Turbulence in the international order

On February 24, 2022, the entire world witnessed possibly most intense interstate conflict in 21st century as Russia started its military campaign to invade Ukraine. With Putin's unilateral order, Russian was deployed control country and even institute regime change Kyiv. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky vowed defend his against armed forces. almost 2 months into this conflict, Ukraine has not fallen hands of Putin though it occupied pro-Russian eastern provinces country. The roots are deep but contemporary political events could be traced 2005 Orange Revolution where a presidential candidate accused electoral fraud allowed assume power. This effectively polarized pro-Russia pro-Europe factions with latter hoping that can join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), US-led alliance Europe. categorically stated will allow happen. also protect Russian-speaking Ukrainians region culminated 2014 crisis ended up annexation Crimea well flank Many pundits believed is war impose sphere influence Eastern Europe by controlling installing government, something he done other former Soviet satellites such Georgia Belarus. compelled countries like secure themselves Russia's threats seeking NATO European Union (EU). However, EU have been hesitant include Therefore, narratives social media portrayed simply defending itself from expansionism supported historical facts empirical evidence. US under Biden administration, coming withdrawal troops Afghanistan, did deploy help Rather, enjoined Western providing much needed hardware It imposed severe sanctions any recent years which prompted allied do same. economy now severely crippled aggressive affected increasing price oil basic goods. There no doubt Russia–Ukraine causing great turbulence international order. end sight, might last longer than expected therefore, there more casualties on both sides costs continue increase weeks. Asian Politics & Policy published numerous articles role Asia-Pacific. In fact, Special Issue October 2018 several examined various foreign policies key states organizations. Krivushin (2018) analyzed Australia's hesitation diplomatically engage after Back then, Canberra already exhibited pessimism toward approach views revisionist power wishes challenge same Issue, Kim Blank (2019) found arms sales Middle East Southeast Asia were West uncertain strategic environment Asia-Pacific pushed small powers procurement Russia. issue APP, we pleased publish original research covered topics ranging hedging states, private intermediary organizations China, civil–military relations Pakistan, behavior South Korea during COVID-19 pandemic, civil society advocacy Mekong River, Indonesian policy. We hope our journal good academic medium for serious rigorous debates discussion public Asia.