Soft Tool Research Articles

TURKEY’S SOFT POWER POLICY TOWARDS THE BALKANS: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

The Balkans is considered a vital area in international relations. It has always attracted and is still attracting the interest of global and regional powers and factors on the international stage, including Turkey. Besides the political, economic, and defense aspects, the soft power of Turkish multidimensional diplomacy represents one of the most important segments of the relations between Turkey and the Balkan countries. Turkish government institutions like the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs), Yunus Emre, Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), TIKA, Turkish State Media, Maarif education institutions, and various non-governmental organizations represent some of the most vital segments of the cultural, religious and educational expansion of the Turkish state in the Balkan countries. This paper is mainly based on the following research methods: historical, descriptive, and in-depth analysis. This study aims to answer the main question of this research - Do the above-mentioned soft power policy tools play a vital role in the further development of Turkey-Balkan countries relations? This paper concludes that the Turkish soft power policy in the Balkans faces a series of challenges that affect its expansion's functionality and success.

Sports Press as a Soft Power Tool in the Polish-German Border Plebiscite of 1921

According to the will of World War I’s victors, a plebiscite planned for 1921 would determine the border demarcation between Germany and reborn Poland. In the conflict with Germany, Poland was the weaker side, both in political, military and economic terms, and needed to use a wide range of tools to achieve a favourable result in the planned plebiscite. The Polish side used the sports press as a soft power tool which played a special role in the plebiscite’s campaign. The sports press presented Poland as a modern country that promoted democratic sports disciplines and having excellent contacts with European sports which were in opposition to Germany, the war loser excluded from the Olympic family and now unattractive in sports terms. In the soft power context, the sports press contributed to building a local community and to sports and hygienic education by using non-material energy resources.

Military Training and Decolonisation in the British Empire

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that military training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst was used by the UK in the post-World War II period as a soft foreign policy tool in anticipation of decolonisation. This article builds on this work by first detailing how early attempts to introduce military training for foreign cadets replicated racial hierarchies. Second, it describes how, as the programme was re-conceived to embrace the colonial territories, race and British belonging continued to be a source of both diplomatic and domestic friction. Third, it illustrates how the programme was a contested and occasionally conflictual process within the metropole.

A simple method for enhancing the flexural strength of epoxy-based rapid soft tooling with conformal cooling channels

A simple method for enhancing the flexural strength of epoxy-based rapid soft tooling with conformal cooling channels

The Internationalisation of the Conflict in Libya

Libya has been characterised by instability since the Arab Spring. In 2011, Western powers decided to intervene. In spite of stated goals, this violent dispute has been ongoing ever since. In this paper, we seek to answer the following research question: why do certain internationalised violent disputes, specifically new civil wars, remain violent even when the actors involved seek a cessation of hostilities? We utilise a single-outcome case study6 research design and we compare and contrast the involvement of great powers, European leading powers and regional powers. We highlight the use of soft and/or hard foreign policy tools. We distinguish between policy goals and policy tools. We find that the essential interests and policy goals of the analysed powers will unlikely change, but change in the use of their foreign policy tools will likely be a shift towards harder tools, which will exacerbate further the Libyan stabilisation process. Even a coincidence of the stated policy goals of external actors, namely a cessation of hostilities is insufficient to end a new civil war. As long as the policy tools themselves remain un-coordinated between the actors, they counteract one another, and the conflict continues to remain violent.

Development of an Optical Shape Sensing Method Using Optoelectronic Sensors for Soft Flexible Robotic Manipulators in MIS

This paper presents the novel design of an optical shape sensing method using optoelectronic sensors, for integration into flexible soft robotic manipulators, to measure pose in two orientations. Shape sensing in soft robotic tools that allow stable and accurate position control in Minimally Invasive Surgery is critical, although innovations are yet to be explored in a simple, cost-effective sensing technique. Presented in this work is a continuation of the work of Koh <i>et al.</i> (2019), with demonstration of the use of a designed 4-plate tendon-actuated flexible manipulator and optimised design parameters for the sensing principle. Developed calibration platform shows an increase in accuracy for shape sensing using linear and non-linear regression models. Further development is required on miniaturisation to refine accuracy and targeted application.

