Johan RBH Boie’s Post

The city-state has benefited from its ability to connect with both the US and China, but these relations risk having a “worst of both worlds” outcome if it gets wrongly caught up in the sharpening rivalry between both superpowers, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday (Sep 3). https://bt.sg/BFSn

The desire to enlarge the #EU for geopolitical reasons ignores both the causes behind the stagnation of the accession process in the last decade and the extraordinary challenges enlargement would present to the bloc and its member states. Victor Burguete Vidal highlights the need to look for alternatives to enlargement, and explores how differentiated integration could serve as a transition phase until the EU carries out internal reforms that are vital if it is to accommodate new members.

In this week’s Factum Perspective, Madhuka Rukmalgama traces the ripple effects of Washington’s new tariff regime on India—from domestic fallout to a cautious diplomatic reset with China—and what it may reveal about the changing architecture of global power. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g8y4RDEZ #Factum #TheBalancedAnalysis

How does the European Union's foreign policy engagement with #Armenia evolve? Together with our partners from the SHAPEDEM-EU project, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum's Alexandra Sabou and Antonella Aloia looked into the EU's foreign policy approach with Armenia. Looking at the history of EU-Armenia relations and EU criteria for foreign policy engagement, the paper assesses the democratic nature of EU practices in its foreign policy and security engagement with Armenia. It demonstrates how the EU evolved as a security and democracy support actor in Armenia by expanding its reach beyond state elites to support civil society actors. The analysis shows that the EU's foreign policy work in Armenia - including on security matters - has significantly improved even though much remains to be done given the close ties between Armenia's and Russia's security sectors. The paper also highlights areas of improvements, particularly in terms of social empowerment and social accountability. You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/etTkjyxd

Serbia’s engagement with BRICS reflects a search for new diplomatic and economic options, but its long-term trajectory remains firmly tied to Europe. While cooperation with non-Western partners may diversify opportunities, Serbia’s economy, institutions, and strategic goals are deeply aligned with the EU. 📄 Read the full analysis: https://lnkd.in/dmJmHESQ

A lasting detente between India and China continues to be out of reach, despite recent diplomatic gestures and mediation attempts by Russia. Modi's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the revival of direct flights hint at a potential easing of tensions. However, deep-rooted challenges like unresolved border conflicts in the Himalayas, significant strategic mistrust, increasing economic interdependencies alongside technological disputes, and the enduring China-Pakistan alliance persist, hindering any significant progress towards reconciliation. Nationalistic sentiments within both nations further constrain diplomatic flexibility, solidifying the entrenched rivalry and casting doubt on the feasibility of the much-discussed 'Dragon-Elephant Tango'.

https://lnkd.in/eYdMcn2S A good initiative that should continue to its fruition in the interest of the region as a whole. The north-south corridor along with the east-west connectivity should restore Armenia’s historical significance as a lostical hub for global trade and development. There’s much to benefit on a win-win basis for the South Caucasus region that should not be undermined through hegemonic ambitions of big power rivalries. I remain optimistic of the outcome. Given the historical ties between Iran, Armenia and India, there’s much to build upon. I wish the process had started much earlier.

Sign this petition to demand that European leaders take a stand for human rights. Share widely. Silence is complicity — let’s make our voices heard. Stop Europe's Complicity: Sanction Authoritarian Regimes Like Vietnam! Europe must stop prioritizing profit over principles. While authoritarian regimes like Vietnam silence dissent and imprison activists, European institutions continue to engage in trade and diplomacy — ignoring blatant human rights violations. We demand immediate sanctions and a full review of all partnerships with governments that repress their citizens. Democracy is not for sale. https://chng.it/qPpWp6y7FG

China builds bridges on uneven ground in Central Asia with new collective treaty In Brief China’s June 2025 treaty with the five Central Asian states aims to institutionalise the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting connectivity, trade and digital cooperation while establishing a long-term legal foundation for a reshaped regional order. The agreement strengthens China’s influence and enhances Central Asia’s integration. But it also renews concerns over debt dependence, the environmental impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative and the concentration of strategic power. https://lnkd.in/db6WrSxX

President John Dramani Mahama and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, have resolved to deepen significantly the longstanding partnership between Ghana and Japan, with a focus on increased investment and international cooperation. #JohnMahama #JapanesePM #PledgesTies #Diplomticaffairs #Ghana #Japan Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/dNU5YTpG