Regional Tensions Research Articles

Verbal Alchemy: Decoding Political Power Play in India through Rhetoric

This paper analyzes how language shapes political power dynamics in India's complex linguistic landscape. It scrutinizes rhetorical techniques used by national and regional political parties across the ideological spectrum, including euphemisms, doublespeak, code-switching, shifting political correctness, and debates around language policy. Case studies exemplify how such linguistic tools frame policies, assert regional identities, signal social reform orientations, justify controversial actions, and expand appeal across constituencies. The analysis reveals how language is intricately tied to messaging, positioning, and electoral machinery of Indian parties. Examining political rhetoric and linguistic conflicts provides vital perspective on the deeper regional tensions, social reform commitments, and power structures underlying Indian politics.

Decoding nationalistic biases in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam research

ABSTRACT The Nile Basin, supporting 40% of Africa's population, faces a critical challenge in aligning developmental goals with water security needs. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) illustrates this dilemma: it promises substantial energy benefits for Ethiopia but raises downstream water scarcity concerns, particularly in Egypt. This study examines GERD-related research to understand how academic perspectives may influence regional tensions or foster collaboration. Through systematic analysis of 79 articles published between 2011 and 2023, we utilized quantitative sentiment analysis to explore potential biases linked to researcher nationality, methodology, and co-authorship diversity. Findings reveal a statistically significant nationalistic bias, with Egyptian and Ethiopian researchers showing negative and positive sentiments, respectively, suggesting research can inadvertently shape polarized public and political stances on GERD. Importantly, studies with diverse co-authorship displayed reduced bias, underscoring the value of multi-national collaboration in mitigating partiality. Contrary to expectations, qualitative methods did not necessarily correlate with extreme positions, while quantitative methods appeared vulnerable to unintended bias. These insights highlight the need for critically assessing academic objectivity in transboundary resource issues, advocating for interdisciplinary and collaborative research to build mutual trust, which could potentially inform and improve regional diplomatic efforts.

International Tourism Law: Freedom Of Movement of People Between Tourism and Terrorism

Considering the humanization of international law, international tourism continues to challenge the right to freedom of movement. The opportunity to meet other people, visit different places, and experience diverse cultures is a unique and individual experience that can reduce the likelihood of international conflicts. As such, international tourism is an important vehicle through which individuals can contribute to global peace. Ensuring the free movement of international tourists is not only essential for the proper functioning of the tourism industry but also reflects the global rights of individuals. In recent years, the global tourism industry has faced significant challenges beyond terrorism, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing tensions in regions like the Middle East. These events have underscored the vulnerability of international tourism to external shocks and the resulting impact on global stability and peace. The reinstatement of visa requirements by countries like Brazil in 2024 further illustrates the delicate balance between national security and the right to freedom of movement. This paper discusses the complex relationship between the right to freedom of movement under international law and the various factors that impact international tourism, including terrorism, pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts. It highlights the critical importance of maintaining open and secure borders for the continuation of international tourism and its role in fostering global understanding and peace.

Factors determining economic growth in Syria in 2014 – 2023 : macroeconomic analysis

The economy of Syria has been experiencing very strong and diverse pressure from Western countries on the national economy for a long period. Despite this, the country was able to survive and continues its development, although very unstable. In this regard, the issue of thefactors of the growth of the Syrian economy in the last decade, the problems and prospects for the development of the national economy and the foreign trade sector of the country, as well as the prospects for its cooperation with foreign partners, including at the regional level, remains relevant. The article shows that in the last decade, the Syrian economy has faced serious problems, including two new (external) factors – the global COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of military tensions in the Middle East region, affecting both the territory (and the economy) of Syria. At the domestic socio-economic level, market volatility affects the dynamics of macroeconomic indicators (high instability of development, including in the field of per capita income, a significant degree of closure of the national economy – low indicators of the foreign trade quota with continued import dependence, a significant share of agriculture and low urbanization relative to other countries in the region), while high final consumption costs do not allow the country to ensure the necessary level of fixed capital accumulation for the development and diversification of the national economy. At the same time, Syria's economy remains one of the most diversified in the region, and the country does not face a high degree of food dependence like its regional neighbors. From this, the authors conclude that it is necessary and possible at this stage to intensify and escalate intraregional inter-Arab economic cooperation and trade as one of the tools to reduce existing risks.

