Geopolitical Impact Research Articles

India’s Security and Climate Policy: Navigating the China Challenge

In a world rich in climate knowledge but short on climate action, it is important to understand the political reasons behind the apparent failure of states to address this planetary crisis. One underexplored dimension of this phenomenon is the impact of broader geopolitics and rivalry, in specific the ability and willingness of potential and actual security and economic rivals to leave their contention at the gates of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This article focuses on India’s multifaceted approach to its ‘China challenge’ with and outside the climate regime. While conventional scholarship focuses on the security and economic dimensions of this rivalry, this study offers a distinct perspective that examines whether this rivalry might lead to a breakdown of cooperation and an increased potential for conflict and weaponisation of seemingly disconnected issue areas. Drawing on a comprehensive triangulation of policy documents, government statements and scholarly literature, this article evaluates the domestic and international factors shaping India’s climate-related China policies, including the countries’ unique economic ambitions, development imperatives, energy needs and global climate commitments. Furthermore, the article examines Sino-Indian interactions in international arenas such as the UNFCCC and Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS), and how these interactions influence global climate governance.

The Middle Corridor in current geopolitical turbulence

The Middle Corridor is emerging as a crucial alternative trade route due to recent geopolitical shifts. It provides a viable alternative to the established Northern Corridor, which connects Europe and Asia through Russia. The Middle Corridor offers shorter routes and access to emerging markets with significant growth potential. This study aims to assess the geopolitical impact of activating the Middle Corridor, analyze cargo traffic along the route, and evaluate both operational impacts and strategic implications. Addressing infrastructure and operational challenges, as well as securing necessary investments, will be essential for the corridor’s long-term success and competitiveness in global trade. For the participating countries, this corridor represents an opportunity to diversify trade routes and reduce dependency on the Northern Corridor.

Memory, Identity and Cross-Cultural Communication: The Evolution of the Image of Chinese Railway Workers in Canada and the Reconstruction of Multiculturalism

International migrants confront many new challenges from the impact of global populism and geopolitics, but we also see the growth of a new identity culture. The Chinese community in Canada constructs its identity through the collective memory of the image of Chinese railway workers, and realizes the cross-cultural communication of a new identity culture in the course of the interaction of symbolic cultural practices. Since the 1980s, the image of Chinese railway workers has changed from “the indispensable evil” to “pioneers in nation-building” and “a tragic group subjected to injustice.” This is a product of the collective memory of the Chinese ethnic group’s pursuit of identity in Canada’s multicultural reconstruction. The Chinese ethnic group has reshaped an image of Chinese railway workers that has been widely disseminated through cross-cultural means. They have aimed at gaining social acceptance and fundamental recognition of a Chinese-Canadian identity with the help of their “native cultural heritage and historical resources” in Canada. The construction of this identity culture through collective memory has consolidated the foundations of multiculturalism.

Exploring the Dynamics of Pak-US Relations in Post 9/11 Era: Military Aid, Nuclear Proliferation and Regional Politics

Throughout history, Pakistan and the United States have experienced a complex and evolving relationship. This relationship has witnessed periods of cooperation, strain, and scrutiny, particularly concerning formal engagement, financial collaboration, military ties, and regional security matters. This study is critical because it illustrates the evolving geopolitical landscape by revealing how military aid and nuclear concerns have affected South Asian security. By highlighting strategic interactions between global powers and regional entities, this research contributes to the international relations discourse. To assess the state of US-Pakistan relations post-9/11, this study investigates counterterrorism, nonproliferation, and regional geopolitics. It examines how Pakistan's counterterrorism operations and regional security are influenced by US military support, as well as the impact of regional geopolitics on the partnership. Employing mixed methods research, the study reveals diverse perspectives on the impact of aid, including both cooperation and concerns regarding conditional assistance. Regional dynamics, such as Afghanistan's stability and India-Pakistan tensions, emerge as critical factors influencing the partnership's evolution. Challenges stemming from divergent interests and perceptions are also highlighted. Furthermore, the quantitative aspect indicates that gender influences the outcome variable, suggesting potential behavioral or attitudinal differences between men and women regarding the studied environment.

