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 Deborah Bouchez Source: President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb described foreign policy as resting on three essential pillars: values, interests, and power. In an increasingly fractured international environment, where authoritarian assertiveness is on the rise and alliances are being tested, many observers have turned to realism to explain state behaviour. Realist thinkers emphasise power and survival above all. But in such a world, can values and interest

By Sybilla George Source: DFAT, Australia In 2013, the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Abbott government, Julie Bishop, announced the...