http://hdl.handle.net/10071/1559 2026-05-10T16:16:39Z http://hdl.handle.net/10071/37106 Título próprio: Kazakhstan’s geoeconomic hedging: Navigating the BRI and the Global Gateway for EU-China connectivity Autoria: Santos, T. B. dos.; Borges, D. Resumo: This article examines how Kazakhstan strategically navigates the complex and evolving landscape of EU-China connectivity, with a specific focus on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Gateway (GG). Drawing on the theoretical framework of geoeconomic hedging, the paper argues that Kazakhstan’s strategic adaptability enables it to maximise national benefits while mitigating risks associated with an increasingly competitive Eurasian environment. Through a detailed empirical analysis, the paper identifies key infrastructure projects and investments from both the BRI and the GG that converge on Kazakh territory. It demonstrates that Kazakhstan actively leverages its geographical position and its multi-vector foreign policy to engage with both initiatives. Ultimately, it concludes that Kazakhstan effectively mediates and facilitates EU-China connectivity, serving as a critical interregional connector. This unique role allows Kazakhstan to convene the interests of Beijing and Brussels, offering a compelling case study for the future of Eurasian trade and transport architecture. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10071/37103 Título próprio: The politics of university curriculum decolonising in neoliberalised higher education: A semi-systematic literature review Autoria: Muhr, T. Resumo: This article critically reports insights from my semi-systematic review of university curriculum decolonising (UCD) literature conducted in English and Portuguese between 2023 and 2026. The semi-systematic approach allowed to combine systematic search of the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection (WoS) databases, with purposive search to further trace specific themes. The analysis adopted a politics of UCD approach, drawing from two strands of thought: geopolitics of knowledge and politics of education. Thus framed, two broad themes are discussed: globally shared theoretico-conceptual referents of UCD and particular, marginalised themes and contestations; and differently scaled options, actorness and constraints in/for UCD praxis generated by individuals’ and universities’ embeddedness within the global structure of coloniality, reinforced by the neoliberalisation of higher education. The conclusion elicits elements in/for future scholar-activist UCD research and praxis. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10071/36982 Título próprio: The Lebanese-Israeli maritime agreement: A conflict resolution model or a geopolitical stopgap? Autoria: Ismail, A. Resumo: The 2022 US-mediated maritime delimitation agreement between Lebanon and Israel marked a significant technical achievement, resolving an 860 km² overlap in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and enabling future offshore gas exploration. This article examines the domestic political and economic factors in Lebanon and Israel that facilitated the settlement. It assesses the roles of external actors, particularly the United States, the EU, and the UNIFIL, in shaping and supporting the agreement. Drawing on conflict resolution theory, including models of ripeness, interest-based negotiation, conflict management and transformation, the analysis reconstructs the negotiation process and examines the implementation obstacles. It argues that, although the agreement represents a successful technical compromise, persistent domestic gridlock in Lebanon, limited enforcement mechanisms, and investor hesitation have delayed drilling and reinforced Israel’s asymmetric benefits. The absence of multilateral frameworks or maritime security protocols further limits the agreement’s potential as a model for broader cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The article concludes that durable peace and stability will require accelerated Lebanese energy development, institutionalized EEZ coordination and formal maritime security arrangements. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10071/36971 Título próprio: The Euro Area sovereign debt crisis: 2010 to 2012 and beyond Autoria: Leão, P. R.; Bhimjee, D. C. P.; Leão, E. R. Resumo: This article carries out a detailed study of the Euro Area sovereign debt crisis since its inception in late 2009 until its most acute phase in the first semester of 2012. First the origin in Greece, Portugal, and Ireland is pinpointed, followed by a description of the contagion to Spain and Italy. The specific focus of the article is on the underlying macroeconomic imbalances and structural economic weaknesses that made these countries vulnerable. The paper highlights both the common and the country-specific features of the development of the crisis. Also, it examines the responses to the crisis implemented both by individual governments and at the European level by the European Central Bank and the European Commission/European Council. The Euro Area sovereign debt crisis constitutes a historic event of great relevance to fiscal policy and the associated public debt sustainability. The public finances of Greece and Portugal became vulnerable when their export dependent economies were hit by the global economic downturn of 2008–2009. In Ireland and Spain, the source of the public finance troubles were the construction and housing crashes which occurred in these two countries. Finally, in Italy the troubles originated in the initially high public debt burden, a pre-existing problem which worsened and became unsustainable in the context of the global economic downturn and already installed sovereign debt crisis. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z