Issues of LNG producing companies entering the eastern markets and ways to overcome them

This article is devoted to identifying the features of the еastern liquefied natural gas (hereinafter referred to as LNG) markets and new opportunities for entering them. The purpose of this article is to study the problems of LNG producing companies entering the еastern markets and ways to overcome them. The work analyses the current state of the еastern LNG markets and their development prospects, existing barriers, including those caused by the conflict in the Middle East, and possible consequences of the escalation of the conflict. The authors consider the issues of developing localised infrastructure and technological solutions that increase the efficiency of supply chains, meet specific market needs and provide a competitive advantage in the еastern markets. Logframe and comparative analysis, systems approach, and modelling have been used in the research process. As a result, the study has identified a number of challenges for LNG producers, primarily related to geopolitical complexities, regulatory environment, and market development dynamics, to innovations, ecological norms, and understanding regional tensions that may impact supply chains and trade agreements. The findings of the article can be used when domestic companies develop strategies to enter the еastern LNG markets with existing contracts or expand them.

The Role of AUKUS in Australia’s Military Capacity Building Strategy

This paper explores the role of AUKUS in enhancing Australia's military capacity amid evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitics. The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US aims to increase Australia's defense capabilities, focusing on nuclear-powered submarines, cyber security, AI, and underwater warfare. The analysis shows how AUKUS addresses Australia's military challenges by offering advanced technology and strategic support. The SSN-AUKUS submarines symbolize a major advancement in Australia's naval capabilities. The partnership also promises economic and social benefits, including job creation and infrastructure development. However, the study also notes potential drawbacks, such as increased regional tensions and the risk of an arms race, highlighting the need for balanced diplomatic effort.

The Differentiated Roles of Mega-events in Reshaping International Relations in East Asia: A Recent Decade Review

In the past fifteen years, mega-events in East Asia have experienced a significant shift in their nature and impact on international relations. Historically seen as positive platforms for cultural exchange and regional stability, these events have increasingly become sources of conflict and geopolitical tension. This paper provides a comprehensive review and typology of mega-events, categorizing them into five types: geopolitical conflicts, crises under the Sino-American framework, ideological and propaganda issues, territorial disputes, and environmental issues. The study reveals how these events now exacerbate regional tensions and highlights the need for more nuanced and detailed research to understand their evolving roles. By examining these trends, this paper contributes to the understanding of mega-events' multifaceted impacts on the socio-political landscape of East Asia, offering insights for policymakers and scholars to navigate future regional dynamics.

The Red Sea Crisis: Implications of The Houthi Attack on Maritime Trade and Global Security

The study explores the impact of the Houthi group's missile and drone attacks on Israeli commercial ships in the Red Sea, focusing on the broader implications for regional stability, maritime and global trade security. The strategic position of the Red Sea as an important trade route connecting the Middle East with Asia and Europe has made it an important area of international attention, especially after the Houthi attacks in November 2023. The research uses a qualitative approach, analysing data from a variety of sources including academic literature, official reports, and news articles. The findings highlight that the Houthi attacks have caused significant disruptions in maritime trade, with the capacity of container ships in the Red Sea decreasing by 80 percent as ships moved around Africa, resulting in higher costs and longer travel times. In addition, the attacks have exacerbated regional tensions and required increased military patrols by international forces. The study concludes that the ongoing Houthi aggression poses a serious threat not only to regional stability but also to global trade and security, and calls for coordinated international efforts to mitigate this impact.

