of enlightenment with an emphasis on immersive experiences designed to broaden their ecological, artistic and cultural perspectives. These experiences provided insights into spirituality and enlightenment within the contexts of Buddhist art and iconography as experienced in the Khumbu Valley of the Himalayas. This exploration of a walking pedagogy connects with historical and artistic associations with walking and place-based education. The third author, a middle-school art teacher, applied a walking pedagogy within her own teaching to connect her students to local ecological environments through walking. Human and natural histories are critical contexts for both the pilgrimage in Nepal and the ordinary classroom. The exploration of walking as an artistic practice was informed by contemporary art practices connected with walking, ecology and critical place-based art education.

Branching out while remembering our roots: A special issue on numerical and mathematical cognition.

Over the past decades, numerical and mathematical cognition has transformed from a niche research area into a thriving global field, with contributions spanning diverse populations, methodologies, and theoretical approaches. The 13 articles in this special issue highlight the breadth and depth of contemporary research, addressing topics such as the development of early numeracy skills, the interplay between mathematical and reading processes, the cognitive mechanisms supporting arithmetic and algebra, and the role of visuospatial thinking in expert mathematical reasoning. The contributions exemplify methodological innovation, from longitudinal studies and psychometric evaluations to interdisciplinary theoretical models that integrate numerical and linguistic frameworks. Together, they collectively advance theoretical, applied, and interdisciplinary perspectives. This introduction synthesizes the contributions, demonstrating how they collectively inspire future directions for research on numerical and mathematical cognition. We discuss the broader implications of the work while also contextualizing its development within its historical ties to Canadian experimental psychology and the foundational work of pioneers such as the late Jamie I. D. Campbell, in memory of whom this special issue was conceived. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Periphrases of St. Petersburg in Contemporary Media Discourse: A Pragmatic Perspective

This article examines the distinctive features of periphrastic nominations of St. Petersburg in modern media texts, as represented in the newspaper corpus of the Russian National Corpus. The study aims to identify the current meanings and functional capabilities of these units within media discourse. The relevance of this research is underscored by its linguo-pragmatic focus, emphasizing the importance of studying toponymic periphrases as a means of influencing readers and as a significant linguistic resource for journalists. It is demonstrated that figurative nominations of St. Petersburg are actively employed in media texts, assisting authors in marking the location of events, shaping perceptions of the city, providing evaluations, and highlighting necessary meanings. The author identifies several functions of periphrases, including references to historical epochs, means of poeticization, positive evaluation, substantive characterization, and assessing contemporary events through historical associations; the synonymous replacement of a toponym with a figurative expression allows for the avoidance of repetition. In newspaper texts, the semantic scope of toponymic periphrases varies, with an observable expansion of meanings and the development of metaphorical imagery. The use of periphrases confirms the relevance of the topic of comparing the two capitals for native speakers. Examples are provided illustrating the construction of puns using St. Petersburg periphrases based on homonymy, polysemy, antonymy of statement components, as well as structural-semantic transformations of periphrastic constructions.

Czechoslovak Support for the Founding of Israel in the Late 1940s: the Myth of Everlasting Friendship?

The war between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023 deeply polarized public and political opinion worldwide. In contrast to many EU countries, the Czech Republic adopted a position of unwavering support for Israel, referencing their shared values and long-standing friendship grounded in the historical ties between the Czech and Jewish peoples. This article explores this narrative by examining the commonly cited example of Czechoslovakia's support for the establishment of Israel in the late 1940s, which included providing arms supplies, military training, and diplomatic backup. However, such reflections on history often overlook important international and domestic factors of the time, including the Eastern Bloc’s efforts to expand communism into the newly decolonized Third World countries and its pursuit of financial gain. As a result, Czechoslovakia’s pro-Israeli position during the Cold War was short-lived, and was quickly reversed when the political circumstances changed. Ignoring these facts leads to distorted historical interpretations and even the development of some historical myths.

MOVING THE NEEDLE: The Australian Embroidery Revolution—Conference Review

The 2024 MOVING THE NEEDLE conference focused on reviewing the Australian histories of needlework within the scope of contemporary art. By bringing together a panel of academics, curators and practitioners, the conference provided insights into how the medium of embroidery, with its persistent historical associations with “women’s work” and domesticity, reflected the second-wave feminist slogan “the personal is political.” Dr Susan Wood examined the period of 1960s–1980s during which embroidery in Australia crossed its domestic boundaries and expanded into the sphere of public culture and Dr Belinda Von Mengersen built upon this timeline by discussing contemporary practices which relish the medium’s nuanced language. Dr Sabine Cotte presented her insight into the life and textile-based work of artist Mirka Mora and Simeran Maxwell, curator of the Australian Art at the National Gallery of Australia, spoke about this institution’s recent reclamations of textile-based art. Australian Lebanese artist Nicole Barakat shared her artistic journey from reconnecting to her own roots and with multiple communities one can belong to, to employing the activist power of needle and thread. The five thought-provoking perspectives illuminate the names of the women behind this cultural revolution and reverberate its impact on contemporary art in Australia.