The article is dedicated to a comparative analysis of the policies of higher education internationalization in Russia and China in the context of using education as a tool of "soft power" and humanitarian influence in international relations. The focus is on the role of educational cooperation, academic mobility, the promotion of national languages and cultures, as well as the institutional mechanisms that ensure the presence of the two states in the global educational space. The research considers higher education not only as a social institution but also as an element of foreign policy strategy that contributes to the formation of loyal foreign elites, the expansion of scientific and cultural ties, and the strengthening of the international authority of states. Special attention is given to analyzing how historical experience, geopolitical position, and models of national development determine the specifics of Russia's and China's approaches to the internationalization of the educational sphere, as well as how these processes relate to the tasks of regional integration and global positioning. Comparative, neo-institutional, and systemic approaches are used, along with concepts from the theory of "soft power," public diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy to analyze the educational policies of the two states. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive comparison of the Russian and Chinese models of higher education internationalization as elements of foreign policy strategy, rather than merely as directions of educational reform. The study shows that while the tools used—such as attracting foreign students, developing academic mobility, creating foreign educational infrastructure, and promoting national languages—are similar, the functional orientation of these mechanisms differs significantly. The Russian model of internationalization is more focused on preserving the historical, cultural, and linguistic space, primarily in the post-Soviet region, and serves an integration and cultural-diplomatic function. The Chinese model is characterized by a higher degree of systematicity, significant state investments, and a close connection between educational policy and the tasks of economic modernization and global influence expansion, including within the framework of major international initiatives. It is concluded that the internationalization of higher education in China is integrated into a long-term project of national revival and the formation of scientific and technological leadership, whereas in Russia, it serves as an important but predominantly regionally-oriented resource of "soft power."

Narratives as tools of sociological imagination: a reply to ‘From discourse to legitimacy: narratives as instruments of influence in international relations’ by Armağan Gözkaman

This editorial article examines the centrality of narratives and values in shaping human understanding, social realities, and political life. Humans naturally think and communicate through stories, which structure events into coherent sequences, assign meaning, and influence collective memory, identity, and power relations. Narratives function as both cognitive and discursive tools, enabling shared understanding while redistributing interpretive authority between storytellers and audiences. They do more than represent reality: they actively shape opinions, social organization, and political dynamics. Values are inseparable from narratives, as stories translate abstract ideals into tangible political action. Both narratives and values are inherently unstable, socially constructed, and politically contested, with their meaning continually negotiated and mobilized by competing actors. By foregrounding the constitutive and transformative power of narratives and the contested nature of values, this article underscores their significance for interpreting political phenomena and analyzing the dynamics of international relations.

In traditional small state literature, small states are often relegated to the periphery. They are characterised as ‘rule-takers’ rather than ‘rulemakers’, lacking the resources to be proactive on the global stage and perpetually defined by a power deficit. Consequently, small state foreign policy behaviour is presumed to be driven by an enduring sense of dependence, with such states consistently aligning their policies with those of major players. This article challenges such assertions, arguing they reflect an outdated understanding of small state behaviour and power. By examining the cases of Seychelles and Mauritius, two Small Island Developing States in the South-West Indian Ocean, this article demonstrates that they defy these traditional notions. Through a thematic analysis of official government speeches from 2017 to 2024 and drawing on Holsti’s conception of role theory, the article argues that these two islands are actively enacting the role of ‘pioneers’, directly contrasting with dependency-based foreign policy frameworks. Beyond expanding on the foreign policy of small states to include an ‘interdependent foreign policy’ (IFP) orientation, this article also shows that the role of ‘pioneer’ carries its own form of power, offering an alternative perspective on how small, oceanic states can assert influence in international relations.

COVID-19 has significantly altered various aspects of the world, such as the economy, trade, tourism, social interactions, education, geopolitics, and the global perception of some countries. China's response to the pandemic, including its effectiveness in controlling the virus, economic and social recovery, vaccine development, and distribution, has been highly efficient on a global scale. Additionally, China's rapidly increasing influence in international relations has drawn worldwide attention. As a result of China's growing global presence, the study of its national image has become a popular topic in communication research, both within China and internationally. This study analyzes the image of China as it is represented in American mainstream newspapers during COVID-19. Content analysis was performed on items collected from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The analysis finds that American mainstream newspapers present a neutral and diverse China in terms of economy, culture, environment, and China’s handling of the pandemic but depict a negative China in terms of politics, social issues, technology development, as well as Zero-Covid policy. The implication of these findings is to present China’s national image as constructed by American mainstream newspapers amid COVID-19. Meanwhile, it explored the prominent frame by which American mainstream newspapers portray China’s image and the relationship between frames and tones used in portraying China’s image.