High-latitude coronal mass ejections on the young solar-like star AB Dor

ABSTRACT AB Dor is a young solar-type star with a surface large-scale magnetic field $10^2$ to $10^3$ times stronger than the that of the Sun. Although strong magnetic fields are thought to inhibit coronal mass ejections (CMEs), dimming signatures typically associated with an eruptive CME were recently observed in AB Dor. The uninterrupted, long-duration dimming signal suggests that a CME took place at a high latitude, where it remained in view as the star rotates. A high-latitude CME is also consistent with observations that indicate that AB Dor hosts polar active regions. To investigate magnetic confinement in AB Dor, we conduct a parametric modelling study of 21 CMEs at latitudes ${\sim} 60^\circ$, varying the location, mass, and magnetic field strength of an injected flux rope. 12 models had the flux rope located in an open magnetic field region, while the remaining nine were in a closed region. Results show that CMEs in open-field regions are in general more likely to erupt. The four eruptive CMEs from closed regions had high free magnetic energies ${\gtrsim} 3\times 10^{35}$ erg, and 10 CMEs predominantly from the closed-field regions (8/10) were confined. CMEs in closed-field regions exhibited lower kinetic energies, since part of the CME energy was expended to overcome magnetic tension and break open the overlying field. In conclusion our work suggests that eruptive CMEs in AB Dor may occur in high-latitude regions of open magnetic field, as the magnetic tension in such regions does not significantly inhibit the eruption.

THE EVOLUTION OF CZECHIA’S SECURITY POLICY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

For now, almost all spheres of international life are in the process of transformation. A particularly high level of turbulence characterizes European security, which has faced numerous challenges over the past decade such as the migration crisis, terrorist acts, the COVID-19 pandemic, information threats, etc. Directly threatening the European Union’s eastern borders, Russia’s full-scale invasion has become one of the most crucial security challenges. In this regard, the EU and NATO member states have to review their approaches to ensuring security and stability. Due to Czechia’s membership in both of these blocs and its geographical proximity to a war zone, its security policy has undertaken changes at the current stage, which this article covered.This article defines the reasons for the evolution of the security policy of the Czech Republic. It is worth noting that due to its geographic proximity to the war zone, Czechia perceives Russia’s aggression as a direct threat to its national security. Apart from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the assessment of Russia’s perception of the country is influenced by the Russian military intelligence services’ involvement in the explosions at Czech weapons warehouses in 2014 and Russia’s espionage activities as well. Thus, the increasing regional tensions and the political crisis in international relations prompted the Czech Republic to revise its key security and defense files, according to which Russia and China have been defined as the main security threats.Moreover, the author concludes that support for Ukraine became part of Czechia’s security policy, where the country demonstrated its clear position and declared its intention to sign a security agreement with Ukraine. Also, it is necessary to commend the importance of Czechia’s artillery shells initiative to Ukraine. The Czech Republic has taken several practical steps to respond to security threats increasing its defense spending to 2% of GDP and investments in the defense industry, along with modernizing the military forces and diversifying energy resources in order to get rid of Russia’s dependence. Accordingly, a comprehensive approach to reacting to new security challenges and threats can minimize their impact on Czechia’s security in the future.

The Strategic Adjustments of the United States and China in Southeast Asia: A Case Study of the Mekong Subregion

The Mekong subregion has become an important strategic area in the context of increasing great power competition tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. With its crucial geo-strategic position presiding over the “heart” of the Indo-Pacific region, the Mekong subregion has become an important hotspot in the efforts of great powers, especially the United States (US) and China, to increase their global influence. Since 2013, the Mekong subregion has been heavily impacted by the US-China strategic competition, with China’s strong rise and ambition to maintain US leadership shaping a global power competition that will determine the direction of the new world order. Consequently, the US-China rivalry has been and is seriously affecting the political and security situation of the countries in the Mekong subregion, posing many challenges and opportunities for this region. Using a qualitative analysis method through a survey of secondary data, the article analyzes the position and role of the Mekong subregion in the US-China strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region, while analyzing and examining the US and China’s strategic adjustments during 2009-2021. From there, it provides forecasts and solutions for the Mekong subregion in general and Vietnam in particular.

