INTRODUCTION
International relations are defined as political activities and other types and aspects
of interactions between two or more states
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Also, according to traditional definitions, the evolution of international relations can be
identified as actual relations between and among states. However, as human civilization and
state development progressed, international relations grew in importance in human lives and
became an essential aspect for individual and state survival
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_concepts_and_theories . One of the earliest examples of international relations is found in
ancient Greece. Greek city-states like Athens and Sparta maintained relationships, often
through alliances and conflicts. Despite frequent wars, these city-states sometimes united to
combat common threats. As well as, many scholars trace the history of modern international
relations back to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. This treaty ended the Thirty Years' War,
one of Europe's most destructive conflicts, and marked a turning point in the development of
the modern state system.
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_concepts_and_theories . Continuously, since the Second World War, the context and
nature of international relations have changed significantly
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public opinion has begun to play an important role in decision-making in foreign offices,
fundamentally altering the nature of international relations
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Nevertheless, power determines a state's ability to act in the international system, while
sovereignty defines its status. There are various definitions of power, including economic
resources, military strength, moral influence, and so on. In international relations , the
distribution of power among actors in international society is often the most intriguing aspect.
Power has never been distributed equally. The uneven distribution has significant impacts on
international society. Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, written in the fifth
century BC, examines the distribution of power among Aegean city-states and empires
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Contemporarily, there some issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic include
challenges for states in managing federal-state relations, resource distribution, and
economic recovery. Politically, the crisis has reshaped landscapes, sparking debates on
crisis response effectiveness and tensions in Malaysia. Regionally, concerns about regime
stability in Iran and political influences in Israel have impacted security dynamics
[Link] . Apart from that, in the
twenty-first century, international relations have become increasingly important as people
are more connected globally than ever before. Events such as international terrorism,
globalization, communication advances, and technological development affect everyone,
and no single country can manage these issues alone. This has led to the rapid growth of
international relations, as it is essential for maintaining world peace. Consequently,
international relations have evolved into a significant academic discipline, reflecting its
critical role in our interconnected world
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_concepts_and_theories . Thus, international relations are essential for global peace,
economic development, and addressing shared challenges in our interconnected world.
