Weather Warfare: Weapons of the Future
Amid climate concerns, states are now devising ways to change and control the weather. However, this initiative could tempt global powers into using weather to gain military advantage.
Muhammad Sajjad and Saba Kiran review international frameworks and several studies to demonstrate how weather modification technology can be used in future wars.
China’s Military Modernization: A Threat to the US
China’s fast-paced military modernization has become a thorn in America’s side. The author, Rida Yamin, notes that the creation of Chinese hypersonic missiles has come as a shock to the United States, intensifying the arms race between the two. She argues that China’s focus on STEM education, the research and development sector, and industrial policy has given it an edge over the US.
The Prisoner’s Dilemma of Hostage Diplomacy: How States Exploit Foreigners
Khawaja Obaid ur Rehman explains the concept of ‘hostage diplomacy’ – linking it to the recent arrest of US basketball player Brittney Griner who got arrested in Russia.
He also applies the concept of ‘prisoner’s dilemma’ to show just how tricky the practice of imprisoning foreign nationals to achieve specific national interests can be.
Russo-Ukrainian War: Western Support, Global Economy & the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
After 6 months of continuous fighting, the Russia-Ukraine war shows no signs of ending. Aamina Ikram notes that despite Russia commanding the world’s second-largest military, Ukraine has been able to fight back – thanks to the West’s endless support. The war has already taken the lives of more than 5,000 people, and has struck a huge blow to the global economy. The world is also wary of a nuclear catastrophe emanating from Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is currently occupied by Russian forces.
The Lacking 2022-23 Federal Budget of Pakistan
The federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 is termed the ‘growth budget’ by the government. However, it does not seem promising, since the taxes imposed will undoubtedly lead to inflation, and because the amount earmarked for the education sector remains unsatisfactory.
Wasif Hassan provides a summary of the budget and briefly analyses the imposition of taxes and education spending allocated under the federal budget 2022-23.
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.
Lords of Misrule
Mir Adnan Aziz discusses the blatant disregard for disaster management by the former and current governments in Pakistan. He stresses that the innumerable casualties and massive destruction caused by the recent natural disasters were certainly preventable. This gross negligence by the lords of misrule has left the people of Pakistan walking on a tightrope.
Fossil Fuel Burning & Corporations: The Case of Berkshire Hathaway & Saudi Aramco
When it comes to climate change, the contribution of giant corporations to global warming is often overlooked. Maryam Ibrahim notes that one of the main causes of global warming is the emission of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels, and this is where energy corporations come in. The author takes the example of Berkshire Hathaway and Saudi Aramco to shed light on climate denial, and the lack of accountability associated with these corporations’ environmental activities.
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.
A Cyclical Disaster: The 2022 Floods of Pakistan
Having experienced severe political and climatic storms this year, Sarmad Ishfaq laments the difficult times ahead for Pakistan.
These devastating floods are putting the economy under even more pressure. There is a strong possibility that food costs and unemployment will now surge to record highs.
Pakistan: Beyond the ‘Crisis State’
Edited by Maleeha Lodhi and several other contributors, Pakistan: Beyond the ‘Crisis State’ was published in 2011. The book effectively embarks beyond terrorism and natural disasters. Instead, it addresses the country’s contemporary security dynamics, demographic pressures, energy shortages, and lack of political will.
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.