Chipping Away at the Katas Raj Temples
The authors recount their visit to the Katas Raj temples, a site of extreme cultural and religious significance. They shed light on the degradation of the site caused by both controllable factors like the government and multinational companies and uncontrollable factors like climate change.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: October 2022 Edition
On our followers’ requests, Paradigm Shift will now be releasing its e-magazine every month. Instead of following a determined theme, the monthly editions feature a curated list of pieces that centre around the latest news and developments.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant: The Looming Radiation Disaster
Built between 1984 and 1995, Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and one of the top 10 largest power plants in the world.
The plant was taken over by the Russian forces on 4th March, 2022, consequently severing its connection to the Ukrainian grid.
As it is located right in the middle of the war zone, concerns of a radiation disaster have been mounting.
US Intervention in Somalia: Justified or Unnecessary?
Huda Raza details the US-led intervention in Somalia, the political scenario behind the situation that led to the intervention, and the military measures taken by the Bush and Clinton administrations.
She also evaluates whether it was a fair intervention under the theory of just war.
The Long Awaited 2022 Parliamentary Elections of Nepal
Nepal has had a bitter history of power transitions and political instability. In yet another attempt to maintain democratic structures and bring political stability, Nepal is poised to hold its parliamentary elections on 20th November.
This will be the 11th such election since 2008, after Nepal abolished its 240-year-old monarchy.
The Rapidly Increasing Military Coups in West Africa
For the past three years, West Africa has experienced multiple military coups. This recent increase is attributed to the contagious effect of the military coup that occurred in Mali in 2020. The ‘coup fever’ has since then spread to Burkina Faso, Chad, and Guinea, and also led to an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau.
The Irony of Europe’s Burqa Ban
Where some nations mandate veils and the burqa, there are others that forbid it. Haniya Ali reviews the legislation and policies outlawing the burqa in a few European countries that are seemingly free—and “champions of human rights”— i.e. Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland.
The Middle East Quartet & Its Role
The Middle East Quartet was set up in 2002, primarily to help mediate the Middle East peace negotiations. It has also been supporting Palestinian economic development and institution-building in preparation for eventual statehood.
The platform has an informal structure, but it provides fluidity to members to navigate crises.
Pakistan-US Relations: As Fickle as the Weather
The US has had a turbulent relationship with Pakistan since the country’s independence in 1947. Over the course of 75 years, minor changes have occurred in the way bilateral exchanges are conducted between the two nations.
Despite the rollercoaster relationship, the US has assisted Pakistan by providing necessary loans, humanitarian aid, and military equipment during exigent situations.
Moreover, the US is a major foreign direct investor in Pakistan’s economy, and its largest export partner.
However, bilateral relations between the two have been deteriorating because of scathing remarks and underhanded activities.
Jamaica’s Ban on Degenerate Entertainment: Moral Policing or Crime Preventer?
On 11th October, the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica issued a directive that outlawed music and tv shows supporting crime, violence, and drug use, among others. Maryam Jilani considers the recent ban an example of moral policing rather than a crime curative measure.
Pakistan Grants Tajikistan Access to Gwadar
Due to its strategic location, Pakistan is a country that the Central Asian Republics cannot ignore. Areej Haider aims to explain the recent access to Gwadar for Tajikistan, its importance for both states, and future implications.
Australia’s Stance on West Jerusalem: Israel’s Capital No More
This month, on 18th October, the Australian government made its formal decision to rescind its recognition of west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The reversal was met with fury in Israel, but relief in Palestine.
Hamra Tariq notes, however, that Australians have a divided view w.r.t. the decision.
Propaganda Against Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons: From “Islamic Bomb” to Biden’s Comments
For decades, the West has had its eyes set on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, going as far as to stir up paranoia against it. The recent statement by President Joe Biden is just another notch in America’s extensive propaganda campaign against Pakistan. Sarmad Ishfaq points out the fallacies in the West’s perceived notion of Pakistan’s nuclear insecurity. He highlights how Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are secure and in turn proves that the countries questioning Pakistan have many nuclear-related issues themselves.
Pakistani Exports: The Struggling Cotton & Textile Industries
Despite being the 4th largest producer of cotton in Asia, Pakistan ranks 8th in the continent when it comes to its textile exports. Although Pakistan’s textile exports have increased in the last year, its textile industry has not been functioning up to its true potential. Noticing this, Muhammad Bilal Farooq identifies the multiple factors that have fettered the growth of Pakistan’s textile exports over the years. He suggests that Pakistan’s government and private sector take immediate actions to address these impediments.
EU and GCC: Energy Partnerships Under Crisis
Facing one of its toughest winters, Europe looks to the Gulf countries to provide it with the energy that Russia had been providing for a long time.
Previously, the EU’s inclination for renewables and climate change—and GCC’s immutable investment in fossil fuels—stood in the way of an energy partnership.
Suhaib Shaukat explains the opportunities and challenges of cooperation between the EU and the GCC states. Some of the glaring obstacles include geopolitical decisions and critical infrastructure needs.
Arab NATO: Key to the Middle East Dilemma?
In recent years, the Gulf states have started to view Israel in a new light. Backed by Saudi Arabia and the US, these states – United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar – no longer think of Israel as a geopolitical threat but rather, consider Iran the enemy.
This sentiment has increased the prospect of an Arab coalition against Iran, particularly since the signing of the Abraham Accords.
Muhammad Bilal Farooq notes that although the Saudi-led coalition against Iran is supported by the US, the Arab states have become aware that they cannot solely rely on Western powers to be security guarantors.
The Assassination of CJ Meskanzai: The Latest Victim of the Baloch Insurgency
The re-emergence of increased separatist movements is a direct consequence of trans-provincial alliances between Baloch and other separatist groups.
The Baloch insurgents are now reaching new extremes – and have even started attacking high-profile individuals. One such tragedy was the senseless killing of Chief Justice Meskanzai.
