This book focuses on the incentives for armed conflict in the Great Lakes Region of Sub-Saharan Africa and its consequences, including social preferences and refugee integration. The contribution of this book is twofold. First, the book adds to the limited literature on incentives for engaging in armed conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa and the post-conflict recovery trajectory. Secondly, it provides evidence on likely forms of discrimination due to biases from social identity amongst refugees and hosts, which may affect refugee integration.

The book is organized as follows: the first chapter is a general motivation and framing of the studies. The second chapter investigates the incentives and disincentives for engaging in armed conflicts in the Great Lakes Region (GLR). The GLR has a history of armed conflict, with some active armed conflicts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have affected the development of the region. The GLR is also characterized by criss-crossing hostilities, including governments supporting fellow incumbent governments to quell a rebellion or supporting rebel groups hostile to sitting governments. The region provides an excellent case study for understanding the incentives and disincentives for armed conflict, especially in SSA. The third and fourth chapters address a highly policy-relevant issue in the context of refugee-hosting and integration. Humanitarian efforts to manage refugees have emphasized the need for self-reliance and reintegration with the host communities. The chapters examine the potential discrimination and biases that hosting communities may harbor towards refugees and how these attitudes can impact land transactions. Refugees may face discrimination emerging from differences in social identity and characterization within and external to refugee settlements. The behavioral attitudes of hosts may also influence their willingness to engage in land transactions with refugees. Amidst costly, unsustainable approaches to land distribution to refugees by hosting governments, land arrangements that hinge on the hosting communities' behavioral attributes, such as trust and altruism, may offer lasting solutions. If fairness or social preferences are profound amongst refugees and hosting communities, land transactions between hosts and refugees might provide an alternative sustainable approach for refugees to acquire land. Ignoring positive behavioral attributes through government provision may crowd out such private provision.
* Adds to the literature on incentives for armed conflict
* Evidence on trajectory for post- conflict recovery

A new theory of prejudice reduction, supported by rigorous evidence, arguing that public institutions and the people within them can improve intergroup relations in conflict-ridden societies

Decades of social science research focuses on reducing prejudice, which is considered an impediment to intergroup cooperation. Reducing prejudice is notoriously challenging, however, because it is durable and because it motivates avoidance of experiences that would improve intergroup relations. In Delivering Tolerance, Chagai Weiss develops a theory of prejudice reduction through public institutions. Weiss argues that instrumental, and often unintended, minority inclusion in public institutions that provide essential services-including schools, hospitals, and police forces-can facilitate various forms of exposure to out-group service providers that reduces prejudice at scale. Overcoming the challenges of both durability and avoidance, such exposure is especially persuasive in shifting attitudes toward minorities.

To test his theory, Weiss examines what is perhaps the most extreme, prominent, and intractable example of group conflict-the relationship of Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel (PCI). He finds that Israelis' brief yet meaningful interactions with PCI doctors reduce prejudice, and that information about the rate of PCI inclusion in Israeli healthcare institutions reduces intergroup animosity. He also shows that patterns of prejudice reduction generalize beyond the Israeli case of healthcare institutions, examining other institutional domains and examples of inclusion dynamics in the United States and Germany. Reducing prejudice is discouragingly difficult, but Weiss's account reveals how institutions and the people within them can improve intergroup relations in conflict-ridden societies.

This volume discusses the rise of drone technology in modern warfare, focusing on its profound implications for global military competition, arms control, and international security. Situated within the broader context of contemporary international relations, where emerging military technologies are increasingly central to the formulation of national security strategies, this book explores not only the technological advancements that enable drone warfare, but also the strategic, political, and ethical dilemmas that arise from their widespread use.

The scope of the book spans several key areas: the rapid development of drones as tools of military power, the implications for global arms races, the challenges they present to arms control frameworks, and the evolving nature of international security in an age of autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons systems. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this book draws on international relations theory, security studies, and military strategy, seeking to provide a nuanced understanding of the issues at play.

