The Implication of Nigeria-China Relations on the Actualization of Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

Author(s): Ademola David Oluwabiyi,Moses Metumara Duruji / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2021

This study examines Nigeria-China relations and sustainable food security in Nigeria. The recognized and actual bilateral relations between both countries, established since 1971, have been among the largest in Africa with both parties providing a humongous market structure for each other. However, the nature of their bilateral relationship has been largely unequal, with China enjoying the largest share of profits. Despite the interest accorded to this configuration in International Studies, the implication of the same on Nigeria’s quest for food security and its sustainability has not been given much attention. This paper, therefore, seeks to investigate and establish the relationship, if any, between Nigeria-China bilateralism and sustainable food security in Nigeria. In order to achieve this, the research adopts qualitative and descriptive methods. Also, data is sourced from secondary outlets. This study finds that although there exists an unequal bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China, this relationship is relatively balanced compared to the relationship with the west. Ultimately, the paper recommends that Nigeria should improve its competitiveness through the diversification of its oil-dependent economy.

Najmłodsze państwo świata wymaga resetu

Author(s): Ula Idzikowska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 793/2021

EU external relations with Africa

Author(s): TEELE NÄSSI / Language(s): English Issue: 17/2021

Europe and Africa have historically strong relations, covering peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, sustainable economic growth and trade. The two parties have made several agreements and the two main agreements that governs the European Union and Africa relations are Cotonou Partnership Agreement and the 2007 Joint Africa-EU Strategy. Both of those include political, economic and development dimensions. Although agreements about equality have been made, there is still some indications that European Union reserves the donor part of the relationships and African Union is left behind as a recipient. This paper seeks to understand the reasons behind their relationships and wishes to find out, are the EU and AU now considered equal partners.

External relations between EU and China

Author(s): KATRIN VIRGEBAU / Language(s): English Issue: 17/2021

Paper attempts to give an understanding about EU's external relations and in particular part that includes EU and China`s relationship. With comparing the two giants and their functioning it might help to uncover the mystery of a dysfunctional relationship of two strong powers in an international arena, whose common history dates back hundreds of years. It can also be a learning material for other countries to have an example of transferring world view, core values, political views, etc. from one country to another. And what are the benefits, obstacles and consequences of this kind of transfer. Paper concludes with a result that the EU has failed to persuade China to integrate a liberal order and China continues to prefer autocracy.

Turkey between NATO and Kremlin. The impact of Russian-Turkish cooperation on the relationship between Ankara and NATO

Author(s): Aurel Lazăr / Language(s): English Issue: 17/2021

In this article, we investigate the evolutions that marked the bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey after 2016. The main question to be tackled is: Did military and energy cooperation between the Russian Federation and Turkey favor the manifestation of Complex Interdependence and the distancing of Ankara from NATO? The study will tackle the following topics: TurkStream and Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) role in shaping Russo-Turkish strategic cooperation, S-400 Triumph missile system affair – more security for Turkey new threats for NATO. The bilateral relationship between the Russian Federation and Turkey will be assessed using the neoliberal analysis framework proposed by Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye. The study relies mainly on qualitative data including document analysis and official statements issued by the Turkish Government and NATO member states officials. The main conclusion is Russia-Turkey cooperation affects the strategic foreign policy decisions of the Turkish state.

SOMALIA – STUDIU DE CAZ PRIVIND FRAGMENTAREA UNUI STAT OMOGEN ETNIC ŞI CONFESIONAL

Author(s): Alba-Iulia Catrinel POPESCU / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 03/2021

Any lecture in geopolitics begins by stating that internal stability and territorial integrity of the state are the result of the interaction between secessionist, centrifugal forces, and unifying, centripetal forces. The same lecture in geopolitics also says that ethnic and confessional homogeneity falls into the category of the strongest centripetal forces, along with a round shape of the state territory, the centrality of the capital, a uniform distribution of transport and communications infrastructure, an equitable (as possible) distribution of wealth, of a strong national idea and will. Ethnically and religiously, Somalia is a homogeneous state. Moreover, all these ethnics do not boast of an identity other than Somali, and they all speak Somali - the official language of the state, along with Arabic - the language of the Koran. Somalia does not have the huge linguistic diversity specific to other post-colonial African states, there are no cultural-civilizational differences, there are no major discrepancies in terms of regional development and distribution of communications and transport infrastructure in the territory. And yet, the Somali state is the expression of the notion of a failed state, ravaged by civil war, secessionism, maritime piracy, terrorism, organized crime and insecurity. In recent years, Somalia has been consistently ranked among the most dangerous destinations in the world. In the first half of 2021, it ranked sixth in the top of the riskiest tourist destinations, after Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, South Sudan and Yemen. What are the causes of Somali secessionism and the collapse of the state? And, if we were to rank, according to the intensity of the effect, the secessionist factors acting on the territory of Somalia, what would be their order?

