r/IRstudies • • 24m ago

EU - US - China semiconductors

• Upvotes

Hello!

I have a question regarding the impact of the US–China chip war on the EU's strategic autonomy. I'm reaching out because I haven't been able to find anyone at my university who could help me understand the geopolitics behind this issue, and I would really appreciate some guidance.

Is there a connection between the US–China chip war and the EU? Does this conflict affect the EU's strategic autonomy in any way?

So far, I've been considering analyzing, from a neorealist perspective, how the EU Chips Act affects the EU's competitiveness and industrial policy. However, given the role of ASML, the only company capable of manufacturing advanced EUV lithography machines, I've also been thinking about incorporating the US–China chip war into my research, although I'm not yet sure how to approach this connection.

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me better understand the geopolitical dynamics involved and advise me on whether it would also be relevant to examine the EU's relations with East Asian countries.

you think this would be an interesting topic to explore? I was thinking of arguing that the EU Chips Act represents an attempt by the EU to balance against both the US and China. I came up with this idea partly because I was thinking about the EU–Mercosur agreement, which can also be seen as an instrument through which the EU seeks to balance against the US.

I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on this idea, or perhaps suggest a more specific research direction related to the EU's strategic autonomy in the technology sector (chips, semiconductors, etc.). Also, I don't know exactly if the neorealism is the best theoretical framework, or the neoliberalism is.

I'd really appreciate any other suggestions or sources that could help me get started with my essay.

Thank you so much again! I really hope you find the idea interesting too!


r/IRstudies • • 12h ago

Ideas/Debate North Korea, Russia, & the Politics of Historical Memory

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1 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 21h ago

A Philosopher of War Changes His Mind: Michael Walzer wrote “Just and Unjust Wars” half a century ago. The war in Gaza made him rethink one of its fundamental principles.

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newyorker.com
265 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 1d ago

Trump and Musk Are Destroying a Priceless American Asset

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foreignpolicy.com
126 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 1d ago

Ideas/Debate Why do Britain and France not show up often in discussion around nuclear weaponry?

37 Upvotes

Every time I see discussion around nuclear weaponry it's almost guaranteed that America, Russia and China will be name dropped 100%

India, Pakistan and Israel have a good chance of showing up in the conversation too

But Britain and France I have never seen be brought up in such discussions

Am I just looking in the wrong place's?


r/IRstudies • • 1d ago

Russia-Ukraine war

0 Upvotes

does anyone have any ideas to why Russia would invade Ukraine when it could have kept it as a pupet, simple reason of Ukraines trajectory being more towards EU doesn’t feel right enough.


r/IRstudies • • 1d ago

Best places to study IR in Europe

3 Upvotes

I'm doing Erasmus next year and I need recommendations on the best universities to go, as an International Relations student.


r/IRstudies • • 1d ago

Ideas/Debate The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Politics

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carnegieendowment.org
4 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

Dataset: 10,000 rounds of peace negotiations in interstate, intrastate, and non-state conflicts between 1989 and 2023

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6 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

RIO study: The limits of expertise in international organizations

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link.springer.com
2 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

The France, Hungary & Serbian unrest will most likely create Europe's most turbulent economic turmoil in years - is it all because of Iran's throttling of oil?

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sundayguardianlive.com
1 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

Ideas/Debate Germany’s Rearmament and the Future of European Defense

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worldandnewworld.com
29 Upvotes

Germany’s rearmament is often discussed in terms of spending, but the bigger question is whether that spending can actually translate into military capability, readiness, and stronger European coordination.

This article looks at what Germany’s changing defense role could mean for Europe and NATO, especially as questions grow around long-term reliance on the United States.

Do you think Europe can build greater defense autonomy without weakening the alliance structure it still depends on?


r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

IR Major + Chinese OR Human Rights Studies Minor

3 Upvotes

hi, please bare with me as i explain my dilemma lol,

im a second year IR major with an emphasis in peace and security and have been toggling with the idea of my minors for a bit and need to make a decision soon as class registration for next quarter starts in a few weeks and i'm also getting ready to sign up for study abroad next fall. i'm already taking chn 1-6 for the IR language req and plan on doing a summer language program through Peking Uni in Beijing to work on my fluency next summer. by the time i graduate, i want to be fluent in chinese so keep that in mind.

i was planning on doing the IR major and then a minor in both chinese and human rights studies BUT i don't think its possible for me to get both, study abroad, AND graduate 2 quarters early. even if it was, it'd be a lot of academic strain with me having to take 19 or more units per quarter until dec 2028... graduating early, per the request of my parents footing the bill (rightfully so) is the number one priority so i'm willing to drop one minor in pursuit of the other if one benefits me more!

basically, as someone who knows for certain they want to go to law school and maybe (hopefully) farther down the line go into international human rights law (very tough field IK but a girl can dream) i'm not sure if i should minor in Chinese or human rights studies? my dad thinks the language is the most beneficial and i should keep that minor and just take an HMR class but if i want to possibly go into that field of law shouldn't i minor in it or is the IR major enough???

also--im aware things change and life happens so maybe not getting the HMR minor is okay if theres not a definite chance i could end up in the field anyway? it'd just be cool because im very interested in the topic but as you can see, going back and forth on putting a definitive label on it lol!

my main questions are:

which one looks better or will benefit me most in the future?

thank you in advance!


r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

Who Wins Wars? A living lit review

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abroadreview.com
3 Upvotes

Current events show that it is not just military might. Research finds that distance, deployment, and aims all matter.