The ancients said, “The way to the heart is through the stomach.” Gastronomy, closely related to concepts such as public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and soft power, plays an important role in Turkish foreign policy as a means to have an influence over hearts and minds. In addition, gastrodiplomacy activities also contribute to the country’s promotion, country image, and nation branding. This article examines the concept of soft power, gastronomy as an outlet for cultural expression, and Türkiye’s gastrodiplomacy in Africa. Soft power is a strategic approach that enables countries to gain influence in international relations through tools such as culture, diplomacy, and economy. While gastronomy plays an important role in the construction of national identity and belonging, it also provides a platform that strengthens intercultural dialogue and understanding. In this context, gastrodiplomacy is a diplomatic tool that aims to create a positive image in the international arena by introducing the cuisines of countries. The study emphasizes the importance of Turkish cuisine as one of Türkiye’s soft power strategies towards Africa that it relies on in this process. At the same time, the cultural diplomacy and gastronomy projects of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in Africa focus on the roles of these institutions in developing Türkiye’s relations with Africa. This article examines the impact of Türkiye’s gastrodiplomacy activities in Africa on African people and its contribution to Türkiye’s image in the region, while also discussing cultural barriers and criticisms of these strategies for culinary diplomacy.

The article is devoted to the study of the impact of globalization processes on patriotism and historical memory, as well as on national identity in general. In a rapidly changing world, where the influence of international relations, cultural exchanges and new technologies is increasing, traditional forms of identification of nations with historical and cultural symbols are subject to significant changes. The author addresses key issues related to how globalization affects the perception of a nation, its symbols, history, and cultural traditions, and to what extent these changes can lead to the loss or transformation of national identity. According to the author, globalization is a two-way process that simultaneously enhances the interaction between cultures and leads to their unification, as well as contributes to the emergence of new forms of cultural differentiation and sustainability. In these circumstances, nation-States face challenges related to preserving their uniqueness and identity, which is reflected in issues of patriotism, historical memory and collective identity. The article pays special attention to the analysis of historical memory as an essential component of national identity. Historical memory includes not only the perception of key events of the past, but also the attitude to symbols, myths and narratives that form the collective consciousness of the people. In the context of globalization, memory is undergoing revision, both within countries and in the international arena. The author of the article argues that globalization does not necessarily lead to the loss of patriotism and historical memory, but rather provokes their transformation. Along the way, a number of new forms and approaches to patriotic education and the preservation of historical memory are emerging. The influence of international standards and global values puts pressure on traditional forms of national identity, which forces States to rethink and adapt their historical narratives. An important aspect is the ability of a nation to transform its historical memory by integrating elements of global trends while preserving its cultural and historical specificity.

The Influence of International Relations on Refugee Rights and Protection Policies in Bangladesh

This article is an overview of the work of the II International Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges”, which was held on 12–14 August 2024 in Ulan-Ude. This year, more than 1,800 participants from 16 countries gathered together, with representatives from not only religious structures, but also political, public, and scientific organizations. This forum aims to strengthen international relations between Buddhists of the world at all levels. The article analyzes the main activities of three events united by a single theme – the conference "Buddhism in a Changing World", the II International Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges”, the conference “The Phenomenon of the XII Pandito Khambo Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov”, related to the actualization of the Buddhist culture in today's society, understanding of the philosophy and practice of Buddhism in the modern world, assessment of the main directions and results of the activities of Buddhist institutions and organizations both at the religious level and in the system of their interactions with political powers in Russia and Asian countries, their role and influence in international relations, education and medicine.

The research on the relationship between international trade and geopolitics has garnered extensive attention. However, there are still numerous aspects worth discussing in the study of the impact of East Asian geopolitics on its economic and trade exchanges. This paper analyzes the changes in the oil trade policy of Japan and Russia under the influence of international relations between ecology and geopolitics. This article also examines the distinct dilemmas of Japan and Russia and the trend of international relations. That is, Russia is facing the blockade of its energy economy and trade by Western countries, and Japan is facing the problem of oil trade simplification, as well as the impact and influence of the international environment and the policies of the two countries. Based on this, this paper puts forward the following suggestions. Japan should seek a trade balance among big countries flexibly and pragmatically. As a big country, Russia should assume a leadership role in global trade while pursuing mutually beneficial and win-win results with other countries.

