Adil Rasheed replies: The concept of power is central to international relations. It is often defined as the ability of a political actor (individual, group or a state) to control another into doing what that other would not have otherwise done. Theories over the nature and dynamics of power within the discipline have been changing over the decades, initially tending to be more supportive of a ‘constant sum’ or ‘zero sum’ understanding and then gradually becoming more receptive to the contrarian ‘variable sum’ theories.

Adil Rasheed replies: Theorists of International Relations, mainly exponents of the power transition theory, often divide countries into ‘status quo’ and ‘revisionist powers’. The so-called ‘status quo states’ refer to countries that accept the existing global order, while ‘revisionist states’ are dissatisfied with the existing international system and their place in it.

Prashant Kumar Singh replies: The idea of the ‘Asian Century’ argues that the 21st century international order is going to be defined by Asia’s pre-eminence, the way the US pre-eminence defined the international order in the 20th century and Europe in the 19th century. It is also seen as Asian countries’ mutual rediscovery in terms of reconnection and reintegration. It seeks to repair artificial divisions in the Asian social, economic and cultural space that colonial interventions created.

Uttam Kumar Sinha replies: In the last three decades, increasing globalisation, development of capitalism, and deregulation policies have radically transformed the mass media, which includes international news broadcasts, television, film, and music. What used to be relatively national in scope has now become a competitive catchment of global audiences.

Rajeesh Kumar replies: 'Alliance' and 'strategic partnership' are two frequently used phrases in International Relations (IR). An alliance is an arrangement between two or more states to work together on mutual security issues. It can be formal or informal. Nonetheless, in an alliance, states usually are treaty-bound to assist each other in case of a threat or attack against any member.

Prashant Kumar Singh replies: The so-called Wolfowitz Doctrine was a controversial “Defense Planning Guidance” prepared in 1992 under the supervision of then US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Paul Wolfowitz.

Non-Traditional Security Centre replies: India published its first Arctic Policy document on 17 March 2022. The document highlights India’s near and long-term national objectives for the Arctic. From a theoretical perspective, it can be argued that India’s Arctic Policy calls for advancing ‘science diplomacy’ through which it seeks to strengthen and advance its existing cooperation with all the Arctic states.

Ashok Kumar Behuria replies: The Russia–Ukraine crisis does not necessarily negate the concept of multipolarity as much as perceived bipolarity because of ongoing competition between the United States (US) and China for global influence, if not leadership. However, it has certainly shattered the hopes of multipolarity as an essential condition for peace and prosperity in the world.