To date, the discourse on techno-politics has largely centred on semiconductor fabrication plants in Taiwan, lithographic innovations of the Netherlands, and critical mineral reserves, such as cobalt and lithium, across Africa. However, the next phase of this geopolitical contest is increasingly being shaped by the importance of data centres: the digital fortresses that power the computational demands of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. With data emerging as the new currency of power, geopolitics of data infrastructure is set to shape the contours of global influence with the United States and China, both vying to lead the next technological revolution. This paper explores the growing significance of data centres, the strategic motivations of major powers, and geocentric challenges that accompany this competition. It argues that, much like earlier industrial revolutions, control over data infrastructure will be a decisive factor in determining geopolitical dominance in the coming age of advanced technologies.
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CASS Opinion Roundup – May 2026, Vol. No. 0001
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The West: The History of an Idea
The world is witnessing the collapse of the Western order, if not the emergence of an alternative one. The idea of ‘West’ as against the rest is still at the root of contemporary understanding of world politics. Georgios Varouxakis, a remarkable voice on Modernity and Nationalism, has provided the historical origins and modern connotations attached with the idea of ‘West’. In his book ‘The West: The History of an Idea’, Varouxakis has argued that the West is not an eternal entity, rather it is a modern socio-political construct that emerged in the political philosophy of the early 19th century and evolved with the passage of time. The book provides an in-depth historical analysis of the idea to determine the roots of its modern interpretation.
Space-Enabled Warfare in the 21st Century: Pathways for Developing States
Space has emerged as a distinct domain of warfare alongside land, sea, air, and cyber. Developed countries like the United States, Russia, and China possess offensive and support capabilities in space. In the shadowed expanse of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where satellites operate like silent custodians, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine transformed the nature of modern conflict. As Russian troops marched forward, the commercial satellites like Maxar and Planet, which are operated by Western firms, captured high-resolution imagery of Russian troops, providing real-time intelligence to Ukrainian commanders, unlike ever before.