Sino-US film collaboration in practice: Mulan

ABSTRACT This article examines recent Sino-US film collaborations, focusing on Mulan (2020) against the backdrop of geopolitical shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through in-depth interviews and a case study, it investigates the lukewarm reception of Mulan (2020) in China. The study explores how external pressures have disrupted the previously thriving partnership, leading to investment uncertainty, intensified censorship, and shifts in audience consumption towards online platforms, which have exacerbated piracy issues. It also addresses the political tensions surrounding Mulan (2020), including controversies related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong, which hindered its box-office success in Mainland China despite domestic support. A comparative analysis with Mulan (1998) assesses the evolution of feminist themes and filial piety in the 2020 adaptation. The findings indicate that while efforts were made to enhance feminist narratives and cultural motifs, the execution was superficial, treating complex cultural themes as mere embellishments rather than integral elements of the narrative. The film’s portrayal of these themes within a predominantly Western framework highlights ongoing challenges in bridging cultural narratives in Sino-US film productions. The findings underscore the profound impact of geopolitics and reveal the contentious portrayal of feminism and cultural integration in Mulan (2020), emphasizing the challenges in Sino-US film collaborations.

The impact of geopolitics on international student mobility: The Chinese students' perspective

AbstractIn the last few years, international student mobility has been disrupted not only by the global health crisis resulting from the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic but also adversely affected by the rise of geopolitics. The worsening relationship between China and its western counterparts led by the United States and its allies has significantly influenced students' motivation and plan for overseas education. Based upon interviews with 75 students from leading universities in mainland China, this article examines how Chinese elite students evaluate the impact of the new geopolitics on their overseas study plans and opportunities. The study found that, due to the influence of scientific internationalism ideas and institutional habitus, interviewees underestimated the impact of geopolitical factors. Furthermore, unpleasant environmental factors (such as racial discrimination) caused by geopolitical changes are tolerable because most of the interviewees plan to return China after studying abroad. On the other hand, deterioration of Sino‐US relations has substantially affected Chinese students' international mobility. Many interviewees, especially those majoring in science and engineering, were unable to obtain visas. Some of them gave up their study abroad plans, while others transferred to other study abroad destination countries such as the United Kingdom and Singapore. We also find that the perception of the power shift in the field of higher education shapes the students' decision making. This article critically reflects upon the international student mobility from the broader political economy perspective, discussing policy implications for future international education.

Analisa Reaksi Pasar Modal terhadap Perang Rusia-Ukraina pada Bursa Efek Indonesia

This research aims to analyze the impact of the Indonesian capital market's reaction to the announcement of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24 2022. Special focus is given to companies in the food industry sector that use wheat as the main raw material. Six companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange that rely on wheat were the subject of analysis. The research method uses an event study approach by calculating cumulative abnormal returns and average trading volume activity in the time period February 2022-March 2022. The research results show that there are no significant differences in the calculated variables between the periods before and after the announcement of the Russian-Ukrainian invasion. The implication is that the Indonesian capital market, especially companies in the food industry sector, did not experience a significant impact due to this incident. This research contributes to understanding the capital market response to geopolitical events and its relevance to the food industry sector in Indonesia. In conclusion, the resilience of the Indonesian capital market to certain foreign events and emphasizes the importance of diversifying raw materials in the food industry to reduce potential external risks. Keywords: Reaction Analysis, Indonesian Stock Exchange, Geopolitical Impact, Capital Markets, Russian-Ukrainian War

Diplomatic relationship-building in the age of generative AI: the European Union and China

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of generative AI on international diplomacy through the lens of EU–China diplomatic relationship-building. The first section introduces the broader context of AI’s geopolitical impact by distinguishing two different models—the European and Chinese models of regulating and implementing generative AI. The second discuss or explain how the two AI models contrast one another. The third section of the paper focuses on discussing Generative AI and its possible implications for EU–China relations, the extent to which their efforts are likely to strain or facilitate diplomatic relationship-building. The fourth section takes the analysis forward by examining how generative AI could be an unexpected enabling force for EU–China relationship-building. This paper purports that the distinctive EU and Chinese models of generative AI too often belie the opportunities that could potentially enable the EU and China to build their relationship, since generative AI raises shared concerns for the EU and China, and utilising generative AI could make their communications become more efficient, the EU and China may come to reach some kind of shared framework for generative AI development and governance; this could lead to productive talks in other domains such as the trade deficit issue plaguing the EU–China relations or more sensitive cross-strait issues; moreover, in the realm of public diplomacy generative AI could facilitate the EU and China’s public diplomatic efforts towards each other.

