Journal of Peace and Diplomacy

The Essequibo Conundrum: Conflict Analysis of Venezuela-Guyana Border Dispute

2024-12-30T06:00:16+00:00

The long-standing boundary dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region comprising 70% of Guyana's territory, is deeply rooted in colonial history and geopolitical interests. The conflict escalated significantly after the 2015 discovery of massive oil and gas reserves off the Essequibo coast, estimated at over 11 billion barrels. This discovery prompted Venezuela to renew its territorial claims, citing historical colonial rights. Conversely, Guyana bases its sovereignty on international legal rulings, such as the 1899 arbitration award, and public opinion surveys that show an overwhelming majority supporting Essequibo's retention. The dispute has led to heightened tensions at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and ongoing international legal proceedings. This research examines the conflict through Johan Galtung's concepts of positive and negative peace, as well as direct and structural violence. It investigates the underlying causes and potential resolutions, including the role of historical grievances, the economic stakes, and political instability. The study explores solutions such as international mediation, joint development agreements, and referendums in the disputed area, while recognizing the obstacles posed by entrenched nationalist sentiments and differing governance approaches. These complexities underscore the challenge of achieving a sustainable resolution to this deeply rooted conflict.

Gender, Militarism, and Resistance: An Analysis of Afghan and Kashmiri Women’s Struggles

2024-12-30T06:41:59+00:00

This comparative study examines the resistance movements of Muslim women in Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir, who confront structural injustices rooted in patriarchy and the pervasive impact of decades of militarism and militarization. The research explores why Muslim women in these regions are resisting both the state and societal norms, and how militarism has shaped their lives. The study employs a qualitative methodology, grounded in interpretivism as the ontological position and a feminist standpoint as the epistemological framework. Data were collected from secondary sources and analyzed using feminist content analysis. The findings reveal that militarism has significantly undermined women's agency, creating barriers to their mobility, education, employment, and economic participation. The research concludes that recognizing the suffering of women in these contexts is crucial for advancing women's rights, with a focus on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Afghanistan and Kashmir.

The Great Recession and International Economic Order: Insights from Global Economic Crises

2024-12-30T06:19:41+00:00

The emergence of a new world order has become a topic of significant debate among international relations scholars in the wake of the Great Recession, as the U.S.-led global order established after World War II seems to be nearing its decline. However, some scholars fail to consider the impact of economic recessions on the world order, often overlooking the structural shifts within the international economic and financial system. This article seeks to clarify these shifts by analyzing four major global economic recessions between 1929 and 2020. It also explores the causal relationship between economic recessions and the evolution of the international economic order, examining how major powers act to preserve stability. The findings show that global economic recessions do not necessarily result in the emergence of a new world order; rather, the international economic order changes only when a leading economic power fails to stabilize the system. In all the case studies analyzed, the U.S. retained its role as the primary stabilizer of the global system, with a limited shift of responsibility to China during the 2008 Great Recession

Leadership or Symbolism? Evaluating India’s Contradictions in Global South Diplomacy and Strategic Exclusions

2024-12-30T06:50:37+00:00

India’s self-positioning in the Global South faces substantial challenges and contradictions, limiting its capacity to assert genuine leadership. Although India has undertaken initiatives such as hosting the Voice of the Global South Summit and promoting priorities relevant to developing countries, these efforts are frequently manifested as symbolic gestures rather than producing significant and actionable outcomes. The dual role India seeks—acting as a leader in the Global South while simultaneously aligning closely with the United States in the Indo-Pacific strategy—creates inconsistencies within its foreign policy framework, thereby undermining its credibility on the global stage. Additionally, India’s decision to exclude key developing nations such as China, Pakistan, and Brazil from its Global South diplomacy further emphasizes the limitations of its approach. This exclusion not only reflects strategic miscalculations but also complicates India’s ability to effectively advocate for the interests of the Global South. As a result, India faces significant difficulties in reconciling its national interests with the collective aspirations of the Global South, which may hinder its potentiality to foster meaningful partnerships and promote a cohesive strategy for global governance. India’s contradictory foreign policy and exclusion of key developing nations undermine its aspirations for a cohesive Global South leadership.

Language Services and Regional Development: Assessing Hebei Province's Role in Supporting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

2024-12-30T06:47:06+00:00

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened new avenues for economic and cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. With Hebei Province actively participating in this initiative, the demand for language services has surged to enable effective communication across various sectors. This study examines the current status and future requirements of language services in Hebei Province within the context of the CPEC. Using fieldwork and survey methods, we have gathered data from Hebei-based enterprises involved in CPEC projects to assess their language service needs and evaluate the quality and scope of existing provisions. The findings reveal that Hebei enterprises engaged in CPEC-related projects predominantly require language services in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. Additionally, the study highlights that language services offered by Hebei organizations are generally of high quality, particularly in addressing technical and specialized translation tasks. To further enhance Hebei’s language service capabilities, the study recommends establishing specialized language service centers, advancing service specialization, training bilingual and trilingual professionals, fostering the development of translation and interpretation technologies, and creating collaborative networks among language service providers. By addressing these recommendations, Hebei’s language services can play a pivotal role in supporting the success of the CPEC, contributing to deeper economic and cultural integration between China and Pakistan.