How Western Sanctions Are Worsening the Humanitarian Crisis in Syria
Labeled a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ in 1979, Syria has been experiencing severe economic sanctions by the West since then. The sanctions are renewed every year, and all US Presidents have been renewing them (& adding to them) without fail.
The problem is that over half of the 21 million Syrians that lived in the country before the war have been displaced. Western Sanctions and Bashar’s obstinacy mean that Syrians are continually getting crushed by inflation, broken infrastructure, & the lack of access to basic humanities.
The question is, when will the suffering of the Syrian people end?
What Does 2023 Hold for Pakistan?
In just the last two months, significant political harm has been done to the government, to major institutions and their reputations, as well as to the general elite. This is a direct result of the issues posed by inflation and the additional drastic deterioration of consumer capabilities.
Hina Anwar believes that the comparative economic advantage of Pakistan’s rivals (e.g. India) will further pull the country into political and economic crises.
Such crises are likely to manifest in the short term, as a fresh wave of terrorist attacks by the TTP, Daesh, and the separatists in Balochistan.
The True Face of Crime in the United States
Many people around the globe look at America as a beacon of hope and success, yet upon a more detailed perusal of the nation, it is found to be a cesspool of high crime rates and a faulty justice system. These criminal acts include robberies/larceny, armed violence, fraud, assault, sex crimes, and homicides.
The Chinese Spy Balloon that Lurked Overhead the US
In February, China’s spy balloon—about 200 feet tall with high-tech equipment—was shot by a US fighter jet.
This foreign surveillance sparked anger on part of the US, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceling his visit to China.
The Cold War Timeline
Since today marks the date that Russia invaded Ukraine, it would be fitting to glance through the series of Cold War events that caused this to happen.
Wania Waseem provides a summary of the major events that took place during the Cold War such as the Truman doctrine, the creation of NATO, the signing of the Warsaw Pact, etcetera.
Russia’s War on Ukraine: A Consequence of Geopolitics
The creation of NATO and the disintegration of the Soviet Union led Russia to become a part of almost all the major conflicts in post-Westphalian Europe.
Haider Ali Khan makes the argument that geographical insecurities and Western defence led Russia to begin its war on Ukraine.
The Sicilian Mafia
Organized crime refers to a structured criminal enterprise whose primary focus is on generating profit, be it capital or other material profit.
Their criminal activity revolves around illicit activities, such as the provision of illegal substances, and in some cases, even human trafficking.
There are many major groups within organized crime functioning all over the world, but the most fear-inducing is the Sicilian Mafia.
West Papua: A Bid for Freedom
West Papua, also known as the western half of New Guinea, has been plagued by an armed uprising since the mid-nineties.
As did most global conflicts, this one too rose out as a result of colonization.
Previously a colony of the Netherlands, the region was being prepped and restructured for independence and self-determination.
However, the Indonesian government vehemently opposed this plan of action which led to the conflict still present to this day.
PML-N’s Future: Abbasi’s Resignation and Maryam Nawaz’s Elevation
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s resignation in the wake of Maryam Nawaz’s appointment as senior VP and chief organiser led to speculations about his continued membership of the party.
Would this resignation and appointment widen the intra-party divisions, leading to prospective defections of senior members of PML-N?
Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute: Diplomatic Developments
The most brutal and protracted ethnic war in the former Soviet Union is the one between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The territory, which lies within the borders of Azerbaijan but is primarily populated by Armenians, is claimed by both Azeris and Armenians as their absolute historical homeland
The 2023 Presidential Elections in Cyprus
The Republic of Cyprus held its 2023 presidential elections in February. It was held in two rounds since no candidate was able to receive a majority of the vote in the first round.
It was a face-off between ex-foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides and a seasoned diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis. The former gained 51.9% of votes, while the latter gained 48.1% of votes, thus giving victory to Christodoulides.
Gendered Dimensions of Terrorism
Terrorism is a tactic used by extremist groups and terror organizations to embed fear into the masses.
Hafsa Ammar explains how women, too, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are active participants in terrorism. Their harmless disposition allows them to blend in and pass off as a bystander.
Hence, a gendered discourse is necessary within terror studies to evaluate the difference between male and female participation and perception.
An Article on ChatGPT by ChatGPT
To understand more about this AI chatbot and its ability, we had ChatGPT write about itself. Read and judge for yourself if it matches, falls behind, or surpasses human ability.
BBC Documentary on Modi’s Role in the 2002 Gujrat Riots
On 17th January 2023, BBC released a documentary showing the role of Prime Minister Modi (then chief minister of Gujrat) in the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujrat. The program reveals atrocities that led to the death of over 1000 people in western Gujrat.
Soon after the documentary was released, the Indian government invoked emergency laws to ban its broadcast throughout the country.
Pakistan-IMF: The Ninth Economic Review
As the international market continues to become competitive, countries such as Pakistan are increasing their dependence on the IMF.
The loan programs come with terms and conditions highlighting austerity for rebalancing the government’s books. However, these deals have been observed to exacerbate economic inequality in Pakistan.
Following the current political turmoil in Pakistan, the interim set-up has negotiated yet another deal that has directly affected the exchange rates.
In order to understand the current situation, Zainab Haseeb gives an overview of the 9th economic review of a $7 billion loan program.
The Adani Group: Haifa Port and the Accounting Fraud
India has been a popular participant in international politics recently. It has graced the headlines with its business tycoon, Gautam Adani.
The Indian billionaire was just hit with a major scandal of accounting fraud while also landing one of the most significant ports in the Middle East region, the Haifa Port of Israel.
Revisiting the Suffrage Movement in America and Britain
In this article, Malik Mashhood explores the women’s ‘suffrage’ movement, which began in the 1800s in the United States, primarily demanding the right for women to vote.
He compares the suffrage movements in America and Britain, while discussing contemporary women’s rights movements in the two jurisdictions.