Effect of Geopolitical Situation on Potassium Iodide Sale

This whitepaper explores the intricate relationship between geopolitical dynamics and the demand for potassium iodide (KI), a critical component of public health and emergency preparedness measures. KI serves as a safeguard against the adverse effects of radioactive iodine (RAI) exposure in the event of nuclear incidents. Geopolitical factors significantly influence the availability, accessibility, and trade regulations of KI, as demonstrated through case studies like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and historical nuclear accidents. International agreements, regulatory frameworks, and trade policies are key in shaping the KI market, with growing demand stemming from the nutraceutical and laboratory reagent sectors. While solid KI is the predominant market segment, there remains a challenge in the presence of iodine alternatives. Amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, KI demand has surged, depleting supplies and resulting in price gouging. Understanding these trends and the broader geopolitical impact on KI is essential to appreciate its critical role in safeguarding public health.

Belt and road initiative membership and voting patterns in the United Nations General Assembly

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not only an unprecedented cross-continental infrastructure investment program, it is also a key pillar of China’s foreign policy. The Chinese government seeks to tie BRI member states closer to its political system and to enhance its soft power across the globe. Whether this has been successful has been analyzed for individual countries but, as of yet, there is a paucity of cross-national evidence on the geopolitical impact of the BRI. We collected a novel global dataset on bilateral cooperation agreements with China in the context of the BRI for all states across the globe. We rely on voting similarities in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to analyze whether the decision to join the BRI is linked to geopolitical alignment with China. We apply generalized synthetic control models and community detection algorithms to estimate the impact of BRI membership on voting similarity to China. Our findings show that the signature of BRI membership agreements had no discernible short-term impact on voting similarity to China in most regions of the world. The exception is Europe, where BRI membership induced a backlash against China. Our findings suggest that European states counter-balance to the US and signal their independence from China after signing a BRI agreement.

China And America’s Trade War on Clean Energy Revolution: Taking Electric Vehicle Industry as An Example

This paper is based on several backgrounds. The first one is the increasingly severe global climate crisis and the imperative global green energy revolution. The second one is China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative which has been put into efforts since 2013 in order to “create more opportunities for common development on the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution and for the commonwealth of the world” (proposed by Xi Jinping, on a meeting with Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel on July 15, 2021) and America’s countermeasures against China’s economic movement. The research focuses on the electric vehicle industry area that clearly shows the tendency of global green energy revolution, the innovations and the complex geopolitical situation and conflicts of countries on this rising industry. To get into the topic, 2 specific examples: The cobalt (a vital resource in the EV industry) mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Tesla’s global strategy and its factory in Shanghai. This research will also talk about the orientation of the new technologies in the electric vehicle industry and how it is going to reshape the industry and their geopolitical impact on the world. This research mainly uses the method of literature research. The paper focuses on collecting and analyzing the facts and data of the industry, different perspectives and viewpoints from different stakeholders (mainly the US and China) and the developing situation of the geopolitical environment in the nowadays world.

International law in the China–Russian energy partnership: mapping the partnership-based relational approach

Abstract Over the past decades, the China–Russian energy partnership has become firmly established. Significant milestones such as the 2009 oil and the 2014 gas deals demonstrate the geopolitical impact of this partnership. The article finds that the China–Russian energy cooperation uses a partnership-based relational approach that eschews rulemaking by treaty. Instead, the legal framework of this partnership is multi-layered and has distinct features. It relies heavily on bilateralism, pragmatic cooperation, and non-binding commitments. A range of instruments applies at the bilateral level, including a bilateral investment treaty, energy cooperation agreements, intergovernmental agreements on significant energy deals, and many joint communiques and statements of a soft law nature. Regarding regional energy governance, China and Russia prefer different approaches, as reflected in their participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Belt and Road Initiative. While these regional mechanisms contribute to the energy partnership, their impact on the legal framework is limited.

