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The semiconductor global value chain (GVC) which was established by global lead companies and their strategic suppliers is now facing significant disruption because of geopolitical tensions between the US and China. As semiconductor production became offshored to East Asia, China’s growing market for semiconductors associated with its role as a major electronics assembly location facilitated its integration into the global value chain for lower value added functions such as assembly and packaging. Together with its high level of optimisation, the GVC is also characterised by significant oligopolies of intellectual property resulting in an overall asymmetric interdependence between locations in advanced and emerging regions. Because of the vital role of the semiconductor sector in areas of national security and within the technology sector more widely, China seeks to develop greater self-reliance in semiconductors at a time when its integration in the global value chain is facing significant threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the impact of geopolitical tensions, which have increased sharply in recent times, on international capital flows. It shows that geopolitical tensions affect cross-border investment flows through three main channels: increased geopolitical risks that encourage international investors to reduce investments in countries with different foreign policies; tighter controls on incoming FDI in many countries to ensure national security; and financial sanctions imposed by Western countries to put pressure on other states. Based on the analysis of investment relations between the United States and China, the contradictions between which are the main source of geopolitical tension in the world, the author confirms the conclusion that the influence of geopolitical factors on capital flows between the countries has increased since the second half of the 2010s. However, the study substantiates that the emerging fragmentation of cross-border capital flows can have not only negative, but also positive consequences for the global economy and finance. The compression of capital flows between the countries of the global North and South may push the latter to establish closer integration ties in the financial sector, create financial infrastructure independent of the West, focused on the needs of developing countries, and accelerate the internationalization of their currencies. As a result, these processes could weaken the dominance of Western countries in the global financial system and facilitate its transition to a more equitable multipolar configuration.

International food trade plays a crucial role in enhancing global food security by connecting regions with diverse agricultural capabilities and resource endowments. This study employs complex network analysis and ecological network resilience to investigate the historical dynamics of global staple food trade network resilience from 1986 to 2020. Additionally, structural decomposition and econometric analysis are used to explore the drivers of resilience from both internal and external perspectives. The findings reveal significant heterogeneity in the resilience dynamics of global staple food trade when faced with external shocks such as COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions. Staple foods, i.e., wheat, rice, and potatoes have demonstrated increased resilience in response to pandemic-related disruptions. However, the aggregated staple food network is more adversely affected by geopolitical tensions compared to the five individual staple food networks, with a more pronounced inhibitory effect on its resilience. Potatoes emerge as the most resilient staple, while soybeans exhibit the lowest resilience. Interestingly, the inclusion of a greater variety of staple foods in the aggregated basket does not necessarily enhance resilience. For instance, integrating potatoes, characterized by high network efficiency, increases resilience, whereas integrating soybeans, with low network efficiency, reduces resilience. Furthermore, the diversity of trade flows and trade partners plays a crucial role in enhancing resilience. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to bolster the resilience of the global food trade network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges faced by U.S. agricultural trade due to climate disruptions and geopolitical events. It highlights the impact of disruptions in critical transportation lanes like the Panama Canal and the Mississippi River on U.S. agricultural exports. The text emphasizes the need for robust, adaptive measures to address the vulnerabilities in global trade routes and ensure the stability of U.S. agricultural supply chains in an uncertain trade environment. The article also suggests diversifying logistics and sourcing strategies, enhancing climate-resilient infrastructure, and strengthening international cooperation as key strategies to mitigate risks and maintain the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products in the global market. [Extracted from the article]

Coordinated policies and effective global environmental governance are needed to address the global biodiversity crisis. Human dimensions like geopolitics influence conservation decision‐making and outcomes. The importance of considering these complex social factors is heightened in an era of renewed great‐power politics, as the intensifying US–China rivalry has direct implications for environmental governance and biodiversity outcomes. Can the US–China rivalry and its confrontational dynamics be channeled into conservation policymaking to improve biodiversity outcomes? Drawing from international relations and policy studies, policy diffusion theory can provide conservationists with useful insights into the interdependency of policy decisions. Here, we examine the four mechanisms—competition, coercion, learning, and emulation—of the classic model of policy diffusion theory in the context of environmental policymaking. We explore a case study for each mechanism to illustrate how it can benefit biodiversity conservation, and point to examples of relevant policies and actions that could improve outcomes. To operationalize this concept for conservation, we present a decision tree that conservationists can use to determine the most relevant policy diffusion mechanism in different policy contexts. Upon determining the appropriate mechanism, conservationists can take further steps to intentionally trigger the mechanism and catalyze conservation policy diffusion across jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canada substantially supported Chinese university development in the 1980s and 1990s, through international aid projects. Since the 2000s, Canadian universities have enjoyed the reciprocal benefits, in terms of an increasing in-bound flow of Chinese students, a pipeline of faculty members of Chinese origin, and growing research collaboration. Nevertheless, now caught in the CanadaChina-US trilateral relations, Canada has followed the US in an attempt to link university collaboration (research in particular) to national security concerns and combat possible intellectual espionage from China. Against such a backdrop, this study aims to spotlight the voices of Canadian university faculty