The Yegiora Files

Geographical location of a particular state is a geographical or geopolitical factor. This factor affects the political behaviour of a particular state or non-state actor in international as well as domestic politics. Morgenthau states that the continental territory of the United States is separated from other continents by bodies of water three thousand miles wide to the east, and more than six thousand miles to the west. This is a permanent fact that determines the position of the United States.   PNG is situated north of Australia and shares a land border with the Indonesian province of Papua. This is also a permanent fact that determines the position of PNG. The geographical position of PNG influenced Japanese war strategy and foreign policy. If the Japanese were able to overcome the Allied forces at Kokoda, they would have easily positioned themselves in Port Moresby and attack Australia. The geographical proximity of Port Moresby to Australia will help Japan to st

Mintz and DeRouen (2010) outline well the different types of decisions.  Heuristic decisions are made while employing cognitive shortcuts or heuristics devices. Heuristics devices are:  "a range of psychological strategies that allow individuals to simplify complex decisions. Such devices include evaluating people and events in terms of how well they coincide with your belief system, stereotypes, or analogies." The Munich analogy is a case in point. Many foreign policy decision makers use this analogy to influence the type of decisions they make. In other words, it is a valuable lesson in history that makes a good reference point for decision makers. The Munich Pact was signed on September 30, 1938, by the Prime Ministers of Britain, France and the leader of the Nazi Party. The aim of the pact was to appease Germany by giving them Czechoslovakia. Both leaders thought that by giving Germans what they wanted, the Germans would be contented and not continue th

Why was this policy formulated? To combat people smuggling and protect Australia borders - Security interest. Who formulated this policy? The Coalition (Liberal and The Nationals - political parties of Australia). How was this policy formulated? Policy was formulated before the Coalition government came into power. Policy was designed to stop people from jumping on boats to travel to Australia illegally as an alternative to the Labour government approach. When they came into power they implemented the policy successfully. Policy was formulate in a group setting, meaning the policy was put forward by the Coalition government and not by an individually elected representative. What factors influenced greatly the formulation of this policy? At the state level of analysis the failure of the bureaucratic structure to secure the borders. There are 12 separate government agencies that have involvement in, or responsibility for, th

The suggestion by former prime minister Paias Wingti has geopolitics written all over it. As such, I find his suggestion interesting and relevant to our study of geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region. His suggestion also reflects the effect of China's soft power. China was able to make their domestic development and their capability to replicate such development in another country attractive enough to influence an experienced politician like Governor Wingti. Henry Karukuru also made a valid point that Wingti was an advocate of the 'Look North' policy when he was prime minister. Back then, when China was not that developed compared to today, Wingti saw the potential in connecting with China. Unfortunately, he served only a short time so we did not see his foreign policy vision materialize. As mentioned by many of you in your Glossary 3 entries , the Asia-Pacific region is dynamic. APEC itself as a multilateral forum confirms this dynamism. Some of the 21 membe