The World’s Power Distribution from Pax Americana to Asianization: A New Geopolitical Landscape
A multipolar world could hardly be considered elusive, given the intensity of the geopolitical currents.
And while the US is still standing tall, for how long will it be able to do so with China taking the lead in global affairs?
The US would eventually be forced to take extreme action or risk losing its status as a global power and becoming irrelevant as the world moves to multipolarity.
The China-Central Asia Summit: A Signifier of Russia’s Declining Influence?
The first China-Central Asia Summit, hosted in Xi’an, has revealed a new regional dynamic in Central Asia. Aamir Junaid describes China’s strategic positioning in Central Asia amidst the declining influence of Russia in the region.
While Russia’s credibility as a security provider has waned due to the war in Ukraine, China has emerged as a reliable security partner for the former Soviet Republics.
Despite the economic challenges and Sinophobia in the region, the Xi’an Summit has provided insights into China’s quest to become the preferred partner for Central Asia.
A Rising China: Contender to US Supremacy
Ayesha Zahoor contemplates the rise of the East, particularly China, and its potential to supersede the United States. The shifting global balance of power coincides perfectly with the diminishing authority of the US and the burgeoning influence of China worldwide. While the American policies of interventionism have cultivated distrust and skepticism among its allies, China’s economic prowess, and reliability in every sector have drawn states towards it.
The Golden Triangle: The Opium Production Centre of Southeast Asia
An infamous region widely known as the “Golden Triangle” is located in the forestry depths of Southeast Asia, between the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The area has historically been seen as the home site for the mass production of opium. Millions of methamphetamine pills (Meth) have been seized by Thai security forces. Moreover, hundreds of kilograms of crystal meth, heroin, and ketamine have allegedly passed on from the region.
Tug of War Between Central Governments and Supreme Courts in Pakistan and India
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood discusses the uncanny similarities in both the constitutional and political discourse in India and Pakistan.
Despite their longstanding hostility, both countries find themselves entangled in a web of mistrust between their respective centers and the Supreme Courts.
These intriguing coincidences send us down a fascinating path fraught with power struggles, legislative interventions, and the slow erosion of institutional trust.
Paul Rusesabagina, Hotel Rwanda Hero
Rwanda has seen its fair share of conflict and political despair. The 1994 Genocide that massacred over 800,000 Tutsi civilians, a minority group, has been the epicenter of Rwandan politics.
To understand the role of Paul Rusesabagina in the genocide and realize why there was recently a global clamor for his freedom, there is a need for a refresher on the conflict.
Turkey’s 2023 Elections: What You Need to Know
A complex state that has seen power juggle between its political and military institutes, Türkiye has seen years of struggle to get to its current political shape.
In 2018, Türkiye saw its transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system after the constitutional referendum in 2017. The initiative was planned by Tayyip Erdoğan of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) who remains a powerful political figure and has been President since 2014.
While both the presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 14th May, Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu will contest a run-off vote on 28th May to decide the winner of the 2023 presidential elections.
What Does a Stable Afghanistan Mean for China?
Despite being an underdeveloped country, Afghanistan seems to have gained China’s attention. China desires a stable Afghanistan so that it can safeguard its national and cross-border security.
Moreover, China needs to have stability in its landlocked neighbor so that it can further its economic expansion.
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood sheds light on the importance of stability in Afghanistan for China and China’s attempts to make sure that it enjoys a stable neighborhood.
Why is Bakhmut Important in the Russia-Ukraine War?
Ayesha Javaid discusses why Bakhmut is important for both Russia and Ukraine, and what would happen if it were to fall.
For Ukraine, the city is a symbol of its struggle and resistance against the Russian forces. On the other hand, Russia seeks Bakhmut to gain control over the entire eastern Donbas territory and ultimately the liberation of the “Donetsk People’s Republic”.
As she describes the recent developments in the ongoing war for Bakhmut, she concludes that in the coming weeks, the city might completely slip through Russia’s fingers.
The Propaganda War Between India and Pakistan Post-Pulwama
After the Pulwama attack in India, tensions between both Pakistan and India rose rapidly. The escalation eventually culminated in an aerial dogfight where an Indian MiG-21 was downed by Pakistan and its pilot, Abhinandan, captured.
To save face, India began a propaganda campaign claiming that a Pakistani F-16 was downed by India. This led to a massive war of words between both countries characterized by lies, jingoism, hyperbole, and nationalism.
While both countries’ media were to be blamed for the preceding, the Indian media was more culpable for displaying such negative traits. Eventually, this propaganda war was settled by international news agencies and organizations that corrected many false Indian claims, especially the one relating to the alleged downed Pakistani F-16.
The final nail in the coffin was when a US inventory check asserted that no Pakistani F-16s were missing and therefore Pakistan came out as the victor in the dogfight as well as the propaganda war.
The Role of Hydropolitics in Pakistan’s Water Crisis
Ayesha Javaid discusses how Pakistan has been embroiled in politics over water resources since its independence – at both local and international levels.
Pakistan and India initially had disagreements over the Indus Basin, which was finally settled by the Indus Water Treaty in 1960. However, with India now demanding modifications in the 62-year-old treaty, serious water-based conflicts between the two countries are a likely possibility.
Pakistan also faces water troubles within, as provincial governments have failed to reach an agreement over the much-needed construction (& even usage) of dams.
Understanding the Sudan Conflict for Solutions: SAF & RSF
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood aims to give a detailed insight into the ongoing conflict between the two military factions in Sudan, the Rapid Security Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
He also discusses the impact of the Sudan crisis on both local and international political (and economic) spheres.
He then deliberates on the role of regional stakeholders who have a responsibility to find an indigenous solution to resolve the terrifying conflict.
The Washington Declaration: Revisiting the US-South Korean Security Commitment
The Washington Declaration is the name given to the very recent revised commitment between South Korea and the US on the 27th of April, 2023.
The declaration seeks to reinforce the US-South Korean alliance for the security interests of both in the region.
The US’s antagonism towards Chinese influence and South Korea’s uneasiness with North Korea’s nuclear expansion and missile capabilities have forced both of them to establish a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.
Implications of Russia Stationing Nuclear Weapons in Belarus
President Vladimir Putin declared on March 25 that nuclear weapons along with a missile system for carrying them would be stationed in Belarus.
The stationing of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus would have profound effects on regional and international security, potentially leading to heightened tensions and diplomatic repercussions.
Questioning the Sovereignty of the Baltic States
France, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were outraged that China’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, would question the sovereignty of Ukraine and all former Soviet Republics, including the Baltic republics.
Mr Lu’s statements have crumbled the confidence in China to serve as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, his remarks imply that the former Soviet Union nations lack legal standing in the eyes of the international community.
Sudan’s Recent Civil War
Moaz Bashir discusses the terrible civil war in Sudan taking place right now, and its main stakeholders.
He also analyzes past events in Sudan such as the formation of the Rapid Security Forces (RSF) and the joint collaboration between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). He then discusses the recent hostility between these two forces.
Waning US Hegemony, De-Dollarization, & the Incoming War with China
With the US’s foreign policy failures, its domestic rifts, and the China-led de-dollarization initiative, the current global landscape finds itself in a state of upheaval.
Sarmad Ishfaq explains that the steady decline of the US’s hegemony and the simultaneous rise of China will lead to an imminent conflict between the two, resulting in the US’s demise and the birth of a new world order.
