The Inching Hong Kong Economy Post-Pandemic
Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, has limited natural resources and thus has invariably depended upon imports to meet its demands within the region. Its vast trade domain with countries such as Mainland China, Taiwan, and the United States is unquestionable.
Seeing that Hong Kong has witnessed a comparatively slower post-pandemic economic recovery, Amna Asif notes that the US-Sino trade war and the pandemic have substantially arrested the growth of Hong Kong’s economy.
Turkey-China Relations: From Defense to Economic Partnerships
The relations between China and Turkey serve as the perfect example of common interests winning over ideology. Though the two states have diverging views on several issues like terrorism, or the Arab Spring, they still view each other as important trading partners – and have cooperated in the defense, cultural, and economic spheres. Samana Mehmood notes that the diplomatic relations which started in 1971, have now become much more significant. With the changing structure of the international environment, Beijing and Ankara are bound to play a more proactive role in global affairs.
China, Indonesia, & the South China Sea Dispute
China has always maintained sovereignty over the South China Sea, which is rich in both oil and natural gas reserves. More so, its sea routes are critical for China’s maritime transportation.
Interestingly, while China has never claimed Indonesia’s Natuna islands, it has also never clarified the meaning of the nine-dash line that overlaps with Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone near the Natuna Islands.
Weather Warfare & Environmental Modification – A War Without Weapons
Though mostly recognized for its use by states like the UAE to produce more rainfall, weather modification can prove to be destructive if malicious intent is involved. Sarmad Ishfaq addresses America’s past weaponization of weather, namely Operation Popeye, and how the superpower has managed to exploit the Environmental Modification Convention (ENMOD) – a treaty on weather warfare. He argues that even in contemporary times, the possibility of the weather being used as a weapon cannot be ruled out.
Thailand Politics: Court Suspends Thai PM & Coup Leader
On 24th August, Thailand was upended into a political crisis after the Constitutional Court suspended the Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief. He originally seized control in a coup in 2014 and continued to rule after an election five years later.
This is a temporary decision, taken while the court decides whether or not Chan-o-cha had exceeded the constitutional 8-year term limit. Abrish Nayyar details the possible outcomes of the courts decisions, and discusses the future of Thai politics.
Ulchi Freedom Shield: The US and South Korea’s Joint Military Exercises
After downsizing their joint military exercises in 2017, the US and South Korea have once again upped the scale of the drills following North Korea’s refusal to negotiate with Seoul. Seemal Nadeem takes a look at these South Korea-US military exercises, termed “Ulchi Freedom Shield,” and assesses what they represent in the rivalry between the US and North Korea.
High Food Inflation Rate in Pakistan: Causes, Effects & Recommendations
From political instability to an economic and climate crisis, Pakistan has witnessed an innumerable amount of chaos and devastation in 2022. To further add to this burdening state of affairs, the country is now experiencing food inflation, pushing people into poverty. Samana Mehmood addresses the causes of this inflation and suggests ways to overcome it.
Petrol Prices in Pakistan: Determinants & Fluctuations
Petrol is a necessity with fairly inelastic demand. Since Pakistan imports petroleum products, the fuel price is determined by the fluctuating international market, and Pakistan’s foreign exchange rate.
The limited supply, and the unprecedented increase in the prices of petroleum products in the international market recently caused an unexpected global price hike.
Moreover, the rapid depreciation of the Pakistani rupee over the last few months, and the removal of govt. subsidies have caused petrol prices to reach a record high of Rs. 235.98 in Pakistan.
Examining PTI’s Prohibited Funding Fiasco
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan declared PTI guilty of receiving millions from 351 foreign companies, concealing 13 accounts, and receiving $35,651 from 34 foreign national citizens. Faran Feroze probes into PTI’s ‘prohibited funding’ case, uncovering both legal and political implications.
The Putin-Erdogan Meeting: Courtship or Alliance?
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on August 5th, to discuss a wide array of topics. This included the strengthening of economic ties between the two.
This meeting follows Türkiye’s masterful diplomacy of acting as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, which has allowed Ukraine grains to be exported again.
The Devastating Flooding in Pakistan
The destruction caused by heavy rainfalls and floods in Pakistan is reaching new heights as the days pass. The deadly floods have taken the lives of more than 1,300 people and impacted millions of Pakistanis. With lives at stake, extensive rescue operations are underway all over Pakistan.
Will India Revise its No First Use (NFU) Policy?
The No First Use (NFU) Policy, a very well-crafted and sought-out characteristic of the Indian nuclear doctrine, is on the verge of being revisited and modified by the current BJP government.
Lyba Mobeen aims to scrutinize the prevailing sentiment among public officials, strategists, and policymakers regarding this policy change.
She concludes that given the track record of the fascist and extremist Modi government since 2014, such a perilous and alarming policy amendment can be expected. Resultantly, another wave of an arms race and security dilemma will commence in the South Asian region.
Non-local Voting in J&K: Eradicating Kashmiri Identity
After depriving Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy by revoking articles 370 and 35A, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now taken another definitive step towards suppressing the people of Kashmir. The BJP has announced a new electoral process that allows non-locals to register as voters in Indian administrated J&K, thereby impacting the region’s political system and voter turnout. Maryam Ibrahim notes that this decision has garnered immense criticism from the Indian opposition parties and Kashmiri politicians, and raised concerns among the Kashmiri locals. Today, they fear whether they’ll have any rights left.
Why the Supreme Court is Challenging the 2022 Kenya Election
The general elections in Kenya took place on August 9, 2022. In addition to the voting for governors, senators, members of parliament, and county assemblies, four candidates ran for president.
The election commission approved just four candidates to run for president this time around, the fewest since the 1990s.
Having served for two terms already, the outgoing president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was ineligible to run for re-election.
While William Ruto may have stood victorious, his opponent Raila Odinga has challenged the results in the Supreme Court, demanding fresh elections.
The Dark Side of the Meme Culture
Noor-Ul-Haya looks into the ethical considerations of consent and privacy w.r.t. the creation of memes on social media. Through examples, she highlights the long-lasting impacts of such a ‘casual’ phenomenon, and a few clear solutions to deal with it.
Blinken’s Africa Visit: The China-Russia Threat
Seeing as the African nations hold huge importance in terms of resources and strategic location, the US finds China and Russia’s visits to the region concerning. In view of that, on 8th August, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a visit to South Africa to further its relations with the African nation.
The China-Taiwan Conflict & the Global Microchips Supply
Taiwan, the largest manufacturer of semiconductors in the world, has been embroiled in a conflict with China for decades. With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the relations between the island and Beijing have become immensely strained, raising questions about a possible Chinese invasion. Sana Azhar ponders whether the US will back Taiwan if the island becomes another Ukraine. She contends that in the case of a conflict, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry will take the biggest hit and the world will witness a microchip shortage.