Validation of cemented carbide tools textured by ultrashort pulse laser through surface and force measurement under honing-like conditions

In this study, pyramid shaped abrasive-like protrusions were produced on four different cemented carbide tools by an ultrashort pulse laser. These pyramids mimicked the geometric and dimensional features of abrasives exposed on honing tools. Interaction between the abrasive protrusions and workpieces were tested under honing-like conditions. Results regarding the wear of the individual abrasive protrusions were assessed in Fang (2021) by different microscopes, including scanning electron microscope (SEM). In this paper, results with respect to workpiece change (mass, diameter, roughness, and chips) and force development were presented. The findings validated the similarity of the textured tools to the reference honing tool B151. It is also found that the overall performances of the textured tools differed within the four carbide grades, mainly depending on their hardness. Hard tools were more likely to maintain the shape of abrasive protrusions due to their low wear, and they achieved more material removal on the workpieces with less roughness reduction, and higher tangential force coefficients (TFC), compared to the soft tools.

Ketika Animasi Menjadi Soft Diplomacy: Bagaimana Animasi Mengkonstruksikan Nilai-Nilai Pancasila?

The increasing number of conflicts and hatred narrations that spread on online and offline media motivate local filmmakers to make animations that present Pancasila, one of which is the animated series Adit Sopo Jarwo (ASJ) which can be accessed freely on YouTube. This study is to analyze how Pancasila's values are communicated through animation works. This study uses a qualitative content analysis method. Qualitative content analysis emphasizes text and symbols in a particular context. The coding process is carried out using NVivo 12 plus by examining the Pancasila values' distribution through two variables, animation elements (audio, motion, narrative, and visual) and the characters in the series. The data were collected by identifying the Pancasila values that appeared in the ASJ series: religion-tolerance, humanity; patriotism-unity; democracy; and social justice. Those values are articulated in this animation work through animation basic elements and characters. Animated series not only can be used as entertainment media but also can be used by creators as soft diplomacy tools to convey the values of Pancasila

Do international sanctions help or inhibit justice and sustainability in tourism?

Despite the expanded use of sanctions as a soft foreign policy tool in the post-Cold War era, there is yet little knowledge on the implications of this coercive tool in relation to justice, ethics and sustainability in destinations to which sanctions are applied. Using Iran as a case study and grounded in international relations and political science literature, this study used semi-structured interviews with tourism actors to assess the direct and indirect effects of sanctions on tourism with respect to justice, rights and sustainability. The informants suggested that sanctions have worsened mobility rights, rights to communication, and the economic and financial rights of tourism actors, thereby limited their capacity to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. Distributive pressures within Iran arising from the sanction-driven economic disruption have clearly undermined the empowerment capacity of tourism to contribute to improve gender justice, thereby standing in opposition to the principles of justice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, notions of justice and rights are uneven in space and time, with their application inherently dependent on its definition in particular contexts. By portraying new insights from the restrictions emanating from sanctions, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of a very popular instrument of foreign policy and its humanitarian and justice implications in destinations affected by sanctions.

Reconstructing Higher Education in the Post-COVID-19 Period: A Lesson from Zimbabwe Open University

This study sought to determine potent policy tools which can be utilized as levers in reconstructing higher education landscapes that have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Three key participants were purposivelselected for the in-depth interviews of the study. The sample consisted of a former minister of Higher and Tertiary Education in Zimbabwe and two current Regional Directors of Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) from Harare and Bulawayo regions. The study utilized the qualitative case study research design and a literature review to collect data to address the research question. The concept of hard and soft policy instruments and the Intervention Taxonomy were utilized as conceptual guides in data collection and the interpretation of results. The study results reveal that serious resistance to curriculum change and innovation in higher education can be overcome through the effective use of policy instruments. Policy tools can be utilized effectively and efficaciously to scale implementation barriers such as entrenched elitist cultures and practices, which are characteristic of higher education landscapes. More precisely, the study discovered that prudent and innovative application of a mix of hard and soft policy tools or instruments could effect sustainable and durable change. In view of this, the study recommends the use of policy tools as key levers in transforming and reconstructing higher education curricula and systems worldwide.

Baseline Survey on Software and Tools for Odel and Digital Learning during and Post Covid 19 in Selected Universities in Kenya

One the mitigating measures adopted against the spread of COVID-19 was closure of business, suspension of face to face learning in institution of learning in Kenya and cancellation of international flights worldwide. There was also enforced locked down within highly infected areas. To survive educational institutions adopted mainly online/digital learning. In this paper we provide findings on a survey conducted in selected eleven universities in Kenya on the status of the soft wares and tools that facilitate online/ digital learning. The finding indicate that even though the universities had adopted blended learning the soft wares and tools are still a challenge. The Paper recommends the need of the institutions to enhance the acquisitions of tools and soft wares for an enhanced digital learning and inclusion.

Management of Status Epilepticus, Refractory Status Epilepticus, and Super-refractory Status Epilepticus.

