Kidnapping of the Century: The Case of Charles Lindbergh Jr.
In 1932, America witnessed the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of pioneer aviator Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow. With only a ransom note and a broken ladder left behind, the kidnapper disappeared into the night. Labeled “The Kidnapping of the Century,” the crime garnered both international and domestic attention, propelling the US Congress to pass the Federal Kidnapping Act.
Israel’s Heinous Targeted Killing Programme
The ongoing Israeli war in Gaza has brought to the fore the violations of international law committed by Israel. Sarmad Ishfaq discusses one such violation—Israel’s targeted killing program—and the moral and legal debates surrounding it. Highlighting the historical context and prominent operations, he outlines Israel’s use of targeted killings to eliminate perceived threats, including Palestinian leaders and Iranian nuclear scientists.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Tapestry: Unraveling the Threads of Foreign Policy in Support of Palestine
Mishayam Jan Ayub explores Pakistan’s enduring support for Palestine, tracing its diplomatic positions and public sentiments. She highlights Pakistan’s unwavering backing for Palestine in the country’s foreign policy, one rooted in historical and cultural ties as well as geopolitical considerations.
Shaping History: The First General Elections in Pakistan
In 1970, Yahya Khan, who imposed Pakistan’s second martial law, issued a Legal Framework Order for the first general elections. The landmark elections of 1970 ushered in a new era, setting the stage for significant changes in Pakistan’s political and territorial landscape. They not only left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s electoral history but also paved the way for future developments and decisions in the country.
Unveiling the World Of 3D Weapons: Technology, Risks, Legal Aspects, and Regulatory Challenges
Technological evolution has led to a crossover between AI and 3D printing. In the wrong hands, this combination can prove to be lethal. 3D-printed weapons are becoming commonplace in wars and rebellions, as witnessed in the 2021 Myanmar civil war.
Zoya Usman contemplates the challenges and risks these weapons pose in the modern world. Some view these developments with alarm, while others debate the urgency of the threat they pose.
Do these concerns warrant immediate attention?
The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842)
Laiba Umer Malik offers a brief history of the First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-1842). This Afghan war, fought in the midst of the Great Game, set the stage for future foreign interventions in Afghanistan. It marked the start of centuries of torment for the people of modern-day Afghanistan.
Singapore’s Giant Digital Economy
Despite the global economic hiccup, a tiny island nation often termed the “Lion City,” Singapore remains one of the world’s strongest economies.
Its robust “smart nation” initiative, which mobilizes advancements in digital technologies to create smooth, tech-driven actions, has firmly put Singapore in a good position to develop a strong digital economy and a force to reckon with in the tech-oriented society.
The Anglo-Soviet Invasion of Iran
The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran officially began on 25th August 1941 and concluded on 31st August 1941, a day after the Iranian government had agreed to surrender and establish a ceasefire.
However, the invasion was more than a mere military operation; it assisted in setting the stage for Iran’s role in global politics along with shifting the perspective of the Iranian government and its populace concerning the West.
Canada-Philippines Defence Agreement and the South China Sea Dispute
The recent defence agreement signed between Canada and the Philippines is focused on cooperation in military education, information sharing, training exchanges, peacekeeping operations, and disaster responses regulated between the military and defence establishment of both countries.
Although it doesn’t mention a direct aim of safeguarding the claims of the Philippines in the South China Sea, the defence agreement would surely play its role in the ongoing dispute.
The Israeli War in Gaza: Where Climate Change Meets Conflict
The highly anticipated COP28, held in Dubai in December 2023, took place amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine. The authors examine the conference’s agenda and achievements through the lens of the conflict-climate intersection.
They discuss how these two concepts are deeply interconnected and highlight that the COP’s exclusion of the conflict, primarily the Israel-Gaza war, from the agenda makes it challenging to achieve climate goals in the region.
The Fault in Our Stars: Pitfalls in Pakistan’s Economic Development
As Pakistan approaches its 77th anniversary, Aiman Shahid reflects on its journey.
Impacted by political turmoil and a neglect of economic development, Pakistan trails behind other developing nations such as Bangladesh – a state once poorer than Pakistan, now emerging as a success story, overcoming adversity through strategic reforms and empowering its female workforce.
Comparing Pakistan to African developing states, she also highlights valuable insights from Rwanda’s path to progress, which could transform Pakistan’s economy and help the South Asian state achieve its development goals. As the nation stands at a crossroads, it must confront its identity crisis and persevere to shape a brighter future.
From Swords to Drones: The Impact of Technology on Warfare
Over time, warfare has evolved from primitive conflicts to complex, organized endeavors, heavily influenced by technological advancements.
From early weaponry like swords to modern innovations such as drones and cyber warfare, technology has continued to shape military strategies and tactics.
The manipulation of the internet and emerging technologies like drones, missile shields, and hacking are shaping modern warfare, emphasizing the importance of technological superiority in military operations.
India’s Cultivation of the Khalistan Movement—Past & Present
The Khalistan Movement is an attempt to liberate the Sikhs of India. The separatist movement was started by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and gained momentum in the ’80s.
The recent murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver has rekindled the movement, shedding light on India’s persisting anti-Khalistan sentiments.
India’s distaste for the Sikhs has been seen time and again over the years from Operation Blue Star of 1948, to the unsavory response that the Farmer’s Protests received.
Sarmad Ishfaq summarizes that with the way India keeps targeting Sikhs, the revival of Khalistan seems inevitable, and it’s only a matter of time before it gains momentum again.
Insight into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is positioning itself as a competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Minahil Khalid expands on how this initiative materialized after the September 2023 G20 summit. IMEC holds significant economic and strategic importance as it connects India, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe, thereby establishing a trade route with the potential to reshape global trading dynamics. The impact of IMEC on Pakistan needs to be assessed, considering that this corridor may pose challenges to the success and involvement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
The 27th GCC-EU Joint Council in Oman
The 27th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – European Union (EU) Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting took place in Muscat, Oman on 9th and 10th October 2023.
Chaired by H.E. Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, and H.E. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, the meeting aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two organizations.
The Pakistan-Iran Border: A Conduit of Culture, Trade, and Geopolitical Dynamics
The Pakistan-Iran border of about 900 kilometers serves more than just an average natural barrier function; it’s an energetic artery for economical, traditional, and geo-political significance.
In fact, the contemporary contacts with Iran date back to ancient migrations of Persian monarchies, Mughal emperors, and Safavid shahs who laid the historical borders that persist to this day.
INTERPOL at 70: Navigating the Dual Role of the Leading International Policing Organisation
Tayyaba Atiq studies the role, effectiveness, achievements, and failures of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
She also provides a brief analysis of the ways in which both states and individuals have used INTERPOL as an instrument in order to achieve personal benefits.
Towards the end, few solutions have also been proposed to overcome the challenges hindering the core purpose of the international police organization.