Research

Strategic Energy Relations: Geopolitics, Security, and Diplomacy

Energy geopolitics is fundamentally shaped by the strategic interactions between states, international institutions, and markets in the pursuit of energy security and geopolitical influence. Energy resources are not merely commodities; they are critical instruments of power and leverage, central to national security, economic resilience, and international order. The competition for access, control, and diversification of energy sources underpins the configuration of global alliances, trade relations, and security frameworks.

My research is situated at the intersection of energy diplomacy, energy relations, and international security, with particular emphasis on the evolving strategic dynamics between energy-producing and energy-consuming states. I analyse how energy security concerns—such as supply stability, price volatility, infrastructural vulnerability, and transit dependencies—drive the formulation of foreign policy, bilateral agreements, and regional energy cooperation. These dynamics are especially salient in the geopolitical theatres of Eurasia and Africa, where energy flows intersect with broader issues of sovereignty, development, and external influence.

States increasingly utilise energy as an instrument of foreign policy, employing strategic alliances, infrastructure diplomacy, and resource-backed negotiations to secure long-term access to energy markets and enhance their geopolitical standing. Simultaneously, energy security imperatives compel states to diversify supply routes, invest in critical infrastructure, and engage in regional integration initiatives aimed at reducing exposure to geopolitical shocks and systemic disruptions.

International organisations, state-owned enterprises, and multilateral frameworks play pivotal roles in governing energy relations, mediating geopolitical rivalries, and enhancing the resilience of the global energy system. These actors contribute to the establishment of norms, regulatory regimes, and strategic reserves that underpin cooperative approaches to energy security and risk management.

By examining these interrelated dynamics, my research contributes to a deeper understanding of how energy diplomacy and strategic partnerships influence international relations, the political economy of development, and the evolving architecture of global security. It underscores the centrality of energy security as both a driver and a product of geopolitical transformation in the 21st century.

Critical Energy Infrastructure Security and Resilience

The security of critical energy infrastructure (CEI) is foundational to national sovereignty and international stability. Encompassing electricity grids, oil and gas pipelines, power generation facilities, and emerging renewable energy systems, CEI constitutes the backbone of contemporary economies and governance frameworks. Its protection is therefore a strategic imperative for states navigating the complexities of global interdependence and energy transition.

In an era characterised by cyber warfare, hybrid threats, transnational terrorism, and intensifying geopolitical rivalry, the vulnerabilities of energy systems have become increasingly pronounced. The growing digitalisation of energy networks, alongside the cross-border nature of pipelines and power interconnectors, underscores the need for robust international cooperation, regulatory convergence, and comprehensive risk management frameworks.

This research explores the evolving security challenges facing critical energy infrastructure, with particular attention to the interplay between state and non-state actors in mitigating threats, enhancing systemic resilience, and shaping institutional responses. It examines how governments, private energy firms, and international organisations collaborate—or compete—in securing energy infrastructure against both conventional and asymmetric threats, and how these efforts contribute to broader practices of energy security governance in an interconnected and volatile global order.

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Diplomacy is essential to navigating international relations, shaping alliances, resolving conflicts, and promoting economic and security interests. A key aspect of my research is the coherence of foreign policy, which examines how consistently states align their international actions with strategic objectives, institutional commitments, and domestic priorities.

External coherence reflects the alignment between a state’s diplomatic engagements, security strategies, and economic policies, while internal coherence considers how domestic institutions, political actors, and bureaucratic structures influence foreign policy decisions.

Discrepancies in coherence can lead to diplomatic inefficacy, credibility issues, or unintended strategic consequences, particularly in an era of shifting global power dynamics. My research also explores how foreign policy coherence affects negotiation dynamics, alliance management, and international governance frameworks, shaping long-term diplomatic stability and global order.

Terrorism and Cybersecurity in the International Order

As a scholar, I am particularly interested in how terrorism and cybersecurity are reshaping the international order. These challenges transcend traditional military threats, often emerging from non-state actors or covert state operations. They exploit porous borders and digital infrastructures, undermining not only physical security but also trust, legitimacy, and institutional resilience within the global system.

My research examines the strategic use of terrorism and cyber operations in asymmetric power dynamics. I analyse how such tactics are employed to destabilise stronger states, test international norms, and provoke institutional responses. These threats blur the lines between war and peace, state and non-state activity, and thus demand interdisciplinary approaches—combining strategic studies, political theory, and international law—to assess evolving doctrines of deterrence, sovereignty, and conflict regulation.

In teaching, I frame terrorism and cybersecurity not as isolated crises but as central features of contemporary international politics. Students are encouraged to interrogate the ways in which these threats challenge diplomacy, multilateralism, and global governance. Through theoretical engagement and critical case studies, the course fosters analytical skills essential for understanding security dilemmas in a digitised, fragmented world order.

Institutionalism

Institutionalism in international relations examines how formal and informal institutions shape global governance, cooperation, and state behaviour by establishing rules, norms, and regulatory frameworks that structure interactions.

Institutions—ranging from legally binding agreements and governance mechanisms to informal diplomatic norms and transnational networks—create incentives for coordination, reduce uncertainty, and enhance stability in international affairs. They facilitate cooperation by embedding shared expectations within governance structures, enabling the regulation of political, economic, and security interactions.

Institutions function across multiple levels: bilateral agreements define diplomatic and economic engagements between states, minilateral initiatives foster targeted cooperation among select actors, and multilateral frameworks provide platforms for norm diffusion, policy coordination, and dispute resolution.

Beyond state actors, non-state entities, including transnational corporations and regulatory bodies, contribute to institutional development and global governance. My research explores how institutions evolve, adapt, and influence the formation of norms, security architectures, and economic governance.

The geographical scope of my research includes Eurasia and Africa.

Ongoing Research Projects

• Challenges for Japan and South Korea in Seeking Energy Cooperation Amid Sino-Russian Partnership in Northeast Asia (individual project)

• The Role of Sino–Russian Cooperation in the Northeast Asian Energy Regime (dissertation topic)