Modern foreign policy concepts and doctrine
Reference:
SHan' , P. (2025). Between Alliance Intermediary and Soft Balancing: Japan’s Dual Role in U.S. Diplomacy in Southeast Asia. World Politics, 4, 1–14. . https://doi.org/10.25136/2409-8671.2025.4.76048
Abstract:
This study examines the dual role of Japan in U.S. diplomacy in Southeast Asia: the role of "mediator in the alliance" and "soft balancing." Considering Japan's foreign policy practice in the context of U.S.-East Asian relations, the authors explore the mechanisms by which Japan finds a balance between fulfilling its allied obligations and maintaining strategic autonomy. The author describes in detail how Japan, being a weak ally in an asymmetric alliance, strengthens and legitimizes the US strategic agenda through multilateral dialogues and institutional mechanisms (such as the synergy of the Freedom and Openness and Sovereignty and Independence initiatives, as well as trilateral cooperation with the Philippines). In addition, the study examines how Japan uses "soft balancing" to limit U.S. influence and reduce the risk of direct confrontation. Thus, this study not only comprehensively highlights the theoretical details of the concepts of "allied mediation" and "soft balancing", but also illustrates their practical interaction in specific regional cases, demonstrating that Japanese diplomacy operates within a multi-level logic: externally it serves as a tool to strengthen the US agenda, and internally as a mechanism to protect its own autonomy.. In this article, literature analysis is used to further understand the meaning of soft balance through academic literature, and a case study method such as the South China Sea issue is applied to further validate this topic. The main conclusion of this study is that Japan's diplomacy in Southeast Asia combines a dual logic: external action as an "allied mediator" for the United States and internal implementation of a "soft balancing" strategy to expand autonomy. The innovation of this study lies in the fact that it shows the intertwining and intersection of these two theoretical approaches, rather than their isolated application to real politics, which contributes to a deeper understanding of Japan's unique role in the regional order. The purpose of this article is to improve analytical tools by offering a narrower interpretation of the concept of "allied mediation" in order to more accurately explain the behavior of weak allies in asymmetric alliances, while analyzing international relations from the point of view of "soft balance".
Keywords:
Indo-Pacific Strategy, Asia Pacific, Japan-ASEAN relations, ASEAN, Institutionalism, Multilateralism, Southeast Asia, U.S. Diplomacy, Soft Balancing, Alliance Intermediary
Regional configurations of international relations
Reference:
Zhang, Z. (2025). Mechanisms for implementing cooperation among BRICS countries in the field of artificial intelligence and China's strategy. World Politics, 4, 15–29. . https://doi.org/10.25136/2409-8671.2025.4.76260
Abstract:
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the global governance system, creating new challenges in the areas of security, ethics, and state sovereignty. This study focuses on the mechanisms for coordinating AI policy. The research reveals that the United Nations plays a fundamental coordinating role in AI governance, but international legal regulation in this area remains fragmented. The BRICS countries demonstrate diverse approaches to AI governance, while maintaining common trends towards increasing legal regulation and developing new ethical standards for AI applications. It has been revealed that the practice of public administration in China focuses on three aspects: harmonization of regulatory regimes in partner countries, implementation of resource potential, and productive cooperation in joint, socially significant projects. Based on a comparative analysis and case study, the study examines the main models of AI governance in the BRICS countries and their relationship with the global governance system, as well as analyzes China's strategic orientation. The study analyzes research literature and official documents (legislation of the People's Republic of China, draft national legislation of Brazil, etc.). The novelty of this study lies in analyzing current trends in the international situation, which allows for making predictions about the future transformation of mechanisms for international cooperation in the field of global AI governance. It is emphasized that the harmonious development of the global AI governance system requires coordination of UN and BRICS policy decisions, as well as increasing the transparency and effectiveness of implemented policies through the formation of new institutional mechanisms for international cooperation. In the future, China's strategy will continue to influence the transformation of the international landscape. By promoting the harmonization of international standards, the sharing of technological resources, and the implementation of regional initiatives through multilateral financing, China will support the balanced development of a global governance system that better represents the interests of developing countries.
Keywords:
multilateral financing, international cooperation, ethical standards, data security, international initiatives, unification of international standards, artificial intelligence governance, BRICS countries, capacity building, China's strategy
Regional configurations of international relations
Reference:
Pochta, Y.M., Guzaerov, R.I. (2025). Turkey's Place in the Global AI Race: Between Sovereignty and Dependence. World Politics, 4, 30–48. . https://doi.org/10.25136/2409-8671.2025.4.76881
Abstract:
The article is dedicated to the analysis of the development of artificial intelligence technologies in the Republic of Turkey. It examines key documents that shape Turkey's AI strategy. National strategies, ministerial plans, and presidential programs are presented and analyzed. Technological problems in the development of the field are noted, which prevent Turkey from achieving the desired economic effect from the advancement of the AI sector. These technologies are often used in the field of public administration. Turkey aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem where AI technologies facilitate faster data analysis and decision-making. Key government agencies responsible for developing strategies and technologies and promoting AI in various areas are outlined. The article discusses some examples of the application of AI technologies from the military sphere to healthcare, allowing for an understanding of the level of development and implementation in the field. A comparative analysis of Turkey's position in the global competition for the use of AI is made. The research is based on systemic and structural-functional approaches. A set of political science methods was also used to study the object, among which comparative analysis, public policy analysis, and case studies should be highlighted. The scientific novelty of the study is due to the lack of research on this topic in Russian science. In general, it is noted that scientific and technological development remains one of the key priorities of the Turkish leadership, which requires active work in the field of modern technologies. Artificial intelligence has become one of the areas of global competition where developed countries seek to develop national solutions and implement them in various areas of government and public life due to the expectation of economic benefits. Despite Turkey's attempts to update this area, including it in national strategies, it is lagging behind the leaders of the region. At the current stage, Turkey cannot achieve technological sovereignty in the field of AI, even in partnership with countries such as Brazil, Russia, and India. It is quite realistic to connect to the models created by the United States, the EU and China while achieving their own success in certain areas of AI application. Moreover, Turkey is already using technologies from the United States, the EU and China in certain areas.
Keywords:
Turkey, Scientific and technological development, HAVELSAN, ASELSAN, MAIN GPT, large language models, AI, technological development, technology, artificial intelligence