of Chinese descent, concerning how the wider geopolitical circumstances and sociopolitical environment might impact their career development, and lead to racial profiling effect for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Coordinated policies and effective global environmental governance are needed to address the global biodiversity crisis. Human dimensions like geopolitics influence conservation decision‐making and outcomes. The importance of considering these complex social factors is heightened in an era of renewed great‐power politics, as the intensifying US–China rivalry has direct implications for environmental governance and biodiversity outcomes. Can the US–China rivalry and its confrontational dynamics be channeled into conservation policymaking to improve biodiversity outcomes? Drawing from international relations and policy studies, policy diffusion theory can provide conservationists with useful insights into the interdependency of policy decisions. Here, we examine the four mechanisms—competition, coercion, learning, and emulation—of the classic model of policy diffusion theory in the context of environmental policymaking. We explore a case study for each mechanism to illustrate how it can benefit biodiversity conservation, and point to examples of relevant policies and actions that could improve outcomes. To operationalize this concept for conservation, we present a decision tree that conservationists can use to determine the most relevant policy diffusion mechanism in different policy contexts. Upon determining the appropriate mechanism, conservationists can take further steps to intentionally trigger the mechanism and catalyze conservation policy diffusion across jurisdictions.

Two sources of geopolitical tension – G7 sanctions on Russia and conflict between the United States and China – have the potential to reshape the global monetary system. This short paper argues that only the second is likely to have far-reaching, and heavily negative, consequences if allowed to develop further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article represents an attempt to apply G. Hofstede’s typology of cultural dimensions to analyze international relations in a constructivist view. The study sheds light on competing and cooperating interaction of traditional and rising powers. The methodology implies to implement the list of cultural variables such as power distance, individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/ femininity, short-term/long-term orientation, indulgence/restraint to map the position of states with a focus on great powers.The constructed diagrams made it possible to reveal the differentiation of cultural dimensions that characterize traditional and rising powers. This differentiation is one of the factors that may contribute to the increase in the potential conflict in the international relations at present. The overall cultural representativeness of the Global North leaders, i.e. traditional powers, is lower than that of the representatives of the Global South leaders, i.e. rising powers. The results of the study generate the conclusion that the current disorder as transitional stage of the international relations is more likely to be replaced by a multipolar rather than a bipolar world order architecture.

This paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the stock markets of Central and Eastern European countries, including Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Adopting a longitudinal approach, we analyze data spanning from 2019 to 2022, covering the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. The study focuses on assessing changes in market capitalization, trading behaviors, and exchange-specific responses within these markets. The analysis utilizes various financial indicators that reflect the level of development of a stock market (size, liquidity and profitability ratios) to understand the pandemic's influence. This research aims to provide insights into the complexities of market dynamics under the stress of a global health crisis and subsequent geopolitical events. It also seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of how such unprecedented events shape financial markets, offering implications for investors, policymakers, and academics in the field of financial studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, modern science had been dominated by a handful of Western countries. However, since the turn of the millennium, the global science landscape has undergone dramatic changes. The number of nations where a significant proportion of research done is of high international standard has now increased considerably. China particularly stands out and is today one of the leading science nations in the world. Overall, Chinese research collaborations with countries in the Western world exemplify the general trend towards increasing complexity in the global research landscape. It has gradually become obvious that differences between institutional settings need to be managed more systematically to promote cross-border research cooperation for shared benefits, from individual to institutional levels. An informed discussion of managing complex conditions necessitates an understanding of the relationship-level dynamics of research collaborations. In order to identify what aspects of international research collaborations are the most pertinent to systematically manage at individual and institutional levels, this paper investigates projects in a bilateral Swedish–Chinese funding program. The paper finds that the majority of collaborations funded had yielded positive impact in terms of publications, strengthened research capacity in research groups, and resource accumulation. The challenges found in the collaborations are related to needs such as improving transparency, ethical concerns, and imbalances in reciprocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is facing multiple challenges: Climate change, biodiversity loss, and extreme environmental degradation. Moreover, it has entered a new era marked by greater instability and uncertainty, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine conflict, and other geopolitical tensions. Relations between China and the European Union (EU) cannot stay immune amid these changes. In order to achieve climate neutrality at an early date, despite having different political institutions, domestic priorities, economic systems, and diverse values, both Beijing and Brussels are managing their bilateral ties and leading international efforts at climate mitigation. However, escalating rifts, different perceptions, and opposing domestic and global approaches are undercutting the efficacy of their partnership. This paper aims to deeply evaluate their climate partnership based on a common stance of generating a low-carbon economy and green transition amid geopolitical tensions, great power rivalry, and post-pandemic uncertainty. With suitable vision and strong commitments, China and the EU recognize a “win–win” opportunity in the green transition. So, regardless of mounting pressures, there is a chance that China–EU relations will not deteriorate considerably. Although geopolitical circumstances might not allow for a smooth transition, both can still reap real benefits from a deep interdependence on certain key issues.

