The Syrian Port of Tartus: A New Gateway for Russia
President Vladimir Putin, who sees Soviet collapse as an epic tragedy, is extremely enthusiastic about reviving Russia’s lost honour. The author, Ayesha Zafar, considers Russia’s 49-year lease on the Syrian port of Tartus an attempt to expand the scope of its military power and trade routes.
The New Canal Project of Istanbul & the Montreux Convention
Each year, around 48,000 vessels pass through Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait, making it the world’s busiest sea route. The Montreux Convention, under which Turkey regulates the strait, imposes several limitations on countries not bordering the Black Sea and prevents Turkey from taxing the vessels of the Black Sea littoral states. However, the author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, reveals that by constructing the Istanbul Canal, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aims to overcome these restrictions, since the convention is inapplicable to the canal. While the Turkish government defends the canal project, the Turkish opposition, environmental experts, and Russia are concerned about its implications.
Markhor — The National Animal Symbolizing Pakistan’s Perseverance
Markhor, a magnificent wild goat, is the national animal of Pakistan. Its corkscrew-shaped horns and powerful hooves are just a couple of its imposing features. There are five sub-species of Markhors.
Trophy hunting brought the creature back from extinction. However, the numbers seem to be dwindling again owing to the insufficent and irregular salaries of the wildlife department, motivating poachers to hunt the precious animal.
6 Reasons Why the AUKUS Security Pact Will Fail
AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between the US, the United Kingdom, and Australia, ensures the transfer of nuclear technology to Australia from the two major powers. In an effort to contain China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific, Australia will now be equipped with nuclear submarines. The author, Muhammad Aamir, argues that although this pact aims to intimidate China, it is not as useful as it seems and is more likely to harm Australia than benefit it. According to the author, there are six main reasons – including the timing of the pact – why AUKUS might be incapable of achieving its goals.
The 26th Conference of Parties (COP 26): Showcasing Pakistan’s Climate Commitments
Alarming numbers and existing evidence by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have prompted a ‘Code Red’ for humanity. An annual global climate conference, this year’s Conference of Parties, COP26, will take place in Glasgow from 31st October to 12th November. It will allow countries to present policies and measures taken to address climate change. The author, Ayesha Zafar, highlights Pakistan’s significant commitments to tackling climate change, which includes the establishment of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre, the National Climate Change Policy, and the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, among others.
The Revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) Road Transport Corridor
The revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) corridor after 10 years will herald significant transit trade opportunities and cost-cutting in transportation. In fact, the ML-1 railway line, a major project under CPEC, will connect with the ITI corridor, thus increasing China’s regional influence.
Is the Global Economy Still Collapsing Due to the Pandemic?
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has left no part of the world unharmed. Aside from its devastating impact on human life, COVID-19 has severely damaged the global economy. The author notes that the collapsing global economy has increased unemployment, food insecurity, and poverty, and threatened international trade and tourism. Due to the pandemic, the oil demand has reduced by 30% and the oil prices have reached an all-time low, causing the oil-producing states to suffer a 50-85% loss in oil revenues. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this collapse is likely to cost the world economy $5.8 to $8.8 trillion. The author explains that for the recovery of the global economy, international organizations and varying countries (i.e. the US, China, Japan, and Pakistan) have introduced several initiatives and stimulus packages. However, for these measures to be successful, international cooperation is necessary.
Lebanon’s Catastrophic Economic Crisis (2021)
Lebanon’s harrowing economic crisis is primarily triggered by corruption and countless debts. To contextualise the gravity of the crisis, one must understand that the country’s debt is equivalent to 150% of its output.
Marred by extended civil wars and sectarian conflicts, Lebanon witnessed the worst recession. Due to this, It wasn’t long before there were major upheavals in the political structure of Lebanon.
To free itself from this predicament, the author, Palwasha Khan, recommends the reformation of Lebanon’s institutions as well as the promotion of private investments.
