Puntland’s Power Play: Terror, Tensions, and India’s IOR Move
Puntland’s Power Play: Terror, Tensions, and India’s IOR Move The impact of Puntland’s measures to stop terror financing is likely multifold. While in step with West’s objectives, it can exacerbate tensions within the region, especially with the Somalian government. Meanwhile, India, aiming to be a major IOR security provider, must invest in boosting its maritime […]
India’s Views on Multilateral Reform
India’s Views on Multilateral Reform Indrani Bagchi, CEO and Maria Joseph, Assistant Director, Ananta Aspen Centre, New Delhi Summary India, as a rising power, seeks to reshape global governance to align with its evolving aspirations. Historically, India was a staunch advocate of multilateralism, contributing significantly to global institutions like the UN, Bretton Woods system, and […]
Lessons from Down Under
Lessons from Down Under How India can harness Australia’s Critical Mineral Strategy Modern industries and technologies are dependent on critical minerals such as lithium, silicon, nickel and cobalt, in their quest for green transitioning and meet net zero targets. Australia is blessed with abundant reserves of these critical minerals and plays a pivotal role […]
Beyond the China Narrative: Exploring Domestic Issues in the 2024 Taiwan Elections
Beyond the China Narrative: Exploring Domestic Issues in the 2024 Taiwan Elections The popular media narrative, especially after the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DDP) win over the Taiwan Presidency, is that the 2024 elections revolved around being “pro” or “anti” China. However, Taiwan’s foreign, security and economic policy approaches towards the People’s Republic of China (PRC) […]
Hamas
A year ago, I wrote about Operation Breaking Dawn and noted that the absence of Hamas on the battle ground was a realpolitik move. Watching from the sidelines, Hamas gave the impression that Israeli appeasement policy was working when in fact it was a perfect ruse to eliminate any threat or challenge to their leadership […]
Cross-Strait Relations: Continuity And Change
In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October 2022, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping said, “China will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force. We reserve the option of taking […]
Developing AI & The Human Consciousness
”The danger is that if we invest too much in developing Al and too little in developing human consciousness, the very sophisticated artificial intelligence of computers might only serve to empower the natural stupidity of humans.” – Yuval Noah Harari As I read this comment by Harari, it made me reflect on the various Fellowships […]
“Such Things Have Always Happened. It’s Part Of Destiny’s Plan.” – Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Following the disastrous earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on 6 and 7 February 2023, the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan scrambled to save face as slow relief efforts and reports and videos on construction scams fuelled public outrage. With elections for the presidency and parliament just months away, the emergency powers invoked by […]
The Arab Spring And Extremism Among Sunni Minorities In Iran
ABSTRACT Scholarly works underline that sections of the Sunni minorities, mainly the urban middle class and the educated elites supported the creation of the Islamic Republic. Despite the Sunni ulema publicly censuring Sunni extremist groups and developing a new ‘Islamic Diplomacy’, the state’s insecurity and paranoia towards its Sunni Muslim minority increased. The state suppressed […]
Imperatives For Afghanistan’s Future
The sad reality of Afghanistan is that although the war has ended, violence continues. The security situation is grave, and amid the political chaos and the absence of structured institutions, the Taliban are unable to effectively tackle the resistance groups in the country. Several non-state actors are thriving in the political vacuum: the Islamic State […]