Abstract This study examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing supply chain performance through improved supplier collaboration in West Africa. Grounded in transaction cost economics (TCE), resource-based view (RBV), and cybernetic theory, the research explores how AI-driven technologies reduce transaction costs, optimize strategic resources, and enhance adaptability through real-time data sharing. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data from 250 suppliers across multiple industries. The findings establish significant relationships between AI-driven communication tools, automation in collaboration processes, real-time data-sharing capabilities, and supplier network integration, all of which positively impact supply chain performance. Among these factors, supplier network integration exhibited the strongest influence on performance outcomes, highlighting the critical role of AI in fostering interconnected supply chains. The study recommends wider adoption of AI tools, automation, and real-time data-sharing mechanisms to enhance supplier interactions and supply chain agility. These insights provide practical implications for supply chain practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders seeking to leverage AI for greater efficiency and resilience in supply chain operations.

Abstract In political demonstrations, conservative Christian groups frequently include Israeli flags and speeches in support of Israel. This is in line with a long-standing trend, which links peculiar interpretations of apocalyptic texts with the future of Jewish people, resulting nowadays in a movement known as Christian Zionism. The diffuse association between the religiosity of Jewish people and the modern state of Israel has made it easier for conservative Christians to legitimize with religious arguments their support for political parties and politicians who declare unrestricted support for the state of Israel and its policies, even if they radically deny many other core values of Christianity. In the US, they support the Republican Party’s international policy on the state of Israel; in Brazil, Christian Zionism gives strong support to Jair Bolsonaro and his radical right movement. In this article, I intend to show the origin and some characteristics of the apocalyptic interpretations in the US and Brazil and how they contributed to linking conservative evangelical Christians with the radical political right. To conclude, pointing out some political tendencies of the alliance between Christian Zionism and the radical right, especially in positions concerning international relations regarding the state of Israel.

Abstract This study examines the persistent Arab-Israeli conflict in historical Palestine through the lenses of key theoretical frameworks including realism, constructivism, settler-colonialism, ethnic conflict, and post-colonialism, with a specific focus on the role of US foreign policy. The conflict, rooted in the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and subsequent geopolitical developments, remains one of the most intractable in the world. The study critically assesses how US support for Israel – diplomatic, military, and economic – has exacerbated tensions, further entrenching the conflict. By applying these theories, the research explores how identity, power, and colonial dynamics perpetuate violence, while also analyzing potential pathways toward peace. The study concludes by exploring future scenarios and the potential for US policy shifts to foster resolution or further escalation in the region.

Abstract Cuba and the United States (US) have had a long and complex relationship in which the Cuban revolution had a huge impact. Successive US administrations have sought regime change, and their actions have impacted on the daily life of ordinary Cubans. Consequently, Cubans pay attention to presidential elections in US. Who is the next president and what to expect? Taking into consideration Trump’s record and the composition of his foreign policy team, it is safe to anticipate a negative impact on the bilateral relations. Political and diplomatic confrontation as well as a reinforcement of unilateral coercive measures will prevail.

Abstract The article discusses the global significance of US presidential elections and influences in terms of the plutocratic stimulation of transnational conflicts and alternative trajectories of justice. It differentiates plutocratic and democratic aspects in US presidential elections and identifies impacts in the world. Then, to understand the current US elections and future developments as the results of the political cycle, the article explains the differentiation of historical stages of political and economic development in Western countries in the global context from World War II to the present. Finally, following the last US presidential election, it analyzes the current political and economic tensions among the major global powers and outlines the main scenarios.

Abstract This article analyzes structural constraints of democracy in liberal democracies. First, it shows that contemporary liberal democracies evolved from a political system (inspired by the emergence and the form of the political regime in the US) that was conceived as the antithesis of democracy – it is an internal constraint. Then it analyzes the external constraints that arise from the capitalist economy that contain two features – the so-called structural dependence of the state on capital and the impact of the functioning of capitalist companies and economy on personal development of citizens and on democratic culture in general. It ends with a presentation of different levels of analysis that allow us to see the presidential election as a democratic deficit of liberal democracy, and its correction within one interconnected whole.

Abstract In explaining the cause of financial exclusion, dissatisfaction with the formal financial system stands out as a possible cause of financial exclusion according to the dissatisfaction theory of financial inclusion. This article revisits the dissatisfaction theory of financial inclusion and extends the theory by providing an elaborate discussion of (i) the relationship between customer dissatisfaction and financial inclusion using a grid; (ii) the sources of customer dissatisfaction; and (iii) ways to deal with customer dissatisfaction. The theory argues that previously banked adults who left the formal financial system and have become unbanked again can be brought back to the formal financial sector through persuasion if the element of dissatisfaction has been removed or resolved. The theory is significant because it explains one of the major reasons why people leave the formal financial system despite the availability of formal financial services and ease of access to financial services in the financial system.

Abstract This study evaluates AI’s effectiveness in boosting real-time decision-making and supply chain agility in West African ports. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), data from 250 supply chain experts across several countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, were analyzed. Results indicate significant enhancements in supply chain agility, particularly through improved data processing speed, system integration, prediction accuracy, and user interface quality, with the latter having the most substantial impact. The study underscores the importance of user-friendly AI systems, supported by Dynamic Capabilities Theory, which facilitates organizational adaptability to market changes. Recommendations focus on developing AI systems with robust user interfaces and ensuring seamless integration with existing IT infrastructures. This research contributes to the literature by empirically demonstrating AI’s role in improving operational adaptability and filling theoretical gaps, with a unique regional focus and methodological approach.

Abstract This study gives a general overview of the Ukrainian crisis through the lens of game theory, examining the motivations and constraints of Ukraine, Russia, and the West. Game theory provides structural concepts that explore trust, cooperation, risk-taking, and coordination challenges within the crisis. The analysis considers the impact of power imbalances and external factors like alliances and historical ties, strategic behavior, and other factors. The article concludes by highlighting key takeaways from the game-theoretic approach that can provide a roadmap towards a deeper analysis, and a structural diplomatic approach to conflict resolution.