Viktor Jakupec is an Honorary Professor in Development Studies at Deakin University, Australia, and the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at Potsdam University, Germany. He held academic positions at universities in Asia and Africa. His research focuses on political economy analysis, development studies, and foreign aid. As a consultant, he advised governments and multi-lateral aid agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, European Commission, and numerous bilateral aid agencies in over 14 Asian, MENA, South Pacific, and European countries. Jakupec holds a Dr. phil. from FU Hagen, Germany, and a Dr. habil. from Giessen University, Germany. His recent publications include Jakupec, V. (2024) Dynamics of the Ukraine War: Diplomatic Challenges and Geopolitical Uncertainties. Cham: Springer and Jakupec, V., Kelly, M. and McKay, J. (2024). Foreign Aid in a World in Crisis: Shifting Geopolitics in the Neoliberal Era, London / New York: Routledge.