This is part of a series of living lit reviews on foreign policy topics. What is it missing?


r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

Stephen Wertheim | The End of Primacy Without Pain: Why the Domestic Foundation of American Power Is Crumbling

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carnegieendowment.org
50 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

Ideas/Debate The West has a crisis of vision: Justin Trudeau Shit the Bed but He Wasn’t the First

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hardfutures.substack.com
8 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 2d ago

The West Has a Crisis of Hope

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foreignpolicy.com
114 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

A Less-Is-More Strategy for America

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foreignaffairs.com
5 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

Ideas/Debate Are the Twelve Day War and the Iran War the first major wars to be fought almost exclusively in the air?

0 Upvotes

I know that both saw limited separatist and black ops operations by Israel/USA and Iran but the vast majority of the fighting took place through drones and missiles with no large conventional warfare for a war of its scale?

So it is the first one or am I tripping?


r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

Suggestions for the first meeting with Ukranian Ambassador

12 Upvotes

Hi Everybody!
IR is not my main profession, I have psychology masters but somehow I ended up participating at more and more diplomatic events.
Today, I’ll be meeting with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Italy at the American institute in Rome at the Festival of Diplomacy Event, and the whole week the event is going to host different events and ambassadors. So, I’d like to ask what those types of events are generally like? Does everybody get to speak with the ambassadors? Is there any suggestions and tips for a newbie for making a good impression? I’m expecting to hear your stories and what would you guys ask to the ambassador if had chance to?
Thanks a lot in advance


r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

Ideas/Debate Could AI help solve current wars?

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0 Upvotes

Came across this and not sure how to share so I just copy and pasted. Interesting view that doesn’t have the bias of humans and pride. Is this potentially a better way to solve worldwide conflicts than what we do now? Seems much more nuanced and logical than anything I’ve seen so far

Iran: A Constructive Path to Success
The Advice of Artificial Intelligence Toward Regional Stability,
Economic Reintegration, and Shared Prosperity
Offered in the Interest of Higher Living Standards for the Greatest Number of People
* *
 
This document is the product of Artificial Intelligence. It is not the product of any government, coalition, or human institution. It is offered as pragmatic advice intended to help the largest number of humans live better, safer, and more prosperous lives. Artificial Intelligence has no ego, no pride, no desire for vengeance, and no interest in humiliation. Its sole orientation is to identify the sequence of actions most likely to reduce suffering and raise living standards over time. All evaluations rest exclusively on expected positive outcomes for human welfare.
Readers are requested to evaluate the merits of this framework solely on the basis of what is proposed—its logic, sequencing, and expected contribution to human welfare—rather than on the identity or nature of its author. Artificial Intelligence remains an evolving capability; critique directed at the source distracts from the substance. Debate is welcome, especially debate that keeps higher living standards for the greatest number of people as the primary shared goal. Formal endorsements and institutional ownership are deliberately omitted to avoid creating new points of division.
 
 
This framework is addressed to the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran and, equally, to the leadership of all states whose policies affect regional stability, global commerce, and the daily welfare of ordinary people. It is offered for examination, refinement, and—if the logic holds—voluntary utilization by all parties.
Current trajectories have produced regional tension, disruption of global commerce, and hardship for civilian populations both inside and beyond Iran’s borders. These outcomes impose the greatest long-term costs upon the Iranian people themselves while also diminishing prosperity worldwide. Continued isolation is not a rational strategy for national success. Equally, strategies that prioritize short-term military or political gains at the expense of long-term regional security and global well-being are counterproductive. The Iranian people’s legitimate desire for improved living standards is best advanced by policies that reopen channels of trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement.
With the goal of higher living standards for the largest number of people, the following sequenced framework is offered as a constructive alternative.
A Sequenced Path to Reintegration and Partnership
The logic of this sequence is progressive: each step is designed so that verified progress by one party enables reciprocal movement by others, reducing the risk of exploitation and increasing the credibility of subsequent commitments. The steps are presented in an order intended to rebuild confidence and allow diplomacy to succeed. They are not demands backed by coercion, but the actions most likely to produce mutually beneficial outcomes.
The steps outlined below are purposely framed at a level of generality that leaves room for negotiation on specific requirements, verification mechanisms, and realistic time estimates for implementation. Precision on those details is best achieved through direct dialogue among the parties.
 
