Research Interests: 

My research lies at the intersection of international security and comparative politics, with a particular focus on how domestic dynamics shape the initiation and termination of international conflicts. One line of inquiry examines bargaining among domestic actors and its downstream impacts on international conflict. A second line investigates how authoritarian politics influence dictators’ signaling strategies in international bargaining. Methodologically, I use formal models and quantitative methods, and I also write code for machine learning.

1. Tian, X. (2024) “Claiming the Unclaimable Sovereignty in the Cyberspace (in English)” State Building & Fragility Monitor. 11, 52-60. 

2. Tian, X. ; Mendes, C. (2021) “Rethinking tribute system and Chinese foreign aid from a relational perspective (in English)” Relações Internacionais. 71, 87-103. 

3. Mendes, C. ; Tian, X. (2020) “The political and economic motivations behind China’s presence in Angola (in Portuguese)” Relações Internacionais. 65, 57-70.

4. Tian, X. (2020) “Beijing’s Image in the eyes of Brazilian (in Chinese)” in Ma, S.; Shao, Y. (eds.) Overseas Perception Survey of Beijing. Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China), 229-256.

1. Tian, X. (2024). Why the US Failed to Curb North Korean Nuclearization through Engagement and Deterrence? [Research article]. Social Science Research Network (SSRN). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5005861. 

2. Tian, X. (2024). Realpolitik in Peacebuilding: Unveiling the Dynamics of US Foreign Aid to Post-Conflict Countries [Research article]. Social Science Research Network (SSRN). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5005857. 

3. Tian, X. (2023). Claiming the Unclaimable Sovereignty in the Cyberspace [Research article]. Social Science Research Network (SSRN). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5005839. 

4. Tian, X. (2023). Democracy on the Wheelbarrow: Exploring the Relationship between Informal Economy and Autocratic Regime Breakdown [Research article]. Social Science Research Network(SSRN). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5005846. 

1. Tian, X. (July 2024). Realpolitik in Peacebuilding: Unveiling the Dynamics of US Foreign Aid to Post-Conflict Countries. 17th Meeting of Chinese Community of Political Science and International Studies, Tsinghua Unversity, Beijing.