In the early 1990s, Russian and US observers were pessimistic about Russian science and its global integration. Yet scientists from the two countries were actively collaborating in new ways nonetheless. In order to explore the nature of those collaborations, we conducted open-ended interviews with 13 US scientists and 13 in Russia who collaborated trans-nationally in 1995–2014. Our results suggest that recognizing and working with differences benefited these colleagues. Despite ongoing political tensions and differences in scientific cultures, respondents told us that understanding those differences – in funding, cultures of doing science, institutional structures, and treatment of graduate students – helped them avoid missteps. Respect for each other's country's scientific contributions, interpersonal diplomacy, and personal interconnections further strengthened their work together. Diaspora scientists in particular, played a positive role as mediators and cultural interpreters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades witnessed the ever-expanding higher education interaction and collaboration between China and North America, in particular the United States (US), which is arguably one of the most intensive and extensive bilateral higher education relationships. However, such a relationship is currently facing severe challenges, as a decoupling scenario between China and the US is happening, and Canada is also likely to follow suit. This paper attempts to address this situation from the perspective of diverging notions of academic culture and academic freedom iii China and North America. A major objective of this paper is to detect the differences and potential conflicts embedded in the ideal types of Chinese and North American academic cultures. Such divergent perceptions of academic culture could be brought to the fore and exacerbated by current geopolitical tensions, which in turn hinder higher education interactions between China and North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes how recent fishing disputes involving China and Latin American countries have been reported by local and global media. We conducted content and sentiment analysis of media articles, coding articles according to the sentiment ("positive," "negative," or "neutral") they express toward China and the actions of its fishing fleet, based on the words used to describe the same. We also examined what topics are discussed in different media – issues that are more specific and "local" in nature or broader issues that go beyond specific incidents. According to our findings, Latin American media can be as negative in their reporting on China and Chinese actions as Anglo‐Saxon Western media but tend to focus more on local issues and specific incidents, whereas Anglo‐Saxon Western media are more likely to connect incidents to broader geopolitical issues. Deepening of China‐LAC economic relations have not reduced Latin American media's critical approach toward China. At the same time, the local media remain independent; they do not necessarily reproduce the same frames as global news platforms in their coverage of China. These findings reinforce the idea that LAC broadly does not want to choose sides in the China‐US rivalry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political conflicts or geopolitical tensions can create uncertainty in addressing climate change and environmental management in the Arctic. Dissecting how actors interact with each other and form networks is important for understanding ecological and environmental management challenges during geopolitical tensions, as well as promoting better governance. We construct transboundary networks for Arctic climate change governance (ACCG) from 2013 to 2021 based on the Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT). Further, we used network descriptive statistical analysis and Temporal Exponential Random Graph Models (TERGM) to explore the structure of ACCG networks and the key factors influencing cooperation formation. The findings suggest that the overall cooperation density of the ACCG is low, and the dominant position of core actors is continuously strengthening. Non-state actors are less likely to be seen as partners and their participation depends largely on cooperation with states. The results also show that actors with similar stances and problem exposure are more likely to cooperate, but those exposed to high latitudes often choose not to cooperate; first-comers are more likely to perceive as cooperating yet they are inclined to establish internal cooperation. Additionally, two geographically proximate actors are more likely to cooperate. This indicates that under geopolitical tensions, the ACCG faces challenges not only due to the limited capacity of non-state actors to perform transboundary functions but also because the cooperation mechanisms are influenced by regional political logic. Accordingly, we further suggest policy recommendations from developing binding international frameworks to guide transboundary cooperation, enhancing cooperation among non-state actors, and ensuring the representativeness and fairness of non-Arctic actors' participation. This research provides insights into transboundary environmental management under political tensions, while also offering new pathways for analysing large-scale environmental governance structures. [Display omitted] • Arctic's unique socio-ecological importance calls for effective governance. • Geopolitical tensions bring uncertainty to Arctic climate change governance. • Evaluating governance networks is key to supporting effective management. • We analysis the Arctic transboundary networks features and formation factors. • Consider geopolitical tensions' impact for effective transboundary management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The paper deals with the phenomenon of the Qatari-Saudi rivalry in the Middle East in the context of dissimilarities between political programs and aspirations of the two states in the Middle East.The following research undertakings are realized in the article:• an explanation of the reasons of Qatar and the Saudi Kingdom’s domination in the Arab politics of the last 15 years;• an analysis of the Qatari foreign policy and the regional geopolitical agenda of Qatar;• an inquiry into the reasons and driving forces of the Saudi-Qatari conflict;• a study of the external actors’ influence on the Saudi-Qatari conflict, taking into account the changers in the U.S. foreign policy;• investigation of the different political strategies of the Saudi Arabia and UAE in Yemen which may lead to disintegration of this country.The author emphasizes four main reasons for the Saudi-Qatari rivalry: support by the Qatari leadership of the international movement Muslim Brotherhood; tribal rivalry among the families of al-Saud and al-Thani; struggle for the ideological heritage of Muhammad Abdel Wahhab; different approaches to Iran, and its role in the region.