Filling a critical gap by providing a detailed, interdisciplinary examination of the global "drones race" and its consequences for security, governance, and international norms, this volume will be of interest to scholars and students working in fields such as security studies, arms control, the proliferation of conventional weapons, and international security.

Like other countries in East Central Europe, the Slovak Republic is facing new challenges which were not on the horizon at the time the communist system collapsed and there are worries that this country, with the pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico now at the helm, might be at risk of democratic backsliding. One of the key factors determining whether Slovakia will weather its current political difficulties or slide away from democracy is the strength of civic values such as tolerance, respect for the equality of people, and readiness to play by the rules of the political game.

This book looks at the record of the Slovak Republic in the years since 1993, taking into consideration politics, values as reflected in public opinion surveys, gender inequality, and the values communicated in literature, religion, and film. In addition, the volume takes a look at ethnic minorities, focusing especially on Slovakia's Hungarian minority.

This book examines traditional approaches to conflict resolution in Northern Nigeria, tracing their development from the pre-colonial period through to the present day. Drawing on a wide range of case studies, it highlights how indigenous systems, rooted in local customs, religious values, and communal authority, have historically played a key role in maintaining peace across diverse communities.

Chapters explore topics such as the farmer-herder conflict, the influence of Islamic scholarship, the legacy of colonial legal systems, and the continuing relevance of traditional rulers and justice mechanisms. The volume combines historical analysis with contemporary examples and argues for the reintegration of indigenous practices into modern peacebuilding efforts.

This book will be of interest to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working in conflict resolution, African studies, governance, and legal reform. It also offers important insights for those seeking locally grounded responses to insecurity in Nigeria and beyond.

This book explores how public history, a field developing globally, is gaining attention in Japan and being incorporated into existing Japanese academic studies and practices. Public history in Japan is conducted through an interdisciplinary approach, involving not only history but also folklore, sociology, cultural studies, and tourism studies.

Introducing the perspective of public history means more than just applying an imported discipline to Japan; it involves a broad reconsideration of existing scholarly research and practices. Part I of the book provides an overview of the current state of academia in Japan as described above. Part II presents several case studies of public history practices, digital public history, and museums and archives dealing with difficult aspects of the past such as minority issues and environmental pollution in postwar Japan.

This book not only illustrates the current state of public history in Japan but also offers a glimpse into the internationalization of today's public history, fostering active exchanges among researchers and practitioners worldwide.

The edited volume explores the unique positionality of girls as they experience gender-based violence. While girl children are often placed under the umbrella of womanhood, their location at the intersection of femalehood and childhood places them in a unique position with regards to various forms of exploitation and violence. Feminist theories, including feminist legal theory, provide pertinent avenues to explore girls' positionalities, yet girl children should also be contextualized in relation to their current lived experiences. This book firstly explores the cultural and visual portrayal of girlhood and its relationship with gender-based violence, and secondly provides case studies of specific violations of human rights encompassing sexual violence and exploitation. It considers legal, social and economic avenues to support girls in reclaiming their identity, dignity and bodily integrity.

Girls Positionalities at the Intersection of Identity and Violence fills an important gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive exploration of the unique situation of girls and gender-based violence in the 21st century. Chapdelaine-Feliciati brings together a remarkable set of scholars and practitioners in various disciplines, from childhood studies, law, history, political science and sociology, to communication and culture, digital arts, game studies and literature. Girls Positionalities covers timely issues, namely online violence, cosmetic surgery and deepfakes, popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Onlyfans and Pornhub, while addressing girls in specific situations, such as armed conflict, refugee girls, and violence in the educational setting. While many studies tend to focus on girls as victims, this volume emphasizes ways in which girls can be empowered and engage in the promotion of their rights through awareness-raising, policy reform and a cultural shift in the portrayals of girlhood globally. - Deanne Williams, Professor of English Literature and Girls' Studies, York University, Toronto, Canada, and Co-founder, Girls' Studies Research Network