The Garrison Public Library in Multan: A Booklover’s Dream
Multan, located in the southern part of Pakistan’s Punjab province, serves as the resting place for many Sufi saints. Being one of the oldest living cities in South Asia, its culture is a blend of the new and the old. The author, Alina Fayaz, notes that in recent years, Multan has taken steps towards modernization. One such step is the establishment of the Garrison Public Library in Multan—one of the largest public libraries in Pakistan. The library is the brainchild of the late Lieutenant-General (R) Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad HI(M) who was the mastermind behind Operation Zarb-e-Azb. A bibliophile himself, he wanted to establish a library that would help preserve the literary, historic and cultural heritage of Multan region. Today, this stunning library stands as his gift to Pakistan’s booklovers. The beautiful architecture and the library’s facilities attract locals and tourists, all the while providing a comfortable environment for women and children – and particularly for individuals wit…
The Border Dispute Between China and India: An Uncompromising Standoff
The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, discusses the escalating border conflicts between India and China. Alongside highlighting the history of the conflict, he showcases how the Indian media has reported new confrontations between India and China over the area of Arunachal Pradesh, and how this is heightening tensions between the two countries again.
The Four Waves of Modern Terrorism
While state-perpetrated terrorism can be traced back to the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, terrorism itself is rooted deep into human history. The author notes that the phenomenon of terrorism has undergone significant development since its usage by the Sicarii in the 1st century. The author relies on David Rapoport’s model of the four waves of modern terrorism to explain how the aims, motivation, rationale, and methods of achieving the aims have changed from the 1870s till now. She argues that while states have adopted measures to counter the current wave of religious fundamentalism, terrorism itself cannot be completely eradicated.
The Magnificent Forts of Pakistan
Pakistan has a large number of massive historical forts including the Rohtas Fort, the Lahore Fort and the Skardu Fort, with each fort showcasing the remarkable architecture of the past. The author, Daniyal Ali, features 8 breathtaking forts laid out all over Pakistan.
The History of Taiwan: From Dutch Colony to a Democratic “Country”
The island of Taiwan has a long history of colonization. From the 17th century till 1949, Taiwan had either been a colony of the Dutch, Spanish, or the Japanese, or a territory ruled by the Qing dynasty. The author, Muhammad Abdullah, notes that under Japanese rule, the island’s transportation, economic, and education sectors witnessed growth. However, after Japan surrendered in World War II, it ceded Taiwan to China. Since then, China has had significant influence over the matters of Taiwan. The author explains that despite China’s plans to reunify the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China, most of the Taiwanese population supports a sovereign, independent state over reunification.
OPEC’s Oil Embargo in 1973: Causes and Effects
The author, Muhammad Akbar, explores the events that led to the OPEC’s Oil Embargo in 1973. This includes the US’s sudden pull out from the Bretton Woods Agreement and the US’s involvement in the Yom Kippur War. The article also briefly discusses the effects of the 1973 Oil Embargo.
A Biography of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan: The Father of Pakistan’s Atomic Weapons Program
The author, Ziyad Sheikh, narrates the life of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan as a tribute to his legacy. He worked in earnest to turn Pakistan into an atomic power, thus immortalizing his name as the ‘father of Pakistan’s atomic weapons program.’
Will Taiwan’s Conflict with China Lead to Reunification?
The tensions between Taiwan and China escalated since the beginning of this month when Chinese military jets entered the air defence zone of Taiwan for four consecutive days. The author, Alina Fayaz, claims that China has become more emphatic in the region, and that the invasion of Taiwan will turn out to be the biggest threat to world peace in a generation. China’s muscle-flexing in Taiwan through increased military over the last few months has raised an international concern as the fate of the island will reshape the order in the region because of its potential.
Dowry Deaths in India: A Harrowing Reality
On average, 7 thousand women die in India each year due to dowry harassment. The dowry culture in India has penetrated every social stratum and is so deeply embedded in the societal structure that despite being declared illegal, it openly persists. The author, Lyba Mobeen, analyzed several cases of dowry deaths and harassment to explain how women in India are threatened, beaten, starved, and even murdered due to the greed of their husbands and in-laws. She argues that the continuation of dowry can be attributed to societal acceptance and India’s socio-economic and patriarchal structure. On top of that, since many Indian women are unaware of their rights under the Dowry Prohibition Act, they continue to suffer in silence.