• The number of publications included in the WoS increased in 2021. • This increase was larger than expected. • This increase is largest for the category of life sciences and biomedicine. • The increase for the USA and China is smaller and shows a decrease for technology. • There is a clear decrease in the collaboration between the USA and China. The goal of this investigation is to find out the role of external influences, such as COVID-19, on research production. We used the Web of Science to collect data and compared expected data, based on past performance, with actually observed data. We observed that the number of articles and reviews, published in 2021, has increased, even more than we expected. This increase is the largest for the broad category of life sciences and biomedicine. We studied this issue also for the USA and China separately and for the collaboration between these two countries. Here, we observed a huge decline in the collaboration between China and the USA. This observation points to another external influence on research productivity, namely geopolitical tensions that arose between these two research giants. We consider our study as a contribution to the science of science. Major limitations are the facts that we only used one database, restricted ourselves to normal articles and reviews, using whole counting, and studying one particular year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the effect of geopolitical tensions, oil prices, and carbon emission futures on green metal prices using the SVAR model. The study focuses on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and utilises a real-time daily dataset from December 1, 2021, to March 7, 2023. The findings show that geopolitical tensions and carbon emissions futures returns have a negative effect on green metal market returns, with oil price returns having a more significant negative impact than the observed temporary upticks. The study also identifies copper, nickel, silver, and zinc returns as negatively associated with geopolitical risk, while aluminium demonstrates a significant positive correlation after temporary downticks. The research further reveals that aluminium, copper, and zinc returns respond positively to carbon emissions futures, while nickel and silver returns correlate negatively. Additionally, oil price shocks negatively impact aluminium, copper, and zinc returns while exerting mixed influence on nickel and silver price returns, with more pronounced positive and negative shocks, respectively. The results have particular relevance in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War, with the positive response of carbon emissions futures to geopolitical risk potentially due to possible disruptions of policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The practical policy implications of the findings are discussed. Note: Sig denotes significance. [Display omitted] • The study examines effects of geopolitics, oil prices, and carbon futures on green metal prices. • Geopolitical risk and carbon emissions futures negatively affect green metal market returns. • Geopolitical risk negatively affects copper, nickel, silver, zinc; aluminium is positive. • Carbon futures positively affect aluminium, copper, zinc and negatively affect nickel, silver. • The findings offer practical policy implications for investment and risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covid-19 had shown the vulnerability of the food supply chain and fraudsters may take advantage of the pandemic whilst the population needed a continuous supply of safe and quality food. The lack of monitoring and policing in the food supply chain may encourage fraudsters to upscale their operations. Previous studies had warned of a surge in fraudulent products due to COVID-19. This raised the question on whether food fraud had increased during the pandemic? This study aims to investigate food fraud during COVID-19 and how the food supply chain develops mitigating strategies against fraudulent activities. A mixed-method approach including survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted among UK food businesses. Two hundred and two agri-food businesses responded to the survey and 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The majority of the food businesses did not experience an increase of food fraud activities during COVID-19. Two thematic domains and ten sub-themes were identified from the data set. There was a heightened sense of anticipation and preparation for increased fraudulent activities during the pandemic. The main risk mitigating strategies included horizon scanning; developing and maintaining supplier relationship and assurance; understanding product characteristics, testing capabilities, conducting vulnerability assessments and training. Practical and cost-effective strategies for small and medium food businesses were recommended. This is the first empirical study on food fraud and mitigating strategies of the UK food supply chain during the pandemic. Our findings provide evidence for informing the policies and practices of the food regulatory authorities as well as best practices to protect the UK food supply chain against food fraud during exogenous shocks like COVID-19. • Participating food businesses did not experience food fraud during COVID-19. • Previous incidents helped to prepare the food supply chain. • Geopolitical tensions were more concerning than COVID-19. • Food integrity is invaluable. • Diverse risk mitigating strategies were adopted to prevent food fraud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]