Review 07.07.2014. First World War, European Political Landscape, Russian-Georgian Normalization, Sino-American geopolitical interests

July 7, 2014

512

Type: Columns - RIAC Digest of International Publications

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Digest RIAC

Early July summer heat seems to have reached international affairs too. Everyone is either watching Mundial 2014 or relaxing at some spa beach resort. And yet the hectic world of IR is moving, experts are giving their opinion and politics is on the go. Here you will find publications on: a forever memory of the First World war beginning, changing European political landscape, Russian-Georgian normalization, Sino-American geopolitical interests and a book on Global Value exchange.

Let us remember that a century ago June saw the beginning of the WWI. This was a grand opening to the 21st century, which is universally acclaimed as bloody 100 years. What was so special about this war? And was there (is there) a plausible explanation of the countries' behavior that took lives of the innocent and weak and brought the world on the brink of a disaster? Here is a colorful and extensive essay on this troublesome topic by Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic from Sarajevo.

As maps do help most of us to find our way in any city, country or space, here you will find a link to a chart that shows how European political parties have evolved since 1979. Description follows immediately after the chart. Political evolution is one of the most complex and ambiguous processes of national and, in this particular case, supranational history. For those who wish to deepen and widen their knowledge and horizons, build a prognosis given recent changes in the political spectrum of the EU. Curtsey to Bruegel Brussels based think-tank.

Not to forget about the changes in the EU leadership. We are in for a lot of new (and not so new) names of those who will lead the EU Parliament, Commission and Council. The member rotation of the EU is also on the way. CEPS draws a line to the Greek presidency and sets ambitious goals to the Italian successor. The 3 pages give a short but comprehensive review of what has been done and what still needs to be taken care of.

To make a close up to the European part of this digest, here you will find a small essay on secularism and multiculturalism in Europe. How Europe and the European idea have changed throughout time regarding the shifting ethnic character of the European society? This is the core question which the author tries to address in this publication. But not only this one.

Moving Eastwards, we find an interesting piece on Russian-Georgian Normalization. Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies gives a 100-page long report with different sections on how it should be done, what means and strategies should be applied. All spheres of our bilateral relations are there: from economic and social ties to common historical heritage. Two sections are dedicated to a thorough review of the EU role in the region.

Why doesn't Russia support China in the South China Sea? Jumping to the Asia Pacific Eastern region we come across this issue. Good question for those who breathe unevenly when geopolitics is brought up. Strategic and economic reasons keep Russia from doing so. Find out more by clicking the link. The Diplomat in Asia-Pacific gathers up facts and arguments to address the matter thoughtfully.

Digging a little bit further into the roots and scope of the intricate Sino-American relations, we find a long and hard-edged essay on geopolitical game between the US and China published on the National Interest. What you can take away from this publication? Basically everything. Based on a well worked out historical retrospective, this analysis is a valuable piece to your collection.

A very unusual publication on Global Value exchange has been recently published under Arno Tausch's copyright, who summed up his lecture course of this very topic and made it into a wholesome essay. Ethics, democracy, morality, politics, sexual behavior - everything is intertwined in this book. This is a fresh and new start for sociology practices in international relations. Theoretical and practical, for both professors and non-academia people.

Digest Editor: Maria Gurova.

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