ISDP Voices

With everyone’s eyes glued to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran in West Asia, a question arises in the far eastern waters of the Taiwan Strait—how similar or different will the situation be if a cross-strait war flares up? And how will it affect its neighboring countries that host United […]

Since the Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” on April 2, 2025, the world has witnessed the unravelling of the global trade order like never before as Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs against all economies to varying degrees. While the seeds of it were sown during his first term, Trump has taken his protectionist agenda to unprecedented […]

As the U.S.-Israeli War in Iran completes a month, neither an exit plan nor an end is in sight. The only thing certain remains the uncertainty, and Europe’s silence. Following the recent European Council Summit, which saw leaders call for de-escalation in the region, increased protection of civilians and infrastructure, and protection of EU interests […]

The global nonproliferation community has treated allies and adversaries alike when it comes to nuclear-related issues, in order to preserve the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which is widely regarded as conventional wisdom. Such ‘policy correctness’ based on morality sounds principled, but it is strategically incoherent in practice. Nowhere is this duality more visible than in […]

Few countries are more exposed to disruptions in global trade than Sweden. When instability strikes the world’s key maritime chokepoints, the consequences travel quickly through energy markets and supply chains that sustain export-driven economies. The escalating war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has already triggered such a shock: Iranian forces have reportedly laid […]

Today, K-pop is appreciated all over the world, and it is often asked why Korean performers are so good at singing and acting on stage. Without being directly related to it, pansori, an ancient art form, might be one element that serves as a background phenomenon. Pansori is a story performed, both spoken and sung, […]

Introduction With a culture rooted in Confucian traditions, where personal value is inseparable from social rank and lifelong comparison, South Korea’s dynamic and vibrant modern lifestyle masks the strain of a hyper-competitive society. This is particularly so among young people. From early childhood, students are evaluated by academic performance, which determines access to prestigious middle […]

As a key U.S. ally, Japan has been slowly but naturally involved in a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) in recent years. The AUKUS partnership was established in September 2021 by the three countries to support a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although it is not a formal […]

After almost three years on hold, the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan recently announced plans to advance construction of the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), agreeing to broaden collaboration in industry, agriculture, mining, and green energy. The question that arises is whether China is exporting infrastructure or a worldview? As Beijing speaks the language […]

Recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2026 showcased growing concern among middle powers over the durability of the post-WWII international order. Carney’s call for a foreign policy grounded in “value-based realism” was not a mere rhetorical expression. It reflected a structural shift in international politics in […]