The Complexities of Humanitarian Intervention
Humanitarian intervention can be used as an instrument to manage the armed aspect of the conflict and lower the suffering of people by curbing violence. However, it is not as simple as it seems.
In international politics, a number of factors are involved for states to take action. Iman Faisal tries to shed light on the certain complexities of humanitarian intervention by taking the example of humanitarian intervention during the Rwandan Genocide.
Reality Check: Economic Crisis in Pakistan
Pakistan is currently facing a political impasse, a dwindling economy, surging inflation, escalating terror threats, and the possibility of a worldwide recession. Concerns about the status of Pakistan’s economy are mounting as foreign reserves dwindle, the local currency weakens, and inflation persists at levels not seen in decades.
A government exists in Pakistan that is unable to exercise or relinquish power. Bitter, the opposition is sticking to its rhetoric of fire and brimstone. Neither are aware of their ultimate goal. The government avoided a default earlier this month, but now its foreign exchange reserves have fallen to $4.3 billion, the lowest since 2014.
Although the finance minister acknowledges that the economy is in a “tough spot”, he simultaneously dismisses fears of Pakistan’s default and calls it propaganda from the opposition. The truth is, the country remains a hair’s breadth away from the bleak prospect.
Exploring China’s Strategic Partnership with Iran
Divided into three sections, the first part of the paper examines the concept of “strategic partnership” as a new framework in international relations and intentional cooperation. It also examines how this concept has become integrated into China’s foreign policy, and the reasons behind Beijing’s over-reliance on it.
The second section examines China’s historical relations with Iran up to the announcement of the so-called comprehensive strategic partnership, focusing on the motives and goals of both states. The third section highlights the main challenges that are expected in Beijing’s strategic partnership with Tehran.
Reassuring Recommendations for Our Climate Woes
Despite conferences such as the COP and Davos meetings being held annually, world temperatures are only seen to be soaring, and their impact is drastically witnessed by people all across the globe.
This then begs the question, “What can be done to improve efforts in mitigating major climate-related calamities?”
In this piece, Myra Imran Rafiq provides several circular and sustainable recommendations for tackling climate change.
The Sad Reality of Companies Closing Down in Pakistan
The previous year proved to be very bleak for various industries and companies in Pakistan, with several expecting to shutdown and suffer huge losses this year as well.
Some industries have already shut down operations, while others are expected to follow the trend thus projecting industrial growth to be a negative 4% in FY23.
Evolution of the Two-Party System in the United States
Andrew Jackson’s Democratic Party and Abraham Lincoln’s Republican Party continue to dominate American politics today.
Have you ever wondered how the two-party system in the United States evolved?
This informative paper explores this question and examines the key changes in these two political parties from the nation’s beginning.
The Role of Modernism in Shaping Nationalism
Hafsa Ammar observes the role of modernism in international relations i.e. the rise of nationalism and identity politics.
Where primordialism holds that nationalism has existed as a universal and independent concept, modernism maintains that the development of the international system is what induced nationalism.
President Mohamud’s War Against Al-Shabaab
In May 2022, when President Sheikh Mohamud was elected president of Somalia amidst the political turmoil, one of his top priorities was the elimination of Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group that has been waging war against the country.
Adam Abass analyses the president’s strategy against Al-Shabaab, the current military offensive being launched by his government, Al-Shabaab’s counter-strategy, and the possible challenges ahead that can thwart the progress being made against the group.
What Caused Algeria and Morocco to Cut Ties?
On 24th August 2021, Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco, citing Morocco’s recognition of Israel and its support of the Kabyle separatist movement as the two main reasons.
In this piece, follow the real story behind why two of North Africa’s biggest powers severed their diplomatic ties, and the events that led to this rift.
Applying Securitisation Theory to the Ongoing Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Muhammad Usama Siddiqi and Brilliant Windy Khairunnisa aim to explain the factors that led Russia to securitise Ukraine through the lens of the securitisation theory.
According to the theory, issues that are fundamentally political are considered and analysed from a security perspective. They use this theory to effectively frame the actors and threats in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Dissolution of Guaidó’s Interim Government: What’s Next for Venezuela?
The Venezuelan presidential predicament takes a new turn as the opposition-controlled National Assembly dissolves Guaidó’s interim government ahead of presidential elections expected in 2024. What led to this removal and what’s next for the petrostate of Latin America?
Will Pakistan Default?
The buzz and panic around a very likely default scenario for Pakistan has the people of the country exceptionally troubled.
Mobeen Mukhtar relieves the fears of a default by clarifying and breaking down the country’s debt obligations—both internal and external. He dismisses the possibility of an imminent default owing to debt reschedulings and the Sukuk payment it made last month.
Turkey, Greece and the Cyprus Dispute
Hafsa Ammar discusses how international mediation sometimes is necessary to maintain world order and peace.
She builds on this case by recalling the Cyprus dispute. The mediation attempts by the US and the United Nations managed to subdue Turkey and Greece, and this effectively prevented the conflict from escalating.
Tomorrow, the World: The Birth of U.S. Global Supremacy
“Tomorrow, the World: The Birth of U.S. Global Supremacy” is an ambitious and comprehensive history of the United States’ ascension to global pre-eminence in the twentieth century.
Through a deep dive into both the geopolitical and ideological components of American foreign policy, Stephen Wertheim provides a riveting narrative of how the United States emerged as the most influential superpower in the world.
Assessing Nuclear Security in Pakistan & India
In South Asia, Pakistan has been subjected to growing criticism over the insecurity posed by its nuclear infrastructure. However, what’s commonly ignored is that the region houses another nuclear state—one that presents greater and deadly nuclear concerns.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: December 2022 Edition
Introducing the December 2022 edition of our magazine—14 pieces, our top interns, advertising opportunities with us, and an interesting infographic.
Superabundance by Marian Tupy & Gale Pooley
It is largely maintained that population growth makes for scarcer resources. Marian Tupy and Gale Pooley’s book, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet, convinces you otherwise.
Superabundance is an absolutely detailed book with data spanning two centuries. Its fundamental premise? Resources become much more abundant as the population grows.