Hello everyone,

I got into both degrees and I really value the outcomes both degrees will give me in terms of employability (I already know IR is a lost case in this sense) but I wanted to ask everyone's opinion.

Both ways I'll end up doing a master after my bachelors focusing on a better job-landing master ofc. I've heard Security Studies is such a niche field and the demand is rising (thats what they said about IR and look at current saturation).

But what I'm genuelly scared of is that if I choose Security Studies theres a chance I overspecialize and don't even get a job in that field (which might be unlikely but still possible).

I'm an european citizen with asian background who speaks 3 of the most spoken languages (really basic and not really competent for IR) but I swear that doing IR it really interests me but the job prospects frightens me. I do not come from a legacy of nepotism who's not really good at networking and if I overthink it I'm scared of landing in an under-qualified job or even worse.

The reason of why I say it's urgent is that I need to decide ASAP because both bachelors already started and I need to choose to attend permanently in one of the 2 bachelors (I'm screwed up and y'all can blame it's my fault but I still value if anyone is willing to advice me).

My university is one of the best in terms of PolSci and I assume both degrees land in that field more or less so reputation isn't really a problem I assume.

Any tips, opinions and suggestions will be appreciated tysm! Peace everyone!

Hello everyone!

I’m a recent graduate with a degree in political science and a certificate in international relations, and I’m about to start a master’s program in international security.

Before I start my masters program, I wanted to get an idea about some of the major questions or emerging issues in international security right now as I’m hoping to get some ideas for potential master’s thesis topic.

I took an international security course back in 2024, but given how quickly the world has been moving, I’m sure there are plenty of newer developments / debates that I haven’t come across yet. I still have access to my old university’s academic databases and have been reading some interesting papers but I figured asking people who actively follow these issues might be a more efficient way to get a sense of what’s currently being discussed before diving further into mountains of research papers and articles.

I am particularly interested in intelligence, counterterrorism, and radicalization but please feel free to write about any topic that you'd like as I do have interest in many other areas of international security.

So, if you’re studying or working in international security, what issues do you think deserve more attention right now? And if you’re currently doing a master’s/PhD, what are some interesting research questions you’ve come across? I’d appreciate any ideas, even if they’re just a topic or question that you think is worth looking into to spark some ideas of areas for me to start!

Many thanks in advance!!

Hi,

I recently graduated from a big state school in the US with a bachelors of science in political science. Needless to say, the market for that is not the best currently. I had always intended on pursing secondary education and so applied to grad schools, mostly in international relations. I got accepted into three top ten programs, two in DC and one in NY, and decided on going to the one that gave me the most money which was in Washington.

I received a pretty generous merit scholarship, a little over 40k, from the school I am intending on going to. There was a lot of things that interested me about the program such as abroad opportunities for study and work, as well as being in Washington. However, after doing the math, it came down to still nearly 20k a year for tuition, 20k a year in rent, and whatever else living expenses there are.

I am currently deferring for a semester because I've basically spent the entire summer questioning my path after having met with academic advisors, professors, and students. They have all said that the times are shaky, but the students have been relatively happy with outcomes and being in Washington helps immensely. The issues that I have are after the fact in which salaries are not the best and the job market is questionable after federal layoffs, USAID defunding, and a decrease of funding in international organizations.

My questions are basically is this worth it right now and will it ever be worth it in the future given the US' political apparatus right now? Is it worth it to maybe go overseas and get a masters in Europe, which would be much cheaper and allow me to pursue an interest without a tuition burden? Are there other degree paths that could allow me to work in international settings that would be more of an ROI such as a JD or an MBA? Would a masters in law from a European university give me the same work outcomes as a MA in IR in the US (obviously wouldn't be able to be a litigator or sit for the bar in the US but could work in international organizations, etc. and be a more focused degree)?

Obviously the field is tough, but I would say that I have intermediate or close to intermediate level in French and German, did study exchanges in Paris and Rome, do not currently have EU citizenship but have an application for citizenship by decent that probably will take two years to go through, which are all benefits in this field.

I am obviously struggling to make sense of this path and where to really get started so naturally I have a plethora of questions and don't want to really feel directionless. Obviously, this field is a real interest of mine but I think deferring for a semester is probably the best option.

Thank you guys for the help!

The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek has highlighted an interesting contradiction in international politics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly invoked September 1, 1939, the beginning of World War II, while warning against allowing the deliberate provocation of armed conflicts to become an accepted international practice.

The historical reference is significant. World War II demonstrated how regional confrontations can eventually develop into much larger international conflicts.

But there is an obvious question: how does this message fit with the current geopolitical situation involving several SCO members?

Russia continues its war in Ukraine. Iran remains involved in a major confrontation with the United States and Israel. India and Pakistan continue to have serious security tensions, while China faces its own disputes and strategic competition in Asia.

At the same summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized dialogue and diplomacy. During his meeting with Putin, Modi urged a move from “endless war” to “end of war” and reiterated India's support for peace efforts.

This creates an interesting dilemma for the SCO.

The organisation presents itself as a platform for regional security, cooperation and dialogue, and the Bishkek summit brings together leaders from countries with very different strategic interests.

Yet several of its members are simultaneously involved in, affected by, or strategically connected to major conflicts.

So is the SCO actually capable of promoting peace?

Can an organisation containing countries with competing security interests become a meaningful platform for conflict resolution?

Or is the SCO primarily a mechanism for strategic cooperation and balancing Western influence, rather than a genuine peace-building organisation?

And perhaps the bigger question:

Can countries call for international peace while pursuing military objectives that conflict with that principle?

What do you think?

I am an incoming student who is about to do my masters in International Relations from London. (My university is known for security and warfare studies) I am in the process of selecting my modules and I wanted to get a better understanding of the future career prospects in the sense that I wanted to target and get myself well acquainted with newer fields in IR. I have a rudimentary understanding about the use of AI and the technological aspects of warfare and am the field of counter-intelligence, warfare and the upcoming importance around use of AI guided defence systems, covert warfare and intelligence gathering seems interesting to me.
I’m also very interested in foreign policy analysis and diplomacy as two other options. If anyone is able to guide me in this matter it would be greatly appreciated as I want to make an informed, well researched decision regarding what I want to study further…

With all the focus on the war itself, it feels like the potential impact on the Strait of Hormuz—oil prices, global trade, inflation, and the wider economy—may have been underestimated.

Or am I missing something?

What do you people think?

"Nigeria’s status as a middle power in global affairs has significant implications for regional and global governance. Despite domestic challenges, the country is well positioned to shape global affairs and advance African interests. Specifically: 

• Its middle power status is primarily shaped by Nigeria’s natural, tangible, and intangible sources of power. These instruments of state power are expected to inform its engagement in global affairs in the years ahead.
• Over time, Nigeria has demonstrated a capacity to influence both regional and global processes and outcomes. Its substantial involvement across diverse sectors provides a foundation for Nigeria to consolidate on its gains in the coming years.
• Nigeria’s economic, diplomatic, and cultural resources drive its middle power status. However, its ability to maintain this standing will be increasingly contested by other emerging middle powers.
• Nigeria continues to play a major role within international institutions, such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the World Trade Organization. At the same time, its regional influence through bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union is expected to remain strong.
• As geostrategic competition erodes the rules-based order and a new global order emerges, Nigeria's leadership remains important to promoting regional integration, peace, and security in Africa and beyond, ensuring the continent's voice is amplified in this new global landscape. The country will retain a critical role in regional and global governance."

Mcebisi Jonas urges South Africa and Canada to strengthen middle-power cooperation

Thought this was an interesting development, linking current affairs to Carney's Davos speech.