SOMALIA – CASE STUDY ON THE FRAGMENTATION OF AN ETHNICALLY AND CIVILIZATIONALLY HOMOGENEOUS STATE

Author(s): Alba-Iulia Catrinel POPESCU / Language(s): English Issue: 03/2021

Any lecture in geopolitics begins by stating that internal stability and territorial integrity of the state are the result of the interaction between secessionist, centrifugal forces, and unifying, centripetal forces. The same lecture in geopolitics also says that ethnic and confessional homogeneity falls into the category of the strongest centripetal forces, along with a round shape of the state territory, the centrality of the capital, a uniform distribution of transport and communications infrastructure, an equitable (as possible) distribution of wealth, of a strong national idea and will.Ethnically and religiously, Somalia is a homogeneous state. Moreover, all these ethnics do not boast of an identity other than Somali, and they all speak Somali - the official language of the state, along with Arabic – the language of the Koran. Somalia does not have the huge linguistic diversity specific to other post-colonial African states, there are no cultural-civilizational differences, there are no major discrepancies in terms of regional development and distribution of communications and transport infrastructure in the territory. And yet, the Somali state is the expression of the notion of a failed state, ravaged by civil war, secessionism, maritime piracy, terrorism, organized crime and insecurity. In recent years, Somalia has been consistently ranked among the most dangerous destinations in the world. In the first half of 2021, it ranked sixth in the top of the riskiest tourist destinations, after Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, South Sudan and Yemen1.What are the causes of Somali secessionism and the collapse of the state? And, if we were to rank, according to the intensity of the effect, the secessionist factors acting on the territory of Somalia, what would be their order?

Book review

Author(s): Ildikó Zakariás / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2021

Elzbieta Drazkiewicz (2020) Institutionalised dreams: The art of managing foreign aid. New York and Oxford: Berghahn. 248 pages.

ГЕОПОЛІТИЧНА РОЛЬ УКРАЇНИ

Author(s): Igor Olexijovyich Polishchuk / Language(s): Ukrainian Issue: 1/2022

The article considers the geopolitical positioning of Ukraine under the conditions of formation of a multipolar model of the world order. The main factors influencing the place and role of Ukraine on the modern geopolitical map of the world are revealed. The territory of Ukraine has always been at the center of geopolitical events. Ukraine at the beginning XXI century is on the latitudinal geopolitical axis, the poles of which are the European Union and the Russian Federation. It is concluded that the effective geopolitical positioning of Ukraine at the present stage is the eastern outpost of Western democratic civilization, which resists the authoritarian threat from the East to the entire collective West. Ukraine’s European choice requires concretization and clear definition of the terms of accession to the EU as a full member. Otherwise, it is necessary to revise the geostrategic doctrine towards greater sovereignty within the framework of Euro-Atlantic civilization.

THE IMPORTANT OF NEGOTIATIONS IN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Author(s): Qazime Sherifi / Language(s): English Issue: 16/2021

Diplomatic negotiation will remain a country’s main instrument, both inside and outside international organizations, for representing its interests and dealing with the problems that it encounters. Diplomatic negotiation will become more important as globalization enhances interdependency and provokes regional and global conflicts. Inter-dependency is vital for negotiation. Without it, diplomatic negotiation processes could not function. The paper highlights the types, sort, and forms of negotiations which the parties used during the negotiations, as well as the reasons for their use by the negotiating parties. Further, the reasons are emphasized that is factored that influence during the negotiation process and which determine the conversion of negotiations.

„Svjetsko znanje”. O istorijskoj genezi komunikativno-kulturnog monopola Zapada

Author(s): Časlav D. Koprivica / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 26/2021

In this paper we try to understand the historical and structural reasons for the emergence and maintenance of information-communicative-epistemic primacy of the West in relation to the rest of humanity – from the beginnings of the modernity to the present day. The empirical superiority of the West, in addition to its technological and institutional components, has its substantial point in monopolization of the notion of knowledge (which is progressively reduced to opinion), which results in its de facto almost un- challenged primacy in determining what the world is and what universal human standards should be. The article reconstructs the ancient prehistory of European epistemic, i.e. Eurocentric cosmological exclusivism, as well as pays attention to some characteristic phenomena of modern inter-civilizational onto-epistemology.

