Addressing Current Research Gaps in International Relations Studies: A Qualitative Analysis of Emerging Global Challenges

The field of international relations faces significant research gaps as traditional frameworks struggle to address emerging challenges in the twenty-first century. This research paper presents a comprehensive qualitative analysis of four priority research domains that require urgent scholarly attention: artificial intelligence governance and global power dynamics, climate security and interstate conflict, digital sovereignty in the Global South, and non-state actors in hybrid warfare. Through systematic literature review and thematic analysis, this study identifies critical theoretical and empirical gaps in existing scholarship while proposing frameworks for addressing these deficiencies.The research employs a qualitative methodology incorporating document analysis, comparative case studies, and interpretive analysis of policy documents and academic literature. Findings reveal that traditional international relations theories, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism, require significant adaptation to address the multidimensional challenges posed by technological transformation, environmental change, and evolving security paradigms. The paper concludes with evidence-based recommendations for future research agendas, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, methodological innovation, and policy-relevant scholarship. This analysis contributes to the ongoing discourse on advancing international relations scholarship in an era of unprecedented global complexity and interconnection.