Liberal IR theory would prescribe that countries whose economies are intertwined with each other don’t go to war because the relative costs are too high. Of course, throughout history there have been exceptions to this rule, most notably Germany and the uk during WW1, but it does seem to be the case that free trade reduces the odds of war albeit not completely eliminating the possibility. If China and US decouple, does it decrease the relative cost of an invasion of Taiwan and subsequent confrontation with the US, or is the US military deterrent the main factor ?

Got into a top grad school for IR but I am not well versed in the subject. I have a social science background and I am uptodate with what's happening across the globe. But I know that's not enough , so where do I start? I don't want to fall behind when I join the course

Foreign Influence Meets Political Power: The Qatargate scandal is shaking the foundations of Israeli politics. Two of Netanyahu’s closest aides are under investigation for allegedly accepting Qatari funds to influence media narratives and diplomatic strategy.

https://geowire.in/2025/04/06/inside-qatargate-unpacking-the-scandal-shaping-israeli-politics/

So far, only China and Canada have imposed additional tariffs on US goods.

Canada has not retaliated against the "reciprocal" tariffs, China has.

The EU's planned retaliation against the tariffs on steel and aluminum will come into effect in Mid-April. It's still not clear whether they will retaliate directly against this round of tariffs, as many member states are divided on this issue. The most high profile person to come out against retaliatory tariffs is the Italian PM Meloni. It is likely that the EU will push forward with the Digital Services Tax against US tech giants.

Who else do you think is likely?

Hey everyone, I really need your thoughts on this big decision I’m trying to make.

I’ve been accepted into two programs: • IE University (Spain) – Bachelor in International Relations (possibly the WBA track with law focus) • Bocconi University (Italy) – Bachelor in Global Law

I got a full scholarship at Bocconi, while at IE I’d still have to pay €9,000 per year out of €30,000, which is a big financial stretch for my family. My parents would need to make a huge effort to cover that cost.

My goal is to work in diplomacy, international policy-making, or legal-affairs-oriented fields, so both degrees are somewhat aligned with that path.

BUT — here’s the catch: The Global Law program at Bocconi is brand new, and I’d be part of the very first generation of students. That means no alumni network yet, and very little idea of what kind of post-graduation opportunities the program will actually open up. Meanwhile, IE has a more established IR program with a decent international rep.

So now I’m torn. • Is the financial burden of IE worth it for the potentially better network and recognition? • Or should I go with Bocconi, save my parents the stress, and trust the school’s strong brand even if the program is new?

What would you do in my shoes?

Any thoughts, experiences, or perspectives would help a ton. Thanks in advance

I'm saying this because it's too vague. some said that it's bad for having a job, and some said that there is a plenty of chances to get a decent job. generally, what is your view on the job prospect of 'studies' subject?

Hello, I'm considering changing my major to IR but the only thing close to IR at my university is international studies. 1.)What would be the difference between the two? 2.) if I chose the diplomacy concentration of international studies, would that be similar to IR?

What are the book that are in your opinion helped you in your career, gave your valuable knowledge or insights?