By Layla Bautista Source: Reuters Russia and China are among the most controversial States in geopolitics, and their ability to project soft power is a topic that has been vigorously debated by scholars and political commentators. Although China and Russia are one party states, they have improved their ability to project soft power, primarily through positioning themselves as a counter to Western values. But due to the nature of their regimes, their ability to project soft po

By Hayley Hulme Source: RUSI The New Strategic Resource Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming one of the defining geopolitical issues of the 21st century. Once viewed primarily as a commercial innovation driven by private technology firms, AI is now deeply connected to national security, economic competitiveness, and international influence. Increasingly, policymakers recognise that AI is a strategic asset capable of reshaping global power dynamics. Increasi

By Christina Cushen Source: The Taliban continue to restrict the rights of women in Afghanistan. (AFP: Wakil Kohsar) It has been 5 years since the fall of Afghanistan and Taliban fighters took control of the capital, Kabul. Since that day, Afghan women and girls have been targeted and isolated from the rest of the world. The fall of Afghanistan has instigated calls from the international community to declare Gender Apartheid as an international crime as the Taliban hide betwe