The article analyzes the theoretical foundations of the formation of energy security on the energy market of Ukraine in the context of European integration processes, and states that energy security is a component of the state's national security. The main advantages of long-term contracts for all energy market participants are indicated. Features of the functioning of consumer companies in the competitive market are highlighted. The main risks for large consumers when working on the day-ahead market are presented. Factors of the expediency of functioning on the balancing segment are given. Current trends in the development of world energy and their impact on energy security are analyzed. The necessity of diversification of energy supply sources for Ukraine is substantiated. The influence of the European integration processes on the reform of the energy sector of Ukraine is studied. The current state of the energy market was analyzed, and the analysis of factors affecting development trends and ensuring protection in the energy market was carried out. The influence of the European integration processes on the reform of the energy sector of Ukraine is studied. The conjuncture of the energy market of Ukraine is determined, in which it is necessary to analyze not only the peculiarities of the domestic sphere, but also the influence of international relations, international trade and the world market. The PEST analysis of the energy industry of Ukraine is presented, which allowed to identify the level of influence and the neighborhood of the group of influencing factors on the formation of the strategic potential of the energy market of Ukraine. Directions for increasing the level of energy security through modernization of the energy infrastructure, development of renewable energy sources, and integration into the European energy space are proposed. It is noted that the creation of conditions for the effective use of internal resources and the development of appropriate technologies are of strategic importance. The country's government is working on integration into the European energy community, which requires compliance with European standards and the implementation of effective management models of the energy market of Ukraine. According to the results of the strategic potential of the energy industry of Ukraine, economic factors exert the greatest influence - 1.147, which just emphasizes the important role of the energy industry in the country's economy. In second place in terms of influence are political factors - 0.847. The analysis of the market just showed the rather important role of the political component in the functioning of the energy market of Ukraine, namely in the aspect of its joining the European energy market and the transformation of Ukraine into the European Union with the rights of an equal state. In third place are technological factors - 0.553, which confirm Ukraine's determination to decarbonize the energy market. And the fourth place is occupied by socio-cultural factors - 0.537, which are only marginally inferior to technological factors. This indicates a strong influence of consumer preferences when choosing interaction models in the market.

This research scrutinizes the divergent portrayals of the Israel-Hamas conflict in The New York Times (NYT) and China Daily (CD), utilizing a corpus-based critical discourse analysis approach that blends topic modeling, keyword and collocation analysis, with discourse-historical analysis (DHA) strategies. The analysis reveals how NYT frames the conflict through the lens of democratic values, human rights, and portrays Israel as a defender in the conflict, emphasizing security and terrorism narratives. In contrast, CD offers a narrative that leans towards state sovereignty, national development, and provides a more neutral or sympathetic portrayal of Hamas, reflecting China's stance on non-interference and peace. This comprehensive analysis underscores the significant role media plays in shaping public perception and policy regarding international conflicts, highlighting the entanglement of media narratives with national geopolitical agendas. By offering insights into the ideological and geopolitical underpinnings of media representations, this study contributes to the broader discourse on media's influence in international relations, advocating for enhanced critical media literacy among readers. It opens avenues for future research on media narratives in other geopolitical contexts, emphasizing the importance of understanding media as a tool for both reflecting and constructing political realities.

Regardless of the existing conflicts, the twenty-first century might be predominantly a century of soft power, most pronounced in Europe. Turkey, which geographically belongs to Europe and Asia, has been looking to achieve its foreign policy priorities and is changing its methodology of conducting foreign policy. The use of soft power based on national culture, political values, religion, economy, institutions, and international relations in the early 21st century represented a radical turn compared to earlier historical attempts. Throughout history, Turkey used hard power in the region, but it was mostly unsuccessful. Therefore, the nature of soft power represented an opportunity for strengthening Turkey as a regional power and a qualitative change of negative stereotypes about this country. However, it is evident that soft power in the changed regional security circumstances in the final years of the second decade in the 21st century is insufficient, so Turkey has started using hard power (military) again to strengthen its leadership position. This paper explains the soft power of the Republic of Turkey in the MENA region and the recent reorientation to the combination of military strength and diplomatic influence in international relations. How much that rearrangement in foreign policy will position Turkey in the new security and political circumstances at the beginning of the 21st century's third decade remains to be seen.