Girls Positionalities constitutes a significant contribution to the field of girls' studies, feminist theory, child studies, human rights and international law. As a multidisciplinary volume featuring junior as well as senior scholars, it provides novel perspectives on contemporary issues pertaining to girls in both the Global South and the Global North, from gender apartheid, guerilla girls, sexual harassment in education, coercive control in relationships, child marriage, and FGM, to online violence against girls, sexual and reproductive health, girls in video games, and girls' political activism on platforms such as TikTok. Chapdelaine-Feliciati's volume is a "must read" for scholars and practitioners in human rights, feminist studies, childhood studies and girlhood studies. - Annick Farina, Professor of Linguistics, Universite Paris Sorbonne Nord, France

The financial crime landscape is rapidly evolving, and so too have government responses over the past decade. This book, a product of the Financial Integrity Hub (FIH), critically examines global vulnerabilities and proposes innovative solutions to combat illicit activities. It addresses the rising sophistication of financial crimes, fuelled by technological advances, globalisation, human fallibility, and regulatory gaps.

The book highlights the systemic nature of financial crime, connecting areas such as AML leadership challenges, exploitation of the gaming sector, AI in crime detection, wildlife trafficking financing, and opportunities in public-private and private-private information sharing. It explores how criminal activity can shift to exploit weaknesses in global systems, from corruption and godfatherism to state capture, underscoring the need for proactivity, along with suitable legal frameworks and enforcement.

Chapters explore the ethical dimensions of financial crime, including the role of professional facilitators, and highlight gaps in current legal frameworks, advocating stronger whistleblower protections, transparency in beneficial ownership, and adaptable regulations.

Through case studies and analysis, this book equips practitioners, policymakers, and academics with the knowledge to better prevent, detect, and mitigate financial crime, contributing to a more secure, transparent global financial system. It is essential reading for professionals across finance, law enforcement, regulation, and academia seeking to understand and mitigate financial crime risks.

Chapter "Geopolitcal of State Capture: Systemic Corruption as a Professional Service" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This open access book provides an in-depth exploration of how presidents, prime ministers, and their cabinets manage relationships and make decisions in times of international crises. The authors focus particularly on war and its effect on executive dualism and presidential activism. This systematic analysis concentrates on four Central European countries - Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia - and examines the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as earlier conflicts: the Kosovo crisis (1999), the Iraq War (2003), the Russo-Georgian War (2008), and Russia's annexation of Crimea and the emergence of separatist "republics" in eastern Ukraine (2014). All these conflicts had a major political impact on the political landscape of Central Europe, often empowering presidents, who represent the state externally and influence foreign and security policies.

This volume draws attention to the encounter between physics and Japanese philosophy during the last century. While a remarkable global network of Japanese philosophy has been growing and enhancing connections with the arts, religion, hermeneutics, aesthetics, the prevailing opinion is that there is no common ground for a meaningful dialogue between theoretical physics and Japanese philosophy. With a special focus on Nishida Kitaro's engagement with scientific thought, this book invites readers to appreciate both the significance of foundational questions arising from relativity and quantum theory for Japanese philosophy, and the insightful influence of certain East Asian philosophical notions on theoretical issues in modern physics.

The idea for this volume came up during the conference 'Philosophy and Physics between Europe and Japan, 1922-1953', held at the University of Naples Federico II in October 2023. Bringing together contributions from scholars of multiple areas of expertise, this book highlights, on the one hand, the scientific sensitivity of certain philosophers of the Kyoto School, and on the other, the role played by their analyses in the conceptual development of some Japanese physicists. This text identifies new research crucial to refining the understanding of theoretical issues at the heart of modern physics as well as to Japanese philosophy from an inter-cultural perspective. It appeals to researchers and students working at the crossroads of theoretical physics and Japanese philosophy.

This book provides a timely and essential exploration of masculinity and boyhood in the contemporary online and offline world. It critically examines the pressures faced by young men and boys, unpacking themes such as mental health, sexual behaviours and violence, while offering practical strategies for policy makers, educators, professionals, parents/carers and families. Through detailed analysis of her research, theory and professional experience, the author highlights how traditional, monolithic and rigid views of masculinity are contributing to poor outcomes for young men and boys.