Astropolitika i etika budućnosti: O koncipiranju etičkog okvira za istraživanje i korišćenje svemira

Author(s): Srđan Korać T. / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 26/2021

The article examines the ethical dimension of astropolitics in the early 21st century under the circumstances in which (r)evolution of science, technological and social practices in the realm of outer space – while taking the form of gradual militarisation, commercialisation, and privatisation of outer space – challenges the major actors with issues of equal importance for ethics, world politics and global security. The analysis has been centred around main avenues of the current ethical debates on exploration and appropriation of outer space, as well as on foreseeable exploitation of resources in space; it also focuses on conceptualisation of effective normative frameworks aimed at preventing unethical actions of individuals, corporations, and states. The author concludes that there is no agreement on which ethical approach would be the most appropriate for resolving moral dilemmas in the design and implementation of outer space policy; despite several ideas and initiatives, the process of building a comprehensive ethical normative framework has not even begun.

Izazovi geopolitičkih koncepcija na Balkanu: slučaj Srbije

Author(s): Marko Babić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1169/2018

Since the collapse of former Yugoslavia and due to its geographic position and geopolitical importance in the Balkans, Serbia has been a subject of continuous interest of global powers. Their goals are focused on internal and external politics of Serbia aiming to achieve the best possible geopolitical position in the country. Using the comparative method of analysis, the paper aims to present the content, forms, and scope of the four main geopolitical conceptions actively operating in Serbia (the US and NATO Atlanticism, Russia's Euroasianism, Germany's Continentalism and Turkey's Neottomanism). In order to keep its diplomatic maneuvering space relatively open and effective, Serbia should not underestimate any of these conceptions always keeping in mind its national and state interests. The only permanent Serbian category in conducting its foreign policy should be: "A state has no eternal friends but only eternal interests."

Geopolitika Svete stolice i Zapadni Balkan

Author(s): Vladan P. Stanković / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1170/2018

In this scientific journal, we have presented only some basic outlines of the Vatican’s geopolitics. Important factors that, in our understanding, strongly affect the erosion of one geopolitics are: the ecumenical politics of Roman Curia, the geopolitics of the Holy See in international relations in the last hundred years, and the geopolitics of the Vatican in the area of Southeastern Europe and the Western Balkans. The changes from the Second Vatican Council made the Catholic Church come out of isolation, and to join the ecumenical movement. Since then, she has played a more active role in international relations. The relations between the Holy See and the Serbian Orthodox Church experience some progress and improvements in relation to the time of John Paul II’s pontificate. The progress is primarily reflected in the acquisition of mutual confidence in the canonization of Stepinac, as well as in the consistent decision of the Holy See not to recognize the so-called “Kosovo’s independence“.

Snaženje pozicije Turske na Zapadnom Balkanu; uzroci i posledice

Author(s): Stefan Jojić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1170/2018

Actions of a state are conditioned by the influence of multiple factors, which on different levels determine its foreign policy activity. This paper aims to present causes that led to an increased presence of Turkey in the Western Balkans in the period after the Cold War, and especially during the first decade of the 21st century. Also, it deals with the main consequences of that presence. Without the intention of implementing clear and rigid delimitations of different determinants influence, which is barely possible in the complex research field such as international relations, the author has divided Turkey’s political engagement in the Western Balkans into three different periods. Each of them, despite the consistency of the Turkish national interests, was “coloured” with various activities, which were performed in different international and regional political circumstances.

Uticaj diskursa miroljubivog razvoja na kinesko (re)pozicioniranje u međunarodnom poretku

Author(s): Slobodan Popović / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1171/2018

Today, based on a large number of relevant indicators, we can assume with great certainty that the People's Republic of China (China) is one of the most important geopolitical and geoeconomic vectors of the multipolar international order. However, China's foreign policy has always been hard to understand to a number of experts in the field of international relations coming from the so-called western schools of thought for the simple reason that it was never shaped according to the "rules" of Enlightenment rationalism. Therefore, their methods, paradigms, theories and indicators, in response to the key question on the impact of peaceful development on Chinese geopolitical (re) positioning in the international order, give a partial and value-subjective answer. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Chinese discourse of peaceful development between 2003 and 2012 when Hu Jintao was the head of China and to answer the question raised from a different angle. In the first part of the paper, the issue of the economic rise of China, its demographic, diplomatic and geopolitical power in the eyes of the Western states will be discussed in the light of the potential challenges for the already established norms of state behavior in the international environment. The second part of this paper will be devoted to the critical explanation of the concept of peaceful development in light of the way in which it is created, while the third part deals with its essential importance in practical confirmation and execution through China's foreign and political activities.