The Impact Of The Syrian Crisis On Lebanon: Geopolitical Aspect

The paper analyses the geopolitical impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon. This impact is observed in two forms: one within the Syria-Lebanon relations (a sub-regional) and the other one within the wider Middle East (a regional). The first refers to the direct repercussions that the increasing instability in Syria has on the Lebanese part. More specifically, the impact that have some factors of the Syrian crisis –increasing confessionalism and Islamic radicalism- on the internal political and religious power relations of Lebanon. The second form of impact refers to the indirect yet critical repercussions that the regional instability of the Middle East has on Lebanon. As a state of proxy actors through which the regional powers project power and as an integral part of the Syria-Lebanon sub-region, Lebanon is the primary point on which the regional systemic pressure is applied. As a result of this regional impact, the internal political and religious power relations of Lebanon become a micro-level representation of the regional power relations of the wider Middle Eastern system.

Exploring the Interplay between Trade and Industrial Policies and the Impact of Geopolitics on the Transformation of Taiwan's Economy

Over the past five decades, Taiwan's economy has shifted from inward-oriented to outward-oriented, from an import-substitution policy to an export-expansion policy. This evolution in economic structure has also brought about changes in the industrial landscape. While there is an ongoing debate about the respective roles of the market and the government in promoting Taiwan's economic growth, this article argues that the history of Taiwan's economy demonstrates a mutually beneficial relationship between trade and industrial policies. The integration of market forces and government intervention has played a crucial role in Taiwan's economic success story. However, the dynamics between the United States and China, as well as the emergence of new Asian regionalism, pose challenges to Taiwanese industries and enterprises. In conclusion, this article emphasizes the importance of refining trade and industrial policies in line with the geopolitical context in order to maintain the momentum of Taiwan's economy.

GEOPOLITICAL FACTOR IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF EU ENERGY POLICY (2022–2023)

The purpose of the article is to analyse the influence of geopolitical fac- tors on the transformation of EU energy policy in 2022–2023. The research methodology is based on institutional analysis. The working hypothesis that the modern energy policy of the EU is primarily determined by geopolitics is confirmed. The paper examines the range of decisions of the EU institu- tions and national governments of the EU states in response to the impact of geopolitics on the energy sphere. It is revealed how energy-exporting states (first of all – Russia) resort to various forms of pressure to obtain certain political decisions from energy-dependent states. It is determined that under the conditions of the current geopolitical challenges, the main objectives of the EU energy policy are: diversification of energy sources and sources of supply of imported energy; formation of a fully integrated internal energy market with proper infrastructure and without barriers (technical, regula- tory, etc.); improvement of energy efficiency; reduction of dependence on the import of energy resources, etc. The paper argues that reforms in the EU are aimed at mitigating the geopolitical influence on the energy sec- tor, reducing the risks of a sharp increase in energy prices, accelerating the energy transition, and achieving energy independence. The challenges to the energy security of the EU are as follows: 1) the EU’s still strong de- pendence on the import of energy resources; 2) significant differences in the energy strategies of the EU states, their lack of solidarity in matters of reforming the energy sector; 3) probability of new supply risks from third countries with which trade in energy resources is established, as well as from countries that extract and enrich metals necessary for the introduction of clean technologies. The need for strong political will of the EU institu- tions and national governments of the EU states to consistently implement the planned reforms is emphasized, since energy problems pose a signifi- cant threat to security at all levels.

Exploring the impact of geopolitics on the environmental Kuznets curve research

AbstractEnvironmental Kuznets curve (EKC) is one of the key theories of economic and environmentally sustainable development. Has the change in geopolitics in recent years affected the international collaboration in the study of the EKC? Based on the publications on the EKC included in the Web of Science, a case study of recent changes in China–US collaboration on the EKC is conducted to explore the impact of geopolitical changes on international collaborative research on sustainable development. The results show that (1) The EKC is a global study, and countries around the world have made more efforts, among which China, the United States, Turkey, Malaysia, England and other countries have made the most contributions in the global literature database and are the countries with the most development potential in this field. (2) International collaboration between China and the United States in this field has gradually increased, and scientific research collaboration between the two countries has increased under the influence of geopolitical conflicts, and collaboration has shown the characteristics of lasting stability. (3) China and the United States exhibit divergent international collaboration patterns, with Pakistan being China's foremost partner in this domain, while China serves as the US’ primary collaborator. Furthermore, China demonstrates a significantly higher volume of independently published works compared with the United States, highlighting the strengthening of China's scientific research capabilities. The number of countries collaborating internationally with China shows a different upward trend than in the United States across the three data sets set in this paper. (4) In the field of EKC hot research, China and the United States have maintained good international partnerships with other countries, and are the preferred countries for scientific research collaboration in other countries in the world. It can be seen from this that international scientific research collaboration for sustainable development represented by the EKC has shown relative stability, and geopolitical changes have not had a significant impact on international collaborative research for sustainable development.