This book maps the historical and cultural evolution of masculinity, scrutinising the influence of patriarchy, online subcultures, and dangerous role models. It sheds light on the rise of movements like the manosphere and Incel culture, while also tackling issues such as the impact of social media, sexting, and pornography on identity formation. The book focuses on the lack of youth voice in shaping sex and relationships education and the urgent need for reframing masculinity to foster more inclusive, supportive environments for boys and young men.

Drawing from a series of research projects that she has led, the author places the lived experiences of young men and boys at the centre of the conversation. It calls for a shift in societal perceptions and offers a framework for reframing masculinity in ways that benefits all genders.

Clear, grounded in research, and rooted in practice, this book is a crucial resource for those seeking to understand and transform how masculinity is constructed and how it can be reimagined for healthier futures.

The Business of Outer Space assesses selected legal issues associated with commercial space activities. The book begins by explaining the historical background that has given rise to the diverse and expanding contemporary commercial space industry, including important milestones that have facilitated the growth of the industry. The book explains the various segments or categories that make up the commercial space industry including their associated goods and services. This provides the reader with the context needed to comprehend the growth and diversification of commercial space activities from space manufacturing to satellite data services.

The book continues with a series of topical case studies of relevance to various space activities. For example, the book dedicates a chapter to examining the close connection that exists between commercial and military space activities and analysing how dual-use technologies offered by commercial entities have an important role to play in military space operations. The book continues with a deep dive into the emerging connections between the artificial intelligence industry and space industry, and the risks and opportunities therein. A significant and timely case study within the book is the regulation of satellite (mega) constellations. This case study examines commercial and regulatory issues associated with the deployment of satellite constellations, paying close attention to how current international space legal frameworks might regulate such activities. Of particular relevance to many space businesses is the topic of intellectual property. The book described in detail the application of patent law in the context of space activities and discusses how international space law and certain domestic laws may provide greater certainty for space actors with regards to intellectual property and space activities. Finally, considering the complex engineering considerations faced by many space companies, the book provides the reader with a detailed analysis of how a system-of-systems risk management approach can assist with some of the challenges associated with designing and operating commercial space missions.

The work contained in this book is intended to provide the reader with series of select case studies examining topics related to commercial space activities. The book will appeal to a broad range of reader from policy makers, space lawyers, regulatory bodies, space businesses, national space agencies as well as academics, researcher, and students.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), this book collects contributions by leading scholars and practitioners to assess the legacy, current challenges, and future trajectory of one of the cornerstone treaties in arms control and disarmament. As the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire class of weapons, the BWC has played a central role in shaping international norms against the hostile use of biology. Yet, half a century later, questions about its effectiveness, enforcement and evolution remain.

This volume offers an examination of the BWC's development, from its Cold War origins to its modern-day relevance in a world marked by rapid advances in biotechnology, increasing geopolitical tensions, and emerging biological threats. The contributions reflect on the treaty's history, assess its institutional and normative strengths and shortcomings, and engage with contemporary points of contention, including dual-use research and verification.

Looking forward, the volume discusses possible pathways for strengthening the BWC, exploring new mechanisms for compliance, transparency and international cooperation. It also addresses the importance of bridging the gaps between scientific innovation, policy development and security governance.

Intended for both academic audiences and policy practitioners, 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention provides critical insights and forward-looking perspectives on the enduring relevance of the BWC. Whether read as a historical retrospective or a call to action for the future of biological disarmament, this collection offers an essential resource for those committed to understanding and enhancing global biosecurity in an increasingly complex world.

Barry de Vries is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, while Kristoffer Burck and Sannimari Veini are Research Assistants; all three editors work in the Chair for Public Law and International Law Department of the Justus-Liebig University Giessen in Giessen, Hessen, Germany.

