Application of AHP and PESTEL-SWOT Analysis on The Study of Military Amphibious Aircraft Acquisition Decision Making in Indonesia

Indonesia’s characteristics as an archipelagic state along with the increase of traditional and non-traditional threats in Indonesia require the ownership of military amphibious aircraft to oversee its maritime territories and perform logistics distribution to remote areas with minimum accessibility, especially its outermost islands. This study applied a combination of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Political, Economic, Social, Techonology, Environment, and Legal (PESTEL) and Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analysis to conduct a structured, systematic, measurable, and comprehensive decision-making process for selecting military amphibious aircraft and prescribe strategic recommendations on the acquisition plan. By using 3 criteria, 14 sub-criteria, and 3 alternative aircraft models, the results of AHP analysis showed that the Beriev Be-200 aircraft are the most preferred aircraft by the Indonesian users. The results of PESTEL-SWOT analysis show that good diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the manufacturer’s country of origin, users’ support to the plan, and user’s ability to adapt in operating and maintaining the aircraft support this decision. Meanwhile, limited fiscal capacity and domestic aircraft maintenance facilities/depots, as well as the risk of spare parts scarcity, have to be addressed for Indonesia to acquire its own military amphibious aircrafts.

The Blockade as a Double-Edged Sword

Not a day has gone by that the United States has not tried to overturn the Cuban Revolution, through the assassination of its leaders, invasions by proxy forces, preventing it from normal commercial and diplomatic relations, and encouraging social distress in the island to become a counterrevolutionary force.

THE POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON IRAQ'S ENTRY INTO THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS IN 1932

The Iraqi government signed with Britain a treaty in 1930 AD, which approved a bilateral alliance between them that includes all political, economic and military issues, which will be recognized after Iraq’s entry into the League of Nations. Iraq by entering the League and declaring his independence After the discussions, statements, and opinions that were presented at the meeting, the League's Mandates Committee announced on October 3, 1932, that Iraq had been accepted as a member of the League of Nations The independence of Iraq and its entry into the League of Nations is an important and pivotal issue, as Iraq became the first Arab country to get rid of the occupation, even though the independence was not complete because Britain sought to achieve this goal in exchange for a treaty that chained Iraq with many restrictions, including military and economic issues The United States of America has striven to develop its diplomatic relations with Iraq, given that Iraq was of strategic importance in the eyes of American policy planners. US to the level of an embassy in Baghdad The cultural relations between Iraq and the United States during the royal era developed significantly if compared to other fields, because it is considered the gateway to Iraq’s entry to the League of Nations, and for this reason the Iraqi government set up in 1930 a committee of experts to improve education and recommended the necessity of adopting the American approach to education, and this The Americans wanted to exploit it after they had a share in Iraq's oil, and thus exploiting all means in order to secure their interests, especially the means of education, because it is an effective means in creating a trend of educated elites tending to the United States of America. Key words:

THE EVOLUTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND NORTH KOREA

This paper aims to analyse the aftermath of Kim Jong Nam’s assassination on the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and North Korea along with the historical evolution of diplomatic relations between both countries since Malaysia’s independence. Little is known about the nature of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and North Korea, especially when public perceptions dictate that both countries barely share any similarities. In appreciating the implications of the murder case from the perspective of international law, an analysis is carried out on the history of diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and Pyongyang. A further study is conducted on the factors which attract Malaysia and North Korea to forge and strengthen their diplomatic relations. Malaysia’s inclusive foreign policy is highlighted via her participation in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1970 which promotes peaceful engagement with all countries regardless of their political allegiance, including the Communist-led regime in North Korea. The task of preserving regional safety and bolstering economic prosperity are top on Putrajaya’s priority list. With the volume of bilateral trade between Malaysia and North Korea is steadily increasing and Pyongyang’s continuous provocations of her Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), peaceful engagements with the aim of repairing the damaged diplomatic relations is the best option for both countries. This study concludes that although the relationship between the two nations is severed, it is crucial for Malaysia to consider reviving and enhancing bilateral relations with North Korea, hence benefiting Putrajaya in outlining Malaysia’s future foreign policy.