Nemački hegemonizam u Evropskoj uniji: mit ili stvarnost

Author(s): Bojan S. Marić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1171/2018

The Federal Republic of Germany is one of the pillars of the modern European Union. As the most populous country in the EU with 82 million inhabitants whose economy is on the pedestal among the European economies, its impact on the functioning of the European mechanism in times loaded with the various crises crushing the Union, is, unavoidably, extremely great. The increasing power of Germany, as a consequence of its economic power, has influenced many Europeans to begin to perceive Germany again as a potential European hegemon.The main task of this paper is to determine whether the claims about the alleged German hegemonism in the EU are based on realistic assumptions on the case of 3 crises whose repercussions affect not only the EU but also the entire European continent. The crises include the Eurozone crisis, the migrant crisis, as well as the Ukrainian crisis. All of these crises have shown Berlin has a potential to lead the EU, while also pointing to the challenges it faced in an attempt to direct the rocking EU boat to a safe port. Although Germany is undeniably the strongest state of the European Union in economic terms, such degree of domination has not been achieved in the political sphere.

Republika Kazahstan: Nova sila srednjeg dometa?

Author(s): Nenad Stekić / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1172/2018

Modern international relations are characterized by the core political integration processes. By intensifying the regional interconnections among the countries, especially those with similar historical and cultural factors, some new types of regional cooperation are being born, which besides political include their economic integration as well. the so-called “spill-over effect” from economic to the political sphere, initially introduced within post-war Europe, is being manifested at the moment within the Asian space with the highest level of dynamics. this effect was mostly caused by the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, whose geographical beginning compounds this space. as the vast space, Central Asia becomes the region with the increased geopolitical dynamics. this article aims at reviewing and systematizing academic literature which involves Kazakhstan’s foreign policy as a very important determinant of geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia. the author will present main vectors of the Kazakh foreign policy and its implications towards the regional peace and stability, as well as the key characteristics of bilateral relations with P.R. China, Russian Federation, turkey, and countries of the so-called “stan” space. Majority of academic papers assumes that even though Central Asian geopolitical dynamics is shaped by the collision of interests intertwining right in Kazakhstan, this country today represents a much more active political factor in Asian space. In this regard, the vast majority of academics identifies Kazakh capacity to significantly influence international relations through multilateral initiatives, which could set it to the middle range power status.

Geostrategijsko nadmetanje između Kine i Indije u Južnoj Aziji

Author(s): Nebojša Vuković / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1172/2018

In the paper, the history, character, geographic extent and future of geostrategic competition between India and China in the South Asian mainland, and in the maritime zone of the Indian Ocean, are presented and explained. the basic thesis of the paper consists of the attitude that, despite mutual economic cooperation and joint participation in certain international forums, such as BRICS, India and China are not political partners, but rather strategic rivals, whose current low-intensity competition may assume more violent forms and content over time. also, the assertion that, for the time being, China is in a more favorable position in the mainland, whereas India is still more dominant in the ocean due to the specific geographic conditions is presented and reasoned in this paper. In the final part of the paper, the author also makes a reference to the possible global consequences of the competition between the world’s two most populous nations.

Kašmirski konflikt kao determinanta indijsko-pakistanskih odnosa

Author(s): Nevena Šekarić Stojanović / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 1172/2018

Considering its long history, complex nature and significant consequences, the Kashmir conflict is the subject of many scientific articles and agency reports. the Kashmir conflict is a distinctive feature of the past, present and future of Indian-Pakistani relations, and also a significant factor of instability in South Asia. therefore, the main goal of this paper is to gain insight into the genesis of the conflict, as well as to describe the current state of the Kashmir conflict. Firstly, using the methodological literature review procedure, the history of the Kashmir conflict is presented and then follow theoretical explanations of the origin and nature of this conflict. the central part of the paper focuses on the current dynamics of the dispute, followed by the presentation of some possible conflict solutions. Concluding remarks are given eventually.