Contribution of Majoron to Hubble Tension in Gauged U(1)Lμ – Lτ Model

Abstract In this paper, we analyze parameter regions that can alleviate the Hubble tension in the U(1)$_{L_\mu - L_\tau }$ model with broken lepton number U(1)$_L$ symmetry. As new particles, this model has a U(1)$_{L_\mu - L_\tau }$ gauge boson $Z^{\prime }$ and a Majoron $\phi$, which can affect the early universe and the effective number of neutrino species $N_\textrm{eff}$. If $Z^{\prime }$ and $\phi$ simultaneously exist in the early universe, $Z^{\prime }\,$–$\, \phi$ direct reaction processes such as $Z^{\prime }\nu _\alpha \leftrightarrow \phi \bar{\nu }_\beta$ and $Z^{\prime } \phi \leftrightarrow \bar{\nu }_\alpha \bar{\nu }_\beta$ occur. The comparison of $N_\textrm{eff}$ between the cases with and without the $Z^{\prime }\,$–$\, \phi$ direct reaction processes shows that these processes make a small contribution of $\mathcal {O}(10^{-4})$ to $N_\textrm{eff}$, and it does not need to be considered for the alleviation of the Hubble tension. Based on these facts, we calculated $N_\textrm{eff}$ for various Majoron parameters without the $Z^{\prime }\,$–$\, \phi$ direct reaction processes to search for parameters that could alleviate the Hubble tension. As a result, we found that the U(1)$_{L_\mu - L_\tau }$ gauge boson and Majoron can alleviate the Hubble tension in some parameter regions, and there is a nontrivial indirect synergy contribution between $Z^{\prime }$ and $\phi$, although the contribution from $Z^{\prime }\,$–$\, \phi$ direct reaction processes is negligible.

NAVIGATING GLOBAL COMMERCE: AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF INDIA’S TRADE RELATION :

In today's era of unprecedented globalization, international trade stands as a vital pillar of global economic integration and prosperity. Within this intricate web of trade relations, India emerges as a pivotal player, endowed with a rich history, diverse economic landscape, and growing influence on the global stage. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of India's trade relations, exploring its historical evolution, contemporary dynamics, and future prospects within the global commerce landscape. India’s journey in international trade reflects a tale of remarkable transformation, marked by shifts in economic policies, geopolitical realities, and technological advancements. As India assumes a key role in the global economy, understanding its trade relations becomes imperative, not only for its own development trajectory but also for the broader dynamics of global trade. At the heart of this exploration is the recognition of India's strategic importance, driven by factors such as its burgeoning population, thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and rich human capital. India's vast market potential, coupled with rapid urbanization and a growing middle class, positions it as an attractive destination for trade and investment. However, India's trade journey is not devoid of challenges. Navigating tariff and non-tariff barriers, addressing trade imbalances, and managing regulatory frameworks pose significant hurdles to sustained economic growth and global competitiveness. Additionally, geopolitical dynamics, regional tensions, and evolving trade norms further complicate India's trade relations, influencing its engagement with key partners worldwide.Against this backdrop, this paper endeavors to offer a comprehensive understanding of India's trade relations, analyzing key drivers, challenges, and opportunities. Drawing upon a rich tapestry of data, case studies, and scholarly insights, it seeks to unravel the nuances of India's trade policy landscape, sectoral dynamics, and socio-economic implications. Keywords: India, trade relations, globalization, economic integration, geopolitical dynamics, trade policy, challenges, opportunities.

BRICS+ in the context of a struggle for a new global order

The 15th BRICS summit meeting, held in Johannesburg in late August 2023, agreed to invite six countries to become members of the partnership: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. By February 2024, five of these countries had joined Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in the bloc. The statement from the BRICS summit indicated that further admissions will be considered in the near future. What significance should be read into these developments? In some quarters there has been hype about the expansion of BRICS as a new anti-imperialist front. However, while some of the existing and new members have an anti-imperialist stance, in varying degrees, this is not remotely the case with others. Indeed, BRICS+ is clearly a disparate group both economically and politically. Moreover, some of its members have been involved in relatively serious regional tensions — India and China, Ethiopia and Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Whatever its uneven nature, with 36 per cent of global GDP, 45 per cent of the world’s population and (with the membership of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UEA) a considerably enhanced presence in a region historically dominated by the United States, the significance of BRICS+ cannot be ignored.

