Semantic shift in "around"

I think it is incorrect to assume 'around' is synonymous with 'about' in the contexts you supplied. 'About' means something direct like 'concerning' and often points to single causes, persons, or things, focussing on these; while 'around' has a much more passive meaning, sort of like 'surrounding', and is often used to highlight a plurality of influences surrounding the central object of discussion.

"Around" certainly can replace "related toward". It is usually modified my an adjective placed before hand like "revolving" or "based". I think the missing modifying adjective in many cases forces a loss of context amongst non-native English listeners unused to slang of this kind. I think it is on par with the same men and women who start sentences with the word "basically" and then proceed to fumble with the explanation. Oh and that dude we all know that finishes sentences with "per se" without having isolated anything "in itself".

The word "around", depending on the surrounding context may be used as an alternative to words that normally tend to draw attention to a particular issue being addressed. Words like: revolving, related toward, regarding etc.