Securing the supply of clean energy metals to achieve carbon reduction: a review

Climate change is a major threat to the world. The cause for this global challenge is directly linked to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In order to mitigate climate change, major policies such as reducing GHG emissions are required. Many countries have proposed carbon emission reduction targets at the national strategic level. A crucial issue in achieving the target is low-carbon energy transition, which requires a large amount of clean energy metals as supporting materials. This paper summarizes the latest research results of existing literature on the supply of clean energy metals in achieving the goal of carbon reduction, including the definitions, demand changes, supply capacity assessment, supply risk evolution, supply guarantee and policy system, etc . We point out that further research should be conducted in the following three directions in the future: firstly, strengthen research on the impact of trade and geopolitics on the supply of clean energy metals; secondly, further evaluate the effectiveness of minerals security policies in various countries; finally, broaden the analysis of the clean energy metals supply to encompass the entire industrial chain perspective.

The Geopolitics of Energy Security in Bangladesh: A Critical Review

Bangladesh, a small country in South Asia, has undergone significant economic development in the past 50 years since its inception. This can be attributed to its transition from an agrarian to an industrial economy, with the energy sector playing a pivotal role in facilitating this shift. An in-depth investigation of Bangladesh's energy landscape (i.e., energy mix, regulations, reforms, and policies) reveals that it is dominated by imported fossil fuels, which rely on international alliances. Such a scenario exposes Bangladesh's energy security to geopolitical threats. By drawing on the geopolitics of energy security, the study analyzes the extent of recent global energy dynamics, the geopolitical behavior of major energyproducing countries, and international alliances that influence Bangladesh's energy security. The study reveals six potential channels through which the adverse effects of geopolitics affect Bangladesh's energy security. Based on holistic discussion, we recommend a few policies to mitigate or diminish the adverse impact of geopolitics and thereby ensure sustainable development and the projected energy transition in Bangladesh.

Developing critical geopolitical awareness in management education

The impact of geopolitics on business activities is an undeniable reality, as reflected in the fact that a growing number of companies consider geopolitical risks as a substantial risk to their cross-border operations. Against this background, this article advocates developing the critical geopolitical awareness of management learners to allow them to better understand the risks and challenges posed by the rapidly changing and highly uncertain external environment. After explaining the specificities of the critical geopolitical approach, we discuss three selected case studies that show how it can be applied to complex crisis situations in which companies can become involved. We then highlight how developing critical geopolitical awareness could be beneficial to management learners as part of an incremental critical learning process. The latter is presented as a three-step process, aiming to: (a) increase knowledge of the international and local context by using the triangular framework of analysis (space-power-representations), which provides a deeper understanding of the external environment and how the strategies of both state- and non-state actors may affect business activities; (b) enrich traditional political risk models with a relational and multiscale approach to geopolitical risk; and (c) reconsider the role of corporate leaders and companies as (geo)political actors.

Modelling the geopolitical impact on risk assessment of energy supply system: The case of Italian crude oil supply

Many countries are still characterized by high fossil demand, mainly satisfied by imports due to the scarcity of local resources. These countries are more vulnerable to deterioration of geopolitical stability of suppliers, with potential negative impacts on economic growth and welfare, making science-based methodologies crucial for policy makers to monitor the security of energy supply system. The proposed model aims to quantify the risk related to the external front of the supply system, by extending the classical risk analysis approach to the geopolitical dimension, coupling the geopolitical risk of supply corridors with their energy flows and spatial dimension. The proposed methodology allows to perform risk scenario analyses, including the variation of countries' geopolitical stability and supply interruptions, at single country level and considering different energy commodities delivered through captive and maritime corridors. Finally, the developed approach is applied to the security of the Italian crude oil supply system, by discussing and comparing different risk scenarios and possible countermeasures. The obtained results highlight some possible weaknesses of the system (e.g., in case of blockade of Turkish Straits) due to limited replaceability of certain crude types (according to their physical/chemical properties), suggesting further diversification of crudes mix.