Status epilepticus is a serious condition caused by disorders and diseases that affect the central nervous system. In status epilepticus, hypersynchronous epileptic activity lasts longer than the usual duration of isolated self-limited seizures (time t1), which causes neuronal damage or alteration of neuronal networks at a certain time point (time t2), depending on the type of and duration of status epilepticus. The successful management of status epilepticus includes both the early termination of seizure activity and the earliest possible identification of a causative etiology, which may require independent acute treatment. In nonconvulsive status epilepticus, patients present only with subtle clinical signs or even without any visible clinical manifestations. In these cases, EEG allows for the assessment of cerebral function and identification of patterns in need of urgent treatment. In 2015, the International League Against Epilepsy proposed a new definition and classification of status epilepticus, encompassing four axes: symptomatology, etiology, EEG, and age. Various validation studies determined the practical usefulness of EEG criteria to identify nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society has incorporated these criteria into their most recent critical care EEG terminology in 2021. Etiology, age, symptomatology, and the metabolic demand associated with an increasing duration of status epilepticus are the most important determinants of prognosis. The consequences of status epilepticus can be visualized in vivo by MRI studies. The current knowledge about status epilepticus allows for a more reliable diagnosis, earlier treatment, and improved cerebral imaging of its consequences. Outcome prediction is a soft tool for estimating the need for intensive care resources.

Soft Power of the Russian Federation: Instrumental and Perceptional Dimensions

Abstract The article analyzes specifics of instrumental and perceptional dimensions of the soft power of Russia. The analysis of these dimensions is particularly relevant in terms of studying the likelihood of the fact that Russia may continue applying the soft power strategy of long-term external influence. The main tools of the instrumental foundation of Russia’s soft power have been analyzed. Russia’s position in the rankings of well-known international rating agencies have been compared. The comprehensive studies are considered to be promising, combining detailed analysis of the soft power tools in the domestic and foreign policy strategy of the Russian Federation and the way it is perceived by different target audiences. It is concluded that foreign countries and societies perception of the soft tools application (mostly perceived as propaganda) may affect Russia’s low position in international soft power and branding rankings.

Application of dimension analysis and soft competitive tool to predict compound faults present in rotor-bearing systems

Localized and distributed faults in machinery may lead to catastrophic failures of the high-speed rotor bearings. Unbalance and misalignment present generate massive vibrations in the rotor-bearing system. This paper demonstrates duo of the matrix method of dimensional analysis (MMDA) and support vector machine (SVM) to investigate unbalance and misalignment present in the rotor-bearing system. Experimentation with different conditions is performed and compared with numerical results to reveal the effectiveness of the approach. The SVM algorithm is used to classify multiple fault classes based on vibration characteristics predicted by the MMDA model. The results comparison shows that the present duo predicts and classifies the misalignment and unbalance with acceptable error and can be useful for industrial high-speed machine diagnosis.

Understanding COVID-19: A Hybrid Threat and Its Impact on Sport Mega-Events. A Focus on Japan and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 affected the sports industry with the cancellation of many professional sports competitions worldwide. Thus, the postponement and organization of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games behind closed doors became a significant disruption to the global sports landscape. In this paper, we present a novel, conceptual discussion, signifying and defining the pandemic via the concept of international security as a hybrid threat. We associated the term hybrid threat to clarify better the difficult times facing sport mega-events. First, the paper proffers that the COVID-19 pandemic is a form of hybrid threat while reflecting on the connected implications of using sport as a soft power tool for nations. Secondly, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on sport mega-events globally and explain the implications of COVID-19 on the Tokyo 2020 summer Olympic Games. This paper although drawing on some figures associated with COVID-19 and the Tokyo Olympic Games presents a theoretical contribution to knowledge in the area of sport mega events, soft power and hybrid threat. We outline how the threats, triggered by the pandemic, have impeded a successful Olympic Games and clarify how these threats have affected Japan's opportunity to use the Games as a soft power tool, which is the paper's key contribution to the field.

China’s media strategy towards Israel

ABSTRACT This article examines China’s media strategy and activities towards Israel, underscoring its recent increase in intensity. By way of doing so, the article explores Beijing’s use of journalism and other Israeli media outlets on the one hand, and the employment of direct Chinese soft power tools, from China Radio International (CRI), to the establishment of Chinese institutes in Israel, to public and media activities of Israel-based Chinese diplomats.