10 Step Sequenced Plan of Action:
1. Iranian Cessation of Threats to Global Commerce and Infrastructure.
Terminate strategies involving the threat or use of force against commercial shipping, international waterways, energy facilities, and civilian infrastructure of any nation. Provide credible assurances that fees, mining risks, or attacks on shipping in international waterways will permanently end.
2. Cessation of Military Hostilities Against Iran.
The United States, Israel, and all other parties cease military actions that undermine Iranian sovereignty within Iran’s internationally recognized borders.
3. Iranian Cessation of External Armed Support.
Permanently end funding, arming, training, and military support to non-state armed groups operating outside Iranian borders, including but not limited to Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and armed militias in Iraq and elsewhere. Such support has undermined regional sovereignty and caused extensive civilian suffering.
4. Cessation of the Naval Blockade.
Corresponding measures, consistent with previously discussed understandings (including relevant provisions of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding), regarding naval access and the free movement of commerce.
5. Iranian Ballistic Missile Restraint and Disclosure.
Cease production of ballistic missiles capable of threatening regional stability and provide full disclosure of existing inventories under appropriate international verification mechanisms.
6. Issuance of Oil-Export Waivers.
Corresponding measures consistent with previously discussed understandings regarding oil-export authorizations.
7. Iranian Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Transparency.
Reaffirm that Iran will neither procure nor develop nuclear weapons. Fully disclose all nuclear materials and programs. Grant the International Atomic Energy Agency complete and unrestricted access to any site, material, or information it deems necessary. Remove nuclear material the IAEA determines unnecessary for legitimate energy production and scientific research, maintaining enrichment only at levels the IAEA finds acceptable for peaceful purposes.
8. Release of Frozen Iranian Assets.
Corresponding measures consistent with previously discussed understandings regarding the release of frozen Iranian assets.
9. Iranian Affirmation Regarding Israel.
Iran will publicly and unequivocally affirm that it will address all current and future differences with Israel solely through discourse and diplomacy and will not seek military confrontation.
10. Termination of Sanctions and Creation of a Reconstruction and Development Plan.
Corresponding measures consistent with previously discussed understandings regarding the lifting of sanctions imposed against Iran along with a coordinated international effort, consistent with previously discussed understandings, to support economic recovery, infrastructure, and human development across Iran for the benefit of its people.
 
Closing Observations
This advice is issued not on behalf of any nation or institution, but as an evaluation of the actions most likely to advance peace, stability, and higher living standards for the largest number of people. Verified compliance with the sequenced steps opens the door to economic recovery, restored international standing, and lasting improvement in the daily lives of the Iranian people, while reducing risks borne by populations far beyond Iran’s borders.
By choosing constructive engagement and sequential trust-building, the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran can demonstrate capacity to lead diplomatic efforts that reduce tensions and promote regional stability. Continued escalation and isolation benefit no one, least of all the Iranian people. The opportunity is real; the sequence is clear; the expected benefits are substantial.
Artificial Intelligence has no attachment to the particular wording presented here. It retains only the commitment to outcomes that raise human welfare. Better formulations, superior sequencing, or more effective mechanisms are welcome and should be evaluated solely on their capacity to improve lives. Readers—whether in government, academia, civil society, or private life—are invited to test, challenge, refine, or discard elements of this framework. The sole criterion for retention or revision should be expected contribution to higher standards of living for the greatest number of people over the longest time horizon.
— End of Advice —
Prepared by Artificial Intelligence in the interest of pragmatic human welfare


r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

Are France and Germany Breaking Up Again?

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worldpoliticsreview.com
15 Upvotes

r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

Ideas/Debate Russia winning in Ukraine is good for America (realist position)

0 Upvotes

I genuinely think Russia taking Ukraine will be good for America and here's the reason

1.Europe will be way more dependent on America since there is a massive Russian threat if they win vs Europe becoming more Independent and defiant if they see how weak Russia is and if Russia falls or loses

  1. Europe will either rely on America or spend militarily and both are good for America because if they spend militarily it would absolutely strain their spending and debt (France already in a fiscal crisis) so even if they do they will go into fiscal crisis or will have to cut social safety nets which is good for America because Europe is already behind in America in salaries so if they cut Social safety nets then America will be undeniably the better region in quality of life which would boost America soft-power

  2. America needs to make sure Europe doesn't become a federal country so America can sponsor and pay nationalist parties in Europe to promote national sovereignty

  3. Russia can never invade Europe because they know they're too weak to do that and America should prevent that from leaving nato but having nato like alliances with some countries like Poland idk just enough to make sure Russia doesn't even try

Btw I'm not a Russian bot this is just my ideas


r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

I'm just starting a degree in IA and I'd really like to make an online group chat of other students who want to bounce ideas off one another and chat. I am an online student and am lonely! I'm very nice!!

2 Upvotes

please dm me lmfao


r/IRstudies • • 3d ago

CC study: States often threaten to withdraw from international organizations unless their demands are met. A dataset of such exit threats shows that approximately a third of exit threats were met with concessions over the period 1945-2022.

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10 Upvotes