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World Responds: Sanctions, Bans, and the Global Fallout from Hong Kong’s Crackdown
China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee passed the Hong Kong National Security Law on 30 June 2020, and the law took effect in the territory the same night. Within weeks, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and several other governments condemned the legislation, imposed targeted sanctions on Chinese and Hong…
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The Strategic Synthesis of Soft Power and Open-Source Intelligence: A Multidimensional Analysis of Project O Five’s Counter-Extremism Framework
The global security landscape has transitioned from the conventional, hierarchical insurgencies of the twentieth century to a decentralized, digitally mediated era of asymmetric warfare and “viral” ideologies.1 In this contemporary environment, traditional state-centric counterterrorism (CT) models—which rely heavily on “hard power” mechanisms such as military intervention, kinetic strikes, and aggressive policing—often encounter the paradox of…
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Carney, China, and the Shifting World Order: Pragmatism in an Age of Imperial Decline
Mark Carney’s recent remarks on the emergence of a “new world order,” particularly in relation to China, have sparked debate across political and policy circles. Yet, when examined within the broader context of global power shifts, his analysis is not only sensible—it is necessary. The world is undergoing a structural transformation in which China’s rise…
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Defanging the Dragon: India’s Real Antidote to China’s Indian Ocean Strategy
This report provides a strategic analysis of India’s options for neutralizing geopolitical and non-traditional security threats within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The primary threat stems from the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) ‘String of Pearls’ strategy, a network of dual-use (commercial and military) ports designed to encircle India, secure Chinese Sea Lines of Communication…
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Seeds of Influence: Iran’s Subtle War on Western Democracy Through Student Engagement
The Islamic Republic of Iran has long employed a layered and deliberate strategy to expand its global ideological influence. Central to this ambition is the state’s investment in Muslim students studying in the West. At first glance, these educational and cultural exchange initiatives may appear benign or even altruistic. However, upon deeper examination, they reveal…
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Rethinking the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: A Whistleblower’s Perspective on Strategic Environmental Manipulation
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami is widely understood as a natural geological disaster. However, this paper examines the event from a lesser-known perspective—through the lens of intelligence manipulation and environmental warfare. As a former child soldier, intelligence officer with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and informant for multiple national security agencies including the…
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Melodies Against Militancy: How Music Undermines Terror and Wins Hearts
The application of soft power in counterterrorism is a profoundly underutilized yet effective tool, particularly through cultural mediums such as music. Soft power, a term coined by Joseph Nye (2004), refers to the ability to influence others through attraction rather than coercion or payment. This influence can be manifested through values, policies, and cultural exports.…
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Predators at Sea: Inside Terrorist Tactics Targeting Naval Security
This article critically examines the strategies and methodologies employed by terrorist organizations to target conventional naval assets, including merchant vessels and military ships such as frigates and destroyers. It focuses comprehensively on mechanisms used by terrorists to gather maritime intelligence, especially concerning naval technological systems like radar, sonar, GPS, and various weapon systems, including guns,…
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Canada’s Soft Power vs. America’s Hard Power: A Comparative Analysis
Canada and the United States are often juxtaposed in discussions of international influence. Canada is globally respected as a soft power nation, recognized for its human rights advocacy, humanitarian projects, and peacekeeping initiatives. Conversely, the United States has been feared for its hard power approach, exerting military and economic control, expanding its territorial jurisdictions, and…
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The 21st-Century Great Game: Geopolitical Contest for the Central Asian Landmass and the Future of Global Power
This article examines the ongoing geopolitical contest over the Central Asian landmass, encompassing the Caspian region and Siberian land, within the framework of a modern “Great Game.” The struggle for influence between major global powers—primarily the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and India—is analyzed through economic, military, and strategic lenses. The paper incorporates…