Peculiarities of using digital diplomacy in a pandemic condition

Problem setting. Dynamics of international relations Alternative forms of communication and new types of transnational policy have a great influence on diplomacy. Diplomatic structures face unknown challenges, and must therefore adapt to modern conditions in order to continue their honorable mission. Thus, the priority task of diplomatic science is to determine the middle ground between traditional and innovative ways of communication. Innovative methods are understood as the use of digital technologies that have not bypassed any sphere of human life and have already become firmly established in the activities of diplomats. It is the inevitability and all-encompassing nature of digitalization that has given impetus to the development of digital diplomacy, an innovative means of communicating with society as a whole and between countries using the Internet, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and social networks to strengthen diplomatic relations. E-diplomacy is on the rise against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the context of closed borders, next-generation diplomacy is perhaps the only way to maintain interethnic relations. In view of all the above, we must learn to use it, especially in such difficult times, and to do this we need to consider different approaches to digital diplomacy, find out its place in the world and answer the question: «Is digital diplomacy effective and will it ever be able to replace the traditional one?» Analysis of recent researches and publications. In the current context of globalization, diplomacy is undergoing a significant transformation. Scientific concepts devoted to the concept of “digital diplomacy” attract the attention of many domestic and foreign scholars, including, in particular, V. Yu. Stepanov, K.G. Brychuk, D.N. Baryshnikov, M.G. Okladna, G. K. Musaeva, I. Shevel, I. Todorov, A. Veselovsky, D. Lewis, A. Fischer, E. Potter, D. Lewis and others. However, the impact of COVID-19 on international life and diplomatic relations at the research level has received little attention. Target of research. To consider digital diplomacy as a form of public diplomacy, a tool of mass communication in public administration in the pre-pandemic period (2019), in its heyday (2020) and at the time of its development (2021). To draw the attention of scholars and practical diplomats to the phenomenon of digitalization and diplomacy of social networks. Article’s main body. The opinion of domestic and foreign scientists on the concept of digital diplomacy is analyzed. Based on these opinions, the authors try to сonsider the definition of the term “digital diplomacy”, the history of the origin and spread of e-diplomacy tactics, advantages and disadvantages of this format of communication, contradictions in the interpretation of the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine with residence in Kyiv, work of the diplomatic corps in times of crisis. Conclusions and prospects for the development. The authors conclude that all forms of e-diplomacy can be an additional effective means of communication both within the world politics system and externally in public relations, but they will never be able to fully replace the centuries-old tradition of diplomatic relations.

On Some Developmental Trends for The Russian-Mongolian Relationships

This article made available for publication is compiled on the basis of a report presented at the International Science Conference that took place on September 2nd, 2021, in the city of Vladivostok (Russky Island). It deals with the ordinary and megatrends reflecting the specific aspects in relation to the current stage of the Russian-Mongolian bilateral relationships. Such trends include, for example, diversification of external ties or orientation towards multidimensional collaboration. It is asserted that, throughout the century-old history of close interaction between Russia and Mongolia, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states, there have been a lot of epoch-making events and developments of landmark nature, which up to date constitute the meaningful elements of historic memory for our peoples, defining the overriding megatrend of our mutual understanding and affinity that bears a sustainable character, defying any influence of the political and economic environment factors.

The Musical Diplomacy of Metternich

That festivities are woven into the historical image of the Austrian diplomat, foreign minister, and state chancellor Clemens von Metternich (1773–1859) is in part the byproduct of his investment in music. As an amateur performer, passionate connoisseur, attentive patron, and frequent host, Metternich cultivated an international soundworld that presented opportunities for cooperative performances. Ensemble music and collective listening provided experiences of international concert that gained significance in the context of multilateral congresses and meetings. Musical exchanges, sustained through the activity of women and professional musicians, contributed to fostering diplomatic relations and international presence. In the context of the Restoration’s competing soundworlds, Metternich deployed a patronage of Rossini’s work and Italian opera music, with increasing intensity but mixed effect. This history speaks to the function of music in the presentation of self in international encounters and the resources to be found in the plurality of roles diplomats perform.