Small State Diplomacy | Dr. Digby James Wren | Substack

US Losing Friends and Allies Fast

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar discuss withdrawing from US contracts over Iran war.

READ THE LATEST

Most Popular

Israeli Strike Kills Houthi PM

Aug 31, 2025 • SAO SODANIN (SODA)

ASEAN Centrality v External Tariffs

Jul 13, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Swedish scholars: China's peaceful rise breaks the Western narrative that "power is the axiom"

May 10, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

US airlifted weapons into Syria 21 days prior to attacks

Dec 2, 2024 • Dr. Digby James Wren

23:54

On Iran and Trump's Deception and Trickery

Trumps imposition of deadlines, TACO moments and a new 5 day window are seen by most as merely a ploy to gain time for renewed aggression to gain…

Mar 25 • Dr. Digby James Wren

FROM HEGEMONY TO TYRANNY

The recent attacks on Iran by Israel and the USA, has confirmed the transformation of the US republic from unipolar hegemon into a paranoid global…

Mar 22 • Dr. Digby James Wren

6:04

China and North Korea Reinforce Strategic Alliance in Beijing

High-Level Talks Highlight Deepening Friendship, Practical Cooperation, and Shared Regional Commitment

Sep 30, 2025 • Horng Vothana

Rhododendron on Mt Paektu

A Sacred Mountain's Unique Winter Blossom

Apr 11 • Horng Vothana

Picturesque Ragwonpho

Morning View of Modern Ragwonpho Village, DPRK

Apr 10 • Horng Vothana

Opinion

Betrayal in Qatar

Reports indicate betrayal--the Qataris were assured by the Israelis and Americans the delegation would not be attacked in Qatar, especially as it met to…

Sep 12, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

US Student Visa Restrictions

Already 10 African countries face full or partial visa bans. As for the others, they might be cautious because there’s a desire to avoid inflaming…

Jul 2, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Could CPEC Become South Asia’s Peace Corridor?

The recent decision to extend CPEC into Afghanistan is a boost to regional cooperation. But geopolitical rivalries cloud hopes.

Jun 16, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

PLAYING WITH FIRE

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth accuses China of being "an imminent threat" to Taiwan.

Jun 3, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Podcasts

Small State Diplomacy

On Iran and Trump's Deception and Trickery

Diplomacy

US Losing Friends and Allies Fast

PODCASTS

SOCIAL

PLEDGE

Sujong Peak in Mt Kumgang

Mysterious Rocks of Sujong Peak, Mt Kumgang

Apr 9 • Horng Vothana

Various Kinds of Leather Goods

Quality Leather Goods Crafted in the DPRK

Apr 8 • Horng Vothana

Environment, plastic pollution, and sustainability issue

Addressing Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Apr 7 • Horng Vothana

Global Youth Revolts, Shifting Alliances, and Environmental Fallout

From protests and elections to regional conflicts and environmental challenges, Gen Z's influence shapes the future

Apr 6 • Horng Vothana

Senegal Enacts Stricter Laws Against Same-Sex Relations

Senegal tightens penalties for LGBTQ+ activities, raising concerns internationally

Apr 1 • Horng Vothana

The latest from

Horng Vothana

Rhododendron on Mt Paektu

Dr. Digby James Wren

US Losing Friends and Allies Fast

Yasir Masood

Will Gaza remain under the rubble of screaming silence?

Recommendations

Pascal’s Substack (Neutrality Studies)

Pascal Lottaz

Dr. Digby James Wren

Dr. Digby James Wren

The East is Read

Zichen Wang and Yuxuan Jia

Warwick Powell's Substack

Dr Warwick Powell

Small State Diplomacy

Small State Diplomacy

Power contradictions in the global system, multipolarity, climate change, BRICS+, ASEAN, Global Majority

Africa

The New World Disorder

From Lebanon to Guinea, military force and authoritarian tactics reshape nations as global norms collapse.

Mar 9 • Horng Vothana

US Student Visa Restrictions

Already 10 African countries face full or partial visa bans. As for the others, they might be cautious because there’s a desire to avoid inflaming…

Jul 2, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Nigeria is digital but past problems remain

Flutterwave, a leading Fintech company founded by young Nigerians and headquartered in Lagos, operates in the U.S., Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda…

Mar 27, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

29:12

Belt and Road update

Episode 8 covers Cambodia's Techo Funan Canal & China's involvement & investment attitude as well as an update on risks to the Belt & Road in West Asia…

Dec 18, 2024 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Development

China's ‘Fengqiao Experience’ in the Solomon Islands

Navigating New Partnerships: Sovereignty and Strategy in the Pacific. China's "Fengqiao Experience" in the Solomon Islands has become a Rorschach test…

Sep 15, 2025 • Horng Vothana

Azerbaijan's Two-Way Trade Strategy

Why Iran and Russia Still Matter in Baku’s Transport Strategy?

Jul 27, 2025 • SAO SODANIN (SODA)

Eurasian Consolidation on Rails

Dr. Yasir Masood on How the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Pakistan alliance is reshaping regional geopolitics. Central Asian collaboration with China, China’s…

Jun 26, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Afghan Development On Rails

Forging the Kashgar Ring: China’s Strategic Push to Complete the Trans-Afghan Railway

Jun 6, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

China and the Pacific Island Countries: A Model of South-South Cooperation

China’s engagement with South Pacific Island Countries (SPICs) has emerged as a cornerstone of its global diplomacy, blending development assistance…

May 28, 2025 • Dr. Digby James Wren

pacific

Pacific Islands Forum

53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga August 26-30, 2024

Aug 31, 2024 • Dr. Digby James Wren

NATO Expansion, Again!

NATO extending tentacles into Asia-Pacific will only end in failure, Why NATO Should Stay Out of Asia, NATO to launch 4 projects with Indo-Pacific…

Jul 10, 2024 • Dr. Digby James Wren

China Central to Pacific Trends

Vanuatu, Solomon Islands PMs' visits to China expected to boost cooperation, China, Central Asia paint new picture of future for international…

Jul 8, 2024 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Independent and Pacific

French 'special military operation' in New Caledonia, France accuses Azerbaijan of interfering, Azerbaijan link to riots?, Australian Forces “ready to…

May 19, 2024 • Dr. Digby James Wren

Welcome to rich analysis of Small State Diplomacy

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts