Italy: an aspiring Mediterranean middle power wavering between bilateralism and multilateralism

Italy managed to be an important actor in European affairs, its status as major power was several times called into question. Italy’s domestic political instability, the frequent government crises, severe economic and financial problems hinder the country’s goal to become a recognized middle power, especially in the Mediterranean region. Bilateral and multilateral tools are used alternately by government coalitions to carry out foreign policy which has been dominated by migration. Due to the afore-mentioned internal problems security and defence policy is not capable of supporting foreign policy to the necessary extent.

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A New Perspective on Poland’s Policy towards Russia in 2005–2007: a Middle Power Attempts to Engage a Rising Major Power

Politics in Central Europe ◽

10.2478/pce-2021-0001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 1-28

Author(s):

Marijuš Antonovič

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Balance Of Power ◽

Neoclassical Realism ◽

Major Power ◽

Academic Literature ◽

Middle Power ◽

Law And Justice ◽

New Perspective ◽

Middle Powers ◽

Made In

Abstract Scholars of middle powers have been trying to solve its definitional issues and some progress has been made in the systemic approach. This article shows that further advancement may be gained by employing neoclassical realism in studying middle powers’ foreign policy behaviour. This done by analysing Poland’s policy towards Russia in 2005–2007. It is widely accepted in academic literature that Poland in 2005–2007, during the rule of the Law and Justice Party, pursued a confrontational policy towards Russia. However, this article challenges such widespread views. It demonstrates that Poland’s policy towards Russia was actually simultaneously based on balancing and engagement. Using a neoclassical realist framework and data gathered from interviews with Poland’s main foreign policymakers at that time, this article shows that the balancing was caused by the power asymmetry and differing interests between Russia and Poland, whereas the engagement – by the Polish policymakers’ attempts to influence Russia’s intentions towards Poland and by their perceived situation in the European balance of power.

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Impact of Turmoil and Gas Resources in the Eastern Mediterranean on Jordanian Energy Security and Foreign Policy

Insight Turkey ◽

10.25253/99.2020223.13 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Summer 2020) ◽

pp. 237-255

Author(s):

Ahmad Alshwawra ◽

Ahmad Almuhtady

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Energy Security ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Energy Resource ◽

Security Framework ◽

International Context ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The One ◽

The Impact

The Mediterranean region has witnessed a lot of turbulence in the last decade. On the one hand, the Arab uprising changed the shape of the regional relations towards more rivalry. On the other hand, the discovery of natural gas resources has opened up a valuable chance for cooperation and settling the long-standing disputes. Jordan is affected by what happens in the Mediterranean region in more than one aspect. The various economic difficulties including energy insecurity, resulting from multiple refugee crises and the interruption of Egyptian gas is one of the most critical challenges Jordan has ever faced. As a heavy energy importer, the Jordanian energy sector is very sensitive to the regional and International context. The recently discovered Eastern Mediterranean gas is an attractive energy resource for Jordan. Nonetheless, a fear of its influence on the Jordanian foreign policy in the Palestinian context has grown. This article discusses the impact of the recent turmoil in the Mediterranean region on Jordan energy security. It tracks the change of energy security in Jordan between 2010 and 2018 using a proposed energy security framework. The article also discusses the potential implications of Jordan’s decision to import the Mediterranean gas through Israel on Jordanian energy security using the proposed energy security framework. Moreover, the article utilizes semi-systematic literature review methodology to analyze international, regional and national contexts in order to investigate the potential ramifications of that decision on Jordanian foreign policy regarding the Palestinian cause.

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Portugal and the Mediterranean Region: What Role for Civil Society in Foreign Policy?

Mediterranean Policies from Above and Below ◽

10.5771/9783845220444-63 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 63-87

Author(s):

Verónica Martins

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Civil Society ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

The Mediterranean

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Les sanctions économiques et les petits États : Le cas de la « punition » du Vietnam par le Canada

Études internationales ◽

10.7202/702209ar ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 523-544

Author(s):

Kim Richard Nossal

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Policy Maker ◽

Economic Sanctions ◽

Great Power ◽

Major Power ◽

Middle Power ◽

Bilateral Relations ◽

Definition Of ◽

Le Canada

The purpose of this paper is to examine this assumption — that size and power makes a difference to the definition of the utility of economic sanctions. It examines as a case study the employment of Canadian sanctions against Vietnam. The paper will argue that this case demonstrates that, for a non-great power, the utility of economic sanctions is rarely limited to the usual objectives attributed to, and derived from the experience of, great power s: exercising power against the 'targef' state or signalling one's power to other states in the system. Instead, it will argue that for a middle power like Canada, the use of sanctions becomes inextricably bound to foreign policy-maker s perceptions of the politics of coalition obligations ; and of the imperatives and constraints of bilateral relations with the major power s.

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China’s Relations with the Mediterranean States: Military and Political Aspects

Vestnik RUDN International Relations ◽

10.22363/2313-0660-2021-21-4-700-711 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 700-711

Author(s):

Olga A. Timakova

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Global Economy ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Political Process ◽

Chinese Foreign Policy ◽

Silk Road ◽

Political Issues ◽

Economic Relations ◽

Security Issues ◽

The Mediterranean

China is one of the most influential non-regional actors in the Mediterranean. As of 2021, it is ranked among the top three trading partners of almost all Mediterranean states. Chinese foreign policy in the Mediterranean reflects the growing importance of geoeconomics and, in particular, economic instruments of foreign policy in Chinas foreign policy strategy. The intersection of the routes of the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century and the Silk Road Economic Belt in the Mediterranean basin indicates the regions high potential for the development of new logistics routes, economic corridors and supply chains. Despite significant impact of the coronavirus restrictions on the global economy and the deepest economic crisis seen in recent years, China has not reduced its global activity. Actually, it is the pandemic that can become an incentive for the development of new formats of cooperation within the Belt and Road in the Mediterranean. Chinas traditional foreign policy paradigm presupposes emphasis exclusively on economic interaction and non-involvement in political issues. De facto Chinas economic relations with the countries of the region are increasingly complicated by military and political issues. The article categorizes the main political and security issues that arise between China and partner countries in the Mediterranean region. While the discourse of human rights and sustainable development prevails in relations with Europe, the issues of ensuring security and managing regional instability come to the fore when dealing with the states of North Africa and the Middle East. Given Chinas growing economic needs, it is likely that in the medium term there will be a doctrinal formalization of Chinas role in the political process in the Mediterranean region.

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