Agenda-setting as a tool of soft power in multilateral parliamentary diplomacy: Experiences of the South African Parliament

ABSTRACT The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa has since 1994 actively participated in multilateral parliamentary diplomacy through inter-parliamentary institutions (IPIs). This article considers parliamentary diplomacy as an instrument of soft power and interrogates the soft power impact of agenda-setting in the context of IPIs. The qualitative analysis of various parliamentary records and other document sources reveals agenda-setting actions by Parliament that can be understood as instruments of soft power that hold positive implications for the state. Challenges to potential soft power gains were also identified. The research was enriched with primary perspectives from interviewed parliamentary members and officials who have consistently served as South African delegates to IPIs. The study provides insights for members of parliament and other policymakers on the merits and modalities of employing agenda-setting within multilateral parliamentary diplomacy as a soft power tool of the state.

Health diplomacy in Africa-opportunities post-COVID-19.

For the last seventy years, Africa has suffered a disease burden that is steadily growing in scale and complexity. Despite that, health development in the continent has continued to rely on donors´ packages since decolonization. The last decade, however, has marked some health-related achievements on the continent such as the development of the Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030, the establishment of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the launch of The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and most recently the African Medicines Agency (AMA). These developments and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance and the opportunities of practicing Global Health Diplomacy on the continent. Home to 27% of the world´s countries, Africa has a tremendous global voting power which makes global health diplomacy an unequivocally effective soft power tool to achieve "The Africa we want". In this paper, we will expand on the importance of Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) practice in Africa as a soft power tool, illustrate the COVID-19 response in the continent championed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as a case study, and offer some recommendations to sustain and strengthen GHD´s role in the continent.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things and 5G for Next-Generation Smartgrid: A Survey of Trends Challenges and Prospect

Smartgrid is a paradigm that was introduced into the conventional electricity network to enhance the way generation, transmission, and distribution networks interrelate. It involves the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other solution in fault and intrusion detection, mere monitoring of energy generation, transmission, and distribution. However, on one hand, the actual and earlier smartgrid, do not integrate more advanced features such as automatic decision making, security, scalability, self-healing and awareness, real-time monitoring, cross-layer compatibility, etc. On the other hand, the emergence of the digitalization of the communication infrastructure to support the economic sector which among them are energy generation and distribution grid with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large-scale Machine to Machine (M2M) communication. With the future Massive Internet of Things (MIoT) as one of the pillars of 5G/6G network factory, it is the enabler to support the next generation smart grid by providing the needed platform that integrates, in addition to the communication infrastructure, the AI and IoT support, providing a multitenant system. This paper aim at presenting a comprehensive review of next smart grid research trends and technological background, discuss a futuristic next-generation smart grid driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and leverage by IoT and 5G. In addition, it discusses the challenges of next-generation smart-grids as it relate to the integration of AI, IoT and 5G for better smart grid architecture. Also, proffers possible solutions to some of the challenges and standards to support this novel trend. A corresponding future work will dwell on the implementation of the discussed integration of AI, IoT and 5G for next-generation smart grid, using Matlab, NS2/NS3, Open-daylight and Mininet as soft tools and compare with related literature.

“ХАЙЯТ ТАХРИР АШ-ШАМ” В СИРИЙСКОМ КОНФЛИКТЕ: МЕТАМОРФОЗЫ ТЕРРОРИСТИЧЕСКОЙ ГРУППИРОВКИ

One of the actors in the armed conflict in Syria is the extremist group “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS), which controls the territory of Idlib province in coordination with a number of other armed groups. Originally emerging as closely associated with the al-Qaeda terrorist network as “al-Nusra Front”, this organization has undergone a number of transformations in recent years as a result of both external and internal factors. Consistently loyal to jihadist principles, “al-Nusra Front” (and its incarnations, such as “Jabhat Fatah al-Sham” and “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham”) has demonstrated a certain flexibility throughout its history, which manifested in its attempts to adapt to changes and the wide use of soft power tools. The article analyzes the reasons for the rebranding of the group, which is trying to get rid of the odious image not only in the eyes of the Syrians, but also in the international arena. In particular, the author concludes that HTS is guided by the example of the Afghani Taliban movement in its attempts to obtain the status of a legitimate and negotiable participant in the conflict. There are signs that the strategy chosen by HTS is partly working with its message received in the Western expert community. It calls for a revision of the United States’ and its allies’ policies in relation to the HTS group, which has allegedly “severed ties with transnational jihadist networks and now seeks to enter the sphere of political participation in the future of Syria”. The article maintains that there are doubts about both the possibility of a conscious evolution of HTS into a more moderate movement, and the sincerity of their rejection of the “global jihad” agenda as declared by the group’s leaders. There is reason to believe that the group is not going to completely abandon terrorist activities outside the zone of the Syrian conflict.