Istanbul Financial Center’s Post

YouTube link to the ULISA Webinar where we discussed the Central Asian region in the context of geoeconomics, diversification, connectivity projects (energy and transportation), and geopolitical great power competition. https://lnkd.in/dDuE9nym

In our rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, understanding the historical foundations of international systems is more crucial than ever. Why are some parts of the world characterized by stable multipolarity, while others have seen the rise of universal empires through conquest? This intriguing question is addressed in a fascinating analysis that contrasts the historical dynamics in Europe with the Ottoman conquest of the Near East and the Manchu conquest of greater China. Both the Ottomans and the Manchus managed to blend military techniques from nomadic and settled cultures, gaining the material capabilities that positioned them as potential global dominators. However, what truly set these empires apart was their mastery of "cultural statecraft." They adeptly co-opted pre-existing symbols of power and employed multifaceted legitimacy strategies to appeal to diverse audiences, thereby encouraging collaboration instead of resistance. In contrast, Europe's landscape of military, religious, and nationalist divides often thwarted similar ambitions, leading to a multipolar order rather than domination by a single power. This discussion raises important questions about how past strategies of empire can inform our understanding of current international relations. How do historical precedents of power and cultural integration affect today's global politics? Are there lessons we can learn about fostering stability in a multi-polar world? For those interested in exploring these themes further, a session discussing these topics is scheduled for 24 April, from 13:00 to 14:00, available online at the Defence Studies Department

🗣️ We went to the opening of Spheres of Influence, a conference in Uzbekistan about the growing geopolitical competition between three global players for influence in the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The Spheres of Influence Uncovered project, of which this conference is a part, has been going on for two years already. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dHMktewC

Check out my latest interview with Tien Wei, a leading anchor for international broadcasts. We discussed the importance of financial centers, the role of AIFC and Kazakhstan in regional development, the Belt and Road initiative, and much more. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/e_7fwCTw

The 14th Social Business Day 2024, hosted by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, was concluded in Manila on Friday (28 June) at the SMX Aura Convention Center in Philippines. -Source: The Daily Messenger #Business #BusinessInvestment #BusinessNews #BusinessPost #BusinessHubs #BusinessGrowth #BusinessInsights #BusinessBangladesh #IndustryInsights #IndustrialNews #BusinessBrillianz

🌏SEAC Upcoming Event: The Crypto-Colonial Heritage of Modern Thailand 🌏 🗓️ Date: 9 October 2024 🕚 Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm 📷 📍Location: Room SAL.LG.03, LSE 💻 Join online via Zoom Prof Michael Herzfeld (Harvard University) will discuss the status of Thailand as an example of “crypto-colonialism” – a phenomenon in which declarations of independence and of high civilization conceal elite arrangements with colonial powers whereby the alleged freedom turns out to be highly conditional, and in which the colonial powers’ “civilizational discourse” reproduces locally the humiliation of the nation-state by the colonial powers. Using examples drawn from ethnographic as well as historical sources, Herzfeld will also place Thailand’s current dilemmas in a global context, with specific reference to the political evolution of Greece and Nepal. Full details: https://bit.ly/3TTTFIh

In conflict resolution it is crucial to get both/all sides of the story and attempt to debunk propaganda on all sides especially when regional and global stability hangs in the balance. This is a very interesting interview and perspective that you will not see in the mainstream media but is important for discerning what is really going on in the Middle East. As the world marks the one-year anniversary of the Oct 7th Hamas attacks, Ian Bremmer sits down with Iran’s new Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif to discuss the escalating conflict in the region and where Iran stands. https://lnkd.in/gzB_Prey

Here's a useful vid from a commentator on China I am always interested to listen to. He knows China well and has lived there for years. I mean Cyrus Janssen. Here he comments on Turkey's pivot towards BRICS. It is well worth a listen - among other takes he makes in a growing stack of insightful vids - especially in the context of the now fast and ever-shifting trajectory toward a multi-polar world - which BRICS' continuing expansion both confirms and deepens. https://lnkd.in/eySw4mkP

While many of Azerbaijan’s historical and natural wonders are widely celebrated, some are lesser known, and one man, Faig Nasibov, has been on a mission to explore, document, and protect these national treasures for 20 years. Read more: https://loom.ly/Wmg5-dE

Fairly accurate, click on the link below, it jumps straight to my segment.