This article explores how the soft power of Türkiye and India has been playing significant roles in their relationship with Afghanistan in the post-9/11 incident. After the US-led invasion of the Taliban in 2001, Türkiye, which has no land border with Afghanistan, engaged as a NATO stakeholder for post-war peacebuilding in the country. Türkiye also pursued non-military engagement through humanitarian and cultural institutions and achieved the confidence of the Afghan people. On the other hand, a diverse-natured regime at the doorstep, as well as the bitter relationship with Pakistan, triggered India to approach Afghanistan closely. India utilised its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy through sheer civilian participation in delivering humanitarian aid and collaborating in educational and cultural fields, significantly strengthening its relationship with Afghanistan. However, the Taliban’s takeover of power has narrowed India’s engagement while Türkiye’s engagement has increased, though non-militarily, having significant impacts on both countries’ relationships with Afghanistan. This study, firstly, conceptualises the term ‘soft power.’ Secondly, it explains Türkiye’s historical relations with Afghanistan and the role of soft power after 9/11 to consolidate the relations. Thirdly, it explains India’s historical relations with Afghanistan and the role of soft power in expanding the relations after 9/11. Then, the article compares the roles of soft power by state and non-state actors of Türkiye with those of India in developing their relations with Afghanistan and the challenges and prospects that Türkiye and India may face in the future.


DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2024.2-01 [HTML]

Cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence have gained substantial attention as integral components of the intercultural adaptation process. Despite their significance, there exists a research gap in examining the specific levels of these competencies within homogeneous cohorts of international students. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to address this gap by assessing the levels of cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence among Asian international students enrolled in Chinese universities and their associated with sociodemographic variables. The study comprised 228 student participants. Participants completed self-report questionnaires measuring their cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence. The findings reveal that a significant proportion of Asian international students exhibit moderate to high levels of both cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence. Additionally, the research highlights a positive correlation between cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence. Among sociodemographic variables, prior travel experiences and international students’ friendships with local students displayed significant relationships with their cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence. However, gender, age, and educational level were not significantly related to cultural and emotional intelligence competencies. The study might offer valuable insights into the extensive body of cross-cultural literature on international students and can also serve as a practical guide for university communities seeking to implement measures that enhance the cultural and emotional intelligence of international students.

Keywords: Cultural intelligence, Emotional intelligence, Demographics, Asian international students.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2024.2-02 [HTML]

Juvenile delinquency is the consequence of complex and comprehensive interactions with multiple risk factors. The experimental research highlighted that the public authorities have conducted tremendous efforts to determine juveniles at risk of delinquency and the factors related to delinquency, as well. Nevertheless, the basic research gap is to investigate which risk factor is more significant than others for allocating the limited resources and efforts. To close this gap, in this study, the Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) was utilized to determine the significance degrees of factors that cause juvenile delinquency. The findings indicate that the most significant risk factors causing juvenile delinquency are out and away “Family” and “Economic and Social Factors Relevant factors are of vital importance in determining both the social aspects and broader perspective on juvenile delinquency. In the planning phase of strategies to be developed for the prevention of juvenile delinquency, it is defined, which risk factor may be focused on to what extent, and which risk factor should be allocated more resources and effort to prevent juvenile delinquency more effectively. Besides, it has been concluded that the FUCOM method can be utilized effectively for juvenile delinquency decision-making analysis.

Keywords: Crime, Adolescent, Juvenile delinquency, Multi Criteria Decision Making, FUCOM

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2024.2-03 [HTML]

This paper investigates the strategic use of education as a tool of soft power, focusing on China’s investment in the education of Qatari human capital. It explores how education, a non-coercive form of influence, contributes to China’s global reputation and socio-economic progress. The research employs a mixed-method approach, including quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, to assess the impact of Chinese educational investments on Qatari students. The findings indicate that China’s educational support, through scholarships and cultural exchange, positively influences Qatari students’ perceptions and fosters a favourable image of China. The study highlights the significance of educational investment in building soft power, with China utilizing scholarships and cultural programs to attract international students, particularly from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The effectiveness of China’s soft power strategy is demonstrated through increased educational cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative, contributing to China’s global influence and international relations.

Keywords: Soft power, Educational investment, China, Qatari students, International relations

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2024.2-04 [HTML]

The Amu Darya River, a critical water resource for Central Asia, frequently becomes a focal point of tensions between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Recent discussions regarding the Amu Darya have been reignited following the construction of a canal by the Taliban administration in 2023. This research delves into the water-related issues between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the significance of the Amu Darya River to the countries in the region. Adopting a historical perspective, this study systematically examines official reports, bilateral and multilateral agreements, and existing literature through comparative analysis. The findings suggest that cooperation and consensus at the bilateral level are paramount, overshadowing the contributions of regional and international organizations in resolving this issue.

Keywords: Amu Darya River, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Water scarcity, Transboundary waters, Constructivism, Cooperation.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2024.2-05 [HTML]

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2024.2-06 [HTML]