Regional partnerships and media policy in the age of China’s rise: the case of Singapore-China film co-productions

ABSTRACT Despite being the first Asian country (except for Hong Kong) to sign a film co-production agreement with China, Singapore’s film co-productions with China so far are few and far between, none of which have come under the official agreement. This raises wider questions about the policy making challenges of small nations when driving or facilitating regional collaborations with partners like China. Drawing on interviews with key interlocutors in the Singapore film industry, this article explores how Singapore’s filmmakers make sense of working with the Chinese film industry as collaborators and co-producers on joint film productions. Our main argument is that conventional models for understanding drivers of co-productions may not work for small partners collaborating with a dominant regional/global partner like China. Through exploring the political, economic, and cultural tensions in the Asia-Pacific region that emerge when Singapore engages in collaborative film work with China, we hope to contribute to the wider literature on ‘South-South’ collaborations between film industries (and nations) of vastly different sizes and power.

NEW SAUDI IRAN NEXUS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES FOR PAKISTAN

Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran were severed in 2016. This is the result of the two nations' rapprochement, mediated by China. The two nations have committed to resolving the issues that divide both of them. Pakistan shares strong ties with Saudi Arabia and Iran. Given their proximity to each other and as neighbors, Saudi Arabia and Iran are frequently discussed in Pakistan's domestic and international policy discourses. The recent reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran may signal a dramatic shift in the regional balance of power and have far-reaching effects on Pakistan both positively and negatively. Furthermore, Pakistan has praised the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia as a noteworthy achievement and has welcomed the pact as a step towards regional peace and stability. In addition to maintaining balanced diplomatic ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia without feeling pressure to choose a side or mediate a dispute between them, Pakistan can gain from increased economic collaboration with both countries, especially by participating in the projects and initiatives spearheaded by China. The accord has been praised by Pakistan as a positive step towards regional stability and peace. However, Pakistan has both chances and challenges as a result of the new Saudi-Iranian alliance. On the one hand, the warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran may contribute to lowering regional tensions and open up new opportunities for collaboration between neighboring nations. Conceptually it can also result in more rivalry between China and the US for influence in Pakistan and the surrounding area. This study is to investigate Pakistan's opportunities and difficulties in light of the emerging Saudi-Iranian relationship.

EFFECTIVE STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT IN THE OIL & GAS SECTOR: A CONCEPTUAL AND REVIEW PERSPECTIVE

Effective stakeholder relationship management (SRM) is imperative for the sustainable operation of companies within the oil and gas sector. This review provides a conceptual framework and review perspective on the strategies, challenges, and outcomes associated with SRM in this industry. The oil and gas sector operates within a complex web of stakeholders including governments, local communities, investors, employees, suppliers, and environmental organizations. Building and maintaining positive relationships with these stakeholders are essential for securing operational licenses, maintaining social license to operate, and fostering a conducive environment for business continuity. Drawing from existing literature, this review elucidates the key components of effective SRM in the oil and gas sector. Firstly, proactive engagement and communication emerge as fundamental strategies. Companies need to identify stakeholders, understand their interests and concerns, and engage with them transparently and consistently throughout project lifecycles. Secondly, fostering mutual value creation is crucial. Companies must seek win-win solutions that align their business objectives with stakeholders’ interests, thereby promoting long-term partnerships and trust. Thirdly, robust grievance mechanisms are necessary to address conflicts and grievances promptly and fairly, preventing escalation into legal or reputational crises. Despite its importance, SRM in the oil and gas sector faces several challenges. These include inherent power imbalances between companies and stakeholders, socio-political tensions in resource-rich regions, and the dynamic nature of stakeholder expectations. Additionally, the sector operates in a volatile market environment characterized by fluctuating oil prices and regulatory uncertainties, further complicating SRM efforts. The outcomes of effective SRM in the oil and gas sector are multifaceted. Beyond mitigating operational risks and enhancing reputational capital, it contributes to fostering social license to operate, facilitating access to capital and talent, and promoting sustainable development in host communities. Effective SRM in the oil and gas sector requires a proactive, value-driven, and adaptive approach. By integrating stakeholder considerations into strategic decision-making processes, companies can navigate complex socio-political landscapes, mitigate risks, and create shared value for all stakeholders involved.
 Keywords: Management, Oil and Gas, Conceptual, Perspective, Relationship.

