Analysis

France on Fire: Consequence of Systemic Discrimination and Neglect of Ominous Threats
Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

France on Fire: Consequence of Systemic Discrimination and Neglect of Ominous Threats

France is in chaos after the shooting of a teen by the police. The incident has sparked protests supposedly against police brutality and racial discrimination. While the role of Islamic fundamentalists and organised terror groups are being investigated, arsonists have set fire to cars, vandalized buildings, and clashed with riot police. President Emmanuel Macron is facing a major challenge in uniting the country and restoring order.  What ignited the protests?  A police officer in the Paris suburb of Nanterre shot and killed a 17-year-old boy of Algerian heritage during a traffic stop earlier this week. Footage of the incident shows two officers standing on the driver's side of the car. One of the officers then fired his gun at the driver, even though the driver did no...
Coup in Russia | Understanding the Wagner Plot and its Aftermath
Analysis, Asia, Featured, World

Coup in Russia | Understanding the Wagner Plot and its Aftermath

Though the coup attempt and instability seem to have ended, the crisis has certainly weakened the clout and authority of President Putin. On Friday, June 23, 2023, the Yevgeniy Prigozhin-led Wagner squad of private mercenaries, operating under the direct command of the Kremlin, called for the overthrow of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his impending televised address to the nation, the Russian Premier declared the organisation to be a threat to the nation and issued military orders to put an end to the revolt. What Transpired? With Bakhmut, everything began. The Wagner group claimed that for the past several months, Russian cadre forces have been shelling the location of the left Wagner soldier in Bakhmut. The reason why Russia's forces bombarded the Wagner forces, a...
The Unperturbed Russia-India Relationship
Analysis, Asia, Featured, North America, World

The Unperturbed Russia-India Relationship

Does the engagement with the United States mean that India will let go of a less productive but beneficial relationship with Russia? Does it mean that India will start exhibiting an anti-Russian attitude of sorts, just like the former Soviet Bloc nations like Latvia and Moldova are doing? The world is presently occupied with India's closeness with the United States of America. At times, the optics around these visits make people who favour Russia and China uneasy. Experts from all corners attempt at downplaying these ties or make multiple predictions around India's monkey-balancing with both US and Russia. But that seems a little different from the kind of realistic ties the Kremlin shares with New Delhi. Moreover, the focus of India's strategic autonomy lies on a different ta...
China’s Rattled Response Shows It Is Worried by Modi’s Visit to the US
Analysis, Asia, Featured, North America, World

China’s Rattled Response Shows It Is Worried by Modi’s Visit to the US

China says the US will fail to contain its rise as the world is still dependent on its trade and manufacturing. Says that the US is trying to push India against it and is ramping up efforts to arrest China’s economic progress. A statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that cooperation between the US and India especially in the military sector should not undermine the peace, cooperation and stability of the region. This reaction was expected after India signed several defence and commercial pacts with the US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit. PM Modi’s visit to the United States has been a huge success in bolstering defence ties and has set up a roadmap for industrial-defence cooperation between both countries. This seems to have provoked...
Iran Announces the Formation of a Naval Alliance in the Indian Ocean
Analysis, Featured, Middle East, World

Iran Announces the Formation of a Naval Alliance in the Indian Ocean

West Asia is one of the major sources of oil supply and to ship oil safely, the safety of the sea lines of communication is one of the concerns for the region. The presence of naval ships, especially of any alliance system, provides a sense of security in the region. China has become an important factor in the region and its increasing presence and impact there should not be ruled out.  The formation of a naval alliance led by Iran will be seen as a direct challenge to the US and it also signifies decreasing dominance of the US in the region. Introduction An important development has occurred in West Asia where Iran is planning to form a naval alliance with Gulf countries. Iran’s navy commander Shahram Irani stated in a television programme that they are planning to form a ...
How the Israel-Azerbaijan Relations is Changing the Nature of Geopolitics in West Asia
Analysis, Featured, Middle East, World

How the Israel-Azerbaijan Relations is Changing the Nature of Geopolitics in West Asia

Azerbaijan and Israel's relations have been growing steadily over the last years, in terms of policy, economic as well as military cooperation. Azerbaijan was Israel's 2nd biggest destination for arms exports in the period from 2018 to 2022, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report. Azerbaijan has upped its energy supply to Israel, which now supplies 40% of the country's needs after the conflict in Ukraine. The last Jewish settlement in the Caucasus, Krasnaya Sloboda ("Red Town"), is located in Azerbaijan. Since the late 19th century, a sizeable community of European Jews has lived in Baku. In addition to all these pragmatic factors, the close relationship between the two countries also has historical and cultural roots. Cooperation between them is als...
Football: Why India Must Run Behind The Ball?
Analysis, Featured, National

Football: Why India Must Run Behind The Ball?

Apart from the health benefits, promoting football has other facets such as improving soft power and accruing commercial benefits. The tourism industry will see significant improvement and India can showcase its rich historical and cultural heritage to the world. This will also help in employment generation. India has enough human resources to promote football in a big way but what is lacking is the intent and vision. India must not fail to realise that every resource spent on football will come back manifold in many forms that are extremely beneficial to the country and its citizens. European football is coming to a decisive end of the season. Many domestic league titles are already decided and the finals of the UEFA Champions League is the last and the most important silverware y...
Syria’s Reinstatement in the Arab League – Crucial Step Towards Peace or Condoning Crimes on Humanity?
Analysis, Featured, Middle East, World

Syria’s Reinstatement in the Arab League – Crucial Step Towards Peace or Condoning Crimes on Humanity?

Syria's reinstatement to the Arab League marks a significant turning point in its recuperation and diplomatic re-engagement with the world. Some see it as a crucial step towards ending the crisis and bringing calm back to the area, while others claim it sends an inaccurate message regarding violations of human rights and damages the Arab League's authenticity. The reinstatement of Syria to the Arab League, after twelve years of isolation on May 19, 2023, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is seen as a big symbolic achievement of Damascus, a strong regional realignment and proof of the US ‘fading influence’.[1] This reflects the most recent development following the wave of peace that emerged as a result of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This marks the b...
Balikatan Exercise Amid Simmering Geopolitical Tension
Analysis, Asia, Featured, World

Balikatan Exercise Amid Simmering Geopolitical Tension

This year’s Balikatan Exercise is considered to be the largest in the last three decades, conducted from 11th April to 28th April and involved more than 17,600 military personnel from the Philippines and the United States armed forces.Ever since Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in June 2022, Manila has been looking forward towards building a vigorous relationship with Washington.Beijing has expressed concerns over the new US military bases in the Philippines which will provide more flexibility to US presence if any conflict breaks out between US and China. The area of defence cooperation fulfils the mutual interests of both the Philippines and the US by enabling the former to build internal capability for defending its territorial integrity The region of...
Understanding North Korea
Analysis, Asia, Featured, World

Understanding North Korea

North Korea's guiding philosophical tenets have been its militarism and independence. Political loyalty has long been a prerequisite for advancement within the regime, and Kim has ruled with the support of the WPK, the government, the military, and the security services. The use of punitive measures against Pyongyang appears to have strengthened Kim's resolve to bolster the military.Russia has been a key ally in discussions regarding sanctions to be implemented in response to North Korean nuclear and missile tests. The first ten years of Kim Jong-Un's rule in North Korea were marked by economic failures, stalled nuclear negotiations, and a steady increase in military power. Kim Jong-il appointed military and governmental officials to help him transition to leadership, but after ta...