Paradiplomacy in India: Expanding State's Influence in International Relations

The concept of international relations is very broad. In its modern usage, it encompasses not only the relations between states but also includes the relations between states and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, multinational corporations, and other actors. As a result of the scientific and technological advancements witnessed by humanity, along with the accompanying economic, social, and cultural developments, the state is no longer the sole actor in international relations. There are other international actors who have emerged successively, in harmony and accordance with these advancements. The international stage is no longer exclusive to the state alone. Alongside the state, international individuals have emerged who possess the ability to act, perform, and influence in international relations. The latest addition to these international actors is the individual international actor.

The influence of international relations after the 1815 Vienna Congress has defined the relation and equilibrium of forces in Europe; at the same time, it would cause the „oriental crisis” to become a general issue, much like the issue of the Romanian principates which started to state their legitimate claims regarding the right to social and national emancipation, all converging towards the diplomatic effort necessary for the creation of a national, independent state, in accordance with the objectives stated in the Dacian-Roman ideology.

There is a noticeable and growing evolution of the global geopolitical balance of power and influence in the 21st century’s system of international relations. The current hegemon, the unipolar United States, and the political system of Western liberalism that supports it, is under great strain and is in a state of relative decline. The challenger is a non-Western-centric multipolar order, which consists of a wide variety of countries spanning the globe, including what is referred to as the Global South. This ‘crisis’ of the Western order has prompted a tangible and informational response from the U.S. and its system, to defend their privileged hegemony and to deter the rise of alternative systems of power and influence in international relations.

Abstract This paper attempts to assess events related to the huge scale of the influx of migrants in the summer of 2021 at the Belarusian borders with Lithuania, Poland and Latvia. The involvement of the Belarusian government had a key impact on the nature of the events and led to Belarus’ violation of its international obligations. In particular, Belarus has violated the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951), the 1967 additional Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1966 UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime of 2000 and the Protocols Thereto (Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air). The illegal actions taken by Belarus were described as a hybrid attack aimed at destabilizing Europe. Minsk’s creation of an engineered migration pressure on the border with the EU can be considered part of a hybrid strategy – one of the dominant methods in geopolitical confrontation and the struggle for influence in international relations. The present paper verifies the research hypothesis that Belarus has deliberately violated international law by inducing engineered migration at the border with the EU in order to paralyse the migration situation in the neighbouring EU Member States. The violation of international law has not resulted in any major international consequences.

The article notes that modern processes taking place in the world are causing the reformation of the system of international relations, forcing scientists to think about the conceptualization of the concept of "political influence". Any influence is a process whose goal is to change behavior, preferences, positions, feelings and emotions, beliefs, as well as group norms, mass attitudes, and social consciousness. Political influence is one of the varieties of social influence. Political influence is traditionally seen as a manifestation of power. In international relations, the concept of "political influence" is associated with the concepts of "state power", "state power". It is noted that influence in the international arena can be exercised using various means and mechanisms, in particular, using "hard" or "soft" power. At the same time, the same resources can act as "soft" or "hard" power, for example, economic, human, communication, etc. In the system of international relations, dialogic and authoritarian communication is used, which affects the results of influence. The article analyzes the means of influence, in particular, attention is paid to the classification of resources of political influence. It is noted that political influence in international relations depends on many factors: economic, social, informational. It is pointed out that there are various methods of political influence, the subjects of which are both individuals and large transnational corporations, international organizations and states. The effectiveness of political influence will depend on the specific characteristics of the subject and the object of influence, on their status in the international arena, prestige, will, etc., and the nature of the relationship between the participants. It is concluded that political influence in international relations is an integral part of them.

Realism posits power as the key component of international relations. In contrast, Institutionalism looks to norms and customs as the primary buses of world politics. Yet both theories frequently fall short in explaining major international events. This article considers the institution of neutrality as an example of how norms exert a stabilizing influence in international relations. On the other hand, the failure to observe norms often results in instability, and in extreme cases, can lead to war. When this point is reached, the use of force may be the only means to restore a stable balance of power. By drawing on both Realist and Institutionalist theories, a richer explanation of international life can be found.