Context/Background Data has come to be established as a new key strategic asset, central to national power in the economic, political, and military spheres. The principle of data sovereignty—whereby nations seek to control data generated within their borders—is at tension with the global nature of digital networks and the dominance of tech conglomerates. This struggle…

Executive Summary The five nuclear-armed permanent members (P5) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a closed-door expert-level meeting in Dubai. The meeting gained its strategic importance and focus as it was the first full-fledged meeting under the chairmanship of China where the discussion focused on nuclear doctrines against the backdrop of Russia updating…

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Driven by rapid environmental changes due to global warming, increasing geopolitical and economic interests, the Arctic region is emerging as a critical global frontier and a stage for strategic competition among the Arctic States (United States, Russia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and non-Arctic actors like China as the region’s retreating ice…

1. Executive Summary Thailand is also aggressively developing its economic relationship with European organizations through well-planned trade agreements. It has successfully completed a Free Trade Agreement with EFTA and is moving toward a more extensive FTA with the EU, which it plans to have in place by 2025. All these initiatives are to be used…

Executive Summary This report examines corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) police force, detailing its implications on military movements, strategic objectives, and broader regional stability. Key findings highlight systemic corruption undermining operational integrity, creating vulnerabilities in national defense, and influencing international perceptions of China’s military and law enforcement capabilities. Strategic recommendations aim to mitigate…

Executive Summary China’s social security system has undergone significant reforms to address the needs of its vast and aging population. The system encompasses pensions, healthcare, unemployment benefits, and housing assistance. Key objectives include ensuring financial stability for retirees, expanding healthcare access, and supporting vulnerable groups. While strides have been made, challenges such as regional disparities,…

Executive Summary: The Shikoku Basin region is of significant geopolitical and strategic importance located in the Pacific Ocean part of the Philippine Sea. It is surrounded by critical East Asian economies, including Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan, thereby increasing the significance of maritime and geopolitical dynamics in regional energy security and international maritime strategies.…

Executive summary The subject of U.S.-China military-to-military communication is central to global security dynamics. As two of the world’s most powerful nations, the United States and China maintain an intricate relationship marked by economic interdependence, geopolitical competition, and mutual security concerns. Military-to-military communication (mil-mil) has served as a mechanism to manage these complexities, reduce risks,…

1. Executive Summary: The Rome Mediterranean Dialogues is a significant global conference. In 2024, the MED community organised its 10th edition of the Dialogue on 25th–27th November. The conference brought together several world political and societal leaders for high-level discussions on the most critical issues of the wider Mediterranean. The theme of this year, “Positive…

Understanding the Māori People The Māori people are the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand (Aotearoa), descended from Polynesian settlers who arrived around the late 13th century in large canoes (waka). Their early settlements along the coasts involved hunting native birds and cultivating crops like taro and kūmara. Māori history is categorized into the Archaic period…