Russia, China, and North Korea Strategic Defense Partnership

Due to the aggravation of the global geopolitical confrontation, the relations in the sphere of security issues within the framework of the Russia - China - North Korea triangle get particular importance. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state and prospects of the strategic defense partnership between Russia, China, and North Korea. The authors used the following methods: a system approach, a method of situational analysis, a comparative method, a method of analyzing the current situation, as well as a method of scenario forecasting. The authors analyzed the relations between Russia and China in the military sphere, Russian-North Korean relations in the security sphere, as well as the role of China and North Korea in ensuring stability in the region. It is concluded that in the current conditions of rising tensions in the AsiaPacific region, primarily on the island of Taiwan and the Korean peninsula, these countries will converge, first, against the triangle USA - Japan - South Korea, often called “Asian NATO”. To conclude, the relations between Russia, China and North Korea will not take the form of a fullfledged military alliance. It is expected that the efforts of military-technical cooperation and the possibility of mutual support in the event of a security threat to one of the countries will be deepened.

Troubled Waters: Military Tensions in South China Sea and the Regional Players

When considering the tensions in the South China Sea (SCS), many spectators assume the history of this issue to be recent, often post-Cold War. This mistake undermines the long-standing relevance and importance of this geographical space, which has been contested for as long as the war of trade and resources has ever been waged. This study delves into the multifaceted dynamics surrounding this very dispute, aiming to dissect the underlying causes and motivations behind China's pushy behavior in the region. Beyond the bilateral tensions between China and the United States, this geopolitical quagmire involves a web of historical, economic, and strategic factors contributing to regional instability. Heavy militarisation and the global laws of the waters have come to clash as this region becomes a pool of regional tensions. It also underscores the rise of military presence in this region over the years, the wide-ranging interests, and the strategies players use to defend their claims. The study outlines a much-needed requirement for an international response, arguing that addressing the issue extends beyond the direct stakeholders and demands a collaborative effort from the global community. It calls for an understanding that these waters go beyond military tensions, with their trade and economic implications. Ultimately, it advocates for diplomatic dialogue, adherence to international law, and a more internationalist approach to mitigate the naval tensions and ensure the peaceful coexistence of nations in this critical maritime region which today faces the threat of an all-out war.

From “Decisive Hostility” to “Cordial Agreement”: “The Times” on the Evolution of Britain’s Image in Russian Press at the Beginning of the 20th Century

The article deals with the reflection of the image of Britain in the analytical reviews of “The Times” newspaper on the pages of the Russian periodical press at the beginning of the 20th century.
 The study covers the period from the turn of the 19th–20th centuries until 1907, when the relations between Russia and Britain transitioned from extreme tension and rivalry in different regions of the world to an alliance within the Triple Entente. At this time, the press became truly massive and exerted a stronger influence than ever on the development of international relations. One of the leading English newspapers, “The Times”, took a largely pro-government stance and reflected the official position on foreign policy issues. It regularly reviewed the publications in the Russian press concerning Anglo-Russian relationship or British politics in general.
 As a result of the analysis of “The Times” reviews, it is possible to show the significance of the British political image, the dynamics of public opinion in the Russian Empire regarding a possible confrontation or Anglo-Russian rapprochement. The Russian press formed among readers a certain perception of Britain in the context of the Anglo-Boer War, the events in the Far East, the process of resolving contradictions, and the conclusion of the 1907 agreement, while the English press reflected on this image. The transformation of rhetoric in the press happened as rapidly as the changes in relations between the two powers.