Chapter 16 and chapter 17 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.spriner.com

This book addresses one of the most pressing issues of international law in recent years, attempts to acquire territory by force. When powerful States are not satisfied with territorial status quo and are unwilling to give up their interests for peace, there is an inherent difficulty in stopping their attempts to acquire territory by force. This book will review the efforts made so far to stop such attempts, examine the current state of rules of international law against them, and explore how rule of law can be strengthened. It is written by a former legal advisor who participated in the proceedings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the Advisory Opinion issued on July 19, 2024. Based on the approach often taken by practitioners working for governments, who tend to appreciate narrative based on persuasive evidence and logic and increasingly rely on views expressed by courts and tribunals, the scope of the prohibition of acquisition of territory by force and, as an alternative rule, the prohibition of use of force is examined. Acts constituting attempts to acquire territory by force and their contexts which contribute to the violation of the two prohibitions will be analysed, and cases likely to amount to their violation will be explored. It will also discuss whether States can acquire territory by use of force in self-defence and examine obligations arising from the violation of the prohibition of acquisition of territory by force for third States.

This edited volume is a comprehensive and extensive analysis of key legal developments of the EU and its Member States during the two-decade period of the largest EU enlargement spanning 2004-2024, with insights on the EU's future. The accession of ten countries (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) was an unprecedented event in its scale and its long-lasting effects on security, stability and prosperity in Europe. Today's EU is the result of not only how Member States have benefitted from opportunities but also how they have responded to crises.

Part I emphasizes the EU as a peace-orientated integration through (the rule of) law. Part II reveals EU identity as a value-based legal entity and EU membership as a constitutional value among other aspects such as accession treaties and the experience of particular States (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland) with some historical discourse. Part III explores different aspects of European integration, such as principles of effectiveness and proportionality, issues of external relations, common foreign and security policy and the rule of law, jurisdiction of the EU Court of Justice and EU law-affected developments in national criminal law, civil law and procedure. Part IV addresses crucial issues pending for the Union in the nearest future, mainly further EU enlargement with a focus on Ukraine's accession (and the related issue of seeking justice) as well as the topics of the relation between EU law and national law and EU future reform.

The book is a source of knowledge and inspiration for researchers and practitioners in the field of EU law and should also be useful for anyone interested in EU law, EU membership, and EU law-affected fields of domestic law and further European integration.

Indre Isokaite-Valuze is an Associate Professor at the Law Faculty of Vilnius University in Lithuania.

Haroldas Sinkunas is a Professor at the Law Faculty of Vilnius University in Lithuania.

Populism has fundamentally altered many aspects of world politics. As President Donald J. Trump's recent threats to U.S. allies and his imposition of wide-ranging tariffs have made all too clear, "populist" leaders can have a major impact not just on domestic but also foreign policy.
The first edition of Populism and Word Politics was the first book-length treatment of populism from an International Relations (IR) perspective. The second edition reflects the continuation and evolution of populism in world politics, and includes a new introduction, updated chapters and an additional contribution on populist security narratives.
Written by leading experts in the field, the chapters in this volume explore the many ways populism and world politics intersect, including the importance of populist leadership and global media as well as populism's impact on trade and the liberal international order.
Presented in an accessible and clear style, this book is an essential resource for students and IR scholars, as well as practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.

This book examines the inherent issues and challenges associated with political communication in Nigeria; from politicians" utilization of various media of mass communication for political campaigns including information campaigns which the authors classified as policy campaigns; the attempts by the government to use various strategies for direct and indirect controls of free flow of news and information and the impact of ethnicity, regionalism and political personality cults or social engineering strategies to corner and retain power for as long as is possible. The book also studies the use of political communication within the advertising industry, starting with the early days of the West Africa Publicity through the Lintas era to the present. The book"s narratives of the emergence and utilization of the various social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram among others brought narratives of political communication processes into the 21st century. Of special interest is the policy/information campaigns discussed in the book. Information available on policy/information campaigns in Nigeria, and beyond suggests that many of the policy campaigns failed for one reason or the other. However, information campaigns such as the change over from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right-hand side succeeded because it was either the motorists obeyed the policy campaign or get killed in a vehicular accident. The motorist has no choice but to go along

