Author: Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.

I am the current Postdoctoral Fellow of Global Asia at the Center for Global Asia, New York University Shanghai, China. I am also attached to Sri Lanka's Kotelawala Defence University as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor in the United States). I am the first academic from the Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) to proceed on a postdoctoral fellowship and the only female academic at the Department of Strategic Studies to hold a doctorate. I research on areas such as Sri Lanka-China Relations, Diplomacy, Foreign Policy Analysis, Strategic Communications and Maritime Security.
21st Century Maritime Silk Road · Belt & Road Initiative · China · Defence Policy · Diplomacy · Economics · Foreign Policy · Geopolitics · Indian Ocean Region · Indo-Pacific · International Relations · Military · Neoclassical Realism · Security · South Asia · Sri Lanka · Sri Lanka Foreign Policy · United Nations

Out now! From Friendship to Dependency

Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.Leave a comment

My monograph From Friendship to Dependency: Analysing Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policymaking Towards China is now available for purchase through KW Publishers. Grab your copy now! From Friendship to Dependency: Analysing Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policymaking Towards China employs a Neoclassical Realist lens to analyse Sri Lanka’s foreign policymaking towards China, emphasising the domestic factors that shape decision-making…… Continue reading Out now! From Friendship to Dependency

21st Century Maritime Silk Road · Belt & Road Initiative · China · Defence Policy · Foreign Policy · Indian Ocean Region · Indo-Pacific · Military · National Security · Security · South Asia · Sri Lanka

Navigating Seas of Cooperation: China’s Military Diplomacy in Sri Lanka

Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.Leave a comment

China’s security relations with Sri Lanka are relatively understudied compared to its political and economic relationships with Sri Lanka—despite the publicity when military vessels or research vessels visit Sri Lankan ports. This research contributes to developing the conversation and knowledge surrounding China’s influence in South Asia by deliberating on the Sino-Sri Lankan defence relationship from…… Continue reading Navigating Seas of Cooperation: China’s Military Diplomacy in Sri Lanka

Defence Policy · Foreign Policy · Geopolitics · India · Indo-Pacific · International Relations · Security · Sri Lanka

Geopolitical Realities Faced by Small States: A Comparison of New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s Relationships with Their Closest Neighbors

Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.Leave a comment

New Zealand and Sri Lanka neighbor regional powers: Australia and India, respectively. Australia and India wield considerable influence in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions due to their size, wealth, and resources. The island-states in Australia’s neighborhood are dependent on Australia for trade and security, whereas India’s neighbors engage in trade, have security pacts, and…… Continue reading Geopolitical Realities Faced by Small States: A Comparison of New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s Relationships with Their Closest Neighbors

Belt & Road Initiative · China · Economics · International Relations · United Nations · US Foreign Policy

US tariffs and emergence of new world order

Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.Leave a comment

Bold statements, extravagant research reports and media shows appear to be at the core of current US foreign policy. Regardless of its policies and points of view, researchers produce reports through the Congress Research Service (CRS) that contain important advice for the United States. However, over the years, the well-researched expert advice appears to have…… Continue reading US tariffs and emergence of new world order

Geopolitics · National Security · Regional Security · Security · South Asia

Resurgence of ISKP and its regional security implications in the Indo-Pacific

Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.Leave a comment

In this episode of the IPC podcast, I explore Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) and the resurgence of the caliphate and its regional security implications with Mr. Asif Fuard. Terrorism and terrorist groups are a major cause of insecurity to countries and regions. The presence of the ISKP is not only a threat to the Central/South Asian…… Continue reading Resurgence of ISKP and its regional security implications in the Indo-Pacific