Although a hegemonic transition remains unlikely within the next two decades, the Asia-Pacific will be a region of Sino-U.S. power competition and increasing instability.
‘Hard’ & ‘soft’ power are competing approaches to power in IR. Soft power is increasingly effective & hard power less so; ‘smart power’ offers a promising third strategy.
While an instinct for survival dictated the turn to neutralism, it was Yugoslav ideology and unparalleled experience of global affairs that turned them to nonalignment.
Obama’s foreign policy has neglected the long-term strategic dangers of making political decisions based on seeking short-term public, political, and economic stability.
Individuals & organizations are increasingly gaining traction in a state-dominant international legal order, a piecemeal process that may result in a global constitution.
US reluctance to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, aside from selective cases, undermines efforts to build the organization’s legitimacy.
Syria’s strong patrimonial military has no incentives to break with the regime. Until such incentives exist, the uprisings will probably fail.
The US strategic “pivot” to India can be a source of stability to India-China relations, depending on how India’s foreign policy balances both US and China.
Despite criticisms, the ‘peace through law’ approach to international law is a functional & realistic one, and it enables the daily functioning of international law.
By lacking a coherent strategy, the Soviet Union failed to acknowledge the possibility that the US could be seeking an easing of tensions with both communist superpowers.
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