In response to the puzzling variety of types and degrees of sub-state autonomy that are demanded within sub-state entities and that are granted by states all around the world, this book provides a systematic comparison of the conditions under which sub-state autonomy has been demanded and under which it has been granted in three typical countries undergoing centrifugal sociological decentralization: Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom. To do so, the book draws on an analytical framework that studies the evolution sub-state autonomy demands and statutes jointly, that assesses sub-state autonomy in kind, in degree and by competences, that relates the evolutions to factors from the five main theoretical strands of the field, and that does so based on original data collected in 31 sub-state communities within the three countries between 1801 and 2020. The findings of the analyses are illustrated through the metaphor of 'waves' of sub-state autonomy and articulated around a dual constellational theory of centrifugal sociological decentralisation. It is constellational in that it explains sub-state mobilisation and restructuring as driven by the interplay of factors from different theoretical strands. It is dual in that it shows sub-state autonomy dynamics to unfold differently in two main types of entities: sub-state communities with strong sociological distinctiveness and historical political grievances (e.g. Flanders, Catalonia or Scotland), and sub-state communities with weaker sociological distinctiveness and historical political grievances (e.g. Wallonia, Asturias or Cornwall).

This book assembles accomplished scholars and fresh new contributors to provide expert analysis on congressional campaigns and elections. Every election is pivotal, but few in American history have held the potential to upend the democratic norms and procedures undergirding our republican system of government. This book reveals the key campaign themes, candidates, issues, demographics, and strategies that determined control of the 119th Congress, and the future directions of politics in America.

Positioned at the intersection of regional leadership and global influence, this reference work offers a rigorous and timely analysis of Brazil's evolving geopolitical role-as the world's fifth largest nation, South America's leading power, a strategic South Atlantic actor, and a pivotal member of the expanding BRICS+ coalition. Structured into four insightful parts (1) The Making of Brazil as an International Actor, (2) Geo-Economics and Technology, (3) Classic Perspectives on Geopolitics, and (4) Contemporary Debates: Critical and Meta Geopolitics - this book brings together a rich array of topics that reflect Brazil's multifaceted global engagement. Beyond traditional themes like Brazilian politics, economy, and foreign policy, this volume delves into pressing contemporary issues: energy geopolitics, defence, regional engagement, Amazon geopolitics, polar and outer space affairs, nuclear autonomy, marine spatial planning, naval projects, food security, lithium, Artificial Intelligence, and submarine cables. The book also explores Brazil's strategic relationships with China, the United States, and the European Union, while offering fresh perspectives on its ties with African nations (e.g., Angola, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, Nigeria, South Africa), Russia, and India. Broader global themes such as ZOPACAS, CPLP, BRICS+ cooperation, and UN Security Council reform are also critically assessed.

This book offers a fresh rethinking of Turkish foreign policy under the Justice and Development Party (AKP), drawing on both mainstream and critical approaches within International Relations (IR) theory. Through a series of region-specific case studies-including Turkey's evolving policies toward Syria, Iraq, Israel, the Gulf, and the Eastern Mediterranean-it explores the complex interplay of domestic, regional, and global drivers that shape foreign policy choices. The chapters engage with diverse theoretical perspectives such as Neo-Realism, Constructivism, Neo-Marxism, Critical Geopolitics, and Ontological Security. The contributors critically assess how well-established IR frameworks account for Turkey's foreign policy behaviour in a shifting international landscape. In doing so, they test not only the boundaries of conventional theory but also contribute to the development of more nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to foreign policy analysis.

Accessible to both scholars and general readers, this book enriches IR scholarship while providing new perspectives on Turkey's shifting role in a transforming Middle East.

The book unpacks the European Union's (EU) connectivity agenda, in the context of global environmental governance, with a particular focus on development partnerships, i. As the world struggles to realise the sustainable development goals (SDGs), mobilizing appropriate resources towards the vulnerable is crucial. Institutionalising collaborative and cooperative frameworks of financial sustainability becomes pivotal. The book makes a case for Brussels to collaborate with the global South towards facilitating innovative solutions for the global good. Trilateral development cooperation between India and EU, under the India-EU Connectivity Strategy is important. Here, the imperative to build North-South cooperation is to bridge the divide between the two and move beyond a two-bloc world, thus underlining multilateralism.

