Recent articles
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‘Global Transformation’: Chinese Scholars Debate the International System in the Aftermath of the War in Ukraine (2022–2024)
(Volume 19, Issue 2)Abstract This article explores discussions among Chinese International Relations scholars on the effects of the war in Ukraine. While official Chinese foreign policy rhetoric is often vaguely centred around obscure slogans, scholarly debates can be used as a ‘proxy measure’ to gain insights on the prevailing views in Chinese policy communities. This article identifies three main trends in Chinese scholarly discussions: ‘campification’ of great power politics, increasing de-globalisation and...
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Unravelling Indonesia’s Failure to Implement the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA)
(Volume 19, Issue 2)Abstract In 1975, Indonesia initiated oil and gas cooperation, leading to the establishment of the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE) in 1976. Then, the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) was created to improve petroleum security and minimise the impact of emergencies experienced by ASEAN Member States (AMS). The First APSA was signed in 1986 but did not succeed, so ASCOPE was tasked with conducting a review. This led to the signing of the Second APSA on 1 March 2009, which was then...
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Interwoven Resilience: Non-State Actors and Formal Institutions in Ukraine’s Urban War Effort
(Volume 19, Issue 2)Abstract This article explores the perceptions of an interplay between formal and informal institutions in sustaining Ukraine’s defence and governance during the full-scale Russian invasion. Focusing on three cities—Vinnytsia, Mykolayiv and Sumy—it examines how civil society organisations, business actors, municipal authorities and national-level decision-makers contribute to security-related functions such as direct city defence, wartime governance, material support to the army, financing of...
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Examining Contending Explanatory Models of Nuclear Proliferation: Theoretical and Policy Implications
(Volume 19, Issue 2)Abstract This study examines major theoretical models that seek to explain states’ pursuit of nuclear weapons programmes and decisions to abandon them. A comparative historical analysis of multiple case studies suggests that the traditional ‘security’ model cannot be supplanted by Scott Sagan’s challenger alternatives – the ‘domestic political’ and ‘norms’ models. While political dynamics and normative pressures play a significant role in nuclear policymaking, the analysis indicates that these...