Balance of Power - Issue 2

Announcing the second issue of Aleph's journal

Balance of Power - Volume 1 • Issue 2.pdf

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Foreword from the President, Eduardo Pavone

With each edition of Balance of Power, comes the question "What does it mean to think politically?" It clearly cannot mean to think along ideological lines, which can only serve to divide people, but must concern itself with the good of the polis, the good of all, the common good.

How, then, should one think politically in a geopolitical publication such as this one? The best approach is by far a holistic one, which identifies the stakes and challenges of a conflict from afar, such that everyone, even the most ignorant of the region's conflicts, may properly understand it. That having been said, one must not forget those implicated in those conflicts, and a good geopolitical analysis thus has to be holistic while remaining specific, neutral while remaining human, and has to present a reasoned point of view, without too much opinion.

Under such constraints, it may seem impossible to practically analyse a conflict, and yet, with prudence, with time, and above all with mountains of research, one may come close to this ideal. I believe we have come close here.

I am very proud of the progress made in this second edition of Balance of Power, now showing-off a new art team, and a new Focus Group. I congratulate all those who have worked on this issue, and I look forward to the next one!

Foreword from the Editor-in-Chief, Emma Guastone

As Spring comes to melt the icy remains of winter away, so comes the second edition of Balance of Power, Aleph Analisi Strategiche’s bi-annual report on regional developments. With global powers weaving their strategic interests in an increasingly intricate and polychromous design, solidifying and creating new alliances in a continuous balancing act, this publication aims to portray international affairs clearly and fully, moving beyond oversimplification and biased interpretation.

Our ongoing commitment to monitoring regional dynamics is testified by the work of our five Focus Groups: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Middle East. In addition, this edition features selected previously released analyses covering specific national and international events. This blend of formats resides at the core of our association’s work. Jorge Luis Borges described the Aleph as “the only place on earth where all places are seen from every angle, each standing clear, without any confusion or blending”. Inspired by his vision, it is our foremost intention to combine a micro-level perspective with an interregional lens, offering a sharp and analytic account of the global stage.

Coming into 2026, the Americas face profound political and social shifts. In the United States, expanded immigration enforcement has sparked widespread protests, while grassroots movements continue to challenge federal authority. Canada’s minority government has gained influence after key defections. In South America, the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and Delcy Rodríguez’s subsequent leadership have intensified political pressures, while ideological trends in Argentina and Colombia reveal contrasting domestic priorities.

On the other side of the Pacific, China grapples with slowing growth, complicating its global ambitions, while Japan’s political landscape shows growing instability. Indonesia faces renewed concerns over militarized governance, and border disputes persist in the Golden Triangle. India’s free trade agreement with the European Union aims to remove nearly all tariffs, reflecting strategic positioning amid US-China rivalry.

Europe is at a crossroads amid shifting global power dynamics. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reinvigorated European defense initiatives, yet questions remain about securing the continent without external support. Strategic independence requires balancing innovation, regulation, and economic growth, particularly in AI and green energy, while nationalism and political polarization challenge internal cohesion.

The Middle East remains a region of wealth and persistent conflict. While Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia wield concentrated resources, much of the region continues to suffer from authoritarian governance, sectarian violence, and civil wars. Syria grapples with ongoing unrest, Iran faces brutal crackdowns on dissent, and clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon escalate regional tensions, threatening energy markets and migration patterns.

Finally, Africa has become a focal point for external influence. Rwanda’s economic involvement in the DRC highlights the link between resource wealth and regional conflict, while Sudan’s civil war escalates regional instability amid ethnic feuds and failing institutions. Russian, and UAE investments amplify both opportunity and tension, leaving Africa’s future contingent on whether international actors prioritize governance and human rights or pursue strategic advantage.

The effort invested in this edition shines through every page. My deepest thanks go to the writers, editors and board members who have made this possible. And thank you, dear reader, for choosing us. I hope the content of our analyses will make you better informed, more thoughtful and, ultimately, more conscientious.

Foreword from the Vice-President, Giulio Cesare Graziani

Having served on Aleph’s Board since before the inception of Balance of Power, I have witnessed from this vantage point the organisational and intellectual effort that led to the publication of our first issue last Summer, and now to the second one you hold in your hands (or read on your screens). This journey has been inseparable from Aleph’s broader process of growth and continuous renewal as an established student think tank—one that continues to distinguish itself through a rigorous analytical approach and a genuinely interdisciplinary and multicultural lens.

Building on the foundations of our inaugural issue, we have sought to refine and elevate the format of BoP. This edition reflects an evolving vision: to showcase our best analytical work produced across the semester, structured around geographic focus areas and enriched by novel contributions from our five regional Focus Groups. In doing so, we aim to reward our members’ analytical depth, originality, and intellectual ambition, while enhancing the publication through improved design and the integration of critical exchanges—whether through alumni commentary, author follow-ups, or other analysts’ alternative perspectives.

This is, however, an ongoing process. The ideas shaping this issue will continue to guide the developmentof Balance of Power throughout 2026 and beyond, as we work towards consolidating it as the flagship expression of Aleph’s analytical identity.

Thank you, reader, for choosing us.