This book investigates the groundbreaking diplomatic breakthrough between Saudi Arabia and Iran, mediated by China in March 2023-a striking departure from the traditional Western-dominated diplomatic processes that have long shaped the Middle East. This pivotal moment reflects a complex interplay of strategic calculations, domestic pressures, and shifting geopolitical realities, with far-reaching implications for regional and global power dynamics. The analysis unpacks the reasons why Saudi Arabia-a key regional actor-chose China, rather than a Western power, to mediate its rapprochement with Iran, an enduring rival. It investigates Riyadh's strategic priorities, recalibration of foreign policy, and the broader context of its regional ambitions. Simultaneously, the book explores Iran's motivations for embracing a China-brokered deal, examining how domestic economic challenges, regime stability, and diplomatic isolation influenced its decision to pursue a thaw in relations with Saudi Arabia. By situating this diplomatic realignment within the broader decline of Western influence in the Middle East, the book highlights how new patterns of engagement are emerging-ones that often bypass traditional Western channels in favor of authoritarian-led mediation. In doing so, it offers insight into the circumstances under which authoritarian states prefer third-party mediation by fellow authoritarian regimes-and when such arrangements produce the most durable outcomes. Ultimately, the book offers a novel perspective on the evolving nature of diplomacy in a multipolar world, where emerging powers like China are reshaping the geopolitical landscape through pragmatic, interest-based engagement.

This edited volume examines pathways toward achieving peaceful and sustainable futures, drawing from diverse case studies and conceptual frameworks. As the fourth in a well-received series, it builds upon established research while addressing the practical connections between peace and sustainability. The theme of the book was deeply examined and thoughtfully interrogated at the NERPS 2025 conference in Manila, where researchers and practitioners gathered to discuss these crucial intersections. At the heart of this book is the matter of how environmental sustainability and peace support each other-a connection that deserves greater attention in both research and policy. The collection compiles global perspectives, providing empirical evidence that integrated approaches to peace and sustainability yield more effective outcomes than when these objectives are pursued independently. Contributors analyze various initiatives across educational systems, governance structures, community organizations, and technological innovations to identify both challenges and opportunities for progress. By examining real-world examples, the volume offers insights into successful interventions as well as persistent barriers. This work provides researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with knowledge that can help address interconnected challenges of conflict and environmental change.

How goods and people in motion across the ancient world were entangled through consumption

The ancient world was a far more interconnected place than is often assumed. Maritime routes across the Indian Ocean, by no means peripheral, made these connections possible. In Sea of Treasures, Jeremy Simmons puts forth an entirely new perspective on Indian Ocean commerce, starting with commodities of trade and the patterns of consumption that resulted from their importation. Looking beyond the mechanics of long-distance travel or the economics of "Indo-Roman" exchange, Simmons considers the consequences of objects in motion: how Indian Ocean imports shaped the lives of humans throughout the wider ancient world. In his exploration of textual and archaeological sources from both the Mediterranean basin and the Indian subcontinent, he traces a series of sensuous and intellectual engagements that entangled people and things both tangible and intangible, from spices, coins, and gemstones to information and artistic style.

Each chapter addresses a different encounter and its experiential effects, including Roman outrage at Indian Ocean products; ingestion of consumables such as spices and alcohol; adornment and its sociocultural value; indirect exposure to luxury goods and the proliferation of imitations; and elite access to knowledge about treasured commodities. Drawing on theoretical discussions relating to objects, their material composition, and their roles in human activity, Simmons offers a cultural history of Indian Ocean trade through a holistic understanding of consumption. By interrogating long-held assumptions about Mediterranean dominance in Indian Ocean trade, Simmons expands our understanding of a global Afro-Eurasian world-one that afforded relationships with an ever-widening array of things.