The Reasons Behind the Complicated Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
In most third-world countries, after the colonial period, civil-military relations (CMR) were characterized by military interventions in politics and insubordination to civil control.
Brigadier Syed Mushtaq Ahmed examines the reasons for the widespread influence of the armed forces in the domestic political scene.
He also explores how civilian regimes have attempted to ensure the subordination of the military to their authority.
Nigerian Military vs Boko Haram: The Costs of Civilian Harm
Nufaisa Garba Ahmed primarily sets out to examine the nature and character of the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. In doing so, she brings to the fore some of the grave violations against the civilian population by the Nigerian military in the fight against the Boko Haram Terrorist Group (BHTG) in Nigeria’s Northeast, as reported by credible news outlets.
The aim of this opinion piece is to bring to light some of the salient issues of civilian protection and proffer some good practices and lessons to be adopted for more credible and transparent operations by the military in armed conflicts.
President Macron’s Possible Trip to China
France and its allies in the EU made the decision to stand by Ukraine as soon as the Russia-Ukraine conflict started on 24th February 2022.
According to sources, French President Emmanuel Macron believes that his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, could act as a mediator to stop the large-scale land conflict from resuming in Ukraine.
Macron plans to visit China in April to reportedly discuss trade and energy issues, as well as the wider ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The State During the British Raj: Imperial Governance in South Asia 1700-1947
Ilhan Niaz’s ‘The State During the British Raj: Imperial Governance in South Asia 1700-1947,’ takes upon itself to decipher the gradual evolution of institutionalism during the British Raj.
The author also tries to divulge the pattern of impersonalized governance, constitutionalism, civilian supremacy, meritocracy, and bureaucratic administration in the Indian subcontinent.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: January 2023 Edition
Introducing the January 2023 edition of our magazine—15 pieces, infographic on the most gold reserves by country, advertising opportunities with us, and our social media links.
A Look at the Ongoing Protests in Peru
A nationwide insurrection has engulfed Peru since early December, following the arrest and imprisonment of the country’s former president, Pedro Castillo.
The violent confrontation between the Peruvians and the security forces has entered the eighth week, culminating in the death of 60 civilians – and counting. What prompted these protests, and what lies ahead for Peru?
Israeli Politics and Its New Far-Right Direction
Israeli politics has been making its round on international headlines in the past few months, especially after the historic 6th re-election of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition in November of 2022.
The government’s newest version is deemed the most right-wing establishment in Israeli history.
It includes the Noam Party, Bezalel Yoel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party, and the infamous Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit party.
Navigating Bosnia’s Possible Entry into the European Union
On 15th December 2022, Bosnia finally achieved candidate status for EU membership – the first step in a long and complex journey of EU accession that the country embarked on back in 2016.
There’s a cry of jubilation in the Balkan state and euphoric optimism for a prosperous future.
However, entry into the EU won’t be plain sailing for a country clogged up with a tripartite presidency, ethnic dissonance, legislative gridlocks, and numerous other challenges.
The 14-point Copenhagen Criteria, followed by 35 chapters of the EU acquis, must be implemented by Bosnia to secure a permanent place in the EU.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
In “The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism”, Naomi Klein exposes the idea that neoliberal economic policies and unpopular free-market decisions (such as deregulation, privatization, and cuts in social spending) are implemented only at the time of crises or a ‘shock’.
These shocks appear in the form of coups, terrorist attacks, economic meltdowns, wars, or natural disasters (i.e. tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods).
A shock deliberately creates large, clean canvases for the economic technocrats to make policies and legislations which will inevitably transfer wealth and power (i.e. disaster privatization generating new markets) from the people (majority) to large corporations, global corporate elite, and corrupt governments (minority).
Then & Now: The Human Rights Violations in IOJK
Under the ill-conceived move of August 05, 2019, the BJP-led government of India, which draws its ranks from Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), introduced a new domicile law in IOJK titled “Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificates (Procedure) Rules, 2020”.
Noman Waheed argues that the perennial conflicts about Kashmir go all the way back to the Radcliffe Award. He also charts a way forward for the policymakers in Islamabad.
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870
The Franco-Prussian War or the War of 1870 is often deemed by historians as the conflict that shaped modern Europe. It was a confrontation between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia that took place from July 1870 to May 1871.
The war was a battle of politico-territorial interests where the unconsolidated German states aspired to unify and create a powerful German nation-state. France, however, fearful of encirclement and alteration of the balance of power, aimed to maintain its status quo as the major European power.
The Fall of “Daronomics,” and the Way Ahead for Pakistan
The economy of the country is now burdened by the weight of inflationary measures, a weakening rupee, the consequence of “Daronomics,” and the demands of the IMF.
In this concise op-ed, Myra Imran Rafiq reveals why policies based on “Daronomics” failed and what needs to be done now for a brighter economic future for Pakistan.
Attack on the Brazil Congress
Just a week after Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office, his opponent’s wild supporters stormed the Three Powers Plaza—an area that houses the Supreme Court, the Presidential Palace, and the Congress.
World leaders strongly condemned this act of violence, as it severely damaged the democratic will of Brazil.
Russian Influence Operations: Disinformation Campaigns
Hybrid warfare is a term worn out in academia, being overused in every situation where there is a complexity or overlap of tactics. One incredibly invasive hybrid tactic that is being utilized all around the globe is disinformation through narrative building.
Hafsa Ammar discusses how disinformation has allegedly been used extensively by Russia against its enemies, particularly against the US.
Readistan by Shahrukh Nadeem
Shahrukh Nadeem’s Readistan covers 50 of the best books such as the Art of War, the Prince, and the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, among others.
This review will briefly discuss the 10 books that the reviewer appreciated the most in Readistan.
French Troops Withdraw From Mali and Burkina Faso
France’s decision to pull out its troops from Mali and Burkina Faso has created a security vacuum, and since both countries are known for the high rates of jihadist violence, concerns are growing about the impact that the withdrawal may have on regional security.
Adam Abass seeks to understand the reason why the security partnership between France and these two countries is deteriorating.
Israel’s Begin Doctrine
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Menachem Begin, believed that the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iraq would pose an existential threat to the Jewish state.
That was the beginning of the Begin Doctrine which called for military action against countries or groups that carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens or interests.
The Begin Doctrine has also been used to justify Israel’s military operations in the Middle East, including the bombing of the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981 and the attack on the Syrian nuclear facility in 2007.